Course Descriptions:
Expository Preaching
September 6 – October 4. Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm.
This class covers the creation and delivery of expository sermons. Students learn a process for moving from the biblical passage to the sermon draft. This process includes biblical interpretation, sermon construction, illustrations and applications, and delivery. Anyone interested in preaching biblical sermons, or becoming a better sermon listener, can benefit.
The Pentateuch
October 25 to November 29 (no class on November 8). Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm.
This class introduces the first five books of the Bible. Students will learn the literary features, theological themes, interpretive challenges, and main characters of the opening act of God’s story. The focus will be on understanding the message of these books in their relationship to God’s ultimate salvation in Jesus Christ.
Call (828) 437-0137 today to register!
We are excited about this year’s golf tournament to support our upcoming Toy Store Ministry, blessing children, and families in Burke County. To help us raise funds, we are asking businesses and our CRBA churches to “Sponsor A Hole.” There are different levels of support that allow churches and businesses of all sizes the ability to participate.
To learn more and to become a hole sponsor, please call our office or click HERE.
Grilling season may be coming to an end, but your propane tank can still be used to bless others. At this year’s upcoming Toy Store Ministry, we will be providing counseling and prayer for each Toy Store guest, and this will take place outdoors. We have acquired six patio heaters but will need propane tanks. If you would allow us to use your available propane tank(s) during the first half of December, please give us a call at our CRBA office. Each year we see dozens of people coming to faith in Christ, and this is another way you take part. As always, we need volunteers, but we also need your propane tanks. All borrowed tanks will be returned at the end of the Toy Store.
Coats for the City shares the love of Jesus by providing warm coats and the gospel to residents of New York City each December. NC Baptists have partnered with the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association (MNYBA) in this effort for eight years. Working with churches across New York City, we desire to distribute coats along with a Bible or Jesus film in the language of every recipient.
What kind of coats do we need?
- New or gently used heavy coats that can withstand a New York City winter.
- Lighter-weight coats used for layering.
- No holes, tears, or stains.
- Zippers should work.
Please call (828) 437-0137 to schedule a drop-off time.
We are excited to announce we will be hosting Mission Fair 2022 at this year’s Fall Meeting/Worship Celebration at Mount Home on October 23rd. At Mission Fair 2022, we will have missionaries (local, state, national, and IMB), as well as mission partners, present to bless and help our churches. Additionally, we are excited to provide an opportunity for each of our CRBA churches to have a table where they can exhibit their ministries and mission involvement to brag about what Jesus is doing in and through our churches. If your church would like to have a table/exhibit, please contact our CRBA office to RSVP. In addition to all the helpful exhibits, desserts will be served.
Each September, we ask that churches across NC prayerfully consider participating in the 19 ministries of Baptists on Mission through the NC Missions Offering (NCMO). This offering provides the entire regular budget for Baptists on Mission, about half of the church planting budget for NC, and returns 10% of the offering to local Associations to use as God leads. Some churches think that their Cooperative Program (CP) gifts provide the funding for Baptists on Mission’s ministries like Disaster Relief and Rebuild, but CP funds do not provide the budget for Baptists on Mission. Please encourage your church to promote the NCMO and offer relief for today and hope for tomorrow.
The time to begin promoting the NC Missions Offering is now! HERE is a link to a video that helps tell the story of how medical missions through Baptists on Mission change lives around the world.
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Musicians Needed
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The above photo is from Mount Home Baptist Church Facebook page depicting the 2022 Prayer on the Square worship service.
On Sunday, October 23rd, musicians from our CRBA churches will come together at Mount Home Baptist for our CRBA Worship Celebration to celebrate our Lord Jesus. If you like to sing for Jesus, please join us at 4:30 and help lead in worship at 5:55 p.m. Those songs we are singing are:
- Waymaker
- Total Praise from High and Lifted Up from Word
Jon Conrad has some extra copies and will be happy to provide those for your choir if you contact him beforehand. Please call John Conrad (Mount Home) at 828-4437-0593. Worship Leaders, if you plan to have your choir participate (and we hope they will), please let me know how many you expect so we can make all the logistic arrangements with Mount Home. This is going to be wonderful, so I hope you will plan to participate.
.jpg?w=1534&ssl=1 "Toy Store Fabric Needed 2022 (2)")
If your church would be willing to adopt a section of Burke County to distribute these packets door to door (not door knocking, just putting the bag on the door handle), please call our CRBA office. We have only 4 maps remaining and need help, especially in the eastern part of our county (Valdese and Eastward). All materials are free of charge and are customizable. Please stop by or call our office for more information and/or to pick up the supplies.
.jpg?w=1534&ssl=1 "Out of the Box (1)")
Free Hot Chocolate –Cocoa provides first contact in Friday evening evangelism.
by Charles R. Hughes
Michael and C.J. respond positively while standing in the baptistery. “Are you trusting Jesus Christ alone for eternal life?” Both young men say yes. We first met them at the Laundromat one block from the church.
Ours is the tiniest church in town, with 75 seats in the auditorium, and the small house next door is our office and education space. We faithfully support missions around the world, but we wondered how our church could reach those in our community who need Christ. That’s when we started giving away free hot chocolate.
Every Friday night starting at 5:30, we walk through our neighborhood, talking with the people we meet and offering cups of cocoa. (We call it FEET, Friday Evening Evangelism Training.)
A freshman ministerial student leads out, taking a few young people with him. Those we meet on the streets, we ask to take an opinion survey.
- In your opinion, as we seek to build ministry in this neighborhood, should we focus on children, youth, adults, or seniors?
- In your opinion, why do some in our community not attend church?
- In your opinion, what does it take for one to enter heaven?
- May I share with you how I came to know for certain if I were to die, I would go to heaven?
Using a brochure, we share a five-point gospel presentation based on the acrostic TRUTH. We also invite them to church and ask if we may send a postcard after our talk. That starts several follow-up contacts. Follow-up is the key.
C.J. and Michael came to church wearing rings in their ears, noses, eyebrows, lips, and tongues. They stayed after the service to talk with Ricky, who first offered them free hot chocolate, and with Wayne, a drywall contractor. While church members prayed in another room, C.J. and Michael asked questions and later professed their faith in Christ. Soon they were baptized.
Friday night is not usually the time to plan recurring ministry, but it works in our community. Our church has grown from 30 to 40, including young men like C.J. and Michael, who have joined in sharing cocoa and the gospel.
For more creative ideas, please go to www.crbanc.org/creative-ministry-ideas/.
Church News
Amherst Baptist is seeking a Full-time Pastor. Please send resumes to mpoteet2003@yahoo.com.
Burkemont Baptist is hosting Bible Drill for all students (1st-12th grade). Every child will have the opportunity to learn bible books, verses, Key Passages, and divisions; Bible book content; Bible history; Bible people; and life application. Children will use the Bible throughout every part of the meeting. The hope is to help children have real experiences that lead to a strong personal connection with the Bible.
We are looking forward to having your child as a part of this exciting Bible group. Bible Drill will start on Sunday, September 18th at 6 pm at Burkemont Baptist Church. Pastor Luke Lane will lead Bible Study for adults in the sanctuary at the same time.
Click HERE to learn more!
Hopewell Baptist is hosting a Back to School Party! Details below.
Icard’s GroveBaptist is seeking a bi-vocational Pastor.
Mull’s Grove Baptist is seeking a bi-vocational Music Minister. Please send resumes and questions to brodruemgbc@att.net.
North Morganton is seeking a bi-vocational Pastor.
Pleasant Hill Baptist is seeking a Piano Accompanist for Wednesday night choir practice (7:00 pm) and Sunday morning service (10:30 am). There will be a stipend offered. Pleasant Hill is also seeking a part-time Worship Leader. Please email questions and resumes to jackhodges@pleasanthillbc.church or mail to:
2396 Enola Rd., Morganton, NC 28655
Wilkies Grove is seeking qualified candidates for their Church Secretary vacancy. For complete information, click HERE. Applications and resumes can be submitted to WGBC in person, via email to wgbc@wilkiesgrove.org, or mailed to 5780 Wilkies Grove Church Rd., Hickory, NC 28602.
Partner News
Glenwood Baptist Church is seeking a man of God to be our full-time pastor. If interested, please submit your resume to:
Glenwood Baptist Church
Attn: Pastor Search Committee
PO Box 218
Glenwood, NC 28737
or online at glenwoodbaptistchurch@yahoo.com.
Poovey’s Grove Baptist Church is seeking a full-time senior pastor. For more information, please contact Classie Whisenant at (828) 381-2500 or classie1994@gmail.com.
First Baptist Church of Lincolnton, NC:
Wanted: Part-time Facilities Manager who has demonstrated maintenance experience. If interested, please send a resume to First Baptist Church, Attn: Dr. Stanley Spence, 201 Robin Road, Lincolnton, NC 28092, or email Vicki.moore@fbclincolnton.org.
Yadkin Baptist Church, located in the North Carolina Foothills, is seeking a full-time pastor who is a gifted teacher, an effective communicator, and a skilled counselor. A Master’s Degree, Southern Baptist Seminary/Divinity School Degree is preferred or an equivalent of education and experience. This position requires more than five years of pastoral experience. Salary and benefits commensurate based on education and experience include housing, paid holidays, and vacation. Resumes may be submitted to Yadkin Baptist Church Pastor Search Committee, c/o Mike Cook, 4763 Kirby Mountain Road, Lenoir, NC, 28645 or electronically to pastorsearchybc@gmail.com. Resumes must be submitted by August 31, 2022.
The Pregnancy Care Center of Burke County is having a benefit festival and would like to offer our churches the opportunity to sign up for an informational booth where you may distribute information about your church and its specific ministries. The booth fee is $75, and all proceeds will go to the Pregnancy Care Center of Burke County.
The deadline to register is September 25th.