The 194th Annual Spring Meeting of the Tar River Baptist Association (TRBA) was held on April 22nd, 2024, at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Spring Hope, NC. Before the meeting was called to order, Barry Murry, the NC Baptist Great Commission Catalyst for Regions 3&4, introduced himself and provided a brief update on opportunities and assistance that the state convention can offer to local churches and associations as we partner on mission together.
The meeting was called to order with a hymn, scripture reading, and prayer. Nathaniel Williams, pastor of Cedar Rock First Baptist Church and moderator of the association, organized the session. Caleb Gibson, pastor of Salem Community Baptist Church and acting Associational Missions Strategist, expressed the association’s appreciation of pastors and their spouses and delivered gifts to one pastor and one spouse in attendance. Caleb led the association in a prayer over the pastors and spouses in attendance.
Irma Boulden, member of Castalia Baptist Church and the association’s financial assistant, delivered the credentials report. The meeting was attended by 19 churches, 20 pastors, 22 messengers, and 8 guests. Irma also delivered the financial reports, identifying and explaining each report briefly. The credentials and financial reports were approved as read.
Nathaniel Williams delivered the Associational Leadership Team (ALT) report. The ALT has met monthly since being appointed in October of 2022 to recommend a restructuring plan for the association. Nathaniel explained the new vision of the association, outlining the three priorities of Church Health, Outreach, and Pastoral Investment and noting that work has already begun in these three areas. He identified the major structural changes the ALT will propose at the 2024 Fall Meeting: clarified requirements and expectations of member churches; an updated organizational chart for the Board of Directors, Associational Missions Strategist (AMS), and standing committees; an updated Board structure and nominating process. In the 2024 Fall Meeting, the ALT will present for vote the new structure of the association, including updated bylaws, an updated TRBA Statement of Faith, the first members of the new Board, and a 2025 Budget or Target Income & Expense Report.
The meeting was called to order with a hymn, scripture reading, and prayer. Nathaniel Williams, pastor of Cedar Rock First Baptist Church and moderator of the association, organized the session. Caleb Gibson, pastor of Salem Community Baptist Church and acting Associational Missions Strategist, expressed the association’s appreciation of pastors and their spouses and delivered gifts to one pastor and one spouse in attendance. Caleb led the association in a prayer over the pastors and spouses in attendance.
Irma Boulden, member of Castalia Baptist Church and the association’s financial assistant, delivered the credentials report. The meeting was attended by 19 churches, 20 pastors, 22 messengers, and 8 guests. Irma also delivered the financial reports, identifying and explaining each report briefly. The credentials and financial reports were approved as read.
Nathaniel Williams delivered the Associational Leadership Team (ALT) report. The ALT has met monthly since being appointed in October of 2022 to recommend a restructuring plan for the association. Nathaniel explained the new vision of the association, outlining the three priorities of Church Health, Outreach, and Pastoral Investment and noting that work has already begun in these three areas. He identified the major structural changes the ALT will propose at the 2024 Fall Meeting: clarified requirements and expectations of member churches; an updated organizational chart for the Board of Directors, Associational Missions Strategist (AMS), and standing committees; an updated Board structure and nominating process. In the 2024 Fall Meeting, the ALT will present for vote the new structure of the association, including updated bylaws, an updated TRBA Statement of Faith, the first members of the new Board, and a 2025 Budget or Target Income & Expense Report.
The TRBA Statement of Faith was included in the Book of Reports, with proposed additions in red. There was discussion about the language in the statement requiring churches to close communion to their members. Nathaniel noted that that language was already a part of the existing Statement of Faith, but also stated that there will be further and broader discussion over the Summer with regard to any changes to the Statement of Faith. He also noted that the proposed additions were being made because some non-SBC churches have inquired about membership in the association and the ALT felt that some historically Southern Baptist guardrails were needed.
Caleb Gibson delivered the Acting Associational Missions Strategist Report. He celebrated the progress that the ALT have made in restructuring and thanked the churches for their support in this process. He pointed out several encouraging financial trends, and explained the current approach to responsibly expending donor-restricted money. Caleb detailed the progress made in each of the association’s priorities: Church Health, Outreach, and Pastoral Investment. He noted the upcoming NC Baptist Reconstruct Conference, hosted at Faith Baptist Church, as one opportunity for TRBA churches to pursue church health and to learn how to help sister churches get healthier. He updated the association’s outreach efforts, providing final numbers on the association’s Christmas ministry, which served 274 children and 121 families, and providing an update on the association’s efforts in establishing a partnership in Puerto Rico. A team from TRBA will be traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico this August to serve and explore further local church partnerships. He also noted the importance of investing in pastors and their families, and announced an upcoming dinner for pastors, church staff, and their spouses to meet, eat, and fellowship together. Caleb concluded his report by reiterating his and the ALT’s commitment to keeping their promises of transparency and accountability.
The association welcomed Ronjour Locke, lead pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Raleigh and professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, to deliver the annual sermon. Ronjour preached a timely message on the priority of fighting together for peace from Philippians 4. After the message, the meeting was adjourned and concluded with a benediction, prayer, and song.
Caleb Gibson delivered the Acting Associational Missions Strategist Report. He celebrated the progress that the ALT have made in restructuring and thanked the churches for their support in this process. He pointed out several encouraging financial trends, and explained the current approach to responsibly expending donor-restricted money. Caleb detailed the progress made in each of the association’s priorities: Church Health, Outreach, and Pastoral Investment. He noted the upcoming NC Baptist Reconstruct Conference, hosted at Faith Baptist Church, as one opportunity for TRBA churches to pursue church health and to learn how to help sister churches get healthier. He updated the association’s outreach efforts, providing final numbers on the association’s Christmas ministry, which served 274 children and 121 families, and providing an update on the association’s efforts in establishing a partnership in Puerto Rico. A team from TRBA will be traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico this August to serve and explore further local church partnerships. He also noted the importance of investing in pastors and their families, and announced an upcoming dinner for pastors, church staff, and their spouses to meet, eat, and fellowship together. Caleb concluded his report by reiterating his and the ALT’s commitment to keeping their promises of transparency and accountability.
The association welcomed Ronjour Locke, lead pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Raleigh and professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, to deliver the annual sermon. Ronjour preached a timely message on the priority of fighting together for peace from Philippians 4. After the message, the meeting was adjourned and concluded with a benediction, prayer, and song.