The year 2007 is the 300th anniversary of local Baptist associations in America; the founding of that first such association was in Philadelphia in 1707. These associations have spread throughout America and provide many opportunities for churches and individuals to cooperatively serve our Lord in missions and ministries in many circumstances and places.
Today, people question the need for an association. Some people wonder will the association survive in a day when churches and individuals can find the same opportunities without the aid of an association.
The letter below was written to the Appomattox Baptist Association by a long time member who was afforded through her association opportunities for missions, ministries and training that she may not have received from other sources. As you read the letter, you will note that this partnership took both the provision of the association and the participating commitment of the letter writer (who gave permission for the publication of her letter). Such provision and commitment is true of any mission or ministry effort.
What has your own association provided for you? What opportunities would you thank your association for?
A heartfelt thank you
To the past, present and future members of the Appomattox Baptist Association, I want to thank each of you for what you have meant to my life through the work of the association of the past and present, and what it will mean in the future. The programs of the association have directed and helped me to accomplish God's calling in my life. Not realizing what was happening at the time, I now see how God prepared me to serve him in my church and association through the workshops and conferences that were offered to the members.
When I was in the eighth grade, I was challenged through the Training Union program to learn and prepare for the associational Bible drill. I won this event and went to the Training Union camp at Massanutten near Harrisonburg.
After finishing high school, I chose to attend Longwood College to further my education. While in college, my home church, Midway Baptist Church, asked me to be the director of the Vacation Bible School. The VBS clinic was held at Liberty Baptist Church, and I learned how to lead the VBS. The clinic was planned and supported by the members of the association. I led and taught many VBSs at Midway after this training, returning to the clinic each year for more training.
Later, I was asked to participate in the Woman's Missionary Union leadership in my church and the association. Future workshops in the association and at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center continued to prepare me for these positions.
These experiences were informative as well as enjoyable, giving me the opportunity to meet many understanding Christians and missionaries. My love for my Savior grew and developed during this time. I was able to return to my church and association and help others as I fulfilled my responsibilities. This led to my involvement with other work in the association with service on many committees for many years. Thanks to the association for allowing me to learn and grow through these clinics and workshops supported by the Appomattox Baptist Association and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.
During these years of work, I saw the Appomattox Baptist Association grow in the work it was able to do through the support of the churches. I pray that with God's help and the help of our churches, we can provide an association so our future youth will have the opportunities that I have enjoyed.
Love in Christ, Freida Whitlow
Mitch Luckie is director of missions and ministries of the Appomattox Baptist Association.