It has never been easy to explain the work of a local Baptist Association.  Many associations declare some variation of 'churches working together can do more than any church could do alone'.  Baptist Associations are voluntary.  Churches who have a common ground in missions join forces to intensify the impact of their witness...local and world-wide.

There are eight associations that coordinate with churches in The Greater Houston area.  Those associations are:  San Felipe Baptist Association (www.sabfelipeba.org).  Offices are in Rosenburg.  Darrell Horn is Director of Missions.  San Jacinto Baptist Association (www.sanjacintobaptist.org).  Offices are in Baytown.  Randy Gilchrist is Director of Missions.    Galveston Baptist Association (www.gbachurches.org). Grayson Glass is Interim Director of Missions.    Creath-Brazos Baptist Association (www.cbba.org).  Offices are in Bryan.  Steve Holcombe is Director of Missions.   Gulf Coast Baptist Association (www.gulfcoastbaptist.org).  Offices are in Angleton.  Donald Hintize is Director of Missions.   Trinity River Baptist Association, with offices in Liberty.  Bill Fabriguze is Director of Missions.   Tryon-Evergreen Association, with offices in Conroe.  Roger Yancey is Director of Missions.   Union Baptist Association (www.uba.org).  UBA offices in Houston.  Tom Billings is the Executive Director.

I had an experience that helps me understand (and I hope, explain) how local associations work.  At the time, I was pastor of a church in Hamilton County.  As in many country churches where the pastor doesn't live on the church field, he and his family are invited our for Sunday dinner.  While the wives were cleaning up after a great meal, us men folk were sitting under the shade visiting.  The host for today's meal was the Ballard family.  J.W. was the husband.  I had never, until that day, seen J.W. in a short-sleeved shirt.  The weather forced him to roll up his sleeve...revealing an ugly scar.  I had to ask, "What happened, J.W.?"

J.W. explained that he was in Italy during WWII.  His group was advancing on Rome.  He had been on the front lines for too long.  He was tired and discouraged.  The fight was worthy, and he found the strength to continue.  Suddenly, he was hit by an artillery round.  He took a lot of scrapnel in that arm.

Here's where the relation to association work comes in.  J.W. was sent back to receive treatment for his wound.  He was amazied, he said, when he saw how much army there was behind him.  He had felt so isolated there on the front-lines of battle.  As he passed back through the waves of supportive troups, J.W. realized that he was not alone in the fight.  His assignment was there, as is that of a local church, on the front lines.  But, backing him up were supporters that saw to it that he had the ammunition he needed, and the supplies required to keep us his strength.

To me, J.W.'s experience is as close to an adequate description of an association as I know.  Churches are engaged in their local venues.  Supporting them are these associations...and behind them are state conventions and even national conventions.

J.W. helped me understand that we, in the local church, are never alone.