We here in the West Chowan Baptist Association are committed to the task of "producing much fruit" (John 15:8) by assisting our churches in the process of making "Christ Followers who will Follow Christ." Our vision of making "Christ Followers who will Follow Christ" is driven by the imperatives of Christ which are hung on the following three non-negotiable characteristics of a Christ Follower: 1) GIVE UP by Surrendering (Luke 9:23), Sacrificing (Luke 14:33) and Listening (John 10:27), 2) GIVE IN by Abiding in His word (John 8:31), Obeying His commands (Luke 5:27), and Walking in His Light (John 8:12), 3) GIVE OUT by Loving one another (John 13:35), becoming a Servant (John 12:26), and Sharing our faith (Matthew 4:19).

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Due to concerns over COVID-19,  

THE WCBA MRC WILL SUSPEND OFFICE OPERATIONS 

AS A CAUTIONARY MEASURE

Staff will continue to be available through phone and email. 

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Stay Informed

Wondering what to do?

click here for a collection of helpful resources and links   

Click for an article detailing how churches and pastors are eligible for relief in stimulus package

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In addition, THE FOLLOWING EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED in order to maintain the health of our community: 

WCBA Annual Spring/Exec. Council Meeting, April 5

WMU Gathering, Roberts Chapel, April 7

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A WORD FROM TERRY

March 30, 2020

After consulting with most of our leadership and considering the most recent "stay-at-home" order from our governor, we here at the association, are going to suspend daily operation at the MRC. The following describes how operations will look for at least the next three weeks or so:
1. In order to protect the staff from any unintended exposure to the virus from the public myself, Charlie Ledden (treasurer), and Rebeccah Adams (administrative assistant) will continue association operations from our homes. We will come to the office on Monday's in order to conduct the administrative responsibilities, check on mail, respond to any phone messages, and take care of any other issue needing attention from us personally. Otherwise we will respond to your needs via email or phone calls. - Terry can be reached at 252-241-5872 cell or dad.stockman@gmail.com. - Charlie Ledden can be reached at 252-209-4913 or cmledden@hotmail.com. - Rebeccah Adams can be reached at 252-287-8535 or 60wcba@gmail.com.

2. You can continue to send your contributions via mail. We will be checking mail every other day or so.

3. Obviously, you can continue to communicate with us at our email addresses given above.

4. We will continue to produce the newsletter, post items on the website, and respond to any need you might have. I will of course continue to update you on issues relating to COVID-19 and the resources that are available to you. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR THOSE RESOURCES ALONG WITH THE MANY OTHER GREAT SOURCES OF ASSISTANCE. Unlike other times of crisis the government is making available, to churches, financial assistance like never before. We are currently becoming completely informed on how all of that is going to work and will make those details available to you or assist you in seeking that assistance as soon as it becomes available.

Obviously, I want to assure you we are working hard to serve you and your churches as always, but with a few modifications. We are a strong association because of you and will continue to remain strong with the Lord's help. In fact I am convinced we will emerge from this pandemic even stronger than when it all began. We are praying for each of you and want you to know we stand ready to respond as you have need. Also remember we love you and consider it an honor to serve you all. Please don't hesitate to call if there is a need.

Terry, Charlie, and Rebeccah

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A Word from Baptists on Mission: WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS?

The Coronavirus is a major concern in most every household across America. What can we do as Christians to love our neighbor and care for ourselves and others during these stressful days? 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.”

Below are some great suggestions to help prevent the spread of the virus, know how you and your church can help in your community and get support if you are isolated and need assistance. We pray that God will use this time of great uncertainty to glorify His name, and that He will use us to offer support to those around us.

Here are ideas of things that your church can do to minister to isolated people in your community //baptistsonmission.org/Coronavirus/Church-Response-Information/Ideas-of-Ways-You-Can-Help

In the attachments and video in the link below, we offer some great resources for your church of things you can do to help prevent the spread of the virus, find schools in your county that are serving food to children, handle food and sanitation correctly so that you protect your volunteers and the people that you are serving, and more. //baptistsonmission.org/Coronavirus/Church-Response-Information/Lots-of-Resources-for-Your-Church

Is Your Church Willing to Help? We are asking you to help us prepare should we need to develop a network of churches across the state to minister to those who are isolated by the coronavirus or whose source of food has been interrupted by the crisis (i.e. Children who usually receive free meals at schools, elderly who are isolated may need someone to drop off food or get a prescription filled and left at the door). If you have a church kitchen that could be used if needed, or if you are willing to help in other ways, please complete the form below. //baptistsonmission.org/Coronavirus/Church-Response-Information/Is-Your-Church-Willing-to-Help

In the link below, we offer some simple suggestions to help prevent the spread of the virus. //baptistsonmission.org/Coronavirus/Protect-Yourself-and-Others

Here are ways that we are trying to give support for those who are isolated or unable to leave their home. //baptistsonmission.org/Coronavirus/If-You-Are-Isolated

Esther 4:14 “And who knows but that you have come to your position for such a time as this?”
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AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP:

A service and ministry opportunity led by Galatia Baptist to help the residents and staff at Pine Forest Rest Home.

As I am sure you know the coronavirus has caused many problems for our friends at Pine Forest. Because of the infection, several of their employees have opted to stay home from work.This has left them with just 3 workers to cover 24 hours of care, resulting in the medical staff having to do all of the cleaning and cooking as well as their normal responsibilities. Along with this, they are working extremely long hours and are growing very weary. We are trying to help them through this difficult time by preparing meals for the residence and staff. We are asking families (to respect the need for social distancing) to prepare a meal that can feed 21 people and deliver it to the church. I am personally delivering these meals to limit contact with the virus.

We are covering as many meals as we can, but we are asking for help from the other churches in West Chowan. If there are any families who would be willing to help us meet this need please have them call the [Galatia] church office at (252) 585-1174 between the hours of 9am-2pm or my cell phone (252) 326-0362 after 2pm to sign up to bring a meal. We are also accepting monetary donation to help with the cost.

Thank you for your care.

Grace and Peace,
Matthew Dupuy

Pastor, Galatia Baptist Church

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Hurricane Relief

To stay updated on Baptist on Mission's hurricane relief efforts, visit their website below: For frequent updates, visit BoM's Facebook page.

Rebuild Centers are OPEN for Day Volunteers

We are taking every possible precaution to ensure the safety of our volunteers and of those with whom we have contact. Beginning this week, we have limited volunteers to serve only as day volunteers with no overnight guests. This means we will send out small teams of volunteers to continue to work in homes damaged by Hurricane Florence. There are many things that do not require volunteers to work in close quarters. Skilled volunteers who have time away from closed businesses could be enormously helpful at this time. Survivors of Florence have been out of their homes for 1-1/2 years now. With God's help we can make great progress during this time of transition. Volunteers can register at: https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/By-Mission-Type/Disaster-Relief/Hurricane-Florence.

Hurricane Florence Relief: Get Involved!

Urgent Need in the Bladen Association!

The WCBA Disaster Relief team is coordinating an effort to assist the Bladen Association with Florence recovery. Bladen Baptist Association is in desperate need of mission teams to help in the rebuilding of homes across their association. Only a few teams from West Chowan have visited to help since the storm last September.

Please consider putting a team together to help meet these urgent needs!

If you can partner, please contact David Foster at dtfoster@yahoo.com  or call 252-532-5977.

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Ministry Opportunities

Multiple opportunities from Baptists on Mission. Click logo for more information on DeepImpact and DI Kids, Construction Skills Training, Operation Inasmuch, Disaster Rebuild and more. Click HERE for info on 2020 National Mission Trip Opportunities. (3/19/20): This could be a season during which we can shine the light of Christ in a more obvious way than at any time in recent history. As God leads, perhaps your churches can make Operation Inasmuch type projects a priority for the next few months. Of course, avoid projects that would create large groups or force close contact for extended periods. However, there could be many things we can do to serve our communities: yardwork, delivering food or meals and leaving them on the porch, making phone calls to residents of care facilities, and more. We trust and support the decisions your churches make, but we do encourage them to follow God's direction in how they can serve. https://baptistsonmission.org/Mission-Projects/North-Carolina/Operation-Inasmuch

Visit NC Baptist Aging Ministry's website for more details on upcoming events.

Click the logo to see more upcoming opportunities for missions and training from the NC Baptist State Convention.

Pastors Fellowship

Winter 2020 Schedule (click on the date to register) "Living Out Biblical Essentials Everyday"

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Pastors Prayer

Join us each Monday morning at 9:00 at the MRC for our weekly time of prayer!

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