Our Mission Statement . . .

The Augusta Association of Baptist Churches exists as a network of churches to serve as a catalyst in the development of Healthy Kingdom Churches.

Our History . . .

The Augusta Association was formed following actions taken by the churches in the Augusta area at the Hephzibah Association on November 8, 1949 at Wrens, Georgia. A call went out for representatives of these churches to assemble for an organizational meeting at Curtis Baptist Church on November 28, 1949. The response was great as five hundred eight-five members registered themselves to form a new association to be known as the Augusta Association of Baptist churches.

Today the membership of the Association consists of sixty-one churches. These churches are located primarily in Columbia and Richmond Counties.

The Association is an extension of the local church. Activities are provided to help local churches become more effective witnesses for Jesus Christ. Churches can choose from a wide variety of programs and ministries to meet their needs.

The Associational Mission Today . . .

The first associations were formed by Baptist churches in England by the mid-1600’s as a means of mutual support. The association has made many changes in the ways it now relates to its churches. Recently, church leaders were asked by the North American Mission Board to define the purpose of the Baptist Association. The following is a copy of their response:

• New Work Strategist:   More and more Churches are seeing that one of the most important reasons to cooperate is to start new congregations. The association does not necessarily plant the churches, but they encourage churches to plant new churches.
  
• Church Health/Growth Strategist:   Many churches today have plateaued or are declining, and they are looking to the association for help. The association becomes a facilitator acquiring help from outside sources rather than be the sole provider.
   
• Mentor/Guide/Confidant to the Pastor:   In some cases the Director of Missions functions as a “pastor to the pastors.” Today, the role of the Director of Missions is more appropriately described as a mentor or coach. For other pastors, he may serve as a collaborator with whom ideas can be shared.
   
• Source of Missional Opportunities:   There is a tremendous need for individual Christians to be on mission. Unfortunately many of our smaller churches do not have the resources to provide mission opportunities, so the association plays a key role in getting involved. The association can fulfill that role by providing mission partnership opportunities.
   
• Network Facilitator:   Directors of Missions frequently serve as facilitators for churches. Today, this task has been broadened with improved technology, communication, and a significant increase in the number of organizations that offer help to the local church.

The Augusta Association of Baptist Churches strives to fulfill each of the above statements, plus the association is missionary by nature. It has been said that a church exists by missions just as a fire exists by burning. Where there is no burning there is no fire; where there is no sense of missions there is no church, or we could add, association of churches.