The CMBA Advisory Team met virtually on August 6 to conduct business and share ministry updates.
In his report to the team, Associational Missions Strategist Jamie Rogers shared that CMBA giving has increased from last year. He shared updates on the recent international teacher welcome and appreciation event. CMBA churches provided 87 $50 Walmart gift cards to help with needs related to these international teachers moving into the Midlands to serve in Richland Districts One and Two schools.
Rogers emphasized important upcoming events, including reminding members of the bylaws change to replace the CMBA Annual Meeting with a fall Executive Team meeting, which will be held on Tuesday, September 17, at 6 p.m. in North Trenholm Baptist’s student building. The Advisory Team meeting will be held virtually that same day at 10am. All pastors and church representatives are encouraged to attend the Executive Team meeting, and churches will receive an RSVP invitation for the meeting that will include supper.
Additional dates of importance to the CMBA Family of Churches include:
- September 24 – School Ministry Training Event held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at New Creation Baptist in partnership with SC Baptist Convention’s Heart4Schools. Rogers encourages at least one representative from every CMBA church to attend this training. There is no cost to attend, but there will be a sign up for lunch.
- October 8-21 – Several Spain partners will be in South Carolina, and CMBA churches may request these partners to greet congregations during Sunday services.
- January 27-28, 2025 – DiscipleSC, a discipleship training opportunity for CMBA and Lexington Baptist Association churches. Location and exact times to be determined.
- May 2-3, 2025 – CMBA Marriage Conference (*rescheduled date), held at North Trenholm. More information available online here.
- August 22-23, 2025 – North American Mission Board (NAMB) Serve Tour held in the greater Midlands area. Regional church and volunteer teams will travel to Columbia to serve alongside CMBA churches. Rogers says CMBA churches should “dream big” for outreach and local missions projects to be held during this two-day event. Project ideas could be community block parties, home improvements, creative services such as haircuts for homeless individuals, or food pantry collections and distributions. CMBA will communicate more information including sign up opportunities for the NAMB Serve Tour.
During the business session, Rogers presented several requests to the Advisory Team for approval. Rosewood Community Church requested a $500 grant for food pantry needs, and the remaining members of Ravenwood Baptist voted to give the church’s property and remaining assets to Midtown Two Notch so a motion was made for the Advisory Team to “grant its blessing” for this to occur. Team members unanimously approved these motions.
Rogers presented another motion regarding an opportunity to “do more together” with the Lexington Baptist Association, at their request. Rogers reminded team members that LBA’s Associational Missions Strategist Johnny Rumbough’s retirement has been announced as being no later than January 2026, which has caused LBA leaders to look more closely at the association’s goal to impact lostness in Midlands area. Rogers presented a motion allowing Rogers to create a team of seven CMBA pastors to enter discussions with seven LBA representatives with the purpose of exploring the possibilities of future cooperative efforts. Team members unanimously agreed to the creation of this discussion group.
Among the reports shared from the CMBA Huddle were updates to direct ongoing church assistance and celebrations about recent baptisms happening across the association. Benedict BCM Director Morgan Allen shared news from her campus that included an urgent need for student transportation. BCM plans several off-campus social activities each school year and has struggled to secure regular access to a van. Most critical is Benedict BCM’s need to transport students to Converge, SCBC’s annual collegiate student event, and without having to limit the number of students who can participate. “We are looking for one ‘yes!’ from a local church for a van and even for a driver,” Allen says, adding Benedict BCM “dreams to fundraise” to purchase a permanent van. Allen may be reached at morganallen@scbaptist.org.
The next Advisory Team meeting will be held virtually on September 17, ahead of the CMBA Executive Meeting held that same day at 6 p.m. in the North Trenholm Baptist student building.