October 2026 Moderator’s Report

Moderator’s Report

October 2026 JRBA Newsletter

By: Gwynn Tyler

October brings a new year for work in the Association as we, like some of our churches operate on an October to September year for business and ministry. It also brings about some transitions in leadership positions. I will be stepping down as the Moderator and will be the Vice Moderator. Gloria Newton has agreed to become the new Moderator. Liz Steger has already been approved by the Executive Board to be the new Treasurer. Rev. Austin Williams was approved at our spring meeting to be the new Association Coordinator. Hopefully there will be some other officer positions approved at the fall meeting. Please keep these folks in prayer as they begin their duties for the upcoming Association administrative year. There may be some changes and new things to try as we move forward with the work of the Association. If so, let’s be open to what God leads us to do. As you are aware, we are living in some challenging times, let’s keep our focus on sharing the Gospel and helping to meet the needs of folks both locally and around the world.

As I close out my two- year term as Moderator, I want to thank each individual and church that helped to give us what I think has been a successful two years. We had great support for our three big mission projects: the Bland Mission Trip, Hope for Appalachia, and Rise Against Hunger. Each of these mission opportunities helped to provide food for hungry people in Bland County and around the world as well as provide warm clothes and school supplies to kids in Eastern Kentucky. We have had youth rallies and other events. Several churches have done mission trips with their own youth groups. Churches also sent disaster relief teams to southwest Virginia and western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

At this time, I am aware of four churches that are or will soon be without pastors. Keep Mt. Zion, Buckingham, Sharon, and Goshen Baptist churches in prayer as they seek a pastor to lead them in the days ahead. Please welcome Tyler Hunt, who recently accepted the position as the new pastor at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church.

Thank you to all the churches of the Association and individuals for your commitment to mission work both at home and abroad. May God bless each of you.

Gwynn Tyler

Gwynn Tyler, Moderator