Moderator’s Report August 2026

Moderator’s Report

August 2026 Newsletter

By: Gwynn Tyler

The summer is moving on.  We have survived some really hot weather, have received some scattered rain showers to help ease the drought, and many of us may be looking forward to fall coming in a little over 6 weeks.  I want to share a few things I reported on at the July Executive Board Meeting.

Hopefully you are aware that at our spring meeting, we voted to approve Rev. Austin Williams as our new Association Coordinator.  He officially assumed the position on June 1.  He has been working to keep things going for the Association and to proceed with the Re-missioning suggestions that we made at our March meeting.   Please check our web site regarding Association news and upcoming events.

The office is available for committee meetings and meeting individuals regarding JRBA work.  The phone number will connect to a cell phone that Austin has if you need to call.

We have completed two of our big mission projects for the year.  Both the Hope for Appalachia and Bland mission trips were a success.  We have reached our goal for donations for the Rise Against Hunger of $5,300.  As I write this report, we have currently received approximately $8,000.  This will allow us to pack approximately 20,000 meals.  In a couple weeks or so, I will be in touch with the folks at Rise Against Hunger regarding signing a contract for the event.  I have contacted the BGAV about the possibility of getting some help from their World Hunger Fund.  Please mark October 25th on your calendar as a reminder that the meal packing event will be held on that date.  We will need about 100 volunteers to help.  Thank you to each individual and church that donated to this worthy cause.  Last year we were able to pack 20,000 meals which were sent to help feed people in Vietnam and Somalia.

As a matter of information, since 2010, the JRBA has contributed $131,175.54 and packed 328,425 meals.  These meals have been shipped to the Ivory Coast, Haiti, Uganda, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Somalia, and the Philippines.

Lis Steger from Sharon Baptist has agreed to take the position of Treasurer for the coming year and Gloria Newton from Antioch Scottsville agreed to take the Moderator position.  Thank you both for agreeing to take on the work of these two important positions for the Association.

Thank you to all the churches of the Association and individuals to your commitment to mission work both at home and abroad.