Salem Baptist Association To Hold Annual Meeting In Woodbury

Approximately 125 representatives from 33 churches across Middle Tennessee will convene in Woodbury on Wednesday, Oct. 21, as part of the 187th annual session of the Salem Baptist Association.

The two-day session will begin with a 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. meeting Tuesday night at Upper Helton Baptist Church in Alexandria and will conclude Wednesday morning at First Baptist Church in Woodbury. The Wednesday meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Officers of the association, which is supported by dues from its church members, will report on accomplishments over the past year, to include progress made in the areas of discipleship, missions, evangelism and Vacation Bible School.

“The association is the oldest unit of fellowship among Baptist churches in the United States,” said Dr. Julian Suggs, a member of First Baptist Church Woodbury. “Our association has a wonderful heritage, but it has beautiful fellowship. Our churches don’t compete, we exist to hold up one another in prayer and in ministry.”

At the 2008 session, the association reported its 33 churches contributed $447,783 for missions, received more than $3.2 million in total offerings, welcomed 224 new church members, 143 of which joined via baptism, and had an overall average Sunday School attendance of 1,662.

Officers for 2009-2010 will be elected during the association’s two-day session and a proposed budget will also be presented for the year. A representative from the Tennessee Baptist Convention will discuss statewide initiatives, as well.

Session participants will enjoy a hearty buffet lunch, courtesy of the First Baptist Church Woodbury Hospitality Committee following the Wednesday meeting.