"Who Do We Associate For?" Series

By Allan Eakin, Associate Editor

      The Baptist Trumpet is launching 2025 with a series of stories highlighting how people around the globe have been positively and eternally affected by the churches of the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA), as local churches like yours come together to make a greater impact on the nations. Various BMA departments at national, state, and local levels will contribute to this collection of stories. The narratives will be personal and may even include someone you know. These stories remind us of who we associate for!

      In 2024, the Trumpet sought to foster a constructive yet candid conversation about the reality that the vision of early BMA leaders — a thriving association of churches voluntarily coming together to take the gospel to the world — seemed to be fading. The enthusiasm for BMA-associated work appeared to be diminishing. No blame was laid. No fingers were pointed. The BMA needed a family discussion.

      This discussion began with a four-page insert included in the Trumpet's April 19, 2023 edition. Both veteran and rising leaders discussed the importance of churches working together to advance the kingdom. The Trumpet chose to further engage in that conversation by publishing the articles in a booklet titled, Why Do We Associate? Copies of this booklet are available for free through the Baptist Trumpet, and the articles can also be found at BaptistTrumpet.com/whyweassociate.

      During the following weeks, it became clear that many of the “people in the pews” did not fully understand how the BMA functioned. They were unaware of the different levels — national, state, and local — of our associated work and the roles of various departments and agencies. No blame was laid. No fingers were pointed. The BMA needed to continue the family discussion.

      To address this, the Trumpet published a series of articles titled "How Do We Associate?” that both identified and shared the mission of the various BMA departments at all levels. This series of articles began with the January 10, 2024 issue. They can also be found at BaptistTrumpet.com/whyweassociate.

      Continuing the emphasis on the importance of associational involvement, the Trumpet will publish another series of articles beginning January 8, 2025, with the overall theme of “Who Do We Associate For?” During this series of articles, the various departments and agencies of the BMA will tell stories of changed lives because of the support of BMA churches. People across the globe have experienced life-change because local churches like yours partnered together and supported the ministries of the BMA. We want to share some of the stories of these people whose lives were changed because of you and your church’s efforts.

      You will learn about a pastor influenced by the ministry of BMA Financial, a man who experienced a life change because of BMA Global’s efforts to share the gospel around the world, a student transformed because of their time at Central Baptist College and more. Our goal is to share stories of individuals who have been profoundly impacted by the ministry efforts of each BMA department and agency.

      Regardless of your church's size, you can make a global and eternal impact on nations by partnering with other churches in the Baptist Missionary Association. Let’s continue the discussion.