1.Church Planting: It is the mission of RBA to follow the example of the Apostle Paul in being pro-active in planting churches. This is often done in partnership with an existing (sponsoring) church. Certain criteria must be met in order to be an associational sponsored church plant. These requirements are administered by the Missions Strategy Action Team (MSAT).
2.New Church Development/Nurturing: It often takes time for a new church to be stable and self-supporting. For this reason RBA makes a commitment to “stay the course” and assist new churches with on-going aid, resources, advice, etc.
3.Church Resourcing: Often churches have needs for materials, transportation, leadership assistance, services, etc. By pooling resources, member churches get to share these things, making it cost-efficient for the church.
4.Land Acquisition: When an approved church plant settles on a site for its location, the association has often assisted with funds in the past. These funds are administered by the Mission Strategy Action Team and are subject to availability and criteria as established by the MSAT; historically, the amount has been $15,000.00.
5.Building Start-up: Once land has been acquired for the new church site, and the congregation has planned for an approved building, RBA desires to assist with initiating the building process. The amount of financial assistance is subject to availability and administered by the Mission Strategy Action Team, but has usually been $10,000.00
6.Staff Assistance: There are times when a church needs to create a position in order to minister and grow, but the funds needed are not within its reach. RBA has a ministry to come alongside a church and to assist with funding for a staff member for up to two years up to $300.00 per month.
7.Pastoral Aid (for church plants and churches under mission status): A new church plant that faces challenges may apply for pastoral assistance from RBA to aid in paying its pastor. This is for a period not to exceed five years and declines over the five-year period (with the intent of seeing the church become more self-supporting).
8.Media Center: Education and Discipleship Training Materials: Missions education, Discipleship resources and teaching series, books, study aids, videos and DVDs are available to member churches on a cost-free basis. In addition, equipment such as video/DVD projectors, projection screens, etc. are available for use.
9.Training Events/Conferences: The association provides training events for teachers, workers and leaders in such areas as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, etc. We often host or partner with the GBMB in these trainings. These are generally free of charge or for a minimal fee.
10.Disaster Relief: RBA has a ministry to serve those in hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc. This ministry is under the leadership of Mike Horton and works with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and EMA. Services include feeding, clean-up and recovery, communications, chaplain ministry, and child care.
11.Christian Social Ministry: Christ fed those who were hungry and commands us to do the same. RBA operates the CSM at the intersection of Watson Blvd. and Second St. in Warner Robins. CSM Director is Ed Gonzales; hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Last year, this ministry served some 6,000 families from all over Central Georgia. The Gospel is shared with those who come.
12.Van Provision/Transportation: Some churches are not able to afford their own van; others sometimes need an extra van for trips. Member churches and their groups and ministries are able to share vans through the association provided proper information is on file with the association and scheduling is done in advance.
13.Event Help and Equipment: At times, a church may have a vision for doing ministry for which they need certain equipment that the church may not have. RBA provides BBQ grills, a trailer, chairs, tables, etc. that can be used. In addition, Disaster Relief may be able to assist with tents for events.
14.Office Services: RBA owns an array of office machines and equipment for the use and benefit of member churches. These include a printer/copier, a laminating machine, a folding machine, and die cuts for artwork. In addition, the association assists with promotion of events and publicity through print, our website, newsletter, etc.
15.Mission Endeavors: RBA is committed to the Great Commission; our Lord taught us not only to give, but also to go and be on mission with Him. RBA provides opportunities for individuals and churches to go and be on mission. Our current international partnership is with Moldova in Eastern Europe. We are also possibly planning a Nicaragua partnership.
16.Custom Training/Equipping: Churches have transitions where leaders need to be advised and equipped to serve. The association provides onsite training for Pastor search committees, Transition teams, and the like. In addition, RBA has responded and developed special needs training in the areas of evangelism, missions education, altar training, and others.
17.Truck Stop Ministry: RBA partners with Truck Stop Ministries, Inc. to offer chapel services to over the road truck drivers traveling through our area. The location is at the Pilot station at the intersection of I-75 and the 247 Connector (exit 146). This evangelistic ministry offers opportunities to preach, teach, witness, sing, etc. while providing an alternative to the trappings of adult entertainment in the area. Steve French is the Chaplain leader for this ministry.
18.Ministerial Encouragement/Counsel: Ministry can be a trying and even a lonely place. Everyone needs encouragement and loving accountability. To pastors and staff members who need counsel, encouragement, advice, or a “sounding board” the Director of Missions’ heartfelt desire is to be a “pastor to pastors.”
19.Seminary Financial Aid: For students in member churches called to ministry who are pursuing an accredited seminary degree from one of the six Southern Baptist Seminaries or from Luther Rice Seminary (an SBC affiliated institution), RBA offers financial aid. Applications for aid should be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the student’s pastor, and are subject to the current availability of funds.
20.Consulting/Advice for Committees and Leaders: Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes and an objective observer is needed to troubleshoot a problem or challenge. RBA provides ministry resource leaders specialized in areas such as SS, DT, Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, etc. These leaders will meet with pastors, leaders, committees, etc. on their church site and try to assist the church with needs.
21.Ordination Council: Ordaining a man to the Gospel ministry or deacon ministry is a joyous, but serious event for the candidate and the church. Smaller churches may have a limited number of qualified examiners; larger churches may have a larger number, but want to give more credibility to the candidate’s examination by calling in objective ordained men to assist in the Ordaining Council. RBA has an Ordination Council, comprised of pastors to assist in these types of situations.
22.WMU and G A’s: The Women’s Missionary Union has been an auxiliary of the SBC for three generations. The passion of this organization is to support missions and missionaries around the world, and to educate and inform people in the churches about this work in order that it always continue. Girls in Action (G A’s) is a missions program designed to get girls involved in missions. The association sponsors events, conducts leader training, and provides resources to churches in this area of ministry.
23.Men’s Ministry and R A’s: Men’s Ministry (formerly Brotherhood) is a changing field. The men of today seek different things in serving and in being ministered to. Fellowship, encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to employ skills in serving are a few of the things offered through Men’s Ministry. R A’s (Royal Ambassadors) are the boys and young men’s arm of Men’s Ministry; this organization is designed to help boys have fun in acquiring masculine skills while informing them about missions around the world.
24.Communication from the Denomination: RBA receives reports, information, upcoming events and promotions, news issues, and the like from our state and national conventions and filters and passes needed information to the churches, pastors, etc.
25.Support for church events: A church might have a vision for doing an event or ministry to reach its area with the Gospel, but not have the funds to complete the task. Member churches may apply for financial assistance to make their vision a reality provided the church is a member in good standing and is willing to open the event to include other churches or to be missional in their approach.
26.Ethnic Missions/Ministries: Partnering currently with Central Baptist Church and others,RBA sponsors several ethnic works targeted to specific people groups in order to overcome cultural and language barriers. These include missions to the Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Hispanic communities. RBA is open to consider other target people groups and to partner with other churches who are committed to carrying out this Great Commission mandate.
27.Background checks for staff members & Youth/Children's Volunteers: We live in a time when security is crucial. Even in apostolic times, the church was warned of “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” RBA has a service provided to its member churches for checking for criminal backgrounds on potential ministerial candidates, as well as Youth and children's volunteers.
28.Combined Benevolence Ministry: The association has a centralized ministry where churches can pool resources and better screen requests for benevolence assistance. The ministry helps with utilities and sees persons in need by appointment. The Gospel is shared with all who will agree to listen. Pastors and ministry leaders can refer those in need to the ministry. Call 478-258-7140. Ed Gonzales serves as our director.
29.Meeting Facilities: God has blessed the association with a great facility that includes offices, a conference room, kitchen and assembly room. Whenever possible, the association opens these facilities to member churches for meetings, conferences, gatherings, training, etc. Meetings should be requested and scheduled through Traci Powell.
30.Conflict Mediation/Resolution: Even the most mature Christians have disagreements, such as Paul and Barnabus in Acts. There are Biblical injunctions regarding the settling of disputes in the church. At times, an objective and impartial observer can be effective in mediating and resolving conflict. The Director of Missions has often been called on in Baptist life to assist in resolving such issues.
31.Incorporation Guidelines: Churches today are subject to liabilities and lawsuits. For this reason, it is advisable to incorporate as a legal entity in order to protect individual members from liabilities in a suit. The association provides a presentation and information about the process of incorporating. The presentation is provided at no cost to member churches.
32.Church short-term loans: There are times when a congregation needs funds to meet a need like a building repair, equipment purchase, pay a debt, etc. In order to serve the churches, the association Revolving Loan account was created to make small loans ($5000 or less) to member churches for a period not to exceed 36 months. This service is done to assist churches, not to make money for RBA. Therefore the rate of interest is one-half (1/2) the current prime rate.
33.Pulpit Supply: When a pastor has to be away or a church is without a pastor, feeling confident about the man who fills the pulpit is important. The Director of Missions considers it an honor and privilege to proclaim God’s Word in the absence of a pastor. When another speaker is preferred, or the Director of Missions is not available, the association maintains a list of experienced men who have expressed a desire to preach and makes this supply list available to the churches as a service.
34.Baby Comfort Station: The Georgia National Fair in Perry annually attracts some 400,000+ people to our area in October. A Christian witness and display of kindness is important. For this reason, RBA sponsors a ‘Baby Comfort Station” at the fair. A tent is erected and clean, padded tables are provided for parents to be able to change, or feed their babies. Gospel tracts are distributed. This annual project involves more than 150 volunteers.
35.Rehoboth Life Care Ministries: (Dental clinic). This subsidiary ministry operates at 3208 Hwy. 41 North, Byron. A former church parsonage has been converted to a volunteer dental clinic where services are rendered to those who are 150% below the federal poverty level who do not have dental insurance. Screenings are done regularly and a full-financial disclosure (proof) is required. Our clinic director is Teresa Woodberry. For more information, contact them at 478-953-7770.
36.Appalachian Mountain Ministry: The people of the Appalachian region are among the poorest and most-underserved in our nation. In 2017, RBA constructed a building to be able to receive and process donated items for the Appalachian ministry. Last year, more than 50 truckloads of household items, clothes, and such were carried to distribution centers in the region. This ministry needs volunteers to receive, pack, and load trucks. Our director is Pete Soots. (478-396-9316) Deputy Director of Speaking Engagements / Donations / Pickup and Packing: John & Phyllis Johnson—478-396-9065; Donation Pick-Ups / Boxes:—John / Phyllis Johnson—478-396-9064 / 9065 Items Needed: New / Gently Used Clothing, Shoes, Dishes, Kitchen Ware, Linens, Bedding, Appliances (working condition), Books, Magazines, Toys, Mattresses, Furniture, Tools (shop / yard), Fishing Gear, Bicycles (any condition), hygiene items, and puzzles etc. Donation Drop-offs: 744 Lake Joy Road, WR 31088 - Go behind RBA and follow the drive way around to the first tall building and drop off. If you want a tax donation slip please come on Tuesdays from 8 am-5pm or Saturdays 1 pm- 4pm when the volunteers are here.