Our Executive Board met on April 19 for a time of evaluation, sharing, and prayer. There were no great surprises after we studied the results. Things such as communication, training, Internet presence, and the work of the DOMM were rated overwhelmingly as either excellent or good. However, when it comes to fellowship, cooperation, and shared ministry among our 31 congregations and pastors there was a different story to tell. Most responded that their own church was only average or needed to improve in regards to their involvement and support of the Strawberry Baptist Association.

I am grateful for the honest responses, and it is good to be affirmed in specific areas of ministry. At the same time, we must take notice of our weaknesses and seriously consider how we are making an impact on our communities, for that is really why we exist. What we readily recognize is that we are failing to love our neighbors and touch them where they live.

Last week I visited with a single mom with two young children. She shared her struggle in finding a church that had a ministry to people like her. It reminded me again of how so many "people groups" simply go unnoticed or ignored all over Bedford County. Singles of all ages, teenagers, families of prisoners, the elderly, those with disabilities, addicts of all kinds, and internationals. They have needs and want to be part of a loving family, but no one is responding to their cries. For too many of us, these folks are not like us, so we choose not to touch them.

This month we observe Association Mission Week. During this time we ask our churches to pray more earnestly for the work we do and to set aside a special offering for the support of our local Association. Our theme is that of 2004, "One Dollar per Day per Member for Seven Days." That comes out to just seven dollars from each member, but those seven hundred pennies, when combined with those of others, mean the difference between ministry and no ministry through the Strawberry Baptist Association. Please help pray, promote, and support financially what we are about. And then take the next step and become personally involved in touching a life in the name of Jesus! Be one who answers.