The Association exists to help churches in their God-given task of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others.

It is in this sense a mission organization but its purpose lies in stimulating and assisting local Baptist churches to engage in this work.

So, our vision is of healthy, growing Baptist churches reaching out to the heart of England with faith, hope and love.

When I first began to think about the role of Regional Minister this catchy phrase sprang to mind. Growing healthy churches in the heart of England seems to sum up what we are called to be and do as an Association.

Prayerful, outward-looking, inclusive, compassionate, rooted in a biblical understanding of the church and its mission, open to new possibilities as the Holy Spirit leads: these things are healthy! Who can tell what God can do in and through churches like this?

As an Association we believe that there are three key areas within which strategies for growing healthy churches should be developed:-

Equipping ministers and church leaders Enabling churches in mission Encouraging spiritual growth and discipleship

The other Regional Ministers, together with Group Representatives, are working on each of these areas as part of three strategy groups:- Leading Issues, Mission and Church Life. You can find out more about what they are currently looking at in this section of the website.

Finally, we need to remember that all this needs to be rooted in relationships. It’s about people not programmes - people who are shaped by their devotion to God, commitment to mission and support for one another. Putting it another way – their love for God, God’s world and God’s people. (See Jesus' words in Mark 12.30-31 and John 13.34-35)

Keith Judson, Regional Minister Team Leader