CONVENTION OF ATLANTIC BAPTIST CHURCHES
REGION #2   OFFICE of the REGIONAL MINISTER - Rev. Ron Baxter
10 Westwood Ave., Wolfville, NS B4P 1X9  (902) 542-4105
E-mail:   Web Site:  

REPORT TO 

THE EASTERN VALLEY UNITED BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 
on November 4, 2006 at Falmouth UBC

Pastoral	Pastor Geoff deJong was inducted at Newport UBC (Scotch Village) on October 1/06.  Pastor Virginia DeAdder has had her ministry term with Mount Denson  
UBC extended to June of 2007.  Pastor Bob Burbidge was ordained at Wolfville Ridge UBC on September 16/06.  Pastor Mark Sypher is now the Minister of Family Life at New Minas UBC.  Pastor David Cumby is providing pastoral ministry at West Halls Harbour UBC.  Pastor Barbara Durling is now serving at Third Horton UBC (Canaan).  Pastor Thelma McLeod was inducted at Bethany Memorial UBC and will be ordained there at 7 p.m. on November 26/06.  Pastor David Phillips was ordained at the Wilmot UBC on October 29/06.  Rev. Barbara Bishop was inducted on August 27/06 at pastor at the Lawrencetown/Inglisville UBC’s.  Please be in prayer for our pastoral leaders.  There are many challenges to be faced as one seeks to honor his/her call to be a pastor in Region 2.

Churches	Currently the following churches in Region 2 are in a search mode: Pereaux; Canning; Harmony; and Fundy Fellowship.  On September 24/06 the Centreville UBC dedicated their new and expanded facilities.

ADC		On September 7/06 classes got underway for the fall term.  From time to time I join the faculty, staff and students at the Chapel for worship at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday or
Friday.  I was the Chapel speaker on Wednesday, September 27/06.  The Hayward Lectures with Dr. N. T. Wright will be from November 14-16/06 at 7:30 p.m. at the K.C. Irving Auditorium.

Association	The Annapolis-Digby Association met September 30 & October 1/06 at Clementsvale UBC, and the Eastern Valley Association meets on November 4/06 at Falmouth UBC.
The annual Eastern Valley Pastors & Deacons Workshop on March 10/07, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be hosted by Canning UBC.  One of the speakers will be Dr. Harry Gardner, CABC Executive Minister. 
Twelve leaders, including me, and twenty campers (10 - 13 years) were at the Kingwood Wilderness Camp, July 30 - August 4/06.  Kingswood Camp is a significant ministry of our churches in Region 2.

Convention	The CABC Staff had meetings in Saint John, September 6 - 7/06.  Staff changes to note include: With the retirement of Marie Vessey, Karen Gunn has become responsible for
Pension and Insurance matters; Dr. Bruce Fawcett has become Associate Executive Minister; Rev. Rob Nylen has become Director of Youth & Family Ministries; and Rev. Dale Stairs is responsible for Youth Ministries.

The CABC Director of Development, Rev. Greg Jones, was in Region 2 in October to introduce the 2007-2009 “Growing Healthy Churches” campaign in support of  “United in Mission.”

United in Mission (UIM) contributions to the end of September, 2006 from churches in the Eastern Valley Association totaled $140,339 (up from $130,569 in 2005); and in the Annapolis-Digby Association they total $57,569 + $18,587 = $76,156 (down from $57,480 + $20,616 = $78,096 in 2005).  The summary UIM Report to Sept. 30, 2006 shows income of $1,593,309 (down from $1,612,233 in 2005). 2006 is a critical year to drive the UIM Fund over the InVISION goal of $2,900,000 by December 31, 2006.

Tidal Impact, from July 8 - 14, proved to be an awesome experience for over 650 young people from Atlantic Canada and abroad who came to Region 2 to devote themselves to evangelistic outreach in co-operation with our host Baptist churches. The public rally on July 11 drew over 2,500 people into the Kentville Arena to hear the Penny Merchants and Colin McCartney.

The Board of Ministerial Standards and Education met in Sackville, NB from October 3 - 5/06 primarily to interview persons who are involved in the Lay Pastor Training Program.  That Board meets next in Wolfville February 27 - March 1/07.

The 2007 Convention Assembly which will honor our African United Baptist Association will be held at Acadia University over the weekend of August 10th.

Regional Working Group	The RWG met at Berwick UBC on September 14th.  On October 25/06 they met with the Association moderators as the Region 2 Committee
under the chairmanship of Forrest Bent to provide nominees from Region 2 for consideration by the CABC Nominating Committee which will report to the 2007 Convention.  

Personal	Before the end of June I learned that the churches of Region 2 and the Convention Council had agreed with the recommendation of the Regional Working Group to
extend my call to regional ministry for another five year term.  Thank you for your vote of confidence.
During the summer Sharon and I had a week of vacation together, and I took a second week to undertake projects at home.  Our daughter, Susan and her husband Tom, were able to spend two weekends with us while they were in Nova Scotia in August.  Our twenty-one month old granddaughter, Nova, normally spends four afternoons per week at our home while her Mother and Dad are working.  Our son, Andrew, has moved to Vancouver to formalize a new relationship and seek new employment.  Sharon and I plan to be in Ontario visiting family from December 27/06 to January 3/07. Your prayers on our behalf and on behalf of our family are appreciated.