The Noonday Association's Disaster Relief Storm Cleanup prepared for the s pring and summer storm season by training the blue hats, supervisors, and the first responders.  Training sessions for team members were conducted over the past couple of weeks to be in a "ready" position in the event the Unit was activated.  Polk-Harrison Association and Noonday Association both have Storm Trailers and joined together in the training.  These units often work together as the DR13 unit of the Georgia Baptist Convention Disaster Relief ministry.  Disaster Relief is coordinated nationally by the Nor th American Mission Board, SBC.  The Noonday unit is coordinated by Lee Hurtt and Tom Plouff and is maintained by church gifts to Noonday Association.

If you are interested in being a part of this dynamic ministry please contact Arlene Thornton at (770)422-3347.  The next GBC training dates for volunteers is scheduled for August 10, 2013.  All volunteers in the Disaster Relief ministry must be certified as they are considered first responders at a disaster event.

Pastor Dewey Cobb and William Jordan, Treasurer, of Hill Street Baptist Church, Marietta handed the keys of the church facilities to Larry Fillingim, Director of Missions of Noonday Association after signing the papers to transfer the property to the Association.  The Hill Street congregation voted in the fall of 2012 to donate their property and facilities to Noonday Association for use by a new congregation.  Pastor Cobb said, "Our desire is that the buildings be used by a congregation that can reach the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ."  The Hill Street congregation was an aging membership which averaged 12 in attendance that no longer matched the transitional community.

In January Tu Iglesia Hispana, a mission congregation of West Cobb Church and West Ridge Church, moved into the facilities and began ministering to the community.  Tu Iglesia Hispana has conducted several special services and community outreach projects and is currently averaging 115 in attendance in their Sunday services.   They have also had 11 baptisms since the January 2013.  Pastor Jeff Hinds said, "The move put us in the midst of the Hispanic people group we are designed to reach.  We are thankful for the kingdom vision of Pastor Cobb and the membership of Hill Street Baptist Church that allowed our church the opportunity to impact this community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Larry Fillingim, DOM and the Trustees of Noonday Association express their deep appreciation to Hills Street Baptist membership for their generous donation for the advancement of the Gospel in Marietta. The Hill Street congregation held their final service in the facility on Easter Sunday and have move to unit with sister churches in their area.

There has been lots of answered prayer over the past several months.  For instance, Katie, Patrick's wife, is now employed as a dental hygienist.  The dental office is only about 20 minutes from their home. 

The church team is growing!  New-City Church held its second worship gathering in late April.  They had about 20 people attend a great time of worship and connection.  They will continue to hold monthly worship gatherings throughout the summer. 

There are now two other people serving as they plant the New-City Church.  Christy Dyer previously served with WMU and the Tennessee Baptist Association before being appointed to serve as a NAMB Church Planting Intern at the church.  She will help in the community connection area.  She will be developing some key relationships and partnerships in the community and help to coordinate mission teams throughout the summer.

The other new member of our team is Kelli Creswell.  Kelli previously served the North Carolina Baptist Convention in the church planting area and for the last year has served as a NAMB intern and a member of the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association team.  Kelli handles the administrative tasks and church planting development.

 Beginning in June, they will have 12 mission teams serving throughout the summer.  These teams will focus on helping to continue to introduce the church to their community.  One of the ways they will do this is by handing out information and invitations to their small groups and worship gatherings.  Attached to the information regarding New-City Church, there will be a $5 gift card from Starbucks. 

God is doing some miraculous things in New York City and the Thompson family is so exciting to be a part of them. 

The Georgia Baptist Convention compiled data from the 2012 Annual Church Profiles submitted from churches throughout Georgia.  The results have been identified as the Sunday School/Life Group Recognitions as ranked in the top 25 churches in Georgia by size.

The churches were identified in five categories:  Small (35-100), Intermediate (101-199), Medium (200-399), Large (400-699), Mega (700 or more) in average Sunday School attendance. 

Congratulations to the churches in our Association that made the top 100 list:

Cooperation Program Recognitions:

• LaBelle Heights Baptist Church, Pastor Clark Boyles, recognized as the Noonday Baptist Association's largest percentage contributor through the Cooperative Program for 2012.

• Crossview Baptist Church, Pastor John Johnson, recognized as the Noonday Baptist Association's leading contributor per resident member through the Cooperative Program for 2012.

• Woodstock First Baptist Church, Pastor Johnny Hunt, recognized as the Noonday Baptist Association's largest contributor through the Cooperative Program for 2012.

Baptist Recognitions:

• New Season Church, Pastor Steve Flockhart, recognized as the church in the Noonday Baptist Association with the leading ratio of baptisms per resident member during 2012.

• Woodstock First Baptist Church, Pastor Johnny Hunt, recognized as the church in the Noonday Baptist Association with the highest number of baptisms during 2012.

   Congratulations to these churches for their ministry.