North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) hosted the inaugural AAIM event on May 7 in Thomasville. Aging Adults Innovating Ministry is a network of church staff and lay leaders with the ongoing mission to promote, equip and strengthen aging adult (senior adult) ministries across the state.
Dubbed the “AAIM Roundup,” the conference provided a fast-paced day of information and inspiration to more than 70 senior adult leaders. Michael C. Blackwell, president/CEO of Baptist Children’s Homes and NCBAM founder, said, “It was a great kick-off for the AAIM network. AAIM will be an innovative and muchneeded resource for aging adult ministries in North Carolina.”
AAIM leaders were announced at the event. Stan Heiser, associate senior pastor at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, will serve as chair; Norma Melton of Buncombe Baptist Association will serve as vice-chair; Barbara Blood, senior adult leader at First Baptist Church Mt. Airy, will serve as secretary.
Regional team leaders include Glenn Davenport, chaplain for Cleveland Regional Medical
Center and Shelby Police Department (west region); Christa Warise, minister of senior adults at College Park Baptist Winston-Salem (central region); and Phyllis Crane, senior adult minister at First Baptist Church Clayton (east region).
Regional leaders will hold additional 2015 AAIM gatherings as follows: Central region,
September 15 in Thomasville; East region, September 15 in Clayton; and West region,
September 22 in Asheville. The second statewide AAIM Roundup is slated for May 5, 2016 in
Thomasville. Call 1.877.506.2226 for more information.
NCBAM director Sandy C. Gregory said. “NCBAM is prepared; we have a plan. God is at
the heart of ministry to (and with) the aging and North Carolina Baptists are ready. We got this!”