The 157th annual gathering of the African United Baptist Association (AUBA) of Nova Scotia was held August 13-15 in the Annapolis Valley, NS. Rev. Neville Callam, General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, was the special guest preacher for the meetings along with Dr. Peter Paris, a native of Nova Scotia, and professor emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Hosted by Inglewood United Baptist Church, with support from other AUBA churches within District three, the fifteen member church put on a special event that transformed the quiet town of Bridgetown, NS. Several hundred people from all over the province and beyond converged to enjoy a gospel concert and gigantic BBQ. AUBA moderator, Alma Johnston, commented “Indeed, this was the AUBA reaching out to the community.”

Host Pastor Cathy Batson welcomed delegates and guests with these words. "Our late sister Dr Edith Cromwell saw the picture quite well: I may not be here at Association time. But I'm ecstatic our church will host again. The Lord will bless you."

As sunset approached, two buses arrived to carry AUBA members to Wilmot Mountain (Also known as Granville Mountain) where the Association was founded in 1854. There up the mountain, a special service took place to dedicate an interpretive panel on the AUBA erected by the Valley African Nova Scotia Development Association.

Speaking with much emotion at the ceremony, the AUBA presiding moderator, sister Alma Johnston noted the momentous work done by the ancestors and invited ministers present to reflect on what it felt like to be up on the mountain where the Rev Richard Preston established the Association. “It was very significant that they came up the mountain to signify that no challenge was too great to be overcome,” remarked one minister. “They must surely have had Moses in view picturing him on the mountain viewing the promise land. From here they could see the land of milk and honey as far as the eye could see,” remarked another.

Also present for the annual sessions were the Convention president Rev. Dr. Robert Knowles and the Executive Minister, Rev. Dr. Peter Reid. Following a recorded interview with Rev. Callam, Dr. Reid noted the knowledge displayed by Rev. Callam by commenting on his rich knowledge and ease of communication - “He was remarkably on point,” said Dr. Reid. (Note: watch for the video of the interview coming soon!)

The weekend was also special for another reason. It highlighted the cooperation that exists in the Convention family of churches. Middleton Baptist Church hosted the Saturday sessions as well as the meals for Saturday and Sunday. Several church members worked the sound and video projection system Saturday and when Sunday morning came, the Middleton congregation joined with the AUBA family of churches for the worship service addressed by Dr. Callum.

Fresh from the Baptist World Congress in Honolulu, Dr. Callum brought encouragement and a sharp challenge to the hearers. The Association Speaker Sunday afternoon was Dr. Peter Paris. Two former students of Dr. Paris are now pastors in his native province, a point which was not lost to Dr Paris when he reflected on what it meant to return to the Association as speaker. “It gives me great joy to come back again and again to what has become the most progressive Baptist Association world wide,” remarked Dr. Paris making reference to the wide diversity that exists in the Association.

The entire weekend was inspiring and full of jubilant celebration. Outgoing AUBA Moderator, Alma Johnston summarized the gathering this way: “The sessions were well attended and uplifting. The Association was indeed a spiritual feast.”