SAN ANTONIO (FBW)—Spanning three centuries, the role of local Baptist associations in the life and the development of the Southern Baptist Convention, a denomination of 16.3 million members in over 46,000 autonomous churches, was recognized on the first of the two-day SBC annual meeting June 12 in San Antonio, Texas.

SAN ANTONIO (BP)—Undergirded by 300 years of ministry experience, Baptist associations should move into the future with a willingness to innovate and nurture relationships with younger Christian leaders, local churches and Baptist entities.

SAN ANTONIO (BP)—The Southern Baptist Conference of Associational Directors of Missions will celebrate three centuries of associational work in America during a three-day gathering in San Antonio, June 9-11, prior to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.

PHILADELPHIA (BP)—The first Baptist association in America will mark its 300th anniversary in September, and Southern Baptists will join in the celebration at a special associational missions rally June 10 prior to the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in San Antonio. The rally, which will promote the continuing need for associational work, will be held at San Antonio's First Baptist Church.