Essence-the Cross Ministries, 2310 Appian Ln, Monroe, NC 28110, US

Union Baptist Association was organized in 1854, and named Brown Creek Association. The name was changed to Union Baptist Association in 1884. Today, Union Baptist Association is made up of eight-one Southern Baptist Churches ( 5 of which are watchcare status ). Despite many changes through the years, the association's reason for existence has never altered. Union Baptist Association exists to help Baptist churches of Union County, North Carolina, tell the story of Jesus Christ and His love. Union Baptist Association member congregations elect messengers based on membership totals. It is the responsibility of messengers to attend four quarterly sessions of Union Baptist Association, referred to as the Spring Session ( April ), Summer Session ( July ), Annual Session ( October ), and Winter Session ( January ). These four sessions provide a time of worship, fellowship, training opportunities, and information. Messengers are asked to report back to their church after each session and share the information. Our member congregations complete an annual report provided by Baptist State Convention, known as the Congregational Profile. This report, due in early October each year, provides vital information for planning and assistance from Union Baptist Association, Baptist State Convention and Southern Baptist Convention, which includes training conferences, sample Sunday School literature, Vacation Bible School Resources, Discipleship training, evangelism, and new work initiatives. The information received from these reports is included in the UBA Annual each year, which is a resource/reference manual for churches. 1 ) Associations are doctrinally-based fellowships of churches on mission in their setting, 2 ) Associations are self-governing Baptist bodies created by the churches not by the denomination, 3 ) While self-governance is an indisputable right of every Baptist body, it is tempered by the necessity for, the spirit of, and the duty to practice interdependence and cooperation.