NCBAM AAIMs at resourcing leaders for the ‘age wave’

North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) will host its inaugural AAIM event May 7 at the Mills Home Campus of the Baptist Children’s Homes in Thomasville.

Aging Adults Innovating Ministry (AAIM) 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. The May 7 event is an opportunity to be encouraged and challenged as a leader to aging adults.

“The leaders who have participated in the formation of AAIM are passionate about working with aging adults and helping them to continue in whatever ministries God leads them,” said Sandy Gregory, director of NCBAM, who believes AAIM will change the face of ministry to and for aging adults in the state.

“These leaders are aware of the coming ‘age wave’ and have innovative ideas for how aging adult ministries can adapt to our state’s changing demographics.”

Speakers include Gregory, Michael Blackwell, president of Baptist Children’s Homes and founder of NCBAM, and Stan Heiser, associate senior pastor at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church.

The theme will be ”Value, Vision and V’room! – A call to action.”

The program will also provide opportunities for fellowship, worship and round-table discussions exploring innovative ways to minister with and to aging adults.

Regional leaders within AAIM have been building their groups in preparation for the May 7 kickoff event.The regional leaders are: 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 Charles McKinney, minister to senior adults at First Baptist Church Jacksonville (east region). NCBAM regional directors will be members of each regional group.

More plans for the AAIM network will be developed after officers are elected May 7 – but current goals include participating in Caraway and Caswell’s aging adult retreats, fostering opportunities for intergenerational ministry, establishing a website with resources for aging adult ministry and developing ways to incorporate technology into ministry.

NCBAM will support the work of AAIM. The NCBAM Call Center will assist with meeting the needs of frail-aging adults in the communities.

Gregory believes God will bless the efforts of AAIM to strengthen aging adult ministries.

“I believe that in the coming years, we will witness God’s Spirit move mightily among aging adults in our state,” he said.

Church staff or lay leaders who work with aging adults are invited to attend. The event begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m.

The $10 cost includes lunch. For more information or to reserve your space, call (877) 506-2226 by May 1.

Visit ncbam.org.