The Associational Advisor

(Sam Stack) We never know how deeply our actions affect the lives of others. Isaac Watts’ great hymn – “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed,” has certainly touched the lives of many throughout the centuries. Isaac Watts first wrote the hymn in 1707. The original last line of the first verse was “for such a worm as I.” Many newer hymnals have changed the line to “For sinners such as I.” The original Verses 2 and 4 have also been omitted from most hymnals. I have included them in the text. In this hymn, Watts draws the stark contrast between the sacrificial death of the mighty Maker and the unworthiness of sinful man. The final words of the text “Here Lord, I give myself away—tis all that I can do.” This hymn appears in two forms in most hymnals. The older version usually is included with verses 1, 3, 5 and 6 using the tune AVON by Hugh Wilson. It also appears in a newer version usually found with the title “At the Cross.” This version has music written in the 1800’s, by Ralph E. Hudson, who al...

  For seminary students who will be enrolled in seminary for the fall semester 2026: A blessing from the former Crawford Street Baptist Church is that they established a fund to provide scholarships to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary students. Crawford Street has given the Piedmont Okefenokee Baptist Association, Inc., leadership the privilege of nominating candidates to receive a scholarship to students out of churches in the Piedmont Okefenokee Baptist Association, Inc., who will be attending one of the six Southern Baptist Theological Seminaries in the fall of 2026. The six SBC seminaries are: Gateway Seminary, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This scholarship is for young people who desire to matriculate as students in any Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and who are preparing for the m...

  Pastor's Conference: June 7-8 Annual Meeting: June 9-10 Orlando, FL Register at: https://sbcannualmeeting.net/ The POBA has funds available to help POBA ministers with lodging for up to three nights to attend the SBC Annual Meeting in June. Contact Greg Benfield at (912) 285-8161 for more information. 

Thank you to all who have contributed to support POBA churches as they minister to families displaced by fires and to firefighters.  Churches, please pray about adopting an affected family to help them with clothing, food, and the process of resettling. If your church is interested, please contact the POBA Office.  ------  POBA is accepting gift cards to be used as needs arise. Cards can be dropped off at the POBA Office. Georgia Baptist Disaster Relief is on site at Lulaton Baptist and Southside Baptist.  There is an opportunity for GBMB Disaster Relief Training on Saturday, May 9 at Marshes of Glynn Baptist Church from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Register HERE . Churches, please pray about adopting an affected family to help them with clothing, food, and the process of resettling. If your church is interested, please contact the POBA Office. 

  Thank you to each individual and church who brought donations for the Georgia Baptist Children's Home. Your generosity is appreciated! ------ POBA will be collecting items for the Georgia Baptist Children's Home during the month of May. If you would like to participate, please bring items to the POBA Office by Thursday, May 28, 2026.  The suggested items are: Trash bags (13 gallons) Laundry detergent Mayonnaise Rice (any kind) Canned chicken Gift cards If you have any questions, please contact the POBA Office at (912) 285-8161. 

  June 15-20, 2026 Shorter University, Rome, GA Students of POBA member churches are eligible for a $100 scholarship to Surge Music Camp. Call the POBA Office at (912) 285-8161 by May 4, 2026.