09/05/2026
The Antioch Initiative
Churches Strengthening Churches for the Sake of the Gospel
What if one of the greatest resources God has given our churches is one another?
Every church within the Holmes Baptist Association has strengths. One may have gifted musicians, another experienced teachers, another retired pastors, children's workers, construction skills, outreach experience, or faithful prayer warriors. At the same time, every church can experience seasons when it needs encouragement, resources, leadership, or someone simply willing to walk alongside it.
The Antioch Initiative seeks to bring those two realities together through churches strengthening churches for the sake of the Gospel.
The biblical picture comes from Acts 11. When the church in Jerusalem heard what God was doing in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to encourage the believers. Barnabas recognized the opportunity before them and brought Saul to help. Together they spent a year teaching and strengthening the congregation. Later, in Acts 13, Antioch had developed leaders and became a church that sent Barnabas and Saul out to carry the Gospel elsewhere.
The church that received strength became a church that strengthened others. That is the heart of Antioch.
Participation does not necessarily mean entering a formal partnership. Churches can become involved in several practical ways.
We can pray for another church and its leaders. We can encourage by developing relationships and celebrating what God is doing. We can serve through outreach projects, children's ministry, worship assistance, facility projects, and other practical needs. We can equip by sharing teachers, musicians, ministry leaders, training, equipment, experience, and resources.
Some congregations may choose to walk alongside another church through a more intentional fostering relationship for a defined season.
And there is another important place within Antioch—the church willing to say, "We could use some help."
Asking for assistance is not failure. Churches experience different seasons. A pastor may leave. Leaders may become unavailable. Ministries may decline. Communities change. Sometimes a faithful congregation simply needs encouragement and assistance determining its next steps.
Through Antioch, that congregation can become a Renewing Church—receiving assistance while actively participating in its own renewal, developing leaders, strengthening ministries, and preparing for its next season.
The goal can be summarized simply:
Receive Strength. Develop Strength. Share Strength.
HBA's Role
The Holmes Baptist Association does not exist to control its churches. Our churches remain autonomous congregations. Instead, HBA serves as a connector, facilitator, encourager, and resource.
When one church says, "We need help," the Association can ask, "Who might God have already placed within our churches who can help?" When another church says, "We have something to offer," HBA can help connect that resource with an opportunity.
Sometimes one church may help another. Sometimes several churches may work together. Sometimes HBA's Renew Team may provide assessment, coaching, training, or ministry planning.
The Antioch Initiative is ultimately bigger than a program. It is about creating a culture where our churches recognize that we are stronger together.
Perhaps every HBA congregation could begin by asking two questions:
What has God given our church that could strengthen another church?
Where could we allow another church to strengthen us?
Pray. Encourage. Serve. Equip. Walk Alongside.
Be an Antioch Church.
Every church has something to give. Every church may have something it needs. Together, our churches can strengthen one another for the sake of the Gospel.
