About Us

In 1894 several churches, almost exclusively located in Appling County, from both the Piedmont and the New Ebenezer Baptist Associations came together to form the Consolation Baptist Association (named after the church in which they had their first meeting). At the time Appling County consisted of all of the present county, all of what is known as Jeff Davis County, all of what is known as Wayne County, and part of what is known as Bacon County. John Gardner was elected as the first moderator of the association. Many of his descendants hold membership in several of the churches. These member churches believed it to be a great advantage for the churches of Jesus Christ, composed of persons regularly baptized on profession of faith in Christ, to be associated together for mutual support and assistance. This association is organized for the purpose of creating such an association and facilitating the cooperation of the association of the associated churches in carrying out the Lord’s Great Commission, The objective of this association shall be: To promote Christian missions, Christian education and discipleship by making disciples, Christian benevolence, pastoral support, family ministry, and social service causes at home and abroad through the churches of the association, to provide help and fellowship for the churches of the association through it’s organizations in the promotion of the Kingdom of our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ throughout our local area, our state, our country, and throughout the world. Today, there are 33 member churches, including one Hispanic Baptist Church, working together to build the Kingdom of God. The premises of the association are located at 448 Vernon Williams Rd., Hazlehurst, GA 31539. Dr. Dustin Hutto currently serves as the Associational Missionary and Wendy Hipps serves as the Ministry Assistant.

GOVERNANCE

Rev. Don Patterson has accepted the position of Interim Associational Missionary of the Consolation Baptist Association. His first official day with the Association will be Monday, May 6, 2024. Rev. Patterson has over 50 years experience in the Ministry with over 20 years experience as an Associational Missionary. Called to Piedmont-Okefenokee Baptist Association as Associational Missionary in April 1999, he served in this capacity until 2020. On April 19, 2021, he celebrated his 50th Anniversary in the Ministry.

He states "I have had the privilege of serving on the Administrative Committee of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board as well as President of the Georgia Baptist Associational Missionary Fellowship."

Other Experience Includes:

*Serving on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention

*Serving on the Prayer Team of the Georgia Baptist Convention

*Serving as a messenger to the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention throughout his ministry

His Associational Leadership Experience Includes:

*Serving 67 churches and one mission in a five-county area of Ware, Pierce, Charlton, Brantley, Bacon and Camden Counties.
*Being an adviser and encourager to pastors & staff of the churches in the association.

*Training and developing lay leaders to carry out ministry needs in the
association in areas of Sunday School, Discipleship, Brotherhood, Mission Organizations, and working with missions teams of the association

*Promoting evangelism in the local churches, the association, the state, and on foreign fields. Internationally, the association developed partnerships with Ecuador and Mexico and had churches who partnered with Nigeria and other nations in Africa. On a national level, the association partnered with Upper Ohio Valley Association in West Virginia as well as Conemaugh Valley Association in Pennsylvania.

Retired as Associational Missionary from Piedmont Okefenokee Baptist Association at the close of 2020, he and his wife, Barbara, live in the South Thompson Community of Toombs County where they are members of South Thompson Baptist Church. Bro. Don and Mrs. Barbara

have two sons. Don, Jr. & his wife Christy have four children and live in Hazlehurst, GA. Jonathan & his wife Christy have three children and live in Statesboro, GA.

Bro. Don stated, "I am presently seeking to follow the Lords leading from day to day and week by week by observing what the Lord is doing and following His leading and daily sharing my faith. Anticipating seeing JESUS face to face shortly. Even so come Lord Jesus. I am deeply committed to the doctrine held by Southern Baptists and found in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 ed."

The leaders of the Consolation Baptist Association look forward to working with Bro. Don. He is currently available to speak or preach at any of the member churches in the Consolation Baptist Association. Feel free to contact him at 912-288-7594.

Please pray for Bro. Don and Mrs. Barbara as he takes on this ministry. God bless you all!

Consolation Baptist Association Leadership

2025 and Moving Forward

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Moderator: Rev. James Minick

Pastor, Zion Baptist Church

Baxley, GA

Vice Moderator: Rev. Stan Taylor

Pastor, Consolation Baptist Association

Baxley, GA

Admin. Committee Chairman: Rev. Fred Anderson

Pastor, First Baptist Church

Baxley, GA

GBMB Executive Member: Rev. Scottie Pitts

Pastor, Satilla Baptist Church

Baxley, GA

Clerk/Secretary: Mrs. Wendy Hipps

Consolation Baptist Association Administrative/Ministry Assistant

Hazlehurst/Baxley, GA

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

*At the Consolation Baptist Association Annual Fall Meeting held on October 24, 2024, the Association voted in favor of discontinuing the rotation of the Administrative Committee members and asked member who had been faithful to serve in their capacity as Committee members to continue to serve. The members of the Administrative Committee at that time agreed to continue to serve in their capacity as committee members until such time as each felt it was necessary to discontinue his or her service. The Administrative Committee would seek to add members as the members of the committee determined that it was necessary.

Mr. Randall Odum Mr. Joby Rowell

Satilla Baptist Church Oakland Baptist Church

Baxley, GA Hazlehurst, GA

Mr. Winton "Wink" Branch Mrs. Sheryl Bohannon

Spring Branch Baptist Church Philadelphia Baptist Church

Baxley, GA Hazlehurst, GA

Mrs. Sharon Miller

Dunn Memorial Baptist Church

Baxley, GA