Hudson Baptist Association

Pastor Carlos Schmidt reports a renewed ministry focus in Iglesia Bautista de Amsterdam to reach the youth of Amsterdam. Tuesday night is kids/youth night at the church. They have been averaging around 50 children and youth but recently had a high attendance of 78. A unique aspect of the ministry is the mixing of cultures. 16% of Amsterdam's population is Hispanic, most of whom are from Puerto Rico. As a result, both Spanish and English can be heard every Tuesday night. Recently, as a part of this ministry a new focus was begun aimed at teenage boys who love basketball, a

Two churches, River of Life and Open Door, merged into one congregation in March called River of Life Church. Anthony Foxworth serves as pastor. Vinny Ciccarelli is the executive pastor. Following the merger, their worship service attendance has increased to averaging 104 during worship. They have also added several new families and baptized seven people. The churches have worked diligently to become one body as they have intermingled everything from leadership to community ministry to their life groups. Future plans include a "250 Campaign" to secure the resources to renovate their building located on 2333 Western Aveue, Guilderland. Check them

North Hills Christian Church as they work through a major snag with leasing their new worship space. The space has helped the church to grow significantly since January. Pray they would contine to be able to meet at their new location on 105 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia. Pastor Larry Maxwell of Patterson Baptist Church as he continues to recover from his successful by-pass surgery in April. The 22+ mission teams from at least 10 states traveling to HBA churches this summer. Texas is sending the most teams in 2008!