It was held at Loughton Baptist Church with around 140 people attending. Colin Pye and a gifted team of musicians led in worship; news was shared, including the launch of the Footsteps Training Course.
 

The course, which is run by Regents Park College, Oxford and the Central Baptist Association, is designed for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of the Bible and faith and to develop skills for their particular ministry. 

New ministers were welcomed into the Association, as were three new churches.

The AGM was followed by an Extraordinary Church Meeting at which changes in the constitution were agreed following a process of consultation.

The high point of the day was the address given by the speaker, The Revd Dr Nigel Wright, principal of Spurgeon's and a former president of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, 'Living Well in a Universe with Meaning'.  Nigel spoke from Romans 8 and held before the Assembly a purpose-driven cosmos, made visible in Jesus Christ, which is both generous and irresistible. 

In an afternoon seminar given over to exploring the theme of 'Transforming Congregations', Nigel identified seven marks in encouraging congregational health.