About Us | Central Baptist Association NM

The CBA held its first annual meeting in 1908 and was officially organized in September of 1909

The Central Baptist Association is a network of Southern Baptist Churches in Central New Mexico. The geographical area of the Association encompasses about 40% of the states population centered around the Albuquerque metropolitan area including Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Bosque Farms, Los Lunas, Belen, Cuba, Jemez Pueblo, Mountainair, Edgewood, Sandia Park, Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Moriarty, Estancia, and Vaughn. We have recently added churches from Santa Fe and Gallup.

The seventy plus churches of the Association reflect the diversity expected from metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas. These churches range in attendance from 10 to over 2,000. Nineteen of these are ethnic/language congregations that worship in at least 6 different languages.

Romans 12:5-8
So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Dr. Stephen Baum

Director of Missions

Stephen is an Albuquerque native. In 2006 he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to attend Golden Gate Baptist Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity (MDiv), and more importantly, married his wife Nikkie in 2009. Shortly after Nikkie received her MDiv in 2010, Stephen and Nikkie moved to Hilo, Hawaii to minister to college students at the University of Hawaii, Hilo. In 2011, the Lord moved Stephen and Nikkie back to the Bay Area where Stephen returned to Golden Gate Seminary to complete a Master of Theology (ThM) in Historical Theology with an emphasis on the ethical works of Jonathan Edwards.

Following the completion of his ThM, the Lord brought Stephen and Nikkie back to Albuquerque and not long after to the pastoral staff at First West, his home church. He pastored there for 11 years, completing his Doctor of Ministry (DMin) from Gateway Seminary along the way. In December of 2025, Stephen was elected by the association to serve as Director of Missions.

Stephen and Nikkie have three daughters and a son, who joyfully occupy much of his spare time. When he isn’t chasing or carting the children around, Stephen enjoys reading, rowing, walking, golfing, attending Lobo sports games, and watching “The Office” with Nikkie.

Contact Stephen at [email protected]
(505) 243-2707 – office
(505) 274-7286 – direct
(505) 573-5076 – cell

Bethany Anderson

Office Manager

Bethany is the Office Manager for the Central Baptist Association. She earned her degree in Communications from UNM. Bethany has been married to her husband, Evan, for 5 years.

Contact Bethany at [email protected]; office (505) 243-2707