The Dayton Area Baptist Association (DABA) was formed in 1964 by a merger between the Upper Miami Baptist Association and the Dayton Baptist Union. In their 1965 yearbook, the association defines its purpose as: -To promote the cause of Jesus Christ through the cooperation and fellowship of local Baptist churches identified with the association. -To extend the interests of the Baptist denomination. -To advance the work of the Dayton Christian Center. -To develop new churches and support existing churches. -To cultivate mutual fellowship among its churches
The association is still active. Membership includes participating Dayton area Baptist churches, the Ohio Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Convention. The association's active mission is the Dayton Christian Center, located on West Riverview Ave. Its purpose is to provide a Christian environment in which neighborhood residents an come to meet for fun and fellowship, for sharing and learning, for discovery and growth; to be an advocate for those who are forsaken and oppressed; and to encourage and give hope to those who have become disillusioned.
From the guide to the Dayton Area Baptist Association Records, 1949-2011, (Wright State University, Special Collections and Archives)