Schaumburg, Ill.—The General Association of Regular Baptist Churches meets this week for its annual conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Schaumburg. The conference will feature a series of 12 expository sermons from Daniel, led by featured speakers Dan Davey and Tim Jordan. Other speakers include Bernie Augsburger, Joe Earle, William Gasser, Ken Spink, Mike Stallard, and John Greening. “This year’s theme is from the book of Daniel, a great way to follow up our study of dispensationalism at last year’s conference,” says Ken Spink, chair of the GARBC Conference program committee (other members include Chuck Pausley, David Little, Jerry Webber, Tom Alexander, and Brad Quick). “A correct understanding of Daniel is foundational for us to understand our theology, both for pastors and laypersons,” Ken says, adding that the study will also encourage spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, courage, and faithful ministry. “For years we have said the GARBC is a Bible-loving association devoted to good preaching,” Ken says. “Why not highlight what we love the most: expository preaching!” A program for teens, Students Alive!, meets concurrently with the conference. Children’s programs will feature the debut of Regular Baptist Press’s new Go! missions curriculum led by curriculum writer Jim Cook. Two groups are meeting on Monday prior to the conference. The GARBC Council of Eighteen meets to review association business and initiatives, and Regular Baptist Chaplaincy Ministries meets for in-service training. The conference participants represent about 1,400 GARBC churches in 45 states, Canada, and Saipan. Several related ministries will give reports during the conference:
- Regular Baptist Press, a church education publishing ministry that serves 12,000 churches;
- Gospel Literature Services, an international distribution network that reaches 111 countries;
- Regular Baptist Chaplaincy Ministries, which services the military, hospitals, prisons, professional sports, and corporations;
- Baptist Builders Club, a ministry of providing grants and loans to churches in the association; and
- International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries, a network of international organizations.