In an effort to promote interdependence among its churches, the Nebraska Association of Regular Baptist Churches held a Family Gathering Sunday, Sept. 28.
Temple Baptist Church, Lincoln, Nebraska, which recently renovated its building, hosted this evening of worship and fellowship for ministry leaders and members of NARBC churches.
After enjoying games on the lawn and dinner provided by the host church, everyone gathered in the sanctuary for a worship service, featuring video greetings from each pastor, two songs sung by a collaborative choir of members from each church, and a message from God’s Word with speaker Paul Hartog.
Paul, a professor at Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, “reminded churches of God’s diverse gifts for the sake of unity and to use those gifts in faithful, robust ministry equipping saints for ministry and maturing the church in Christ,” says Shawn Rittmiller, pastor of Park Lane Baptist Church in Omaha.
Dessert over another fellowship opportunity ended the evening.
The Family Gathering edified, encouraged, and equipped the nearly 200 attendees. But more than that, it provided an opportunity for church members and leaders to connect.
“Our fellowship of churches has a rich history of ministry growth and church planting in Nebraska. Yet in recent years, our intentional interdependence has waned,” says Jeremy Penrod, pastor of Temple Baptist Church.
Interdependence is also the vision of the GARBC. “Our vision is to be a gospel-driven movement of interdependent churches transforming lives and communities in every region of North America,” says Clare Jewell, national representative of the GARBC.
So instead of holding a weekend conference for its churches, the NARBC planned “an extended Sunday evening gathering, providing opportunities for fellowship and growth together.”
The goal of the gathering was “to see connections and relationships started and strengthened,” Jeremy says. “We are praying for God to use our fellowship of churches for His glory here in the great state of Nebraska.”
