Here's a closer look at what's happening around RBM this month!
Letter from the RBM National Representative
Greetings in the name of our wonderful Lord Jesus!
The letdown after Christmas; unfulfilled hopes as the new year is entered; winter storms of rain and snow; sin that abounds in culture; wars raging, politicians fighting: what are we to do?
Shall we despair? Retreat to the hills? Isolate ourselves? Relent to sin and unbelief?
Hebrews 9:26–28 declares, “He [Jesus] has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”
Christ appeared in His incarnation and at Calvary to put away sin by His all-sufficient death. Physical death will not be avoided, but spiritual death is nulled by the offering made by Jesus Christ. Remember: Jesus Christ will appear again, a second time, but not to pay for sins again. Rather, He will appear for salvation, for the completion of His great work of redemption for us.
No matter our life circumstances, we believe, love, and obey Christ with the sure hope of His second appearing. The condition of our society does not matter. Unfulfilled dreams? Sin that yet reigns here on earth? We live in hope of Christ’s great work at Calvary and in the promise of this second appearing.
No matter your life context, be it blessing or bane, live as “children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (Philippians 2:15–16).
May you know the grace of God to serve and live for Christ faithfully in 2024.
Resting in God’s transforming grace,
David E. Strope, D.D.
Interim National Representative
January Pulse Ministry Updates
DAVID STROPE, Interim National Representative
The Christmas season brought a brief respite from constant travel. I preached and represented RBM at two churches in Iowa in December: Grace Baptist Church, Harlan, Iowa, and First Baptist Church, Perry, Iowa. I enjoyed two Sundays worshiping with our church family at Ankeny Baptist (Iowa) Church. While there, I brought a devotional challenge to the seniors, I preached and gave a short ministry update, and my wife, Debbie, and I sang.
Administrative duties are constant. My downtime is given over to preparing for coming ministries. January’s schedule of presenting and preaching is jammed full. In February, I will be traveling to Liberia for 16 days for both a conference and a preconference pastors’ training seminar. Jim Kester (pastor of Sahuaro Baptist Church, Tucson, Arizona) and Josh Robinson (pastor of Altoona Regular Baptist Church, Altoona, Iowa) will travel with me and participate in these ministries.
RBM Office Updates
RBM rejoices in the presence of Matt Olmstead, the new director of Regular Baptist Press. He has taken to the job like a dog to fresh meat! Many good things are in store as RBP moves forward under Matt’s direction.
We continue to work diligently in the stewardship of our personnel and finances. At the RBM staff Christmas luncheon the following staff members were recognized for their years of service: Beth Prassel (1 year, editorial), Manning Brown (10 years, chaplaincy), Daniel Chin (10 years, IT), Seth Olson (15 years, graphics), Jon Norris (15 years, marketing), and Sandy Deacon (15 years, customer service). Special congratulations were shared with Jonita Barram (editorial) for her 35 years of service. God has greatly blessed RBM with capable and godly people!
My Travel Schedule This Month
January 7: Temple Baptist Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
January 8: Nebraska pastors’ meeting, Lincoln, Nebraska
January 14: Grace Church, Emmetsburg, Iowa
January 15–17: RBM office, Elgin, Illinois
January 21: First Baptist Church, Waverly, Iowa
January 26: Corban University chapel, Salem, Oregon
January 28: Faith Baptist Church, Salem, Oregon
January 29–February 2: FBBC Refresh Conference, Ankeny, Iowa
RBM Conference 2024
Both the conference committee and our RBM staff are now holding regular meetings preparing for Regular Baptist Ministries Conference 2024. This month the conference website will go live.
RBM Offerings
I have set a necessary goal in 2024 to raise $100,000 for RBM. The Council of 18 and RBM staff have already given or committed to give $10,700. I’m asking churches and individual donors to participate in this giving ministry for the RBM Annual Fund PLUS!
Would you pray as a church leader, and would you and your church give? RBM needs churches and individual donors to give ongoing and onetime gifts both large and small. In advance, thank you for asking God how you might significantly minister through extra, even sacrificial, giving!
The Personal
December marked two years of service as interim national representative. Serving our fellowship of churches has been an unexpected, unplanned joy. I continue to grow in understanding and proficiency as I serve. God is still teaching me, and I experience (occasional) adjustments and corrections. The RBM staff continues its excellent work, aiding me in many ways.
Mid-month I meditated through Spurgeon’s commentary on Psalm 84:5 and 7: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. . . . They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion” (ESV). Writing in Morning and Evening (morning reading, December 14), Spurgeon commented,
“The Christian pilgrim having obtained fresh supplies of grace, is as vigorous after years of toilsome travel and struggle as when he first set out. He may not be quite so elate and buoyant, nor perhaps quite so hot and hasty in his zeal as he once was, but he is much stronger in all that constitutes real power, and travels, if more slowly, far more surely. . . . Fretful spirits sit down and trouble themselves about the future. ‘Alas!’ say they, ‘we go from affliction to affliction.’ Very true, O thou of little faith, but then thou goest from strength to strength also. Thou shalt never find a bundle of affliction which has not bound up in the midst of it sufficient grace.”
I really resonate with Spurgeon’s statements. I pray and ask that together we will “go from strength to strength.” Let us “mount up with wings as eagles”; let us “run and not be weary”; let us “walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
KERRY WATKINS, Head of Operations and HR Director
I am looking for people who will commit to praying regularly for the staff and needs of the home office in 2024. If you will commit to doing that, would you please email me at kwatkins@garbc.org? Knowing that people are praying would be encouraging to our staff and ministry. In the past few years we have faced our share of challenges. We need God’s wisdom as we work through these challenges. We are thankful for progress that has been made.
In 2024 we will be working hard to develop new tools that can help our churches to be healthy, disciple-making churches. Keep your eyes out for communication about this in the first half of the year. We realize a key for us as an association is to do more to help our churches.
We are not actively recruiting for any office positions right now. However, we are always willing to accept résumés of interested individuals, since you never know when a position might open. When we do have open positions, they can be found at GARBC.org/careers. If you want to send in your résumé so we have it on file, you can send it to me at kwatkins@garbc.org.
The search for the next permanent national representative of the GARBC is ongoing. By going to GARBC.org/national-representative-job-posting, you can see the specifics of the position, send in your résumé if you are interested, or nominate someone who meets the qualifications. Please continue to pray as we contact prospects and conduct interviews at various levels. And pray that God would bring us the right person in His time.
MATT OLMSTEAD, Director of Regular Baptist Press
I’m thrilled to share that my journey as the new director of RBP has finished its second month and has been an enriching immersion into the RBM culture. I’m deeply grateful for the warmth, experience, and contagious enthusiasm exhibited by our fantastic staff. Their dedication has been instrumental in propelling our initiatives forward, and I count it a privilege to lead them.
One of our major projects, the New Testament Exposition Commentary series, is progressing steadily and remains on track for the upcoming release of volume 2. We’re eagerly anticipating the launch of that second volume, Romans, later this year.
RBP’s 2024 VBS, WildLIVE! Showcasing Christ’s Character, is another major project that goes on sale in January. In WildLIVE! kids will encounter animals from around the planet, with amazing skills, special habitats, and surprising features. Through the lessons, students will focus on Jesus’ captivating character and discover how to follow Him in their own “habitats.”
This year also holds exciting prospects, as we’re gearing up to introduce a range of new women’s Bible studies. These studies have been meticulously crafted to offer engaging and insightful journeys through Scripture.
Your support and enthusiasm fuel our efforts, and we’re immensely grateful for your ongoing partnership. Thank you!
MARK JOHNSON, Treasurer and Controller
Those who know me are aware that I’m a self-proclaimed accounting nerd, always armed with a spreadsheet for every occasion. As we embark on a new year, I find joy in updating my worksheets to plan for various aspects, including my personal budget, tax return, and, crucially, financial planning for the future.
One tool that has become a cornerstone of my financial planning is the personal retirement dashboard available through Servant Solutions and the GARBC 403(b)(9) Retirement Plan. This user-friendly modeling tool allows you to input your current retirement assets, future savings plan, Social Security status, and more. It provides a valuable estimate of your income in retirement, offering insights into necessary adjustments to achieve your financial goals.
Beyond its simplicity, participants in the GARBC plan enjoy complimentary access to certified financial planners and an array of other tools and resources—all at a fee rate of less than 1%, which is below the national average.
If your church lacks a robust and tax-advantaged retirement plan for its pastor and staff, I strongly encourage you to explore the benefits offered by the GARBC plan. In 2023 we celebrated a significant milestone, surpassing 100 pastors and staff from 45 churches enrolled in the program! Contributions can be made at any level, providing participants with complete control over their accounts and no obligations to the plan, the plan sponsor (GARBC), or their employer (the church).
It’s never too late to join, and no contribution is too small. Enrollment is straightforward and free. You don’t need to be as spreadsheet-savvy as I am, but you shouldn’t overlook this simple opportunity to plan for 2024 and beyond. If you have any questions, I would be delighted to discuss how churches and pastors are creating a better plan for their future. Get more information and sign up today!
DARRELL GOEMAAT, Coordinator of Regular Baptist International
In February, some of our team members will meet face-to-face with several Regular Baptist International partners during a GARBC Bible conference in Liberia. The event will be hosted by Philemon Gwelikporlusohn, president of the African Fundamental Baptist Mission and pastor of Highland Hills Baptist Church in Monrovia. Our team is looking forward to sharing the pulpit with our Liberian partners, learning about their ministries, and enjoying fellowship during this six-day event.
David Strope, interim national representative of the GARBC, will lead the team. He will be joined by James Kester, pastor of Sahuaro Baptist Church, Tucson, Arizona, and member of the Council of 18; Bill and Kathy Brittain, ABWE missionaries; and Josh Robinson, pastor of Altoona (Iowa) Regular Baptist Church. David, James, and Josh will be preaching.
Our team desires to take along some RBP resources to give away to the pastors who will be attending. Would you consider a onetime gift to Regular Baptist International to help us cover the cost of these materials?
May you enjoy the peace of knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior as we enter this new year.
MANNING BROWN, Director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy
Regular Baptist Chaplaincy endorsed a new chaplain, Tim Martin, pastor of family discipleship at First Baptist Church of Stryker in Styker, Ohio. He will be serving as a chaplain with his local police department. Please pray that God would continue to bring us those who are called to serve as chaplains. To find out how to become a chaplain or to support Regular Baptist Chaplaincy, please visit RegularBaptistChaplaincy.org.
CLARE JEWELL, Director of Generate
In November, the Generate board approved a Church Renewal and a Church Facility grant. Generate is now sponsoring a discipleship survey of Regular Baptist churches. We need as many pastors and churches as possible to participate so we can accelerate disciple making in churches.
The goal of this survey is to identify best practices for disciple making. It will also provide churches with an assessment tool and practical coaching points to help them elevate their effectiveness in this core area of ministry.
Please register here to access the survey. There is one for pastors and another for members of a congregation. On average, pastors can complete this survey in 20 minutes. Members of a congregation will need about 15 minutes.
After submitting the registration form, you will receive emailed instructions with a number to call if you have any questions. Please complete the survey by the end of January. Pastors and churches who participate will receive a complete report on the results with specific recommendations for advancing disciple making in their churches.
Please also join our 50/50 campaign. We are looking for 50 churches to give $50 per month to provide funds for church plants, church renewals, and leadership development. You can be a part of this vital effort by visiting generate.church/5050-campaign.
Itinerary
January 3–5: Cross Conference, Louisville, Kentucky
January 12–13: ABWE 24-Hour Demo, Orlando, Florida
January 14–16: ABWE Go Summit, Orlando, Florida
January 17–20: EveryEthnē leadership training, Orlando, Florida
