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!
As I write, I peer out at snowdrifts and snowbanks four feet high, frigid temperatures along for the ride. Southerners might wistfully yearn for days like today, and some of us northerners will gladly ship them to you!
As this vista swirls, I’m reminded of several Scriptures:
- “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’” says the Lord, ‘though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool’” (Isaiah 1:18).
- “For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength” (Job 37:6).
- “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire” (Revelation 1:14).
In the midst of your winter season, rejoice in the cleansing of Christ’s blood. Rejoice in God’s sovereignty, even to the falling of each unique snowflake. Adore Jesus Christ, Whose hair is white as snow—our glorious, almighty Savior and Lord.
God is at work in our churches and through our fellowship as we make disciples for Christ. Be assured of our encouragement, intercession, and joy in your partnership in ministry for Christ.
In His Grace,
David E. Strope, D.D.
Interim National Representative
February Pulse Ministry Updates
DAVID STROPE, Interim National Representative
This past month I have been shoveling snow and enduring the cold here in central Iowa. January brought ministry at Temple Baptist Church, Lincoln, Nebraska; First Baptist Church, Waverly Iowa; and Faith Baptist Church, Salem, Oregon. I also preached in Corban University’s chapel. One weekend ministry was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
The Regular Baptist Ministries staff and the Council of 18 conference committee are meeting regularly in early preparations for the Regular Baptist Ministries Conference 2024. The conference will be held at RBM’s office in Elgin, Illinois, June 24–27. Mike Bullmore will serve as our featured speaker, addressing the theme “Together: The Incredible Value of Biblical Fellowship.” Pastors Sam Choi, Ken Fields, David Ryan, Stephen Muindi, Jeremy Scott, Mark Wood, and I also will be preaching. Registration will soon be available at garbcConference.org.
RBM Office Updates
Matt Olmstead is now settled into his role as director of Regular Baptist Press. Soon he and his family will be moving from Michigan to Illinois. Jonita Barram, a 35-year veteran of our editorial department, will retire in March. God has greatly blessed Regular Baptist Ministries with capable and godly people, and it is my privilege to lead and serve with them.
My Travel Schedule This Month
Jan. 29–Feb. 2: Refresh Conference, Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary, Ankeny, Iowa
Feb. 9: Faith Baptist Bible College chapel, Ankeny, Iowa
Feb. 10–26: Ministries in Monrovia, Liberia
Ministries in Liberia
James Kester, pastor of Sahuaro Baptist Church, Tucson, Arizona, and Josh Robinson, pastor of Altoona (Iowa) Regular Baptist Church, will be traveling with me to Liberia for two ministries: a pastors’ training seminar (February 15–17) and a Bible conference (February 19–25). The Bible conference, in part, will rejuvenate a Regular Baptist International partnering fellowship in Liberia that became defunct due to civil war in that country. We will also visit and preach in Liberian churches.
Costs are significant for such an endeavor. If you or your church would like to give to defray the costs, please visit our online giving page and select International Networking Fund.
RBM Annual Fund PLUS!
RBM Annual Fund PLUS! efforts are underway. Through this fund, RBM needs to receive an additional $100,000 in onetime and monthly gifts this year. As a church, as a leader in your church, or as a member of your church, would you pray about how you might help us reach this goal? Many Council of 18 and RBM staff members have given or made commitments to give toward this goal. Lead your church in evaluating its giving pattern to the GARBC. Our ministry is worthy of your support!
The Personal
This past month God brought to my attention a significant understatement: “It is good that the heart be established by grace” (Hebrews 13:9). The writer of Hebrews sets forth the superiority of Christ and the once-for-all-time sufficiency of His death at Calvary. His death fully paid for our sins. Apart from anything good in us—sinners—He saved us. How good it is!
Further, this grace not only is found in the person and death of Christ, but also is constant and present in the lives of believers and His churches. Paul commended the churches and their pastors to the grace of God (Acts 14:26; 20:32). This grace is not just what God did in the past; it is the very power of Christ granting us—His believers and churches—the very power and desire to do His will (2 Corinthians 12:9–11; Philippians 2:13). This grace is God’s current provision to meet our momentary need.
What a massive understatement! How good it is that the soul is established by grace.
KERRY WATKINS, Head of Operations and HR Director
We will be searching for an editorial staff member soon and are working on the details. In the next few weeks the position(s) will be posted at GARBC.org/careers. If you know of people who have experience in editing and who might be interested, please make them aware of the opportunity. We want someone with experience, preferably in curriculum, books, and articles.
The search for the next national representative of the GARBC continues. Visit GARBC.org/national-representative-job-posting to learn about the position and to either nominate someone or apply. Please be praying as we continue to work through this process, have search team meetings, and conduct interviews.
Please also pray for Regular Baptist Ministries. If you are willing to regularly pray for our ministry or already do, I would love to hear from you. Email me at kwatkins@garbc.org to let me know. We are placing a greater emphasis on prayer in our ministry this year and would love to have others join us.
The greatest asset we have in the association is our churches and their pastors. A lot of great things are happening in Regular Baptist churches. You will be hearing more this year about how we want to assist in connecting churches’ resources, skills, and experiences to other churches that could benefit from them. These connections are important to help all of our churches and their pastors.
MATT OLMSTEAD, Director of Regular Baptist Press
On a whim, I recently purchased a candle for my study, and now I’m hooked. I find another level of concentration when that candle is lit and the Log Cabin scent fills my workspace. The aroma of wood, amber, tonka bean, and sandalwood helps me focus and get into deep work.
God’s design of our senses amazes me. Our senses help us get into the right mindset for work, study, and play. When a reader picks up a new book, whether conscious or not, all the senses are engaged. How does the book smell? How does the book feel? How does the book look? Is the writing engaging? Does it capture the imagination? These questions are often answered apart from a conscious thought. It’s a gut reaction.
This is but part of my thinking as I continue to immerse myself in RBP’s products. I’m thinking intensely about how to create the best products with the best content for the glory of Christ.
If you regularly use our products, please consider sending us feedback about your experience by submitting an email form. We’re always looking for ways to improve what we do so we can serve customers better.
Has your church ordered its VBS kit yet? WildLIVE! Showcasing Christ’s Character will serve your ministry well this summer.
Itinerary
I’ll be at the Refresh Conference in Ankeny, Iowa, January 30 through February 2. If you’re going to be there, come to RBP’s booth and introduce yourself!
Throughout February, I have personal meetings scheduled with potential partners and authors. If you know people passionate about writing, I want to talk to them!
MARK JOHNSON, Treasurer and Controller
I’m excited to share with you the opportunity to apply for a grant that could support a new and sustainable ministry initiative in your church for 2024 and beyond!
The Kingdom Advancing Grant, offered through the nonprofit Brotherhood Mutual Foundation, supports innovative church programs or initiatives that not only connect people with Jesus but also are sustainable over time and can be replicated by other churches. During 2023, the inaugural year of the Kingdom Advancing Grant, the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation awarded $150,000 to four churches for their innovative programs, and Brotherhood Mutual Foundation is offering the opportunity again this year.
Each Kingdom Advancing Grant recipient not only receives funding for the recipient’s initiative or program, but also is paired with an experienced ministry leader who can provide guidance and assistance. The Kingdom Advancing Grant Council will make final decisions by July 2024. The Grant Council is made up of more than a dozen pastors, administrators, and executive leaders from churches and ministries around the country. Many of these will be the same individuals providing mentorship to the grant recipients.
To be considered for a grant, initiatives must be directly overseen by a church and meet all of the requirements laid out on the website. Visit the Kingdom Advancing Grant website to see if your church qualifies and to learn about past grant recipients. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2024. The Grant Council will review proposals and grant awards in July.
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
