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Association Updates: July 2019

By July 16, 2019July 31st, 2019No Comments

NATIONAL RETIREMENT PLAN NOW OPEN FOR PASTORS AND CHURCH EMPLOYEES
Mark Johnson, treasurer and controller for Regular Baptist Ministries, announces the opening of the National Retirement Plan for ministers and church employees. This benefit provided through Regular Baptist Ministries is one of the most tangible and personal programs our fellowship has ever offered to our churches. This 403(b) plan is designed to provide world-class investments and services specifically for ministers and church employees. Key features include 100 percent personal ownership, low fees, available housing allowance designation, free transfers to and from other plans, personalized guidance, and flexibility to meet the needs of individual churches. For more information or to refer this service to colleagues, visit us online.

NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
Regular Baptist Ministries is investing in the future of the association by recognizing and rewarding high school seniors who show godly character and Christian service and encouraging them to enroll in a Christian college or university.

Participating colleges and universities are Appalachian Bible College, Bob Jones University, Cedarville University, Clarks Summit University, Faith Baptist Bible College, Piedmont University, and Shasta Bible College. These institutions are committed to equipping students with life skills and providing them with a quality education to prepare them to serve in the local church, whether as pastors, support staff, lay leaders, or teachers.

College scholarships are available for the 2020–2021 academic school year: four $2,500 scholarships, ten $1,000 scholarships, and ten $500 scholarships. Applications will be available in September. Find out how you can be part of this exciting new program as a donor or participant at scholarship.GARBC.org.

REGULAR BAPTIST MINISTRIES UPDATES

Mike Hess, GARBC National Representative
As an association we are blessed with great Regular Baptist ministries. Read this year’s GARBC Annual Report, and thank the Lord for His use of our ministries to assist churches nationally and internationally in making disciples. I promise it won’t be dry reading!

David Gunn, Director of Regular Baptist Press
RBP is pleased to announce next year’s VBS theme: Big Fish Bay: Hooked on God’s Mercy. This exciting nautical theme features a bustling bay, piers, a lighthouse, tall ships, and coastal animals. During the lesson time, kids will embark on a journey into the life of Jonah. They’ll encounter God’s mercy and see how His compassionate heart was most fully expressed in the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Big Fish Bay is available for preorder at 2020.rbpVBS.org.

Clare Jewell, Coordinator of Regular Baptist Church Planting and Director of Regular Baptist Builders Club
Regular Baptist Builders Club was fully engaged in promoting church revitalization, church planting, and leadership development at the recent GARBC Conference. More than 30 pastors attended our preconference module on revitalization, and nearly 40 people attended our revitalization dinner the following night. Both events provided church leaders with great opportunities to take next steps in moving churches forward for gospel impact in their communities. More than 90 people attended the Regular Baptist Builders Club luncheon at the conference, where we shared several testimonials of God’s grace in starting new churches, revitalizing churches, and developing leaders. Please pray as we seek to expand our capacity to help churches in our association fulfill their God-given mission.

Pastor Kirk Wesselink

Chris Hindal, Director of Regular Baptist International
Through Regular Baptist International, a small church can make a big impact in building up Christ’s church around the globe. Kirk Wesselink, pastor of Desert Hills Baptist Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico, led his small congregation to give over $5,000 to rebuild a closed church building in Bigogwe, Rwanda, which reopened three weeks ago. Also, the congregation paid the fees to help the pastor complete his education.

In addition, while attending the All-Partners Conference in the Philippines, Pastor Wesselink learned of the building program of Bethel Baptist Church, led by Pastor Maymon Sarnicula. Desert Hills Baptist Church took building fund money from its bank account and loaned Bethel $30,000 interest free to complete the construction. Churches in the US can do a lot with small amounts when they are willing to generously be used of God to impact the world!

Manning Brown, Director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy
More than 40 chaplains, spouses, and other interested individuals attended the chaplaincy module during the 2019 GARBC Conference. Attendees were treated to lunch, followed by hearing keynote speaker Andy Bittle give a timely presentation on compassion fatigue. His presentation was informative and well received. It was great to have met several of our chaplains in person for the first time. I also made several contacts with people interested in the chaplaincy and becoming endorsed by Regular Baptist Chaplaincy.

CHURCHES ELECT COUNCIL OF EIGHTEEN
Annually messengers of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches elect six members to serve on the Council of Eighteen. At the 2019 business meeting on June 27, the following members were elected to the Council of Eighteen for three-year terms:

  • Mike Augsburger, pastor, Soteria Church, West Des Moines, Iowa
  • David Burman Sr., pastor, Berean Baptist Church, New Castle, Delaware
  • Brian Cederquist, pastor, Good News Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Sam Farlow, pastor, South Holly Baptist Church, Centennial, Colorado
  • Jeremy Penrod, pastor, Temple Baptist Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • David Strope, pastor, Ankeny Baptist Church, Ankeny, Iowa

These men join those currently serving on the Council of Eighteen:

  • Tom Alexander, pastor, First Baptist Church, Wellington, Ohio
  • Nigel Black, pastor, Winslow Baptist Church, Sicklerville, New Jersey
  • David Burman Jr., pastor, First Baptist Church, Niles, Ohio
  • Tim Capon, representative, Iowa Assocociation of Regular Baptist Churches, Ankeny, Iowa
  • Ken Floyd, executive director, Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Will Hatfield, pastor, CrossRoad Baptist Church, Ames, Iowa
  • Jonathan Jenks, representative, Wisconsin Association of Regular Baptist Churches, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
  • David King, pastor, CrossPoint Fellowship Church, Jasper, Indiana
  • Greg Linscott, pastor, Brown Street Baptist Church, Alton, Illinois
  • Tim Moore, pastor, Faith Baptist Church, Mason City, Iowa
  • Patrick Odle, pastor, First Baptist Church, Elyria, Ohio
  • Scott Poling, pastor, Harvest New Beginnings, Oswego, Illinois

Council officers are as follows:

  • Chairman—David Strope
  • Vice-chairman—Jon Jenks
  • Secretary—Will Hatfield

CONFEREES MEET FOR ASSOCIATION BUSINESS
Voting messengers gather annually at the GARBC Conference to receive an update on association ministries and make decisions regarding the oversight of the association. This year messengers approved two new resolutions: “The Essence of Worship” and “Condemnation of Anti-Semitism.”

The Council of Eighteen also presented the messengers with a proposed amendment on human gender for the articles of faith and a proposed updated purpose statement in the association’s constitution. Per the GARBC bylaws, those items will be voted on at next year’s business meeting.

GARBC PARTNERS WITH BROTHERHOOD MUTUAL TO PROVIDE RESOURCES
The GARBC is teaming with Brotherhood Mutual to offer an insurance resource for churches. Don’t let property damage, accidents, natural disasters, and other circumstances hinder your ministry. Brotherhood Mutual offers a host of insurance services to Regular Baptist churches, including property and liability insurance, accident insurance, missions travel insurance, and worker compensation policies. Make sure the resources God has entrusted to you are insured. Visit www.garbc.org/brotherhood to learn more.

REGULAR BAPTIST MINISTRIES

TEAM ITINERARIES
JULY 2019

Mike Hess
National Representative

21: New Life Baptist Church, Lake in the Hills, Illinois
28: Harvest New Beginnings, Oswego, Illinois

David Gunn
Director of Regular Baptist Press

28: Faith Baptist Church, Winfield, Illinois

Manning Brown
Director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy
Representing Regular Baptist Chaplaincy

Chris Hindal
Director of Regular Baptist International

21: First Baptist Church, Hibbing, Minnesota (a.m.)
21: Calvary Baptist Church, Cambridge, Minnesota (p.m.)

Clare Jewell
National Church Planting Coordinator for Regular Baptist Churches
and Director of Regular Baptist Builders Club

6–12: Gitche Gumee Bible Camp, Eagle River, Michigan
14: Emmanuel Baptist, Flint, Michigan
23–24: Hispanic Church Planting Summit, Chicago,  Illinois
25: GARBC Resource Center, Arlington Heights, Illinois
29–Aug. 1: ABWE North America West regional retreat, Colville, Washington

Mark Johnson
GARBC Treasurer

Representing Regular Baptist Ministries