Skip to main content
News

Association Updates: December 2017

By December 5, 2017No Comments

CHRISTMAS GIFTING FOR FIRE-RAVAGED HOMES
Wildfires in northern California have destroyed thousands of homes around GARBC churches in the communities of Windsor and Weaverville. First Baptist in Windsor and First Baptist in Weaverville had a total of 11 families who lost homes. Even after insurance settlements and government assistance, some church members will have long-term financial needs.

Pastor Jeff Marshall of First Baptist in Windsor says, “One hundred percent of funds donated to our fire relief fund are being allocated to those affected by the local fires, with a special emphasis on those in our church body and those connected to our church—family, friends, and evangelistic opportunities.” Pastor Jay Underwood of First Baptist in Weaverville reports that a church member named Bill is being forced out of retirement to rebuild his destroyed home. He is a logger and a part-time caregiver for one of his elementary-age granddaughters.

Regular Baptist Builders Club Director Clare Jewell says the ministry exhausted all the Disaster Relief funds that were donated this fall for Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, but the ministry would like to do more to help these California churches. Would you please consider a gift this Christmas to help these churches minister to their members and reach out with God’s love to their communities? Donate now to assist brothers and sisters in Christ.

IPFBM ALL-PARTNERS CONFERENCE: A TASTE OF HEAVEN!
Chris Hindal, director of Regular Baptist International, reports on the recent conference of the International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries:

Every four years, the International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries convenes for an All-Partners Conference. Tagaytay, Philippines, was the chosen venue for the Nov. 6–10, 2017, conference. Seventy pastors and church leaders from nine countries interacted on the church-planting theme, “Global Construction Zone.” Through preaching, teaching, and workshops, conferees were helped to think strategically about their own ministries and the challenge of church planting. While several national pastors significantly contributed to the daily speaking schedule, the main speakers were Clare Jewell, national church planting coordinator for Regular Baptist Churches; Dr. Jim Vogel, executive director of the Northeast Fellowship; and Jim Vogel’s wife, Jeannie, an experienced ladies’ conference speaker. It was a taste of Heaven to see Burmese, Africans, Indians, Filipinos, Americans, Bangladeshis, and Indonesians join hands and hearts in prayer and discussion of the Great Commission assignment.

Much of the expenses of doing international conferences rest on the shoulders of Regular Baptist International. Churches who value this ministry are encouraged to add it to their missionary budget. In addition, individuals will find great spiritual satisfaction in sponsoring international conferences for $600 a year or $50 a month. Donate online, by phone, or by mail. For online or check donations, note “International Conferences #9002.”

REMEMBERING OUR CHAPLAINS DURING CHRISTMAS
This Christmas, remember all our chaplains as they minister on the front lines, in squad cars, or at bedsides. Also remember the men and women who are at this moment away from home, protecting our freedoms and liberties. Pray for their protection, success in mission, and a safe and speedy return home.

The GARBC endorses nearly 90 chaplains serving in military, community service, and institutional environments. Your giving ensures their going! Support Regular Baptist Chaplaincy and donate today! (Select “Chaplaincy Christmas Gift” in the drop-down menu.)

FINANCIAL GRANTS AND LOANS GIVEN TO SIX CHURCHES
Regular Baptist Builders Club happily announces that at its November meeting, its board members awarded the following grants and loans to six churches for their church planting needs and facility improvements.

Church Planting Grants:

  • Shiloh Baptist, Bowie, Maryland ($10,000 grant)
  • Restored Church, Hazleton, Pennsylvania ($10,000 grant)
  • Soteria Baptist, Phoenix, Arizona ($10,000 grant)
  • Bethany Baptist, Salem, Oregon ($10,000 grant)

Facility Improvement Grants and Loans:

  • Berean Baptist, Springfield, Illinois ($20,000 loan)
  • Faith Baptist, Winfield, Illinois ($15,000 grant, plus $5,000 loan)

Your donations help churches multiply and thrive. Donate now to Regular Baptist Builders Club.

SOLID GROWTH FOR KIDS4TRUTH CLUBS
Kids4Truth Clubs, the weekday program that became part of the Regular Baptist Press family in 2016, has experienced solid growth over the past year. During this time the number of churches using Kids4Truth Clubs has increased by 63 percent. One reason for this growth is that churches appreciate the program’s strong doctrinal emphasis. Kids4Truth Clubs explores 12 doctrinal themes, making the program a systematic theology course for kids. This approach helps kids know what they believe and why they believe it; the program is apologetics for kids!

We encourage you to consider using Kids4Truth Clubs in your church. Visit our Kids4Truth Clubs website or call Marrena, our Kids4Truth Clubs specialist, 866.754.4272, to learn more. Find out also how you can try one doctrinal theme (10 lessons) free.

COUNCIL OF EIGHTEEN MEETS ON CHURCHES’ BEHALF
The Council of Eighteen met at the Regular Baptist Ministries Resource Center in Arlington Heights, Illinois, Nov. 13–15. The council’s agenda centered on the search process for the next national representative. David Strope set the tenor of the meetings with an upbeat challenge from Philippians 3 on the attitude and work of striving. Ministry directors John Greening (Regular Baptist Churches), David Gunn (Regular Baptist Press), Clare Jewell (Regular Baptist Builders Club and Church Planting), Manning Brown (Regular Baptist Chaplaincy), Chris Hindal (Regular Baptist International), and Mark Johnson (finance) provided engaging reports.

John Greening acknowledged this would be his last full report as national representative. He gave thanks for the privilege of serving in this role for the past 21 years with his capable partner and loving wife, Daria. Along with his ministry report, John included his perspective on the leadership transition. To set the context for the national representative search committee, he presented a Biblical profile of the national representative position and summarized the skills and disposition needed for the position.

David Gunn gave an overview of his transition to his new role as director of Regular Baptist Press. He outlined a wide range of projects, including an important revision of the children’s Sunday School curriculum. His report included good news that sales are tracking upward with positive gains.

Clare Jewell shared news of the generosity of Regular Baptist churches in raising funds to provide assistance for churches damaged by flooding in Texas and Florida, along with assistance available to churches affected by recent wildfires in California. Several churches have submitted grant applications to Regular Baptist Builders Club to aid in their ministry launch or expansion of their facilities. In addition, Clare explained the developmental design of the new Church Planting initiative and reported on several ministry start-ups that are anticipated in 2018.

Manning Brown told of the excellent work that our GARBC chaplains are carrying out. Several military chaplains are serving in strategic positions. Regular Baptist Chaplaincy has also endorsed several new chaplains. The chaplaincy ministry is gaining increased interest and participation.

Chris Hindal shared his report via video, as he was facilitating the International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries All-Partners Conference in the Philippines. Exciting developments are taking place in the translation of Kids4Truth Clubs materials for use in Hong Kong and China. Regular Baptist Press International is having a significant impact for the proclamation of the Word of God around the world.

Mark Johnson presented a detailed report documenting the solid financial infrastructure that is in place for the association.

Other reports and decisions involved upcoming GARBC conferences, the Talents For Christ scholarship program, resolutions to present to the churches, and budgetary decisions. The council also devoted extended time to the national representative search, determining a shortlist of prospects based on survey data from association churches. The search process timeline calls for a candidate to be presented to guests attending the 2018 GARBC Conference in Fishers, Indiana, June 26–29.

REGULAR BAPTISTS AROUND THE COUNTRY
DECEMBER 2017 EVENTS
Please pray for the ministries of sister churches as they share the Good News with their communities during this Christmas season.

3: SCARBC Sing, South Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, Gardena, California
3: Central Coast CARBC Sing, Community Baptist Church, San Luis Obispo, California
4: CARBC pastors’ and wives’ Christmas dinner, Santa Ana, California
7: IL-MO Great River pastors’ and wives’ dinner, Quincy, Illinois
27–29: Montana Regular Baptist Fellowship teen winter retreat, Lake Blaine Bible Baptist Camp, Kalispell, Montana
29–30: Northeast Fellowship Marriage Refresh, Radisson Hotel, Corning, New York

REGULAR BAPTIST MINISTRIES
DECEMBER 2017

John Greening
National Representative
7: Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina

Manning Brown
Director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy
Serving in home church, New Life Baptist Church, Lake in the Hills, Illinois

David Gunn
Director of Regular Baptist Press
7: Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina

Chris Hindal
Director of Regular Baptist International
9: Hill Country Baptist Church, Austin, Texas
13: Regular Baptist Ministries staff chapel, Arlington Heights, Illinois

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

Serving in home church, Bethany Baptist Church, Salem, Oregon