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Association Updates: September 2017

By August 31, 2017No Comments

HURRICANE HARVEY AFFECTS CHURCH MEMBERS
Two Regular Baptist churches in greater Houston, Texas, are directly under threat of catastrophic flooding by Hurricane Harvey, which has dumped more than 25 inches of rain. Pastor Albert Armitage Sr. of Berean Baptist Church in Humble, a northeast suburb of Houston, says, “This will be an eight-day event for us.” Berean canceled Sunday services because of the storms.

Between major downpours, Pastor Armitage and his wife, Patricia, drove to the church to assess the situation. “We have a little bit of leaking in the main building and a little bit of seepage in the library. I think the wind gusts lifted some of the shingles and water got in,” he says. “This is nothing like what we were fearful of getting, and we’re happy about that.”

Members of his church are not so fortunate. “We know that we have four families so far who have been displaced by the rain. One family had 22 inches of rain in their home when they evacuated, and the water was still rising,” Pastor Armitage says. Several families from Berean are staying with relatives or other families in the church.

Pastor Gerald Hawk of Good News Baptist Church in Katy, a western Houston suburb, sent out a Facebook post to church members on Saturday canceling Sunday services because of the threat of severe weather. The Hawks conveyed to Pastor Armitage that their home is okay. “They thought their home would flood last night, but the water receded. The church is okay except for a leak in the roof above the nursery,” Pastor Armitage says.

Regular Baptist Builders Club is assisting Regular Baptist churches in ministering to their communities during Hurricane Harvey. Due to the catastrophic nature of this storm and the thousands of lives that have been affected, the Regular Baptist Builders Club is mobilizing resources to help these church members recover from the disaster. If your church would like to partner with us in this effort, contact builders@garbc.org or donate to Hurricane Harvey disaster relief (select from pull down menu.) Excess funds, if any, will be used to help in disaster relief for churches and church families in similar situations.

See also, “Pastor’s Update: Hurricane Harvey Hits Church Members’ Homes.”

CHURCH PLANTING PROGRESS
Regular Baptist Builders Club has already received four applications for church planting grants, reports Clare Jewell, national church planting coordinator for Regular Baptist Churches and director of Regular Baptist Builders Club. “We expect one or two more to come in by the deadline for our November grants,” he says. “Please pray for wisdom as we evaluate these applications. Also pray for this church planting movement to grow.”

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE SEARCH: OCT. 1 DEADLINE

The National Representative Search Committee seeks your input! Please share your perspective and your recommendations for the office of national representative. Oct. 1 is the deadline for submission of recommendations to the search committee. The National Representative Search Committee link is found at www.garbc.org. Just click “NR Search” to provide input and to recommend specific men to serve as the next national representative. The National Representative Search Overview, Search Timeline, and Ministry Profile are also available via this link.

The search committee covets your prayer, encouragement, and communication!

IMPACT AN INTERNATIONAL PASTOR
Chris Hindal, director of Regular Baptist International, and his wife, Deb, are preparing for the All-Partners IPFBM World Conference to be held in Manila, Philippines, Nov. 6–10. Every four years the International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries hosts this conference for pastors and ministry leaders around the world. Chris Hindal says, “Scholarship money is needed to help some pastors, especially from Africa, get to the conference. Would you be willing to help encourage these pastors?” Your donation will help a national pastor be able to attend the conference. Donate online, by phone, or by mail. For online or check donations, note “Intl. Scholarship Fund #9005.” By sponsoring a pastor, you will not only encourage him in his work, but also help build up fundamental Baptist churches around the world. For further information, contact Chris Hindal.

REGULAR BAPTIST CHAPLAINS ON DUTY
Chaplains provide counsel in times of uncertainty, offering a Biblical response to life’s struggles, ensuring confidential counsel, and advising on an appropriate course of action. Please support Regular Baptist Chaplaincy. Your giving ensures chaplains’ going! Donate online, by phone, or by mail.

 

COMING SOON: 2017–18 CHURCH DIRECTORY
Looking for a Regular Baptist church in another state? Need current contact info? The GARBC Church Directory will soon be available with up-to-date information. Be sure your contacts are current with this updated version. Together we can communicate more! Preorder your copy in digital or in spiral-bound version.

 

REGULAR BAPTISTS AROUND THE COUNTRY
UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 2017
1–4: IL-MO ARBC Labor Day weekend retreat, Camp Manitoumi, Lowpoint, Illinois
8–9: IL-MO ARBC ladies’ retreat, Camp Manitoumi, Lowpoint, Illinois
8–9: IARBC Women’s Renew Conference, Iowa Regular Baptist Camp, Ventura, Iowa
9: OARBC Bike for Youth scholarship ride
11–14: BNN Refresh ministry workers’ retreat, Cannon Beach, Oregon
11–16: Minnesota ARBC trip to Ohio, Iowa, and Kentucky
12: IL-MO ARBC senior saints’ retreat, Camp Manitoumi, Lowpoint, Illinois
18–20: Southern California ARBC pastors’ and wives’ and Christian workers’ retreat, Dana Point, California
18–19: Crossroads Fellowship Conference, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Bloomington, Indiana
19: UP Regional Pastors’ Gathering, Munising Baptist Church, Munising, Michigan
21–23: Northern California ARBC men’s and boys’ retreat, Pilot Lake Wilderness Camp, La Porte, California
22–23: DelMarVa ladies’ retreat, Evangel Baptist Church, Hagerstown, Maryland
22–23: Northeast Fellowship Ladies’ Advance, First Baptist Church, Johnson City, New York
22–23: Stronger Church Conference, Willoughby Hills, Ohio
29–Oct. 1: WARBC “C” Leadership Training Retreat, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

REGULAR BAPTIST MINISTRIES TEAM ITINERARIES
SEPTEMBER 2017

John Greening
National Representative
10: Faith Baptist Church, Winfield, Illinois
11–13: Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina
16–17: 50th Anniversary Trinity Baptist Church, Municipal Gardens, Indianapolis, Indiana
22–23: Stronger Church Conference, Willoughby Hills, Ohio
24–26: Clarks Summit University board meeting, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

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

Chris Hindal
Director of Regular Baptist International
21: Sahuaro Baptist Church, Tucson, Arizona (a.m.)
21: Victory Baptist Church, Casa Grande, Arizona (p.m.)

Clare Jewell
National Church Planting Coordinator for Regular Baptist Churches
18: Moody Bible Institute chapel, Spokane, Washington
22–23: Stronger Church Conference, Willoughby Hills, Ohio
28–30: Hosting North Carolina missions team, Bethany Baptist Church, Salem, Oregon