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December Pulse Ministry Updates

By November 29, 2022May 5th, 2023No Comments

MINISTRY UPDATES

DAVID STROPE, Interim National Representative

The Move: Throughout November, staff members of Regular Baptist Ministries have been busily sorting files, organizing their workspaces, assembling desks and shelves, and working through all the other details that moving requires. God wonderfully provided for us in the quick, timely, full-price, cash sale of our office in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and in His provision of an adequate and attractive new location for ministry at Harvest Bible Chapel, Elgin, Illinois. Many thanks to the Regular Baptist Ministries staff members who implemented the sale and move. After the Council of 18 meetings on Nov. 14 and 15, I spent two days at the new home office, where I settled into my work area, met with the Harvest Bible Chapel staff, and hosted a luncheon and celebration for Regular Baptist Ministries employees.

Council: The Council of 18 met for its fall meeting on Nov. 14 and 15 at the Hyatt Place in Chicago. Much work was accomplished, and reports from various ministries were presented. All eighteen men were able to attend, with much effort given to strategic planning and the national representative search. I am grateful for each man who serves, for each church that gives its pastor, and for each ministry that lends its director to serve on the council. Our meetings were productive, thought-provoking, collegial, and Christ-honoring.

November Ministry: My service in November as Interim National Representative was a bit less hectic than in October. I presented and preached at Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church, Clear Lake, Iowa; attended First Baptist Church, Arlington Heights, Illinois; and attended my home church, Ankeny (Iowa) Baptist Church, two Sundays. Much of my time was given to final preparation for the Council of 18 meetings, ministry scheduling, and message preparation. I again held what seems like countless online meetings and greatly enjoyed another online “Connect with the Interim National Representative” meeting. After a whirlwind of travel, I will enjoy the coming Christmas break guilt-free.

2023 GARBC Conference: Corban University will host the 2023 GARBC Conference June 26–29, with Philip De Courcy as the keynote speaker. Philip is the pastor of Kindred Community Church, Anaheim, California, and host of the daily media program Know the Truth.

Christmas Greetings and Giving: Enjoy a wonderful celebration of the entry of the eternal Son into our sinful world as man, God in flesh. The words of the hymn “Ivory Palaces” often come to my mind: “Out of the ivory palaces into our world of woe, only His great eternal love made my Savior go.”

As the end of the year approaches, many people desire to give. In your giving, please consider Regular Baptist Ministries. One-time gifts (large and small), stock transfers, and estate gifts are all wonderful ways to honor Christ and serve our fellowship.

Consider giving to the following ministries:

Regular Baptist Press: Give to the New Testament Exposition Commentary series, which needs $80,000 to be fully funded. Simply select it in the fund dropdown menu.

Give to the New Testament Exposition Commentary Series

Regular Baptist International: Help fund ongoing ministry projects of Regular Baptist International, meet disaster relief needs of partnering ministries, and help underwrite the expenses of the Biblical Baptist Partnership International regional conference Jan. 26–28 in Manipur, India.

Give to Regular Baptist International

Generate: Gifts to Generate will help fund grants and loans for Regular Baptist churches.

Give to Generate

GARBC: Give to the GARBC to support its mission of making disciples through healthy local churches and to aid the travel fund of the Interim National Representative.

Give to the GARBC

Itinerary: In December I will have the following preaching and presenting opportunities:

Dec. 4: Good News Baptist Church, Sioux City, Iowa
Dec. 11: Community Baptist Church, Ankeny, Iowa

Personal: My wife, Debbie, and I remain as active as possible at Ankeny (Iowa) Baptist Church and care for her parents in their failing health. We both look forward to vacation time in December and January. I will yet need to spend time preparing for upcoming ministries, including the Biblical Baptist Partnership International regional conference in Manipur, India, (January 26–28) and a Bible conference at Maranatha Baptist Church in Sebring, Florida (February 19–22).

Debbie and I have served in pastoral ministry now for 46 years. Together we yet find it invigorating, challenging, and our great joy. Debbie travels with me for ministries within a morning’s driving distance to serve, to encourage, and to keep me awake on the highway.

This month I complete one year of service as Interim National Representative. It has been an unexpected joy this past year to serve Christ, our grand fellowship of churches, individual churches, and pastors and wives.

I continue to place before me the words of the apostle Paul: “I do not count my life as having any value; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24, CSB).

Do serve faithfully until Christ comes again, and enjoy both the bustle and quiet contemplation of the “mystery of godliness.”

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Tim. 3:16, ESV).

KERRY WATKINS, Director of Church Engagement

Would you like to better understand the purpose of the GARBC? Do you have a question for the Interim National Representative, David Strope? If yes to either of these, contact me at kwatkins@garbc.org. I can get you scheduled for one of our online meetings where pastors and ministry leaders will learn the purpose and vision of the GARBC.

The meetings are about an hour long. David Strope speaks for about 20 minutes, and the rest of the time is available for you to ask questions. We will resume these meetings in January. If you are interested, I will work with you to get you scheduled for one. We purposely keep attendance small.

Be on the lookout in your email inbox for a short survey we would like pastors of GARBC churches to complete. We are seeking input regarding the purpose of the GARBC. We do not have many pastors’ personal email addresses, so please be checking your church’s general email. The information gathered will help our planning. Thank you.

Email Kerry

MARK JOHNSON, Treasurer and Controller

As we near the end of the year, we want to thank you for your continued support of our ministry. We could not do what we do without you!

One thing that makes our association so special is our commitment to advancing the church through effective, biblically faithful resources. We believe that when churches network together to share ideas, work in tandem, and enjoy fellowship, they can help each other make a greater impact on people in their communities.

That’s why we’re asking you to consider making a year-end gift to Regular Baptist Ministries. Your gift will go toward our budget and will help us continue our mission of making disciples through healthy local churches. Not only will your gift help us continue our important work, but it will also allow you to take advantage of the tax benefits of making a year-end gift.

We hope you will consider making a gift before Dec. 31. Thank you for your support!

Give to Regular Baptist Ministries

CLARE JEWELL, Director of Generate

Generate sponsored two more Church Solutions conferences in Oregon and Washington on Nov. 15 and 17. Please pray for good follow-up and implementation of the principles to multiply disciples, leaders, and churches.

The board of Generate approved a church renewal grant and church facility grant last month and is evaluating three more grant applications. Please pray for wisdom.

Itinerary

Dec. 1–6: Leadership planning in Phoenix
Dec. 28–30: Speaking at Teen Leadership Conference in Oregon

Learn About Generate

MANNING BROWN, Director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy

Regular Baptist Chaplaincy endorsed a new chaplain in November. It is exciting to see God bring us more people with hearts to serve as chaplains.

I am honored and humbled to serve not only as the endorser and director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy but also as a police chaplain. I never cease to be amazed at the caliber of men and women serving as police officers in our communities. During a recent ride-along, I was reminded that they not only preserve the peace, but also serve as marriage counselors, child advocates, referees, and more.

Please keep first responders and their families in your prayers. Theirs is an uphill battle. Your prayers and financial support are keys to ensure that Regular Baptist Chaplaincy can continue to endorse those called to be chaplains.

Donate to Regular Baptist Chaplaincy

DARRELL GOEMAAT, Coordinator of Regular Baptist International

The Biblical Baptist Partnership International continues to plan for its regional conference January 26–28 at Camp En Gedi and Retreat Center in Manipur, India. This will be the first time that partnering leaders of the BBP and I have met in person since 2017 in the Philippines. Our host, Pastor H.C. Stephen, will provide free food and lodging to all partnering leaders and prospective partners who can get there. H.C. Stephen and David Strope, GARBC Interim National Representative, will be preaching and teaching on topics like Baptist doctrine distinctives, the centrality of the gospel, staying strong in persecution, and building healthy churches. The schedule will also leave room for reports and testimonies from partnering ministries. Please pray as attendees make their travel arrangements.

Two churches in Manipur, India, plan to host Winter Vacation Bible School this month. Pastor B.T. Pousiam, president of Berean Baptist Ministries, will lead the programs. About 270 children attend these two churches, but both churches are facing financial difficulties. B.T. and a team of 17 VBS teachers will not only lead the programs but also prepare Bible lessons, lead the music, and provide study materials, transportation, and prizes. B.T. is praying for the finances to manage these programs well. “Surely God will provide the needs of the programs,” he says. Please pray that children will accept Christ as Savior through this ministry.

This fall, Regular Baptist International awarded eight grants totaling $31,000 to partnering ministries. Pastor Timothy Odhiambo, director of an orphanage in Kenya, received a grant of $1,500. The funds are paying for food and school fees for the orphans, will help build homes for widows, and will purchase mattresses and food for those widows. His ministry also helps street children and the disabled. He sends his thanks to Regular Baptist International and its donors for this grant.

Alipur Baptist Church in Assam, India, built a baptism tank Oct. 8, and the church used it the next day to baptize eight people. Alipur Baptist Church was founded in 1945, and this baptism tank is the first the church has had. “Praise God!” says Pastor Nabin C. Singha. He prays that many people will accept Christ as Savior through the ministry of Alipur Baptist Church, especially during Christmas and the New Year season, and be baptized.

Every week Regular Baptist International receives reports of how God is using partnering ministries to care for the needy, bring people to Christ, and disciple new believers with resources this ministry provides. Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support of Regular Baptist International.

Donate to Regular Baptist International