MINISTRY UPDATES
DAVID STROPE, Interim National Representative
The month of May brought ministries for me at Evangel Baptist Church, Hagerstown, Maryland; the DelMarVa Baptist Fellowship annual conference at Grace Baptist Church, Laurel, Maryland; First Baptist Church, Valparaiso, Indiana; the Valparaiso area pastors’ fellowship; and Baptist Children’s Home, where I met with the staff. I also represented Regular Baptist Ministries at the Conference on the Church for God’s Glory at First Baptist Church, Rockford, Illinois.
My wife, Debbie, and I celebrated 47 years of marriage in May. Debbie remains my best intercessor and encourager, championing my service as interim national representative. We continue to care for her parents, who are more feeble day by day. Our daughter Rebekah is recovering from breast cancer surgery. Her cancer has been classified as stage 1, with chemotherapy to follow in coming days. Debbie and I are humbled by and appreciate your intercession for us.
Office Updates: Kerry Watkins began serving as head of operations May 1. He is doing an excellent job in the early days of this new role.
Our search continues for a director of Regular Baptist Press. Pray with us for God’s person to be brought to this important role.
The first volume of the New Testament Exposition Commentary series, Matthew, will be available for sale this month through the RBP webstore and at the 2023 GARBC Conference. We look forward to the completion of the second volume of this commentary series, Romans, along with subsequent volumes.
My Preaching and Presenting Opportunities
June 4: Anchor Baptist Church, Des Moines, Iowa (building dedication)
June 11: Faith Baptist Church, Winfield, Illinois
June 12–15: RBM office, Elgin, Illinois
June 18: Urbandale Baptist Church, Urbandale, Iowa
June 25: Bethany Baptist Church, Salem, Oregon
June 26–29: 2023 GARBC Conference, Corban University, Salem, Oregon
2023 GARBC Conference: The RBM staff has been busily preparing for the 2023 GARBC Conference June 26–29 at Corban University, Salem, Oregon. Nearly everything is ready, and we are seeking God’s blessing on each person who serves or attends.
The early-bird registration deadline has passed, but you still may register to attend.
Philip De Courcy, pastor of Kindred Community Church, Anaheim, California, and host of the daily media program Know The Truth, will serve as the keynote speaker. He will be preaching four messages from the book of Acts: “Ready, Steady, Grow!”
Final Words: The apostle Paul’s words to the Thessalonian church are good for us all to read: “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12, ESV).
We must walk worthy of our calling. We must labor diligently for Christ, possessing “resolve for good and every work of faith.” Yet only by God’s power can these ever be fulfilled, all so the “Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him.” May this be true in our individual lives, in our churches, and in our fellowship of churches.
In His Matchless Grace,
David E. Strope, D.D.
Interim National Representative
KERRY WATKINS, Director of Church Engagement
We are searching for someone to fill the position of RBP director. Ideally, this person should have writing and editing experience, be strong theologically, and have experience in the publishing industry. If you know someone who would be a strong candidate to fill this position, please let that person know of the opportunity. Individuals can get more details and apply online. Or if they just want to know more, they can call me at 847-585-0837.
In the new position as head of operations, my main role is to get all parts of Regular Baptist Ministries working well together. I have spent this first month identifying and prioritizing areas where we can do better. This process will continue even as particular projects get underway to make improvements. I am energized by challenges and opportunities. We have a wonderful and committed staff in the home office. It is a pleasure to work with them. Pray that God will give us wisdom and that we will steward this ministry well for His glory. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions or with something that needs to be addressed.
MARK JOHNSON, Treasurer and Controller
Make a direct impact for ministry around the world by donating to the giving projects during the 2023 GARBC Conference. By doing so, you can truly make a difference in the mission of Regular Baptist Ministries and in the lives of those who need it most.
The project on June 27 will help us continue in our mission of making disciples through healthy local churches. Gifts to the GARBC Annual Fund provide the people and resources to help advance association churches through personal and collaborative ministry.
On June 28, you can help us provide resources and compassionate assistance for churches around the world through Regular Baptist International. Pastors worldwide are planting and building churches despite natural disasters, war, famine, and poverty. We can come alongside these pastors with critical support to help them reach their communities for Christ.
Donate online or speak with your church about contributing to these projects during the conference. For those unable to attend in person, consider reallocating your church’s budget reserved for travel and registration to make a difference through these projects.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication. We can’t do it without you!
CLARE JEWELL, Director of Generate
The Generate board met in early May and approved eight grants, totaling $64,500. Three grants were for church plants, three for church revitalization, and two for church facility projects. We are thrilled that God continues to allow us to fuel the health and reproduction of Regular Baptist churches and leaders.
Generate will partner with the Baptist Network Northwest to provide a food truck lunch at the 2023 GARBC Conference in Salem, Oregon, at the end of June. Please join us for great food and fellowship and an opportunity to hear what God is doing through Generate!
Generate will also sponsor several church planters who will attend the conference. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with these leaders to start churches focused on reaching lost people with the gospel.
This year and next year, Generate will sponsor eight to 10 more M3 Conferences (previously called Church Solutions Conference). We will publicize the dates and locations soon. These conferences are designed to help pastors and churches reproduce disciples, leaders, and churches. Generate underwrites the cost for the nearly $100 in resources we give each pastor who attends.
Itinerary
June 1–2: Afghan training in Idaho
June 23–25: Church planting conference in Spring Valley, California
June 26–29: 2023 GARBC Conference, Corban University, Salem, Oregon
MANNING BROWN, Director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy
I am excited to announce that Regular Baptist Chaplaincy recently endorsed the pastor of a Regular Baptist church to serve as a volunteer chaplain in emergency services in his community. Ministering to first responders meets a critical need, as spiritual health is as important as physical and mental health for resiliency in high-stress environments. Visit our website to find out how you can become a chaplain.
Itinerary
June 25–30: 2023 GARBC Conference, Corban University, Salem, Oregon
DARRELL GOEMAAT, Coordinator of Regular Baptist International
Regular Baptist International is thankful to have awarded more than $21,000 in grants last month to 10 international partners. The funds are already being used by ministry leaders in Congo to provide relief to church members living in displacement camps after fleeing their homes amid war.
Ndiho Pascal says that our gift arrived just when food was running out. “Truly, for some families, it was the manna from Heaven,” he says. “You helped many people survive. Thank you, and abundant blessings to you in Christ’s name.”
On May 13, Cyclone Mocha hit Myanmar. All of the families attending Ambassador Baptist Church in Yangon live in the path of the cyclone, says Pastor Mang Cin Pau. The cyclone, which struck Rakhine state, destroyed many homes. The people attending Mang’s church are safe, but their homes are uninhabitable. People now need shelter. “Please do pray for them,” Mang says. Earlier this month, Regular Baptist International sent Mang a grant, which he can use for disaster relief.
In Ghana, evangelism is at the heart of Crossroads Baptist Church. Pastor Josiah Abedu-Kennedy says five people completed discipleship training, and over the past three months, 16 people accepted Christ as Savior. Josiah is pastor of the church and vice president of the church’s association, the Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches in Accra.
“Evangelism in the community has been very encouraging,” Josiah says.
He asks for prayer for Hope Community Baptist Church, a church plant of Crossroads Baptist. A few weeks ago, thieves broke into the church and stole the sound system, keyboard, and a TV. Crossroads is raising funds to help replace the stolen items.
Going Home Africa Ministries in Liwonde, Malawi, is thankful for Regular Baptist Press Vacation Bible School resources, sent by Regular Baptist Press International. This association in Africa received materials from the 2021 program, Wonder World Funfest: Amazed by Our Extraordinary Savior. “We love the books,” says Francis Chipukunya, director of Going Home Africa Ministries. He uses the materials, including student and teacher books, to teach students in several schools in Malawi. “There is hunger for Jesus Christ in schools here in Malawi,” he says.
Many of our partnering leaders greatly desire to fellowship with us in person at the GARBC conference this summer in Salem, Oregon. Many are still seeking permission from their governments to travel. Please pray that the Lord will allow as many as possible to attend.
