MINISTRY UPDATES
DAVID STROPE, Interim National Representative
Staff: Regular Baptist Ministries is praising God for the sale of its building and the provision of a new home office. In June 2021 guests at the GARBC Conference gave the Council of 18 authority to sell Regular Baptist Ministries’ office in Arlington Heights, Illinois. With the majority of staff working remotely, the office far exceeded our need for space. We listed the office for sale in June 2022, and on Sept. 19 we received a full-price cash offer.
Many businesses are downsizing their office space, resulting in an oversupply of office buildings, so we praise God that our property sold quickly at full price! The proceeds of the sale will be carefully stewarded as the Council of 18 directs.
On Oct. 24 we moved into a leased office space in Elgin, Illinois, 25 miles west of the former office. The closing on the Arlington Heights property is scheduled for Nov. 11. Staff members choosing to work on-site are now settling into the new office. We have a great staff!
Ministry: I enjoyed representing the GARBC and preaching at Soteria, West Des Moines, Iowa; First Baptist Community Church, Monte Sereno, California; Good News Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan; the Tri-State Conference at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Toledo, Ohio; Central Baptist Church, Binghamton, New York; Clarks Summit University; and my hometown church, First Baptist Church, Newark Valley, New York. Congregations’ responses to the ministry of the Word and presentations of Regular Baptist Ministries continue to be positive, for which I am grateful.
I continue to perform administrative responsibilities, develop my 2023 ministry itinerary, and connect with pastors, churches, associations, colleges, and universities. A larger ministry just over the horizon will be a regional conference of the Biblical Baptist Partnership International in Assam, India, Jan 26–28. The purpose of this conference will be to revive this dormant ministry of Regular Baptist International and provide teaching and resources for national ministry leaders in a conference setting.
The first volume of Regular Baptist Press’s New Testament Exposition Commentary series, Matthew, is being formatted for publication and will be available for purchase in 2023. Work on the second volume, Romans, is progressing, and commentators are working on the remaining 18 volumes in this series. After receiving donations large and small to fund this project, we have raised $120,000 of the anticipated need of $200,000.
The Winter issue of the Baptist Bulletin is now being designed and will be shipped in January. This issue will present a brand new, fresh look.
Itinerary:
Nov. 13: visit Chicago area church
Nov. 14–15: Council of 18 meetings
Nov. 16–17: working from the home office in Elgin, Ill.
Nov. 20: Clear Lake Regular Baptist Church, Clear Lake, Iowa
Council of 18 November Meeting: The Council of 18 will meet Nov. 14–15 in Chicago. Pray as committees gather, the National Representative Search Committee meets, and the strategic analysis of Regular Baptist Ministries continues.
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.
Personal: A highlight of October was ministering at First Baptist Church, Newark Valley, New York, the church where my wife, Debbie, and I grew up and were members as youths. Pastor Ben Baker warmly welcomed us, we renewed fellowship with many people, and we made many new friends.
From this vibrant, small-town church God has called men and women into church ministry, educational ministry, and missionary service and led me into pastoral ministry. The pastoral service of Russell R. Camp and Gordon Lewis impacted me greatly. And the sweat and tears of my mom and dad fell upon this church to great, eternal impact.
In the middle of my 10-day road trip to New York and Pennsylvania, Debbie joined me for this ministry at First Baptist Church. Each time I visit “home,” I remember that there are no little places in service for Christ, but there is a great God Who calls the insignificant and despised of the world to confound the wise (1 Cor. 1:27–31). Those who are called: that’s me and that’s you!
KERRY WATKINS, Director of Church Engagement
Would you like to better understand the purpose of the GARBC? Do you have a question for the GARBC interim national representative, David Strope? If you answered yes to either of these, contact me at kwatkins@garbc.org. I will get you scheduled for one of our online meetings designed for pastors and ministry leaders to hear 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.
Be on the lookout in your email for a short survey that we would like pastors of Regular Baptist churches to complete. We are seeking input regarding the purpose of the GARBC. We do not have many pastors’ personal email addresses, so please check your church’s email. The information we gather will help us plan for the future. Thank you.
MARK JOHNSON, Treasurer and Controller
The GARBC has an ongoing partnership with Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. As an exclusive insurer of churches and faith-based ministries, Brotherhood Mutual offers unique insight and resources that churches can use to make their ministries safer and more reputable in their communities.
Last month I met with representatives of Brotherhood Mutual to review trends and hear about new and innovative ways the company is helping protect churches. The company’s research reveals the areas that ministries are doing well in and which areas could be improved. I encourage you to talk to your church’s insurance agent and review your church’s coverage. In the coming months, be on the lookout for customized resources being developed uniquely for Regular Baptist churches!
Learn about GARBC’s partnership with Brotherhood Mutual
CLARE JEWELL, Director of Generate
This month Generate will evaluate several grant applications to plant churches, renew churches, and improve facilities. Please pray for wisdom as the Generate board considers these requests.
Also this month, Generate will sponsor Church Solutions conferences in Oregon and Washington. Please pray for attending church leaders and members to engage in multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches. In January and February Generate will sponsor two more conferences in Indiana. Please pray for good weather for those traveling and for good attendance.
Generate’s website update is complete. The website now includes new forms that will make it easier for churches to apply for funds.
Itinerary
Nov. 1–5: ABWE missionary orientation, Harrisburg, Pa.
Nov. 7–8: M4 pastors’ conference, Harvest New Beginnings, Oswego, Ill.
Nov. 9–12: Afghan American church, Fremont, Calif.
Nov. 15: Church Solutions Conference, Salem, Ore.
Nov. 17: University Place, Washington
MANNING BROWN, Director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy
One of the first people to get mobilized in response to Hurricane Ian was a Regular Baptist chaplain in the Florida Army National Guard. In addition to day-to-day ministry, our chaplains often serve at the tip of the spear during crises, providing critical spiritual care and support for those in need.
Your prayers and financial support ensure that Regular Baptist Chaplaincy continues to endorse those called to be chaplains.
Donate to Regular Baptist Chaplaincy
DARRELL GOEMAAT, Coordinator of Regular Baptist International
We praise God that last month Regular Baptist International was able to give eight grants totaling $31,000 to partnering ministries. The generous giving of churches and individuals made these grants possible.
A ministry in India received funds to continue printing Regular Baptist Press Sunday School material that has been translated into Telegu. Four ministries in Africa received money to finish building churches, feed people displaced by natural disasters, and buy leadership training materials. A ministry in Tanzania purchased audiovisual equipment for evangelistic meetings in surrounding villages. And ministry leaders in Kenya and Uganda continue providing food, medical supplies, and teaching resources for orphans and widows under their care.
Here are some words of appreciation we have received. Pastor Bertin Mwema of the Community of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Congo writes, “God bless you abundantly. We can’t wait to start construction!” Pastor Ndiho Pascal of the Community of Baptist Churches in Central Africa writes, “This is great news for me, for church leaders, and for victims and displaced people. Praise God!” And Pastor Philemon Gwelikporlusohn of Liberia says, “Thank you for your labor of love for us as you continue to pray and encourage God’s people.”
These grants depleted the available funds Regular Baptist International provides to help leaders build, strengthen, and grow their ministries to individuals and churches. Please consider a gift to help replenish our compassion, networking, and resourcing funds.
We are also happy to report that the Biblical Baptist Partnership International, part of Regular Baptist International, will hold a conference on January 26–28 in Manipur, India. H. C. Stephen, former chairman of the BBPI, will host this free event for partnering ministries and leaders at Camp En Gedi and Retreat Center.
Those attending will enjoy preaching and teaching sessions led by David Strope, interim national representative of the GARBC, and H. C. Stephen. Guests will also hear reports from BBPI ministry leaders and enjoy fellowshipping with one another.
The last time the BBPI met was in 2017 in the Philippines, so the association is looking forward to being together after such a long absence. “We so look forward to a regathering of BBPI,” David Strope says. “We will rejoice together, rejuvenate our fellowship, and be instructed by God’s Spirit through the preaching and teaching of His Word.”
