LETTER FROM THE INTERIM NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Greetings in the name of our wonderful Lord Jesus!
October! Deciduous trees turning color. The taste of fresh apple cider. Both signs that fall is here.
Trees moving to dormancy. Crushed apples soon to be eaten. The cycle of birth, life, death, and renewal! The turning seasons of life and ministry remind us that our “flesh and [our] heart fail; but God is the strength of [our] heart and [our] portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).
Given the fragility of the body and heart, the fatigue and damage that sin has brought into our lives, how grateful we must be for the constant, replenishing work of the Spirit of God in our lives and in our churches. Yes, “we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
So do not “lose heart” in love of Christ, life with Christ, and ministry for Christ. Know that God supplies grace not only at Calvary and in conversion but also in our conversation and our walk in life.
Dr. Abner Chou, president of The Master’s Seminary, shared this about the grace of God: “God’s grace is His unilateral intervention in the most hopeless situations, personally intervening in our lives in a way that He alone can act with results that He alone can produce.”
Believe this! As we serve, labor, and do our part in making disciples, believe that God will do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20–21).
By this power that works in us, His grace,
David E. Strope, D.D.
Interim National Representative
DAVID STROPE, Interim National Representative
Last month brought me opportunity to serve at Calvary Baptist Church, Grinnell, Iowa, for two Sundays. Craig and Marcia Johnson concluded their ministry there this summer, retiring to the sunny climes of Grimes, Iowa, where their son-in-law and daughter, Lance and Kari Augsburger, serve at Maranatha Baptist Church. Calvary Baptist Church is now doing the preparatory work as it seeks God’s undershepherd to lead this church. This is our reminder to pray that God would send forth laborers into His harvest field, the harvest field of our local church pulpits.
My reporting and preaching opportunities also included days of ministry at Calvary Baptist Church, Forest City, Iowa (Doug and Lori Farrell, pastor and wife), and Berea Baptist Church, Berea, Ohio (Ken and Debbie Spink, pastor and wife). Both the Farrells and Spinks are in the process of setting endurance records of continuous service in their churches (32 and 39 years respectively!). And I thought I was doing well to have served 22 years at Ankeny Baptist Church in Iowa!
Council of 18 committees are hard at work, preparing for the November council meetings. Pray for these men, for their work on behalf of Regular Baptist Ministries, and for their churches and ministries.
Office Updates
Soon a marketing effort will be launched for our New Testament Exposition Commentary. You will find this commentary series eminently useful. It is written from a literal, historical, grammatical interpretive stance. Pastors, seminary students, and church teachers and leaders will profit from this commentary series. The first volume, Matthew, is available for purchase.
By God’s will, we hope to soon announce that a new director of Regular Baptist Press has been chosen. Our interview committee has been hard at work, receiving inquiries, checking references, and conducting interviews. News of a new director will be communicated on our website and social media outlets.
My Preaching and Presenting Opportunities
October 7–8: Germantown Hills Baptist Church, Germantown Hills, Illinois
October 15: Shawnee Hills Baptist Church, Jamestown, Ohio
October 16–18: OARBC annual conference, Grace Baptist Church, Cedarville, Ohio
October 20: Clarks Summit University chapel
October 21: First Baptist Church, Newark Valley, New York
October 22: Independent Baptist Church, Towanda, Pennsylvania
October 27–29: Missions conference, Brookdale Baptist Church, Moorhead, Minnesota
Regular Baptist Ministries Conference 2024
June 24–27, 2024, are the dates for next year’s Regular Baptist Ministries annual conference. The conference will meet at the RBM office in Elgin, Illinois. Plan now to attend. Pastors, begin now to communicate the value attending—both your attendance and your congregation’s attendance. Congregations, encourage your pastor and wife to attend, and consider attending yourselves.
Two Needs
Give to Regular Baptist Ministries: Would you help as I seek to raise $100,000 in special love gifts for Regular Baptist Ministries this coming year? The financial winds have blown against us over these recent years, and your ministry in giving as churches or as individual donors is essential to the financial health of RBM.
Send GARBC Directory Updates: Would you help us by updating your church’s listing for the GARBC Directory? Enter your church’s updates on our online form. You may believe we have current data, but perhaps we don’t. As I often say to myself, “Better to have information communicated twice than not at all.”
Parting Encouragement
In all of my recent preaching ministries, I’ve seen the presence of God’s grace. Dr. Abner Chou, president of The Master’s Seminary, shared this definition of grace at a Shepherds Conference years ago: “God’s grace is His unilateral intervention in the most hopeless situations, personally intervening in our lives in a way that He alone can act with results that He alone can produce.”
All sinners need divine, unilateral intervention! God, through the instruments of our service and witness, accomplishes what He alone can do: building His church, transforming lives, revitalizing churches to health, making disciples.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
KERRY WATKINS, Head of Operations and HR Director
We continue to have discussions and hold interviews to fill the position of RBP director. Ideally, this person will be a strong leader, have writing and editing experience, have experience in the publishing industry, and be strong theologically. We will continue to ask for recommendations and keep the position posted until we have someone in place. If you know someone who could fill this position, please let that person know of the opportunity. People can get more details and apply at GARBC.org/careers/#openings. Or if they just want to know more, they can call me at 847-585-0837 or email me at kwatkins@garbc.org.
We have begun searching for the next permanent national representative of Regular Baptist Ministries. Visit garbc.org/national-representative-job-posting to see the specifics of the job, send your résumé if you are interested, or nominate someone who meets the qualifications of the position. Please be in prayer about this.
I am thankful for the dedicated staff at the home office. Each one is committed to our purpose and works hard every day to serve our churches, pastors, and customers well. We are working on several projects right now to improve our service delivery and to move the ministry forward. Please be praying for wisdom in decisions that are made and for God’s leading to meet needs that we have.
Churches and church members will find many resources available to you from Regular Baptist Ministries. Materials published by Regular Baptist Press are the obvious resource, but you will also find consultation for pastors and pastoral searches, financial management help for churches, and assistance for church administration. If you have a ministry need, please contact us. Typically, we will have the answer or know where to get it. We want to serve our churches well.
MARK JOHNSON, Treasurer and Controller
As we enter this season of planning, I am reminded of the impact that strategic foresight and careful preparation can have on the success of our ministry. This month I find myself knee-deep in budget spreadsheets and conference logistics, mapping out the road ahead in 2024.
One of the most vital aspects of this season is creating our annual budget for the upcoming year. It’s a comprehensive process that ensures our resources are allocated efficiently and responsibly. Faithful support from Regular Baptist churches and friends of our ministry in the form of regular gifts plays a pivotal role in helping us meet our financial goals. Your generosity empowers us to continue serving churches and ministries across the nation and around the world.
Simultaneously, we’re already hard at work planning for the Regular Baptist Ministries Conference 2024. This gathering will once again provide an invaluable opportunity for fellowship, learning, and growth within our network of churches. We are excited about the potential it holds and are committed to making it a memorable and impactful experience.
But none of this planning and preparation would be possible without the support of churches and individuals. As we look toward the future, I encourage all our churches to start a regular giving program or increase their monthly support. Your gifts are the lifeblood of our ministry, enabling us to offer valuable resources, services, training, and support for churches.
I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your commitment. Together, as we embrace this season of planning and preparation, we can strengthen Regular Baptist Ministries’ impact. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Your partnership is essential, and we look forward to the journey ahead.
DARRELL GOEMAAT, Coordinator of Regular Baptist International
Each year, RBP’s Vacation Bible School program features a missions offering project. The project for 2024 is called Operation Care: Showing Christ to Kids in India. This project seeks to raise money for needy children in India.
RBP and Regular Baptist International have identified two partnering ministries in Manipur, India, who care for at-risk children. One ministry cares for children who live with their mothers in prison, and the other is a Christian academy and orphanage that cares for children whose parents cannot afford to support them.
Prasad Sakile is director of the New Life Regular Baptist Society of Andhra Pradesh, India. He and his leadership team are teaching the gospel to 256 children who live with their mothers in the Central Women’s Prison. The Indian government has given Prasad permission to conduct education services and Sunday School for the children. As supplies are available, the team gives each child a snack box, clothes, blankets, and school supplies.
Pastor B. T. Pousiam is president of Berean Baptist Academy in Manipur. The academy has more than 600 students, many from poor families whose parents cannot afford to pay the school or care for their children. The ministry also cares for 17 orphans and destitute children.
In both cases, our partners’ mission is to share the gospel with children and show Christ’s love by giving them food, shelter, education, and beds. Operation Care is asking for donations to help these children.
- For $7, a child can have a Bible to learn about Jesus and His love.
- A gift of $12 could provide a hungry boy or girl with a box of food.
- For $17, a child will have a blanket.
- For $50, a child can have a mattress and a warm place to sleep.
Button: Learn More or Donate
In other news, tribal warfare in Manipur, India, continues to rage and has affected at least four of our partnering associations. Pastor H. C. Stephen and his wife, Chingboi, of Calvary Baptist Church near the city of Imphal recently visited the Regular Baptist Ministries office in Illinois.
- C. is in the United States trying to raise awareness and financial support for the people of our partnering associations who are injured, homeless, jobless, and in need of food and supplies. He and his church members have been ministering to displaced people in several of the closest Christian relief centers to their church. Our ministry is preparing to launch a fundraising effort called Relief for Manipur to raise money for the believers in Manipur.
MANNING BROWN, Director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy
My wife, Jennifer, and I will be attending a missions conference October 22–26 at several churches in and around Sartell, Minnesota.
Regular Baptist chaplains are ready to respond at a moment’s notice. Recently one of our chaplains went to support the relief efforts in Maui in response to the devastating fires that hit the area. Our chaplains provide Christ-centered comfort, counsel, and care wherever and whenever called upon.
Learn more about Regular Baptist Chaplaincy and how you can support this ministry or become a chaplain yourself.
CLARE JEWELL, Director of Generate
Generate will sponsor M3 conferences (formerly Church Solutions conferences) in 2023–2024. Visit generate.church to register for one of the following conferences:
- Fayetteville, NC: October 19
- Newaygo, MI: November 13
- Allendale, MI: November 14
- Fort Meyers, FL: December 5
- Vacaville, CA: February 19
- Fresno, CA: February 20
- Morena Valley, CA: February 22
- Moses Lake, WA: February 26
- Farmingdale, NJ: March 7
Generate launched its 50/50 campaign. The goal is to have 50 churches commit to giving $50 per month to Generate. This will be a major help in allowing us to continue providing grants for Regular Baptist churches across the nation.
In the past five years, Generate has given more than $381,000 to 35 churches to help fund nine church revitalizations, 10 church plants, two residency grants to develop leaders, 13 facility grants to upgrade church buildings, and one disaster relief grant to help a church recover from a natural disaster and minister to its community.
Generate has also given $20,000 in materials to pastors and church leaders at 16 Church Solutions conferences over the past two years. These conferences (now M3 conferences) help churches move forward to reproduce disciples, leaders, and churches.
We are grateful for these opportunities to serve our churches and for the generosity of people and churches who make these ministries possible.
Itinerary
Oct. 1: Grace Baptist Church, Saginaw, Michigan
Oct. 3–5: Visiting ministry to Somolis, Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 6–7: 24-hour Demo, ABWE, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Oct. 9–11: Filipino Ministry Summit, ABWE, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Oct. 14: My Circle Evangelism Training, Steamtown Church, Scranton, Pennsylvania
Oct. 15: Riverside Baptist Church, Albany, Oregon
Oct. 16–17: Pastors Conference, Des Moines, Iowa
Regular Baptist Press
Regular Baptist Press is thrilled to bring you updates as we head into beautiful October.
This fall, we marked the start of our new Strong Adults curriculum—part of our Strong Curriculum line. To provide additional savings to you, we now offer teacher kits that include six student books and digital download resources. Many people and churches are undoubtedly enjoying our inaugural course, Joying Like Jesus. This course on Philippians recognizes Paul’s emphasis on thinking and acting like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s exciting to know that adults in our association are actively being challenged to adopt the mind of Christ so they might know His joy!
In addition to our adult curriculum, we want to help you tell your community about our 2024 VBS, WildLIVE! Showcasing Christ’s Character. Download free printable WildLIVE! treat toppers to use at your Trunk-or-Treat event, or distribute them to church members who give out candy in October.
We also want to express our sincere gratitude for your patience and support during our director search process. The search for a new director to lead RBP is progressing steadily, and we are confident that God is guiding us to the right candidate who will continue to uphold the mission and values that are at the core of RBP and Regular Baptist Ministries. Your prayers and encouragement have been instrumental in this process. Please continue to pray as we approach a final decision. We look forward to a bright future of continued growth and impact through Regular Baptist Press.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the ministry of the gospel. May God abundantly bless your church and its ministries in the coming month.
