2020 Conference Summary
Conference provides an opportunity for Pastors to “Connect” with one another and God's wonderful creation
When the MARBC Conference Committee met in the spring of 2019 to begin planning for the 2020 MARBC Conference they had no idea how appropriate their choice of the word “connect” as a theme would be. Although the venue and format were significantly different than planned, the emphasis upon connecting became an even more important priority.
Seeking to provide pastors with a convenient opportunity to “connect” during this season of COVID restrictions, the MARBC Conference was adjusted from a single venue to three one-day gatherings during the month of October. This allowed pastors to choose a gathering close enough in proximity to their location to attend without the need of overnight housing. Two one-day gatherings were held on consecutive weeks after making quick COVID related changes regarding two of the three church venues.
Seeking to provide pastors with a convenient opportunity to “connect” during this season of COVID restrictions, the MARBC Conference was adjusted from a single venue to three one-day gatherings during the month of October. This allowed pastors to choose a gathering close enough in proximity to their location to attend without the need of overnight housing. Two one-day gatherings were held on consecutive weeks after making quick COVID related changes regarding two of the three church venues.
Business session in Negaunee
 Ross Shannon
Messengers enjoyed the beautiful fall scenery of the Upper Peninsula as they traveled to the Marquette area to attend the conference gathering hosted at Calvary Baptist Church in Negaunee on October 13. Pastor Randy and Debbie Reed and the Calvary family provided a wonderful venue for the conference.
Ross Shannon, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lapeer, MI, spoke on the topic of “Prayer and Ministry Mindset” in both Negaunee and Rochester. Emphasizing the prayer perspective of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1, Shannon reminded pastors of the necessity to say “no” to good things in order to do the best, which includes the priority to pray. He noted that three anchor truths must be the focus of the pastor’s prayerful pursuit: the fruit of righteousness, blessing that comes through Christ and not the pastor, and praise that brings God glory. "Say 'no' to good things in order to do the best, which includes the priority to pray."  Mike Hess
Mike Hess, GARBC National Representative, also shared in Negaunee. Speaking from Psalm 62 Hess reminded those in attendance that “God alone is sufficient in your times of desperation. Despair looks at present circumstances and hope looks to the future.” He reminded the ministry servants that the way to evaluate whether you as a Christian are truly trusting God is by whether you completely submit to His guidance and direction. God alone is God. Therefore, the person who stays strong in the most difficult of situations is the one who remains focused upon God’s character and remembers to trust in “only God, only God, only God!”
“God alone is sufficient in your times of desperation. Despair looks at present circumstances and hope looks to the future.” New Sister Church added to the MARBC Calvary Baptist Church, Gaylord
Calvary Baptist Church in Gaylord, MI, was welcomed into the association during the business session. Located less than an hour south of the Mackinac Bridge, the church is being led through the first stages of a revitalization process by Pastor Jim Huber. The MARBC has come alongside of the church to provide additional assistance. Please contact the MARBC office if you are interested in assisting in this revitalization partnership.
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 Bob McNeil
Messengers in the Lower Peninsula enjoyed fellowship at the First Baptist Church in Rochester, MI. This location was a last-minute change due to COVID related issues at the original host church locations. Pastor Mark Cizauskas and his staff did a wonderful job mobilizing just four days prior to the conference. Sessions of the Rochester conference were also live streamed for those unable to attend in person.
Bob McNeil, pastor of Shelby Road Baptist Church in Shelby, MI, challenged the messengers in Rochester to think both Biblically and strategically as he shared on the topic, “Preaching and Ministry Mindset.” Sharing from his many years of pastoral ministry McNeil observed, “Pastors and churches can do ministry with very different methodologies and still be doing it right. Ministry methods and preferences should not be placed on the same level as the commands of God.” Citing Paul’s commentary in 1 Corinthians 3:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, he encouraged those gathered from various churches to remember that “our strength as churches and as an association is that, apart from doctrine, we’re not exactly the same. That’s a good thing.” "Pastors and churches can do ministry with very different methodologies and still be doing it right. Ministry methods and preferences should not be placed on the same level as the commands of God.” 
Mark Jones enjoys fellowship with Dean and Deb Willard
 Ken Floyd
Ken Floyd, MARBC Ministry Director, concluded both gatherings by presenting a summary of God’s blessings upon the association in the past year. He shared practical ways in which pastors can lead their church ministries during and after the pandemic. Ken gave an encouraging update regarding how God has significantly blessed the strategic efforts of several churches who are engaged in church revitalization partnerships. He concluded by pointing pastors to Acts 11 and the Antioch Church as an effective model for dealing with the current cultural, political, and societal issues. “Grace motivated responses to persecution, ethnic and religious differences, combined with a daily commitment to grace-filled relationships are the greatest challenge and also the greatest opportunity of today’s church. Churches that focus upon grace-filled relationships will experience God’s blessings, bring God glory, and demonstrate daily how God’s grace can bless those who put God’s glory first in interpersonal relationships.”
“Grace motivated responses to persecution, ethnic and religious differences, combined with a daily commitment to grace-filled relationships are the greatest challenge and also the greatest opportunity of today’s church." |
Future Conference Locations and Dates
Be sure to place these upcoming annual conference locations and dates on your calendar:
- 2021 MARBC Conference: Monday-Wednesday, October 11-13, 2021, LAKE ANN CAMP, LAKE ANN, MI - enjoy three days of preaching, casual fellowship, pastoral team building, and regional ministry strategy, all on the wonderful campus of Lake Ann Camp. The conference dates were chosen in order to enjoy the peak fall colors and weather of the region. Conference registration includes housing and meals. Registration will begin in the late spring 2021.
- 2022 TriState Associations Conference: Monday-Wednesday, October 17-19, 2022, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Toledo, OH (dates tentative based upon speaker availability) You are invited to join fellow ministry servants from Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio for this extremely popular triennial conference gathering of three state church associations and other ministry friends.
