2020 Conference Info
Theme: "Connected"
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“Connect” was chosen as the theme for the 2020 MARBC Conference long before words and phrases, such as “coronavirus,” “social distancing,” “slow the spread,” and “flatten the curve,” became a part of daily communication. Like your church’s ministry, COVID developments have impacted the MARBC's schedule this year, including the way in which the annual conference will be conducted. After much discussion, the MARBC Council of 16 conference committee has developed a creative alternate plan for this year's conference.
We look forward to the opportunity to “Connect” with you this October!
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This year's conference will be conducted in a regional format in order that there will still be an opportunity to connect in person. The conference will be a one-day format. This plan eliminates the need by attendees for overnight lodging and will require less miles to travel in order to attend. It will also provide a format where consideration can be made for safe gatherings and maintaining precautionary requirements.
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Conference Locations and Dates
The conference will be held in three different locations and dates:
The one-day conference will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT and have three preaching sessions and a business session. A simple box lunch will be included at the gathering. Social distancing procedures will be implemented at each gathering.
- Upper Peninsula regional gathering: Tuesday, October 13, Calvary Baptist Church, Negaunee
- Eastern regional gathering: Monday, October 19, NEW LOCATION! FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, ROCHESTER, MI
- Western regional gathering is now Cancelled You are invited to attend the gathering at First Baptist Church in Rochester on Monday, October 19. You may also watch by livestream at: https://www.fbcrochester.org/
The one-day conference will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT and have three preaching sessions and a business session. A simple box lunch will be included at the gathering. Social distancing procedures will be implemented at each gathering.
Conference Speakers
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Ross ShannonRoss share at the Upper Peninsula and Eastern regional gatherings. Ross grew up in Woburn, MA, about 10 miles Northwest of Boston. His father worked as a farmer, leading the now fifth-generation family greenhouse business. Ross attended Northland Baptist Bible College, receiving his Bachelor’s in Bible with a math minor. After completing a pastoral internship at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C., Ross moved to Louisville, KY where he finished a Master of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before coming to First Baptist in the 2011, Ross served on the staff at Kenwood Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. Ross and his wife Suemi enjoy living in Lapeer and raising their five young children.
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Bob McNeilBob share at the Eastern and Western regional gatherings. Bob is a second-generation MARBC pastor and has served as Senior Pastor of Shelby Road Baptist Church in Shelby since 1984. The Lord has blessed the church with significant growth and facility expansion during Bob’s ministry. Bob and his wife Cindy have three daughters and several grandkids to keep them busy and blessed. He enjoys opportunities to teach and encourage couples in building strong, healthy families and marriages. Bob is perhaps best noted for his ability to take biblical principles and present them in a clear, challenging and practical style.
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Chris WeeksChris share at the Western regional Gathering. Chris has served at Kent City Baptist Church since 1996. He received a master’s degree from Moody Bible Institute, and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing & Communications from University of Dayton. Chris previously taught Christian ethics in the former Soviet Union. He and his wife Michelle have four children. He has served on the MARBC Council of 16 numerous times. Chris enjoys talking with others about Jesus, theology, and life (over coffee of course) or through his blog and writings. His most recent book, “Chasing Sheep: 8 Vital Topics for Those Considering Pastoral Ministry,” was released earlier this year.
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