Baptist Testimony – Volume 52 Number 6 – August 2006

From Where I Stand
Maynard H. Belt
MARBC State Representative
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THE NATIONAL GARBC CONFERENCE was held this year, June 27-30, in the capitol of our State, Lansing, MI. Hundreds of Regular Baptists gathered to hear good sound Bible teaching and preaching centered around the theme, “Reflecting God Among the Nations.” Joining us for this year’s conference were our brothers and sisters from the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association (FBFA). Speakersand leaders from both Fellowships participated in the general sessions and workshops. On Tuesday prior to the beginning of the conference more than 100 were in attendance for the Pre-conference Ministry Symposium on “Reshaping Global Missions in the 21st“. Seven new churches were added to the GARBC Fellowship including the Cloverdale Baptist Church, Pastor Joshua and Leillani Rager, Fruitport, MI, which came into the MARBC last fall. Two resolutions were approved by the messengers on “Biblical Preaching and Teaching“, and “The Integrity of the Biblical Canon.” You will find these printed in the September issue of the Baptist Bulletin along with conference highlights, business matters and election of new members to the Council of Eighteen. You may also visit the GARBC website (www.garbc.org) for details and messages delivered during the week. One challenging sermon was by one of our own, Pastor Mike Eleveld, Berean Baptist Church in Portage, who preached on “Good Ambassadors“, from II Corinthians 5:16-21.

​The Talents For Christ always a highlight of the annual conference. This program exists to challenge students who are actively involved in GARBC churches to develop their God-given talents for ministry within their local churches. The competitors on the national level must first have placed first or second in their category on the state level. We are very proud of our MARBC young people who were able to participate in this years competition because of winning in their category on the state level. Following are those who were winners on the national level: Lindsay Yankee, Calvary Baptist Church, Ludington, placed first in Female Voice; Tim Pyne, Evangel Baptist Church, Taylor, placed second in Male Preaching; Rachel Doherty, Evangel Baptist, Taylor, placed second in Female Public Speaking; Rachel Willard, Weidman Baptist Church, placed first in Piano; and Hannah Gibson, Evangel Baptist, Taylor, placed second in Piano. First place winners receive a $5,000.00 scholarship and second place winners receive a $2,500.00 scholarship to a participating college of their choice. We commend all of our Michiganparticipants and their parents and churches for encouraging them along the way. I also want to thank Pastor Ken Pyne, Evangel Baptist in Taylor, for doing such a fine job of directing our Michigan Talents For Christ program. We strongly encourage you to start preparing some of your young people for next years competition.
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Next Year’s Conference will be held in Lancaster, PA, June 26-29, 2007, around the theme, I Will Build My Church, (Matthew 16:18). This is an especially beautiful area for family vacations so please put the dates on your calendar now.