You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 5 September/October 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 5 September/October 2012

WITH THE LORD — Joyce Rohrer. Joyce (71), godly servant and faithful wife of long time MARBC Pastor Tom Rohrer, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday morning, August 23. A Service of Praise and Thanksgiving was held on August 28 at Northland Baptist Church in Grand Rapids, with Rev. Chris Weeks, Rev. Ken Floyd, and Rev. John Nixon officiating. Joyce faithfully served her Lord alongside her husband in ministry, for over twenty years at Northland Baptist Church in Grand Rapids and most recently for seventeen years at North Park Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. Her late father, Roy Botruff, served as an MARBC pastor and was influential in the development of Lincoln Lake Baptist Youth Camp. Joyce also worked as a L.P.N. in hospitals, physician’s offices, and a retirement home until Parkinson’s disease caused her to retire. Joyce is survived by her husband, Pastor Thomas Rohrer; children, Michelle and Chris Weeks of Kent City, and Sherilyn and Joel Shaffer of Grand Rapids; eight grandchildren; siblings, Mrs. Mary Lou Eldredge, Larry Botruff, and Dan and Lexi Botruff; and nieces and nephews. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider an inner city ministry led by her son-in-law and daughter: Urban Transformation Ministry, PO Box 2692, Grand Rapids, MI 49501.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 5 September/October 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 5 September/October 2012

by Kevin T. Bauder

Churches have no business addressing political questions. Their work is to proclaim the whole counsel of God. Christian individuals, however, are responsible to act upon moral and spiritual concerns before they address merely temporal ones. Matters of principle should take precedence over matters of preference. Therefore, part of the church’s business is to instruct the people of God in those moral principles that they must apply in their political decisions. In other words, while churches should not tell their members who to vote for, they should teach them how to vote.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 5 September/October 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 5 September/October 2012

Many churches and pastors feel called by scripture to “equip the saints” to represent Christ in all areas of our society, including the voting booth. Pastors should thus be supported in their goal of helping their members be good stewards in representing Christ in their civic duties. This is especially important in light of the fact that only 1 out of every 4 Christians in America is voting.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 4 July/August 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 4 July/August 2012

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC Executive Director

“Faith”

“The just shall live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38

The New Testament letter of Hebrews places a great emphasis upon the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as the only acceptable way to salvation. It also places a great emphasis upon how a Christian’s faith is to be demonstrated in daily living. Hebrews 11 is popularly known as “The Hall of Faith” because it notes the characteristics of those who have walked by faith.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 4 July/August 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 4 July/August 2012

WITH THE LORD

DR. PAUL BEALS, age 88, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. A service of praise and thanksgiving was held on June 1 at Northland Baptist Church in Grand Rapids and was led by Rev. Maynard Belt. Dr. Beals and his wife Vivian met at Wheaton College where he graduated in 1945. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 1948 and Dallas Theological Seminary with a ThM in 1952 and a ThD in 1964. Together they served as missionaries in Central African Republic with Baptist Mid-Missions (1952-1964). From 1964 to his retirement in 1997, Dr. Beals was Professor of Missiology and Intercultural Studies at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary of Cornerstone University. Meanwhile he served as Consultant with Baptist Mid-Missions. In addition to ministry in North America, he served in several other countries, including Australia, England, Ghana, Guyana, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Papau New Guinea, Philippines, Romania, and Thailand. Dr. Beals initiated the Continuing Education Program for missionaries at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. The Seminary’s Southeast Asia Extension Program grew out of this program. After his retirement, he became Professor Emeritus at the Seminary and Missionary Emeritus with Baptist Mid-Missions. He served as president of Evangelical Missiological Society and was the author of A People For His Name: A Church-Based Missions Strategy. He felt that his greatest achievement was multiplying his ministry by teaching African pastors and North American missionaries and pastors in training. He was gratified that some “receiving” countries in the beginning are now “sending” countries. He had chosen for his life verse, Proverbs 3:5-6.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 3 May/June 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 3 May/June 2012

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC Executive Director

“Destination”

We are entering the time of year when many people are beginning to anticipate and plan their summer vacation activities. Besides setting aside the dates, saving the funds, and considering the activities, part of the planning involves the actual vacation destination.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 3 May/June 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 3 May/June 2012

WITH THE LORD

PHYLLIS GOAD. Former MARBC pastor’s wife, Phyllis Goad (79), went home to be with her Lord on Thursday, April 19. Phyllis attended Moody Bible Institute where her husband, Pastor Ollie Goad graduated. Her spiritual gifts were music and working one on one with the teaching ministry. Phyllis was a humble and gracious lady who was a faithful wife and mother, and faithful to her God. Her ministry in the MARBC included serving alongside of Ollie as he served as the pastor of Wealthy Street Baptist Church for several years. Please be in prayer for Ollie, their four children, 8 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. A Service of Praise and Thanksgiving was held on Thursday, April 26, at West Cannon Baptist Church, with Pastor Mark Cizauskas and Pastor Maynard Belt officiating. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Chicago, IL 60612.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 2 March/April 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 2 March/April 2012

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC Executive Director

“Shepherds”

Writer Alan Smith shares the story about a preacher who went into children’s church to talk with the children about Psalm 23. He told the children about sheep, that they weren’t smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 2 March/April 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 58 Number 2 March/April 2012

WITH THE LORD

Charles B. Hart.  Dr. Charles B. Hart, 96, was ushered into the presence of His Lord on Sunday morning January 15.  A memorial service was held at the First Baptist Church of Calumet with Doctor Les Ollila and Rev. Bruce Nolen officiating.  A graduate of Stanton High School, Charles moved to the Upper Peninsula’s Copper Country in 1937 to serve as a song leader at the GitcheGumee Bible Camp in Eagle River, MI. It was at this camp that he met his future wife, Joyce Rader, the daughter of the camp’s founder and director, Paul Rader. They were married on June 22, 1940 in Silvis, Illinois.  After pastoring downstate in the Stanton area, Charles accepted a call in 1949 to become the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Calumet, MI where he served as pastor until 1974. In addition to being pastor of First Baptist Church, Charles also served as the Director of GitcheGumee Bible Camp in 1957, succeeding his father-in-law, Rev. John Rader, who passed away that year. He served as president of that camp until 1981.  In 1999, Charles Hart’s extraordinary life was publicly recognized by his being given an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Northland Baptist College of Dunbar Wisconsin.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 58 Number 1 January/February 2012 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​The Baptist Testimony
Volume 58 Number 1 January/February 2012

The Word Has It
“Strengthen me according to Your word,” Psalm 119:28
Ken Floyd
MARBC Executive Director

“Imprint”

The start of a new year has often been described by phrases such as, “a fresh start,” “the turning of a new leaf or page,” and “starting with a clean slate.” Perhaps in this highly technological age we will need to come up with some new phrases to mark the occasion like, “proceeding with a clean hard drive,” “upgrading your software,” or “downloading a new app!”