You can also download a PDF of the Volume 57 Number 5 September/October 2011 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 57 Number 5 September/October 2011

ALLEGAN, First Baptist Church (Greg Carlson, Pastor) – First Baptist Church will celebrate its 170th Anniversary on Saturday-Sunday, September 24 and 25.  The church invites you to join them during this special weekend to rejoice in God’s blessings upon its ministry.  A special concert on September 24 at 6:30 PM with southern gospel quartet, Skylight, will be followed by an Ice Cream Social. Previous pastors will be the featured speakers on Sunday, September 25: Ray Mayhew at  9 AM; Jim Turner at 10:30 AM; and Clare Saliers at 6 PM.  Former associate and youth pastors will also be in attendance.  Dinner on the grounds will follow the morning services. The anniversary celebration will also feature photo displays of memories; a video trip down “Memory Lane,” reunion with dear friends, and a possible tour of the old church building downtown.  A new history of the church will be given to each household represented. There will be other special features to enjoy during the weekend.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 57 Number 4 July/August 2011 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 57 Number 4 July/August 2011

MARBC Events to Place on Your 2011 Calendar

September 25, 2011
MARBC 5th Annual Day of “One Accord” Prayer
“They raised their voice to God in one accord” Acts 4:24
A day for MARBC churches to devote their attention to prayer for our churches, pastors, state fellowship, camps, ministries, missionaries, and special needs.

 You can also download a PDF of the Volume 57 Number 3 May/June 2011 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 57 Number 3 May/June 2011

BELMONT, West Cannon Baptist Church (Doug Crawford, Pastor) – On Sunday evening, February 13, 2011, the West Cannon Baptist Church family honored Pastor Dave and Mary Parmerlee for twenty years of faithful and fruitful ministry. They were given cards from church family members that expressed their love and gratitude for the Parmerlees’ service.  The church also presented the Parmerlees a gift to send them on a trip to Spain to visit their daughter Carissa, who is serving as a short-term missionary. The church states that it is already looking forward to celebrating the Parmerlees’ thirtieth anniversary.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 57 Number 2 Mar/Apr 2011 (1 mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 57 Number 2 March/April 2011

Introducing the Center for Biblical Morality

The church is losing a whole generation of young people. Thom Rainer documents this trend in his book, The Bridger Generation. In his book Rainer states that biblical believers make up 65% of the builder generation (born 1910-1945), 35 % of the boomer generation (born 1946-1964), 15% of the buster generation (born 1965-1976), and only 4% of the bridger generation (or millennials, born 1977-1994) (p. 169). George Barna exposes another trend in his research that reveals that 61% of today’s young adults (bridgers in their 20’s) who were regular church attenders are now “spiritually disengaged.” They are not actively attending church, reading their Bibles, or praying (www.barna.org).

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 57 Number 1 January/February 2011 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 57 Number 1 January/February 2011
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ANNOUNCING A NEW MARBC FUTURE PASTORS SCHOLARSHIP!
One key aspect of the MARBC strategic plan which was presented at this year’s annual conference involves the development of future pastoral leadership within the MARBC. This plan was first presented at the 2009 MARBC annual conference:

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 56 Number 6 Nov/Dec 2010 (1 mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 56 Number 6 November/December 2010

68th MARBC ANNUAL CONFERENCE
“Joyfully Refreshed!” was not only the theme of the 68th Annual MARBC Conference, it was the commentary of those who attended it!  The conference was held at Evangel Baptist Church in Taylor, Michigan on October 25-26.  The conference featured a good attendance from MARBC churches from several regions of the state and several guests from other states and non-affiliated Baptist churches.  Over 30 displayers, many of them first timers, provided information and resources to the conference attendees.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 56 Number 5 Sept/Oct 2010 (1mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 56 Number 5 Sept/Oct 2010

CHEBOYGAN, Faith Baptist Church (Jim Currie, Pastor) – Faith Baptist Church recently held a commissioning service for Dr. Eric and Melissa Miller.  The Millers, along with their children Samuel and Elizabeth, were commissioned for medical missionary service in Togo, Africa.  They will be serving with other missionaries from the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE).  Eric has served for several years as a surgeon and in his new role will minister at the Karolyn Kempton Memorial Christian Hospital in Tsiko, Togo.  Pastor Jim Currie, the senior pastor at Faith Baptist, shared the commissioning message.  Rev. Don Trott of ABWE, Dr. Bob and Shirley Cropsey, and Missionaries Todd and Jennifer DeKryger also participated in the service.  The Millers hope to leave for language studies in France after the Christmas season.  They currently have 85% of their needed support.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 56 Number 4 July/August 2010 (3.5mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 56 Number 4 July/August 2010

CEDAR SPRINGS, First Baptist Church (Jim Howard, Pastor) – On Sunday, May 16, the First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs, MI licensed to the Gospel ministry their Youth Pastor, Chris Howard. Pastor Chris has been with FBC for just under two years and has been doing an incredible job in reaching the teens of the community for Jesus Christ! Chris has worked for many years at youth camps in Michigan, most recently with Lake Ann Camp. He became burdened to be involved in a youth ministry in which he could be investing long term in the lives of young people. Chris looks forward to graduation from Baptist Bible College next year as he completes the last few classes necessary for a degree in the camping/youth ministries program. Senior Pastor Jim Howard (Chris’s father) presented the charge to the ministry from Psalm 37 – a proud moment as the baton was being passed to the next generation. Rev. Bob Teis, Rev. Tom Dolph, Rev. Stan Mohr, and Rev. Cliff Owen shared in the service as well. The service ended with the presentation of the license by the Deacon Board, a prayer of dedication by Mr. Dale DeWeese (Deacon Chairman) and the church family coming forward following the service to offer their congratulations! The FBC church family is looking forward to many more years partnering together with Pastor Chris in the ministry to the teens of our community.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 56 Number 2 March/April 2010 (1.3mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 56 Number 2 March/April 2010

HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORTS
When the devastating earthquake struck Haiti earlier this year, several MARBC ministries quickly responded. This included Bibles International (BI) which is based in Grand Rapids and is directed by Haitian native Dr. Hantz Bernard. Dr. Bernard ministered at last year’s MARBC Annual Conference as a keynote speaker.

You can also download a PDF of the Volume 56 Number 1 January/February 2010 (1.4mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 56 Number 1 January/February 2010
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MARBC ANNUAL CONFERENCE – “Real Hope for a Troubled World” was the theme of the 67th Annual Conference of the MARBC, held at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Grand Rapids on October 26-27. This well attended conference featured a good cross section of younger and veteran pastoral couples who serve in a variety of pastoral roles. All regions of Michigan were well represented at the conference, including a large contingency from the Upper Peninsula. Several guests were in attendance from other states and non-affiliated Baptist churches. Over 40 displayers provided information and resources to the conference attendees.