MARBC News & Notes – April 2007

JONESVILLE, Jonesville Baptist Church (Pastor Kenneth F. Pierpont) Jonesville Baptist Church praises God for the encouragement they have recently received from a sister church in their area. A recent article in the “Hillsdale Daily News” highlights this special partnership: “Cambria Baptist Church, led by Pastor Don Harkey, has recently taken over the guardianship of the Jonesville congregation. The church had been struggling in recent years with declining membership as families moved from the area, leaving an aging congregation. Pastor Harkey, who recently celebrated 36 years in the pastorate at Cambria, plans to lead the Jonesville congregation as his health permits. ‘We at Cambria are in total agreement that it is of vital importance to have Jonesville Baptist succeed as a body of believers who can be of benefit to the Jonesville community,‘ Harkey said. Just as God has blessed our church in a rural area in Cambria, we know He will do the same in Jonesville. Our purpose is to preach Gods word in a loving and Biblical manner and to have a spiritual and moral influence on that area of our county/ Others from Cambria Baptist are also helping the struggling church, filling in as teachers and giving some reassurance where needed.” Lets praise God for the wonderful testimony that this partnership brings to this community and pray for this special work in Jonesville. May more of these partnerships take place in the MARBC!

​GRAND RAPIDS, Trinity Baptist Church (Pastor Brett A. Boomsma) An Installation Service was held at Trinity Baptist Church for Pastor Brett A. Boomsma and his wife, Ami, on February 18. Ron Boomsma, Pastor Boomsma’s father, opened the service in prayer. MARBC State Representative, Ken Floyd, gave the Charge to Trinity’s Church Family Pastor Tom Dolph, Interpas Director and Trinity member, gave the Charge to Pastor Boomsma. The service concluded with a prayer of installation led by Ken Floyd and the laying on of hands on the Boomsmas by the deacons, Pastor’s parents, Pastors Floyd and Dolph. A church-wide dinner was held following the service. Trinity welcomes Pastor Brett and Ami and their children, Tyler, Madison, and Titus.
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MEN MODELING THE MASTER EMARBC Men’s Conference

“Breaking the Prayer Barrier!” was the theme for the one-day men’s conference held on Saturday March 3, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Flint.

A wonderful day of fellowship was enjoyed by the many men in attendance. MARBC State Representative Ken Floyd was the keynote speaker.

Main session messages were titled “Breaking Open the Door of Opportunity,” “Breaking Down the Walls that Hinder Effective, Fervent Prayer,” and “Breaking Down the Wall of Spiritual Apathy.” Two prayer workshops were offered, “How to Support Your Pastor and Church in Prayer” and “Uniting Your Church in Prayer.” These were led by Ken Floyd and Larry High, deacon chairman and prayer coordinator of North Park Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. The audio and notes of these sessions are now available here on the MARBC website for immediate download.

21st Annual School of Church Planting, an in-depth seminar sponsored by Baptist Mid-Missions, will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 18-21, 2007. The seminar includes 17 sessions with a total of 25 hours of class instruction and interaction. Seminar presenters include Ken Davis, Baptist Bible Seminary; Roger McNamara, BMM church planter; and Dan Whitcher, BMM coordinator of North American church planting. The cost of the four day conference is $250 per person and $275 per couple. A $25 discount will be given to those who register before May 15. For more information or to obtain a registration form, please contact Dan Whitcher at: dan4bmm@aol.com, by phone (515) 554-2470, or the School of Church Planting

MARBC 2007 Events

MARBC Talents for Christ Competition
Saturday, April 21, 2007
West Cannon Baptist Church, Belmont
Ken Pyne, Director

Annual MARBC Men’s Retreat
May 3-5, 2007
Lake Ann Baptist Camp
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Ken Rudolph
Registration fee $40 / Total Cost: $105.00
Registration forms are available from
Lake Ann (800) 223-5722 / lakeanncamp.com

National GARBC Conference
June 26-29, 2007
“I Will Build My Church”
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

MARBC Day of Prayer
September 30, 2007
A statewide prayer emphasis in local churches and area fellowships Information will be shared in upcoming issues of the BT!

65th Annual MARBC Conference
October 22-24, 2007
“Discerning the Times and Seasons”
Lake Ann Baptist Camp
Dr. Renald E. Showers
Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry

Special Pastors and Wives Discount: the Best Western Scenic Hill Resort in Beulah, Michigan, is offering a special getaway for pastors and wives of the MARBC at their hotel A 50% discount off of regular room rates, which includes a full hot breakfast, is available through May 24 (based on availability). Contact Dave Easter, 1.800.4397080, for more information and reservations.

MARBC 2007 Men’s Retreat

“Becoming Powerful Men of God” May 3-5, 2007

The MARBC Men’s Retreat is famous for godly fellowship, stress-free activities, soulful worship services and Bible-based preaching. This year we are especially blessed to have Ken Rudolph as our keynote speaker. Kens sense of humor, transparent personality and commitment to Truth have made him a favorite speaker at past men’s retreats. Ken serves on the full time staff of Lake Ann and speaks at all the camp’s high school retreats throughout the year.

A registration fee of $40 is required. The fee is non-refundable, but is transferable to a replacement camper for the Men’s Retreat.

Cost per person: 2 nights, 6 meals – $105 / 1 night, 5 meals – $77 / Friday only, 3 meals – $41.

Pastors receive a 50% discount with an overnight stay. Optional activities are an additional fee and are payable at the retreat.
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Registration forms are available from Lake Ann, (800) 223-5722 or lakeanncamp.com

The Best Kept Secret? It very well could be one of the best kept secrets in the world of higher education: A one-year, paid, supervised Internship as a part of a student’s Master of Divinity degree. Opportunities exist not only for students – but for churches – to be involved in the life changing process of equipping men for ministry. Pastor, imagine training a developing Timothy in your own church by sharing your vision, transferring your heart, and extending your influence to one called to the ministry. You could be equipping a man eager to serve and learn with you as soon as the 2008-2009 school year. For further information, contact: Lee Wise, Director of Internships, Baptist Bible Seminary, 538 Venard Rd., Clarks Summit, PA 18411 / Email.