MARBC News & Notes – August 2008

You can also download a PDF of the August 2008 Baptist Testimony (904kb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 54 Number 7 August 2008

ALLEGAN, First Baptist Church (Pastor Greg Carlson) – First Baptist Church held its annual missions conference on April 19-22.  The conference theme was “Let the Nations Be Glad.”  Keynote speaker for the conference was Ken Rudolph.  Missionaries participating were Maynard & Ann Belt (Baptist Mid Missions), Robin & Jeff Awe (God’s Helping Hands),  Mark & Betsy Davidhizar (Camp Beechpoint), Rachel Hill (Lakeshore Pregnancy Resource Center), David & Melissa Gillies (Camp Beechpoint), Carol & Bill Bradbury (Advancing Native Missions), Rojean Garlock (New Tribes Missions) Terri & Bill Jenkin (Continental Baptist Missions). An international dinner, generous gift giving to missionaries, preaching, and media presentations were enjoyed at well attended sessions.

John Swartz, a deacon in the church and retired school principal, recently brought an eight week series of messages entitled: “Christianity and Isalm:…….”  The presentation was well attended on Sunday evenings.  The hearers came away with a greater appreciation for Christ and a greater understanding of Islam.  
BENZONIA, Faith Baptist Church (Pastor Steve Ayers) – Pastor Steve Ayers graduated Summa Cum Laude in receiving his Doctor of Ministry degree from Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, PA, on May 9.  Dr. Ayers’ doctoral dissertation is titled, “Communication Tools to Aid the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches in Their Efforts to Plant Churches in the State of Michigan.”  What a great dissertation!  We look forward to utilizing this important document in the ministry of the MARBC.  We thank God for Steve’s leadership at Faith Baptist and his involvement as a council member of the MARBC Council of 15.  Congratulations to Steve and his wife, Laura, and family for this special achievement.
FLINT, Emmanuel Baptist Church (Pastor Harold Constant) – Pastor Harold and Nancy Constant were honored on June 29, as they completed twenty years of service at Emmanuel Baptist Church.   A gift was presented to them during the 11 A.M. Worship Service, and a reception was held in their honor following the Evening Service.
JACKSON, Lansing Ave. Baptist Church (Pastor David Oberst) – July 13-18 was Neighborhood Bible Time at Lansing Avenue Baptist Church.  Pastor Oberst reports that between boys, girls and teens, there were 42 decisions declared, of which 30 were for salvation.  The church is grateful to see the Lord’s Word have free course in the lives of the young people.  The MARBC family is asked to pray for the effective ministry of the church as they do follow up.
MONTROSE, Montrose Baptist Church (Pastor Dan Pugh) – Montrose Baptist Church held an Installation Service for their new Pastor, Dan Pugh, on Sunday, June 29.  Pastor Ed Abbott, who served as interim pastor, gave the Charge to the Pastor.  Pastor Pugh gave a special message regarding the future ministry of the church.  Pastor Dan and his wife, Kathy, come to Montrose from Madison, Wisconsin.  The Pughs celebrate their 27th anniversary on August 8.
REED CITY, First Baptist Church (Pastor John Dawson) – First Baptist Church of Reed City, MI held a special Installation Service for their new Pastor, John Dawson, on Sunday May 18th.  Rev. Jack Richard gave the Charge to the Pastor.  Rev. Nate Dawson, son of the new pastor, gave the Charge to the Church. 
 
Pastor Dawson and wife Linda began their ministry at First Baptist Church in Reed City on January 24, 2008. Pastor Dawson received his training at Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania, graduating from there in 1978. He was ordained by the First Baptist Church of Bay City in 1981.  The Dawson’s have served churches in Bay City, Ithaca, and Howard City, Michigan before coming to Reed city.  The Dawson’s were married in 1978 and have two children (Nate and Nicole).  They also have three grandchildren.  Pastor and Mrs. Dawson are looking forward to serving the community of Reed City. 
TRAVERSE CITY, Immanuel Baptist Church (Pastor Matt Heron) – On May 8, 2008 Pastor Matthew Herron was examined by an ordination council of 24 Northern Michigan Pastors and laymen.  Upon their recommendation, Immanuel Baptist Church of Traverse City ordained Pastor Herron on Sunday, May 11.  Giving the charge to the church was Pastor Maynard Belt, former MARBC Representative.  The charge to the pastor was given by Matt’s father, Pastor Teddy Herron, of Watkins Glen, New York.  Those serving on the examining council included Matt’s brother, Pastor Marc Herron of Caro, Michigan; and his brother-in-law, Pastor Mark Cizauskas of West Cannon Baptist in Belmont, Michigan.  Pastor Matt has served as Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church since July 2006 after serving the Lord as Youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.  Matt and his wife Kim and 3 daughters are a real blessing to Immanuel Baptist!
GARBC Annual Conference Highlights
The Annual Conference of the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches was held this year, June 24-27, on the campus of Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa.  Due to the heavy flooding in eastern Iowa the location was changed just a week prior to the conference from the original site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Both the GARBC and FBBC staff are to be commended for their excellent leadership in handling this quick transition.  This year’s conference theme was “The Glory of the Cross.”  Highlights of the conference, including downloadable messages and pictures are available online at www.garbc.org.
The National Talents for Christ scholarship competition was held during the conference.  The MARBC was again well represented at this year’s competition by five individuals and one group.  The puppet team from Standale Baptist Church in Grand Rapids finished in 1st place.  Heidi Willard, Weidman Baptist Church, placed first in piano (Open Division).  We congratulate all of our MARBC young people, their parents, and churches for their testimonies and thank all of our MARBC youth who participated in this year’s TFC.  We encourage our youth and their churches to begin preparations for next year’s MARBC (April) and GARBC (June) TFC events.
MARBC Events to Place on Your 2008 Calendar
September 28, 2008
MARBC Annual Day of Prayer
Click here for more information
October 27-28, 2008
66th Annual MARBC Conference
First Baptist Church, Rochester, Michigan
Dr. Jim Jeffery
President, Baptist Bible College, Graduate School, and Seminary