MARBC News & Notes – December 2007

​GRAND RAPIDS, Highland Hills Baptist Church (Dave Lamb) – Highland Hills Baptist Church held a special service on September 9 to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of Pastor Dave Lamb's installation as Senior Pastor and 18 years of ministry on the pastoral staff. Pastor Dave and Brenda first came to Highland Hills to serve as Associate Pastor of Youth. The Lamb's former pastor, Rev. Edward Fuller (State Representative of the Wisconsin Association of Regular Baptist Churches), was the special speaker. Several family members also traveled to Grand Rapids to share in the special service and luncheon. We give thanks for God's blessings upon the Lambs, their three daughters, and the entire church family.

ISHPEMING, Bible Baptist Church (Jim Hill) – Bible Baptist Church held a surprise party during Pastor Appreciation Month to honor Pastor Jim and Ruth Hill for their 30 years of ministry at the church.
The Hills' daughter, Beth, shares this report: “When Mom and Dad arrived at church Sunday morning, October 14, they learned that we were having a special service to commemorate their 30 years at Bible Baptist, including a fellowship dinner after the service. We had come up with an entirely new order of service, so Mom & Dad had the ‘fake' bulletin with what they THOUGHT was the order of service, when in fact the deacons had staged a coup and had printed off entirely new bulletins which changed the songs, Scripture reading, and even the speaker! We had a guest with us from Continental Baptist Missions, Tom Logsdon, so Dad didn’t even have to preach! We sang songs of God’s faithfulness, had a moving testimony time where several shared what the ministry had meant in their lives through the years, and I put together a PowerPoint slideshow a ‘Walk Down Memory Lane' that Rachel & Sarah narrated with pictures of the last 30 years (thanks to Rachel for raiding mom and dad’s photo albums). We sang a song as a family, Sarah sang a special, and we even had a special ‘virtual Tim' (the Hills' son) visit with a video testimony that he had mailed to us! It was a special day for the whole family. I think it is good to have ‘stones of remembrance' of how God has showed Himself to be faithful in the past and will continue to show Himself faithful. It was a nice time to celebrate the ministry in Ishpeming!”
LAKE CITY, Calvary Baptist Church (Dan Willis) – Calvary Baptist Church of Lake City celebrated “50 Years of God's Grace” on Sunday, October 7. Following a worship service of praise the church met in the Family Center for a fish fry and potluck dinner.
Calvary Baptist started in 1953 when a lady living in Lake City contacted the Grand Rapids Association of Regular Baptist Churches to inquire about starting a church in the area. In 1953 Pastor C. S. Larson of Calvary Baptist Church in West Branch made weekly trips to Lake City to hold worship services on park benches. Several people from his own congregation made the trip with him to help with the meetings. When cold weather approached the local Legion Hall and later a public school were rented to hold worship services. Financial support came from churches in West Branch, Manton, Northville, and the GRARBC. In 1954 other pastors began assisting in the preaching duties. In February 1957 Pastor Ira Watson, a missionary with Galilean Baptist Mission, became the pastor. Four months later the current 2.5 acre site, including a house, was purchased for $4,200. Services were held in the house until the church basement was completed. Blocks for the basement were purchased by members and friends for 25 cents each. 90% of the work and materials for construction were supplied by members and friends. The original house was later removed and the present parsonage was built.
In June 1963, the Lake City Baptist Church became the 100th Baptist congregation to affiliate with the GRARBC. It was then that the little Baptist church in Lake City became and remains an independent ministry dedicated to the worship of our loving Heavenly Father. In October 1968 the name of the church was changed to Calvary Baptist of Lake City.
One member observed at the anniversary celebration, “This church has come a long way since 1953 when meetings were held on park benches and picnic tables at a local park.” Today the congregation gives praise to God for a nice church building for worship, a separate family center, and a parsonage that are all debt free. The church is thankful for the opportunity to give over 20% of its annual budget to missions. Pastor Dan Willis is the current pastor of this special ministry.
MARBC CONFERENCE RESOLUTION
Adopted on October 24, 2007
WHEREAS Lake Ann Baptist Camp has opened its doors and its facilities to us for our Annual Conference, and WHEREAS we have found the housing accommodations comfortable and restful; and the dining room atmosphere, with the delicious food, very appealing; and the chapel most inviting to our worship and praise to our Great God, with opportunity to hear from Him, through His Word, and WHEREAS we have enjoyed the beautiful outdoors and the well kept grounds, so as to rejoice in the wonders of our Great Creator, and WHEREAS all these amenities are under the capable leadership of our friend and Executive Director, Rev. Ken Riley, who has led his fine staff in the gracious way in which they have ministered to our needs, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the messengers of the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches, meeting for our 65th annual meeting, October 22 through 24, 2007, do go on record as expressing our grateful thanks to Ken Riley and his staff, for the way they have hosted our meeting and attended to our needs, and FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED that we as an association give our united appreciation to our God for the great things He has done, through the ministry of Lake Ann Camp.
MARBC CONFERENCE MESSAGES AVAILABLE: Messages by Dr. Renald Showers and Ken Floyd are available free for listening or downloading by clicking here.
The January issue of THE BAPTIST TESTIMONY will feature “CPR” (Church Partnering Relationships), the new ministry introduced by Ken Floyd at the MARBC Conference. The brochure explaining this special ministry for MARB churches is available to download here.
CPR Brochure  (PDF Download)
WITH THE LORD
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15
Rev. Larry Vincent went home to be with His Lord on November 3. A memorial service was held at the First Baptist Church in Fremont. Larry was the director of Churches Unlimited, Inc., served as the Deputation Director for Continental Baptist MIssions in the 1980’s, as well as an MARBC pastor, and was currently a member of First Baptist Church in Newaygo.
Mrs. Florence Strolle, wife of retired MARBC pastor Martin Strolle, was called into the Lord's presence on Thanksgiving Day. A memorial service was held at Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Escanaba.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
YOU MAY BE SEATED! – North Casnovia Baptist Church has 27 pews to give away to a sister church who would like them. They are in good condition and can seat 220 people comfortably. Contact 231.834.5952 or 231.834.5341 / email / 1625 N. Canada Rd., Bailey, MI 49303
SPECIAL PASTORS AND WIVES DISCOUNT: the Best Western Scenic Hill Resort in Beulah, Michigan, is once again this year offering a special getaway for pastors and wives of the MARBC at their hotel. The special rate is $50 per night, plus tax, and includes a full hot breakfast. This rate is available through May 23 (based on availability). They also offer a discount of 20% off all Spa services. Contact Dave Easter, 1.800.439.7080, for more information and reservations.
“THE LIVING WORD” BIBLE CONFERENCE
West Cannon Baptist Church, Belmont, will host its 2nd Annual Bible Conference and Pastors' Seminar February 25-27, 2008. The conference theme is “The Living Word” and the focus will be on the power and sufficiency of the Bible for preaching and teaching. The three expositors coming to minister in the Word are: Dr. Stephen Lawson (Pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, Mobile, Alabama) Dr. Walter Kaiser (Professor of Old Testament and President Emeritus, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) and Dr. James Grier (Distinguished Professor of Philosophical Theology, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary). Mrs. Jeannie Vogel (GARBC) will lead sessions for women that will include encouraging, practical teaching; hands-on activities; fun; and encouragement. In addition, Jason Nightingale (Wordsower Evangel Arts) will minister through Scripture recitation.
The conference will begin on Monday afternoon, February 25, and run through noon on Wednesday, February 27. The format will be similar to last year's conference, with seminars for pastors and church leaders during the day, and worship services open to all in the evening. Workshops for women are added to this year's conference and will include hands-on activities, fun, and opportunities for encouragement.
Contact the church for additional information through their website, www.westcannon.org, or phone 616.874.6740.
MARBC Messenger – The Messenger is a regular email communication from the MARBC office to our pastors and churches. Several MARBC Messengers are sent out each month from the MARBC office. If you have not received MARBC emails recently, be sure to contact Ken or Sharon to be placed on the email list. Thank you!
MARBC Events to Place on Your 2008 Calendar
March 1, 2008
The EMARBC
Men Modeling the Master
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Flint
Answers in Genesis, creation ministry team
March 7-8, 2008
The GRARBC
Annual Church Ministries Conference
Calvary Baptist Church, Grand Rapids
“Masterfully Motivated”
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Ken Floyd
MARBC State Representative
Saturday, April 19, 2008
MARBC Talents for Christ Competition
South Baptist Church, Flint
Ken Pyne, Director
May 1-3, 2008
Annual MARBC Men's Retreat
Lake Ann Baptist Camp
“Being Men of Valor: How to Develop the Character of a Conqueror”
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Bill Jenkin
President, Continental Baptist Mission
June 24-27, 2008
National GARBC Conference
“The Glory of the Cross”
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
October 27-28, 2008
66th Annual MARBC Conference
First Baptist Church, Rochester, Michigan
Dr. Jim Jeffery
President, Baptist Bible College, Graduate School, and Seminary
A Christmas Greeting from the Floyds
Sharon and I pray for God's rich blessings upon all of the churches and friends of the MARBC during this Christmas season. We appreciate your prayer support and words of encouragement during our first year of ministry with the MARBC. We look forward to a wonderful new year of opportunity and growth for our fellowship as we follow the leadership of our wonderful Savior and Lord and the encouraging guidance of God's Spirit.