MARBC News & Notes – January/February 2009

You can also download a PDF of the January/February 2009 Baptist Testimony (1.3mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 55 Number 1 January/February 2009

Church Partnering Relationships – “CPR” Initiatives for 2009

We rejoice in the many CPR Initiatives that took place between sister churches in Michigan last year. The MARBC office is in the process of assigning CPR partnerships for churches interested in participating in 2009. If you would like to assist a sister church or would like a church to assist your ministry, please contact the MARBC as soon as possible. Many churches and ministries are in the final stages of planning potential summer ministry and mission trips. Be sure to make CPR a major consideration in your planning. Contact the MARBC by Email, or by phone (616.364.5688). Don’t delay!

Church Partnering Relationships (CPR) offer a variety of opportunities:
Consider a sister church relationship with a ministry in another part of the state that would emphasize a co-operative partnership.

• Sharing of ideas, prayer requests, and resources.
• Form a consortium of sister churches in your area for joint strategy for church planting and/or missions ventures.
• Send a missions team to help with a building or repair project.
• Send youth or singles groups to conduct DVBS, canvassing ministries, etc.
• Share Sunday School and Bible study materials.
• Share media resource materials.
• Offer pulpit sharing opportunities for summer vacations.
• Receive special offerings for the needs of the sister ministry.
• Conduct a pastoral internship program to help train a sister church’s next pastor.
• Add the sister church to the missions budget of the church.
• Receive a 5th Sunday offering on behalf of the sister ministry.
• Support mutual missionaries.
• Conduct joint mission trips to a foreign field.
• Offer to transport materials and resources when traveling to another area of the state.

For more information regarding “CPR” and how you can be involved as a church or as an individual, contact the MARBC office or refer to the information posted on the MARBC website, www.marbc.net.
TALENTS FOR CHRIST: The 2009 MARBC Talents for Christ competition will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at West Cannon Baptist Church in Belmont. Students may participate in either the Scholarship or Open Categories. Registration cost is $25 per individual category and $35 per group category. Registration deadline for the 2009 MARBC State Competition of Talents for Christ is March 1, 2009. Please make checks payable to Evangel Baptist Church and mail the registration to: Michigan TFC, Evangel Baptist Church, 16994 S. Telegraph Rd., Taylor, MI 48180. For more information and downloadable materials, go to www.garbc.org/tfc. A link to this website is also available at www.marbc.net.
Our MARB churches and young people are strongly encouraged to participate. The preparations for TFC will help develop godly discipline and character. The results of this preparation allow our youth to minister in meaningful ways in several settings. With the opportunities for scholarships from participating colleges in the Scholarship Division and scholarships for participating MARBC camps in the Open Division, there are also practical benefits for TFC participation. Award details are included in the downloadable packet.
For further information or questions regarding Talents for Christ, contact our Michigan coordinator, Pastor Ken Pyne – Email; 734.946.5680.
VALENTINE’S WEEKEND COUPLES RETREAT: “Becoming One for the Master – Couples Staying in Touch,” a special couples retreat sponsored by the Southern MARBC Regional Fellowship, will be held on February 13-14, 2009 at the Gull Lake Retreat Center.
Speakers will be Dr. Dave and Carolyn Culver, Heritage Baptist Church, Clarks Summit, PA. The Culvers are the co-authors of a couples’ Bible study three-book series published by RBP entitled, “Family Matters.”The retreat features 3-buffet style meals and special treats.
Downloadable brochures and information regarding this wonderful way for couples to celebrate Valentine’s weekend are available at www.marbc.net. Please contact retreat coordinator Pastor Rich Griffith, Parma Baptist Church (517.531.3645 – Email) ASAP!
MARBC Events to Place on Your 2009 Calendar

• February 13-14, 2009
  SMARBC Valentine’s Weekend Couples Retreat
  Gull Lake Retreat Center, Hickory Corners, MI
  Dr. Dave and Carolyn Culver, speakers
• March 7, 2009
  EMARBC Men Modeling the Master Conference
  “Being a Man of Influence at Home and in the World”
  Emmanuel Baptist Church, Flint
  Speaker: Ken Pierpont, Jr., Senior Pastor of Evangel Baptist, Taylor, MI
  Workshops related to men’s issues presented by area pastors
  9 a.m. to 3 p.m. / cost – $12 per person
  See the MARBC website for Registration Details
• March 13-14, 2009
  GRARBC Annual Church Ministries Conference
  Calvary Baptist Church, Grand Rapids
  “Beyond Fellowship”
  Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michael Loftis
  President of ABWE
  Registration details and downloadable forms are available
  www.churchministriesconference.org
• Saturday, April 25, 2009
  MARBC Talents for Christ Competition
  West Cannon Baptist Church, Belmont
  Ken Pyne, Director
  Early registration deadline: March 1
  Download information at: www.garbc.org/tfc
• June 22-26, 2009
  National GARBC Conference
  “Cutting Straight”
  Elyria, Ohio
  Download information at: www.garbc.org/conference
• September 27, 2009
  MARBC Annual Day of “One Accord” Prayer
• October 26-27, 2009
  67th Annual MARBC Conference
  Forest Hills Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  Conference Speakers: Dr. Jim Grier, Dr. Hanz Bernard, Ken Floyd, Mel Walker, Peggy Walker

GRAND RAPIDS, Standale Baptist Church (John Watson, Pastor) – Standale Baptist Church celebrated its 50th anniversary the week of October 19-26. The anniversary theme was “Together Forever: Romans 8:31-39.” The week included a homecoming of former members and former pastors. Speakers during the week included several former pastors. Former pastors who attended the festivities included: David Gardner, Duane McNeil, Tom Dolph, Wilbur Eifert, Robert Wessell Mark Roosinck, Doug Bartlett, and Max Tucker. Charter members were also recognized during this special celebration. We thank God for the good testimony and faithful ministry of this church.
MONTROSE, Montrose Baptist Church (Dan Pugh, Pastor) – Richard Phillips, former pastor of Montrose Baptist Church, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, November 15, after a long bout with cancer. He was 74. Dick served as pastor at Montrose for 40 years and retired from the church two years ago. Montrose’s new pastor, Dan Pugh, officiated the memorial service. Here is a tribute written by Pastor Pugh regarding Pastor Phillips.
A Tribute to Pastor Richard Phillips – submitted by Pastor Dan Pugh (Montrose Baptist Church)
What a privilege it was to pay tribute to the man who preceded me as the pastor of Montrose Baptist Church for nearly forty years. – As I considered how few newly called pastors probably have any real opportunity to personally get to know their predecessor, and unfortunately sometimes the transition situations even makes this impossible, I’m grateful that the Lord put it on my heart to get to know this Pastor; that he was willing to oblige; and that the Lord sovereignly chose to delay his heaven-going for just awhile longer in order for our acquaintance and friendship to take place.
Pastor Richard Phillips finished well even as he lived out his final days of physical struggle following many years of being ravaged by multiple myeloma cancer. Although unable to continue in his beloved role at the church, he tried as health allowed to maintain his many relationships in the church and community; served as a jail chaplain with Forgotten Man Ministries; wrote poetry and treatises on several theological issues; and purposely referred to me as Pastor as I to honored him with the same designated title and function of life that we both realized the Lord had clearly called us each to. – That is how pastoral transitions should be!
His funeral was a tribute event filled with memories from family; church members; and some long time community friends. – Hundreds of people sang with abandon, “It is Well with My Soul”, with musical specials by a friend – “Serenaded by Angels”, and the Gospelmen who sang “New Ship Sailing” . – A poem of his, “I Would Be Faithful” was read; I preached from his favorite passage in Philippians 1:6; and the service concluded with “Jesus Loves Me”, very well known by virtually everyone who knew him as his absolutely favorite song!
Please contact me if you would like one of the tribute service programs. The following poem written by Pastor Richard Phillips was printed in it entitled, “One Day He’ll Call”.
One day the Lord will call my name, And I shall go to be,
With the One who loves me so, He who died on Calvary’s tree.
With Him I’ll dwell forever more, In His home beyond the sky.
And find His promise, Oh, so true, No part of it is a lie.
The hurts of life, they’ll all be gone. There’s only glory in that land.
Such joy and gladness never known, Is what my Savior’s planned.
No longer will my sight be blurred, For I’ll see Him face to face.
And thank Him for His wondrous love, And ever marvel at His grace.
So when He calls, don’t weep for me I’ll be better off by far,
For in His presence I shall be, And not resting on some star.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES
Church equipment and miscellaneous items available. Forest Hills Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, is rejoicing in its recent relocation from its former building to a newly purchased facility. Pastor Jeff Burr reports that there are several items available (i.e. metal chairs, glassware, lecterns, slide projectors, etc.) as a result of combining the two facilities. A detailed list of what is available can be received by contacting the church or Pastor Burr (616.949.0540 or Email). Be sure to do this ASAP!
GRARBC Fellowship Women’s Missionary Union Quarterly Meeting – will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 9:30 a.m., at Maplelawn Baptist Church, 124 Maplelawn SW, in Wyoming, MI. The speaker will be missionary Kathy Miller. A special missions scholarship will be awarded during the meeting. Contributions to the scholarship fund may be made by sending a check to: Mrs. Elaine Binney, 4525 Burton St. SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534.
EMARBC “MEN MODELING THE MASTER” Seminar. An annual event sponsored by the Eastern MARBC Regional Fellowship will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Being a Man of Influence at Home and in the World.” The speaker is Pastor Ken Pierpont (Evangel Baptist Church in Taylor). Pastor Pierpont will explore these questions and others: Are you a man of influence? How can you increase your skills and tools of influence? How can you get close to your kids and stay that way through the teen years? Additional workshops will be taught by other pastors from the EMARBC. The seminar will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 6463 Richfield Rd., Flint, MI 48506. The cost is $12 per person. Pre-register by February 27th. Send names and payment to Emmanuel Baptist Church; attention Pastor Jack Dowden. Please make checks out to the EMARBC. Downloadable information is available at the MARBC website, www.marbc.net.
GRARBC Annual Church Ministries Conference. The Grand Rapids MARBC Regional Fellowship will hold its annual Church Ministries Conference on March 13-14 at the facilities of Calvary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. Dr. Michael Loftis, president of ABWE, will be the keynote speaker. The conference begins Friday evening and concludes on Saturday afternoon. Over 80 workshops will be featured during the conference. A special website has been set up with information and downloadable information related to the conference at www.churchministriesconference.org. A link to this website is also provided from the MARBC website, www.marbc.net.
IRS Announces 2009 Mileage Rates. The IRS has announced the 2009 business, medical, and moving mileage rates (IR-2008-131). Beginning on January 1, 2009, standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also pickups, vans, or panel trucks) will be:

• 55 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 24 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The new rates for business, medical, and moving purposes are slightly lower than rates for the second half of 2008 that were raised by a special adjustment mid-year in response to a spike in gasoline prices. The rate for charitable purposes is set by law and is unchanged from 2008. The business mileage rate was 50.5 cents in the first half of 2008 and 58.5 cents in the second half. The medical and moving rate was 19 cents in the first half and 27 cents in the second half.
MARBC Publications: Two MARBC e-mail publications are available free of charge for those who would like to subscribe.

• “For Your Strengthening” – This new publication will be sent out quarterly as an e-mail and downloadable publication. The focus of “For Your Strengthening” will be encouragement and practical help for those involved in ministry. “For Your Strengthening” will be sent out in months opposite of the publication of the Baptist Testimony. Subscriptions for this publication are free, but subscribers will need to send their email address to Ken in order to be placed on the special mailing list.
  

• MARBC Messenger – The MARBC Messenger is a regular informational e-mail communication from the MARBC office to our pastors and churches. This e-mail includes special prayer requests and information items related to the churches, pastors, and ministries of the MARBC. Several MARBC Messengers are sent out frequently 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!

​EMAIL ADDRESS – Do we have your accurate e-mail address? Many people and organizations change their email addresses from time to time. Does the MARBC have your current address? Why not be sure by sending us an email and including your updated contact information? Send your information to either Sharon or Ken.