MARBC News & Notes – June-July 2008

You can also download a PDF of the June-July 2008 Baptist Testimony (1.1 mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​MARBC Talents for Christ Competition

MARBC teenagers, parents, and churches gathered at South Baptist Church on Saturday, April 19, for the annual MARBC Talents for Christ competition.  Talents for Christ (TFC) helps teens in grades 9-12 to develop their God-given talents for ministry within the local church. It encourages students to prepare and to gain skill for serving the Lord.  Expanded competition for this year’s event included three new categories – Art and Media Design for individual competition and Vocal Duet for group competition.  Additionally an “Open Division” was created that allows everyone in the youth group to participate and develop their God-given talents for ministry within the local church.

Students participating in the April competition could choose to compete in either the Open category or the Scholarship category. The Open category is for students just developing their skills or students who are not planning on attending one of the participating colleges. The Open category also allows team groups to participate in vocal ensemble, instrumental, drama, and puppets.  The students who chose to compete in a Scholarship category had the potential of qualifying for college scholarships on the state and national level.

First place winners in the Talents for Christ “Scholarship” category receive a $1,000.00 scholarship and second place winners a $500.00 scholarship to one of the participating TFC Christian colleges.  Additionally, first and second place winners earn the privilege to compete for additional scholarships at the national Talents for Christ competition held during the annual GARBC conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 24-27.  

An added blessing for this year’s event was the participation of three MARBC camps in providing camp scholarships for first and second place winners in the Talents for Christ “Open” (non-college scholarship) categories.  We extend our special thanks to Lake Ann, Lincoln Lake, and The Springs camps for their encouraging involvement in our attempt to encourage our youth to use their talents for God’s glory.
 
This year’s event was again co-ordinated by TFC chairman, Pastor Ken Pyne of Evangel Baptist Church in Taylor.  Our appreciation is extended to Ken, his staff, the TFC judges, and South Baptist Church family for making this a very special day for the teens and families of the MARBC.  

We praise God for all of our MARBC teens who participated in this year’s event and encourage you to pray for those who will compete nationally in Cedar Rapids. 

Michigan Talents for Christ – Scholarship Category – Winners

Female Public Speaking: First place – Alicia Granica, Evangel Baptist, Taylor.

Female Voice: First place – Laura Garnaat, First Baptist, Alto

Male Preaching: First place – Tim Walker, Evangel Baptist, Taylor; Second place – Nick Arent, Evangel Baptist, Taylor

Male Voice: Second place – Aaron Good, Evangel Baptist, Taylor

Oral Interpretation of Scripture:  Second place – Katie Arent, Evangel Baptist, Taylor

Piano: Second place – Gabriel Elliott, First Baptist, Alto

Strings:  First place – Katrina Soriano, Weidman Baptist, Weidman; Second place – Bethany Horton, West Cannon Baptist, Belmont

Michigan Talents for Christ – Open Category – Winners

Brass:  Second place – David Brian McEachern, Emmanuel Baptist, Flint

Female Voice: First place – Shelby Wilson, Evangel Baptist, Taylor; Debbie Erlacher, First Baptist, Caro

Male Voice: Second place – Robert Harold, Evangel Baptist, Taylor

Oral Interpretation of Scripture:  First place – Alyssa Pyne, Evangel Baptist, Taylor

Piano: First place – Heidi Willard, Weidman Baptist, Weidman; Second place – Kaitlyn Lanham, Evangel Baptist, Taylor

Group Drama:  First place – Evangel Baptist, Taylor

Group Puppets:  First place – Standale Baptist, Standale

Instrumental Ensemble:  First place – Evangel Baptist, Taylor

CEDAR SPRINGS, First Baptist Church (Pastor Jim Howard) – April 20, 2008 was “Adoption Sunday” at the First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs.  Pastor Jim Howard submits the following report regarding this special day --

It was our joy and privilege to receive into our membership and to commission to the mission field, Bill & Natalie Taylor and Ken & Renee Dockery.  The Taylors and Dockerys had been on pre-field ministries with Continental Baptist Mission for 3 years when their sending church, under new pastoral leadership, abruptly terminated their relationship.  To quote John Den Boer, Director of Pre-Field Ministries at CBM, “I believe God has intervened to remove them (Dockery’s and Taylor’s) from an unfit home to bring them to a church home where they are loved, cared for and supported to undertake the mission He has called them to fill.”

Webster defines adoption as, “to take by choice into a relationship; to take voluntarily as one’s own.”  It has become our privilege to welcome into our midst, those who have experienced the trauma of separation.  The First Baptist Church of Cedar Springs has been uniquely and joyfully prepared by the Lord Jesus, to voluntarily adopt into our church family, these wonderful and gifted families.  The Lord has providentially brought us together to partner with one another in reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.  

Rev. Bill Jenkin III gave the commission to the church, while Mr. John Den Boer gave the commission to the Dockery’s & Taylor’s.  Of equal importance was the welcome and embrace of the nine (9) Taylor/Dockery children as they were officially “adopted” as one of our own.  The service was concluded with the “Laying on of Hands” by the Deacons and other ordained men present.  Pastor Jim Howard would commend to all of our churches the ministries of the Dockery’s and Taylor’s as they prepare to reach out into the urban areas of Cleveland, OH.

EAST CHINA, Fellowship Baptist Church (Pastor Bill Blount) — On Sunday, April 20, Senior Pastor Bill and Nancy Blount were honored during a special service for their 15 years of ministry at Fellowship Baptist Church.  The service began with several of the Blount’s favorite songs, including “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”  The choir also performed a special number.  A slide presentation of many special moments throughout the 15 years was featured.  Pastor Blount’s father shared special thoughts, along with Assistant Pastor Jamey Miller, Nancy Blount, Jerry Salisbury, and Zach Blount.  The Blounts were honored by the church with an all expenses paid trip to Mission Point on Mackinaw Island.  Pastor Blount was also given a watch as a token of appreciation.  The evening included a pot luck dinner in the church gymnasium.

GRAND RAPIDS, North Park Baptist Church (Pastor Joe Daniels) — North Park Baptist Church celebrated the dedication of its new property on 4 Mile Rd. NE with a special dedication service on April 27.  Former pastor Ken Floyd shared a message that dealt with the purpose and history of the project.  Lead pastor Joe Daniels shared a charge regarding the future ministry opportunities provided by the project.  The project included the excavation and complete site preparation, including all utilities, driveway and parking lot, lighting, landscaping, and a large pavilion.  The site will be used for outdoor activities, outreach, and ministry needs.  A building fund drive is underway  and plans are now being made for the construction of a church building.

GRAND RAPIDS, Trinity Baptist Church (Pastor Brett Boomsma) — Trinity Baptist Church has called Jory Trim as its Youth Pastor, with a special installation service on Sunday, April 13th.  Trinity has had the privilege of seeing Jory grow up in the church and now called to serve the Lord in full time ministry along with his wife Andrea.  He is a graduate of Calvin College with a degree in Education and is currently pursuing his masters in Biblical Studies.  

GRANDVILLE, Grandville Baptist Church (Pastor David Crompton) — Grandville Baptist Church held an installation service to welcome new senior pastor David Crompton on May 4.  Pastor Dave, along with his wife Linda and daughter Josie, comes to Grandville after ministering for 20 years as pastor of West Hills Baptist Church in Long Island, NY.  Associate pastor Brett Shilton gave the charge to the church and MARBC State Representative Ken Floyd gave the charge to the pastor.  It is our joy to welcome the Cromptons to the MARBC fellowship!

KENT CITY, Kent City Baptist Church (Pastor Chris Weeks) — May 4 was a day of great significance in the history of Kent City Baptist Church.  Not only did the church recognize 140 years of ministry in the Kent City community, it celebrated the dedication of its brand new facilities.  A power point presentation and dramatic readings summarized the history of the church, including pictures of many who have served in past years.  Former pastors and their wives who were present for the service received a special tribute.  MARBC State Representative Ken Floyd shared a tribute from the MARBC and led in the dedication prayer.  Pastor Chris Weeks gave a sermon that focused upon the foundational priority and message of the church from John 3:16.  We congratulate the Kent City church for their many years of faithful ministry and rejoice with them in God’s provision of new facilities that will help them minister effectively in the years ahead.

VASSAR, First Baptist Church (Pastor David Somers) — First Baptist Church recently held a groundbreaking service for an 8,393 square foot church addition.  This project corresponds with an updating of the present church facility.  The church has raised $821,000 of the $900,000 needed for the project.  The start of the ground breaking service was signified by the ringing of a 1,000+ pound bell which the church recently purchased back from a Nazarene church which occupies First Baptist’s former facility.  

Several members who were present for the ground breaking in 1968 of the current facility were on hand to participate in the service.  Every person present participated in turning a shovel full of soil.  The future building was marked out on the ground with signs in each area for the people to understand where all the rooms will be. The new addition will include a gym, kitchen, coat room, new restrooms, youth room, storage room, closets, a fireplace room, and more.  The former fellowship area will be retrofitted into classrooms as a part of the project.  New lights, air-conditioning and windows have already been installed in the sanctuary, and a new library and CE office have also been completed.  A new office for the pastor and assistant, a remodel of the current church office are also a part of the renovation plan.
 
In addition to God’s blessings upon the building project, Pastor Somers reports that a dozen people are currently attending a New Members Class and at least 4 are preparing for baptism.  We thank God for the wonderful report of the blessings in Vassar!

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

CBM to Hold 10th Annual Golf Tournament
The 10th Annual Continental Baptist Missions Golf Tournament is only a green’s shot away!  We’ll take to the fairways at the Quail Ridge Golf Club in Ada, Michigan on Monday, June 9.

Your “greens fee” of $90 covers a whole day of golf, including an early-bird round of 9 and an 18-hole best-ball scramble, with lunch and dinner provided by Quail Ridge’s clubhouse restaurant. Sign-in opens at 10:00 AM (8:00 AM for the early-bird round).  The 18-hole scramble will begin with a shotgun start at 11:00 AM.  Lunch is provided at the turn and prizes will be awarded during the dinner hour.

The proceeds from the golf outing will be used to provide services to missionaries throughout North America. To reserve your spot in the tournament, please contact Continental Baptist Missions at 616-863-2226.

Assistant Pastor Needed:  We are looking for an Assistant Pastor for our small church in Cadillac, MI.  Please send resume to Sunnyside Baptist Church, Box 501, Cadillac, MI 49601; Attn. Rev. Jack Nichols.

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!