MARBC News & Notes, May and June 2011

 You can also download a PDF of the Volume 57 Number 3 May/June 2011 (PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

​From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 57 Number 3 May/June 2011

BELMONT, West Cannon Baptist Church (Doug Crawford, Pastor) – On Sunday evening, February 13, 2011, the West Cannon Baptist Church family honored Pastor Dave and Mary Parmerlee for twenty years of faithful and fruitful ministry. They were given cards from church family members that expressed their love and gratitude for the Parmerlees’ service.  The church also presented the Parmerlees a gift to send them on a trip to Spain to visit their daughter Carissa, who is serving as a short-term missionary. The church states that it is already looking forward to celebrating the Parmerlees’ thirtieth anniversary.

​LANSING, Berean Baptist Church (David Schiedel, Pastor) – The Berean Baptist Church family had the special joy of holding an installation service for the new pastor, Dave Schiedel, on Sunday, March 20, 2011.  Rev. Glenn Dundore, who served as the interim pastor at Berean, gave a charge to the church.  Rev. Rob Mace, a personal friend of Pastor Schiedel and pastor of First Baptist Church in Argos, Indiana, gave the charge to the pastor.  A special fellowship meal in honor of the Schiedels was held following the service.  Both the service and fellowship were well attended and everyone left encouraged in the Lord.  Pastor Dave and his wife, Kathie, come to Berean after a ministry at Tri Lakes Baptist Church in Columbia City, Indiana.  The Schiedels share that they were humbled by the geniune expressions of love and support.

MARBC TALENTS FOR CHRIST – The piano competition of the MARBC Talents for Christ was held on Saturday, March 26, at West Cannon Baptist Church in Belmont.  First place awards were given in both the scholarship and open categories.
Piano Competition, Scholarship Category
1st place, Joelle Byers, Trinity Baptist, Muskegon

Piano Competition, Open Category
1st place, Kaitlyn Lanham, Evangel Baptist, Taylor
2nd place, Rachel Harry, Hamilton Baptist, Hamilton

Joelle Byers plans to compete in the national Talents for Christ competition being held during the GARBC Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, the last week of June. 

We appreciate the special ministry of Pastor Ken Pyne and his wife, Debbie, for their faithful direction of the MARBC TFC program.

Next year’s MARBC Talents for Christ competition is tentatively scheduled on April 21, 2012 at South Baptist Church in Flint.

WAKEFIELD, Calvary Baptist Church (Tom Bauder, Pastor) – Calvary Baptist Church marked the completion of a renovation project on their church facilities by celebrating God’s goodness in worship through a Building Rededication Service on Sunday, March 27.  Rev. Ken Floyd, Executive Director of the MARBC, was the special speaker for the service.  Letters from area businesses and representatives of local and state government were read during the service.  Pastor Tom Bauder led the Calvary congregation in a rededication commitment and prayer to conclude the service.

Sister churches and ministry teams involved in the MARBC’s CPR program helped assist the church in several renovation projects in recent years.  The most recent work was accomplished in the summer of 2010 by a ministry group from West Cannon Baptist Church in Belmont, Michigan.  Facility renovations include repainting of the auditorium and other rooms, expansion of the foyer and entry area, and upgrades in the lower level.  Other exterior work was also completed during the process, as was the paving of the parking lot, and striping for parking and outdoor sports activities.  Additional work has also been completed on the church parsonage.

A special celebration luncheon was served following the rededication service after which an afternoon open house was held for the community to tour the updated facilities.

UPPER PENINSULA PRAYER DAY – Family Baptist Church in Kingsford, Michigan was the site of an Upper Peninsula Pastors’ Prayer Day on Tuesday, March 29.  Located in the far western part of the Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border, the Family Baptist Church has been led by Pastor Kevin Sullivan for almost twenty years.  Pastors from churches in the Upper Peninsula gather monthly at various locations across the peninsula for a time primarily focused upon praying for the needs of their respective ministries.  Meetings typically last about six hours and include lunch served by the host church.

MARBC Executive Ministry Director Ken Floyd delivered gift baskets for pastors’ wives in the UP at the prayer day and during his travels in the UP.  The baskets were prepared as a CPR ministry by the Women’s Missions Group from Orangeville Baptist Church in Plainwell, Michigan.  Those receiving the baskets were greatly encouraged by the gifts.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Mission Apartment Available in Flint area – Emmanuel Baptist Church in Flint now has a vacancy in their one bedroom mission apartment.  The room is rent free. This lower level apartment has a drive in one car garage and a walk out basement. The house is located on a hill and the east and north sides of the basement apartment are exposed with full length windows and a screened porch. The apartment is furnished and has a washer and dryer available. Contact the Emmanuel Baptist Church office for further information – 810.736.6111; office@ebcflint.com.

TEACHING SEMINAR – Standale Baptist Church in Grand Rapids will host a special “Teaching Seminar” featuring Rev. Ken Rudolph on Tuesday, May 3.  Many know Ken Rudolph as an excellent communicator to youth and adults. He is known for his ability to motivate people to a life committed to Jesus Christ.  Pastors, Sunday school teachers, and church leaders now have an opportunity to learn communication techniques from Ken that will help motivate listening ears of all ages.  

An afternoon session designed for pastors will be held from 1-5 p.m. on the topic of simple sermonic structure and listener interaction.  An evening session is designed for pastors, Sunday school teachers, and church leaders and will be held from 7-8:30 p.m.  The subject will be “learning how to effectively communicate to young people.”  For more information or to RSVP, contact Standale Baptist Church, 3714 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534, (616) 453-4489.  There is no cost to attend the sessions.  A love offering will be received.

THE SEMINAR ON CHURCH CONSTRUCTION – An informative and helpful seminar on building a church facility will be held in Grand Rapids on Thursday, May 19, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The seminar will be held at Alpine Baptist Church, 692 Seven Mile Rd. NW, Comstock Park, MI (616.784.1331.  Alpine Baptist recently completed a major building expansion under the direction of the seminar sponsors, Wieland-Davco Corporation of Lansing, MI.  

If you are in charge of leading a church congregation, the topic of renovating, adding on, or completely relocating your church facility has probably been discussed.  Become a better steward for those you are serving by attending this highly informative and affordably priced one-day seminar.  Professional speakers from key areas will provide 30 to 60 minute professional presentations and participate in a question and answer forum.

Speakers will include: Craig Wieland, President of Wieland-Davco; Kevin Shaw, VP-Wieland-Davco; Jeff Parker, Jeffrey Parker Architects (Grand Rapids); Bill Walter, Church Growth Services (Stewardship specialist); and Rick Stewart, Sound and Lighting specialist.


The seminar is FREE to pastors and $20 per person for non-pastors (bring 5 non-pastors and the fifth registration is free).  The cost includes breakfast, lunch, meeting notes and a free copy of The Book on Church Construction.   For more information and seminar brochures you may call 1-800-633-5488, visit the website  www.wieland-davco.com, or Email Kevin Shaw. 

SUMMER SIZZLER 3-ON-3 TOURNAMENT & FAMILY DAY in Evart – Calvary Baptist Church in Evart will once again be hosting a special Memorial Day weekend event and invites area churches to participate.

Summer Sizzler 3-on-3 Tournament & Family Day
Saturday May 28th
@ Evart High School
3 Divisions:  ages 10-12,13-15,16-19
Cost $15 per person if registered by April 29th
$20 per person until May 12th
Register at  www.realifeyouth.org or contact Pastor Layton at 231-734-2464
Inflatable Games, Free Kid’s Games, Live Bands,
T-shirt Design Contest, Silent Auction, & $3 Lunch
Event hosted by Calvary Baptist Church of Evart

26th ANNUAL SCHOOL OF CHURCH PLANTING – Church planting is an inherent part of our Lord’s mandate to make disciples and teach people to practice all that Christ commanded.  The 26th Annual School of Church Planting, sponsored by Baptist Mid-Missions, will focus on this priority.  The school will be held on June 13-16 at Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park, Michigan.  This is a unique opportunity that combines a discussion of ministry strategy with how-to-do-it instructions.  

Seminar speakers include church planting experts Ken Davis, Roger McNamara, and Dan Whitcher.  Brochures and applications can be downloaded from the church planting website, www.churchplantingna.com.  For further information you may also contact training specialist Roger McNamara (phone: 540.604.1838; email: RNMcNamara@juno.com).  

Graduate credit is available from Baptist Bible Seminary in Clarks Summit, PA for those who complete prescribed post-course assignments and a project.  Undergraduate credit is available through several Bible colleges.  Inquire in advance for details and tuition charges by emailing Ken Davis: kdavis@bbc.edu.

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 marbcsharon@aol.com or  HYPERLINK “mailto:marbcken@aol.com” marbcken@aol.com.

WITH THE LORD

“. . . that you sorrow not, even as others who have no hope,” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Cliff Jenkin.  We extend our prayerful support as an MARBC family to Continental Baptist Mission president Bill Jenkin and his wife, Terri, upon the homegoing of their son, Cliff.  Cliff, age 25, entered the presence of his Lord on Friday, April 1. He was surrounded by his wife Megan and his parents, who read Scripture passages during the final hours of his earthly sojourn. Cliff demonstrated a godly testimony to those who witnessed his battle with cancer.  In addition to his wife and parents, Cliff leaves behind his twin brother, Clint and his wife, Carole and his family; his sister Deb and her husband Dan, and her family.

A Memorial Service was held at Mountain View Bible Church on Thursday, April 7. Cliff’s testimony lives on in the lives of the students and faculty/staff of Dublin Christian Academy. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to the Webb-Jenkin Scholarship Fund for Dublin Christian Academy students. This Scholarship is named in honor of both Cliff Jenkin and Cathy Webb.  Gifts can be sent to Dublin Christian Academy, 106 Page Rd, Dublin NH 03444-8613.

Marilyn J. Sanders. Marilyn, the wife of Brother Del Sanders, was 72 years of age when she went to be with her Lord on January 10, 2011. She and Del enjoyed 52 years of marriage and served the Lord faithfully as a long-time member of Faith Baptist Church in Warren and a beloved Bible teacher.  The Sanders’ are a special part of the MARBC family.  Brother Del helped to establish the partnership between the MARBC and Brotherhood Mutual Insurance in the late 1980’s.  Through that partnership the MARBC has received great financial support that has enabled us to accomplish many special ministry projects.

Dr. Paul Versluis, veteran missionary and founder of Bibles International, went to be with his Lord on Monday night, February 21, 2011. Bibles International, a Bible translation ministry that serves on 5 continents and 14 countries, was started in the basement of Paul and his wife Genella’s home 30 years ago this summer. 
Brother Paul was married for 65 years to his wife, Genella, whom he had known since he was a young boy. They corresponded through letters for many years while Paul served as a Naval pilot in Asia during World War II. Paul and Genella were married on June 9, 1945, in the Naval Air Force Chapel in Corpus Christi, Texas. Together they were blessed with two children, Paul III and Maribeth.

When he was discharged, Paul and his family returned to Grand Rapids where he attended Grand Rapids Theological Seminary for five years, earning his degree in 1952. A short time later, Paul and Genella accepted positions as missionaries with Baptist Mid-Missions, serving in Alaska, India, and Hawaii over a period of 50 years. In addition to founding Bibles International he also started Partnership Ministries and Paul Versluis Partnership Ministries.

Through his ministries, Paul led in the establishment of orphanages in India and Burma.  He also founded Asia Theological Seminary and inaugurated the Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary Extension in Singapore.

Paul was also used of the Lord as a church planter.  He planted churches in Kailua, Hawaii; Hilton Head, South Carolina; Alma, Michigan; and Hillsdale, Michigan. He assisted in the oversight of City View Church, an intercity Grand Rapids, MI church plant.
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It was my (Ken’s) personal joy 11 years ago this month to be a part of a special ministry team led by “Uncle” Paul and Dr. Mark Jackson to visit several ministry sites in India for three weeks.  Many of the ministries where the team shared were personally started and led by the Versluises.  Paul demonstrated a great love and compassion for the people we visited.  That love was generously returned to him by each group with whom we met.

Even though Paul struggled with physical disabilities in his later years, he did not allow these challenges to become barriers that would prevent him from continuing to visit with and minister to the people that he and Genella so dearly loved in the Lord.

A service to celebrate Paul’s life was held on February 22 at Berean Baptist Church in Grand Rapids.  Contributions in his memory may be made to Paul Versluis Partnership Ministries.