Volume 51 Number 7 August 2005 of the Baptist Testimony

From Where I Stand
Maynard H. Belt
MARBC State Representative
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THE NATIONAL GARBC CONFERENCE was held this year in hot and sunny Lakeland, FL, June 28-July 1, at the Lakeland Convention Center. Hundreds of Regular Baptists gathered to hear good sound Bible teaching and preaching around the theme, “His Vision – My Vision.” Eleven new churches were added to the Fellowship and two resolutions were approved by the messengers: Preterism and the Future, Physical Fulfillment of Biblical Prophecies and Justification and the New Perspectives on Paul, both of which will be printed in the September issue of the Baptist Bulletin along with all of the other conference highlights. Dr. Jim Vogel, pastor of South Baptist Church in Flint, was re-elected to the Council of Eighteen.

The Talents For Christ competition is always a highlight of the annual conference. This program exists to challenge students who are actively involved in GARBC churches to develop their God-given talents for ministry within their local churches. The competitors on the national level must first have placed first or second in their category on the state level. We are very proud of several of our young people who made the long trip to Florida and participated and especially wish to acknowledge and congratulate the following who won this year: Christian Patterson, First Baptist Church, Middleville, placed first in Male Voice; Sam Arent, Evangel Baptist Church, Taylor, placed first in Male Preaching; and Heather Harduk, First Baptist Church in Alto, placed second in Bible Knowledge. They will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to a participating school. The Small Vocal Group from Evangel Baptist Church in Taylor won first place in their division. We commend all of our Michigan participants and their parents and churches for encouraging them along the way. I also want to thank Pastor Ken Pyne, Evangel Baptist in Taylor, for doing such a fine job of directing our Michigan Talents for Christ program. We strongly encourage you to start preparing some of your young people for next year’s competition. We will keep you posted on details.
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Next Year’s Conference will be held in Lansing, MI, so we expect a great turnout from our MARBC churches. The dates are June 27-30, 2006, and the theme will be “Reflecting God Among The Nations.” It will once again be a joint conference with the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship Association.