You can also download a PDF of the November-December 2008 Baptist Testimony (1.3mb PDF; PC: Right click / MAC: Control click on the link and choose “Save As”)

From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 54 Number 10 November-December 2008

EMARBC Meeting - The Eastern Regional Fellowship of the Michigan Association of Regular Baptist Churches held its annual combined worship service on Sunday afternoon, September 21, 2008. The service was held in the facilities of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hazel Park, Rick Yokel, pastor. The churches enjoyed a wonderful time of teaching, fellowship and good food. Jim Vogel, Associate National Representative of the GARBC was the speaker. Workshops were also offered in the following categories: Men and Women, Jim and Jeannie Vogel; Teens, Will Payne; and Children, Jay Cooper. New EMARBC Council members were also selected at the meeting: Tom Cooper (Byron Baptist, Byron), Jerry Diserens (Evangel Baptist, Taylor), Jack Dowden (Emmanuel Baptist, Flint), Scott Kigar (First Baptist, Rochester), Shawn Rittmiller (First Baptist, Freeland), and Rick Yokel (Tabernacle, Hazel Park).

FENTON, First Baptist Church (Pastor Josh Gates) - First Baptist Church in Fenton is rejoicing in the calling of a new pastor. Josh Gates, who formerly served as the church’s youth pastor, was officially installed as senior pastor on Sunday, October 26. A special installation service was held during the morning worship service followed by a fellowship luncheon. Wilbur Henke, who formerly served as the pastor of First Baptist for 19 years, gave the charge to the pastor. Ken Floyd, Executive Director of the MARBC, gave the charge to the church. Zack Dawson, who is serving as a youth pastor intern at First Baptist, led the scripture reading. Dr. Joseph Bower, who served as interim pastor and a mentor to Pastor Gates, shared closing comments and led in a dedicatory prayer. Pastor Josh and his wife Andrea were married last year and are rejoicing in the birth of their son, Thomas, in October.

KALAMAZOO, Northeastern Baptist Church (Pastor George Coon) – Northeastern Baptist Church (Kalamazoo) is honored to have Rev. Greg Bishop as an integral part of their staff during the past 20 years! Pastor Bishop marked his 20th anniversary at Northeastern on June 15, 2008.

A special morning service and celebration dinner to mark the occasion was held June 29. Dr. George Coon paid homage to Pastor Bishop and many congregants were eager to share testimony and offer tribute to this Godly man of many talents and interests.

LUDINGTON, Calvary Baptist Church (Pastor Tim Yankee) – Sam and Jen Lake are sent out from Calvary Baptist Church of Ludington, Michigan (Pastor Tim Yankee). They are serving under Baptist Mid-Missions. They are going to help plant a church in the south Bronx of New York City with Marty and Val Silverberg. Sam and Jen are currently on pre-field ministry at this time and are scheduling meetings for 2009 and 2010. Here are some of the ministries of the church that the Lakes will be involved in: Sam will be preaching, they will teach Sunday School, help start AWANA, VBS, youth group and disciple new believers. There will also be a food program at the church. Jen will be starting a pregnancy care center. These are some of the tools that will be used to share the saving message of Christ with the lost people of the Bronx. The needs of the people of the Bronx are many. But their most urgent need is the gospel. The great commission tells us to “go ye into all the world”. Of the 2 million people in the Bronx, 30% were born in a foreign country. The world has come to us! The Bronx truly is a “foreign” field in America. Sam and Jen recently moved to Williamson, NY but will gladly return to Michigan for meetings. They can be reached by sending them an email . You can find more information about the Lake family at their web site: www.samandjenlake.com. Sam & Jen Lake, 6475 Salmon Creek Rd., Williamson, NY 14589; phone – (315) 904-4176.

PORTLAND, First Baptist Church (Pastor Steve Taylor) - First Baptist Church of Portland held an installation service for new associate pastor, Andy Brubaker, on Sunday evening, October 19. Andy and his wife, Kim, come to First Baptist Church after ministering on staff at Lincoln Lake Baptist Camp. They are both graduates of Baptist Bible College, Clarks Summit, PA. The service included the presentation of a License to Preach to Pastor Brubaker by Senior Pastor Steve Taylor on behalf of the church family. A charge to the candidate was given by MARBC Executive Director Ken Floyd, who served as Kim’s pastor for 13 years at North Park Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. The church held a fellowship meal in the Brubaker’s honor following the installation service. A food shower and other gifts were presented to the Brubakers at the fellowship gathering.

ROSCOMMON, Higgins Lake Baptist Church (Pastor Kevin Pierpont) - Higgins Lake Baptist Church family participated in their second annual 12 hour season of prayer on Saturday September 27 with very good participation, including several youth and children. Pastor Kevin Pierpont broke from his current sermon series and preached on the topic of prayer on September 21 and 28. The church observed a special time of prayer in our service on September 28th for the MARBC, for Ken and Sharon Floyd, for sister churches, and churches without pastors. They prayed especially for their nearest sister church, First Baptist, Prudenville.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

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. Downloadable brochures and information regarding this wonderful way for couples to celebrate Valentine’s weekend are available by clicking here.

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 by emailing 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 email Sharon or email Ken 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 email Sharon or email Ken.

TALENTS FOR CHRIST: Start preparing NOW for the MARBC Talents for Christ competition. The 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 and more information is also available at by clicking here. More information regarding TFC will appear in the next issue of the Baptist Testimony.

From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 54 Number 9 October 2008

Church Partnering Relationships – “CPR” Summer Ministry Testimonies

We rejoice in the many CPR Initiatives that took place between sister churches in Michigan this summer.  The following are some of the testimonies shared by those churches involved in these strategic partnerships.  Other churches were also involved in CPR initiatives in addition to the ones cited in these articles.  We would love to hear your stories!  Please send them, along with your pictures, to the MARBC office (Email).  

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 by clicking here. [Read more...]

From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 54 Number 8 September 2008

BAY CITY, South Baptist Church (Pastor Mark Kirkpatrick) – South Baptist Church in Bay City will be celebrating its 115^th Anniversary on September 13-14.  A Gospel Concert will be held on Saturday evening, September 13, at 7:00 p.m., with guest artist, David Thomson.  David Thomson is an accomplished trumpet soloist and singer.  There will be no admission cost for this concert.  A free-will love offering will be received. On Sunday morning a special Anniversary Worship Service at 10:45 in which there will be a recognition of guests, city officials, former pastors, missionaries and friends of the church.  A catered lunch will follow the service in the church facilities. [Read more...]

From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 54 Number 7 August 2008

ALLEGAN, First Baptist Church (Pastor Greg Carlson) – First Baptist Church held its annual missions conference on April 19-22.  The conference theme was “Let the Nations Be Glad.”  Keynote speaker for the conference was Ken Rudolph.  Missionaries participating were Maynard & Ann Belt (Baptist Mid Missions), Robin & Jeff Awe (God’s Helping Hands),  Mark & Betsy Davidhizar (Camp Beechpoint), Rachel Hill (Lakeshore Pregnancy Resource Center), David & Melissa Gillies (Camp Beechpoint), Carol & Bill Bradbury (Advancing Native Missions), Rojean Garlock (New Tribes Missions) Terri & Bill Jenkin (Continental Baptist Missions). An international dinner, generous gift giving to missionaries, preaching, and media presentations were enjoyed at well attended sessions. [Read more...]

From The Baptist Testimony – Volume 54 Number 6 June-July 2008

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. [Read more...]