On November 10th, Horton Baptist Church of Waverly, IA hosted their first IARBC Singles’ Event! There was an encouraging turnout of 13 singles from around the state, even on a cold night. The event began at approximately 2:00pm with games and refreshments in the parsonage basement. After a few hours of activity, Pastor Stephen share a brief devotional from 1 Thessalonians 5 on prayer.  After the devotional, the singles enjoyed a BBQ dinner provided and served by several members of HBC. After supper, the “main event,” pumpkin carving, was held in the parsonage garage. The individuals who participated demonstrated a great deal of skill and creativity! The pumpkins were judged by our “independent” judges and several awards/prizes were given out. After a little clean-up the group went back inside for a few more games. The crowd slowly dissipated with the last individuals leaving at around 8:00pm. It was a wonderful time! Many thanks to all who attended, served, and provided for this event. As mentioned, this was HBC’s first experience hosting a singles’ event, but it was a very positive one! Hopefully HBC will have the opportunity to host again in the future and other churches will step up and participate in this needed ministry as well!

Northridge Baptist Church celebrated God’s faithful, ongoing provision in paying off the mortgage in 2018 with the burning of a symbolic mortgage note on Sunday, November 11, 2018.

This was a major accomplishment that evidences God’s power and faithfulness. The church, in a period of quick growth shortly after its inception, acquired its building. The older building needed a lot of work, but the growing congregation was committed to the challenge. The church then faced the unexpected closing of the ministry which was incrementally loaning the money to purchase the building. This crisis placed the church in a very difficult place financially and discouraged many in the fledgling congregation, many of whom left at that time. The remaining congregation plodded onward to minister for God’s glory while addressing the demands of the building and debt.

God has proven Himself faithful, providing over the years through many faithful workers and many financial means. He also has allowed the church building to be used in many extended ways. He has supplied wisdom, workers, and givers to allow the church to operate continually and efficiently, to renovate the older property over time, and to finally retire its debt. We glorify God in His ongoing care for this ministry.

To honor their faithfulness to God’s work at Northridge, Lynn and Judy Hammel were asked to burn the symbolic mortgage. Both have been active in ministry at Northridge throughout the church’s existence.

Pastor Kevin Subra