Walnut Ridge Baptist Church invites you to save the date of Friday and Saturday January 29-30, 2021 to attend their 2021 Men’s Leadership Conference!  They have been in prayer about how or when to proceed with the event after the necessary cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19. They have decided to go forward in faith and trust. 

Will you pray with them and invite your men to join in this wonderful opportunity to grow in their walk with the Lord?

The 2021 theme is “Marks of a Great Leader ”.  Once again, Dr. Jim Tillotson, President of Faith Baptist Bible College & Theological Seminary, is confirmed as the speaker.  Dr. Tillotson is a gifted speaker, speaking at conferences and churches throughout the country.  We are excited see what God will do!

Resources:
Flyers for Bulletin Inserts
Bio of Dr. Jim Tillotson
Power Point Slides – If you would like these please email d.kobliska@walnutridgebaptist.com
8 ½ x 11 Poster
11 x 17 Posters
Sign Up Sheet
*Please encourage men to sign up online at www.walnutridgebaptist.com on or before January 15^th, 2021.
*Please email a copy of names that use the handwritten sign up sheet on or before January 15^th, 2021.

Faith Announces Thanksgiving Concert Details

UPDATE: Governor Reynolds is requiring masks during all campus events and activities where more than 25 people are present through December 10. See the full announcement here.

As we churn closer to the end of 2020 and reflect on a year filled with challenges, we still have so much to be thankful for. In a normal year, we would be anticipating our Festival of Carols concert, an annual tradition at Faith each December. Because of the events of 2020, we have changed the traditional Festival of Carols concert to a Thanksgiving Concert, which will be held Friday and Saturday, November 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. in the Nettleton Center.This concert will feature a variety of sacred selections presented by the Chorale, the Chamber Choir, the Handbell Ensemble, and the Faith Community Orchestra. Similar to Festival of Carols events of the past, there will be multiple opportunities for congregational singing.To better manage the number of guests in attendance for social distancing, we will be using a free ticket system for all attendees. Guests will reserve groups of five seats, which will be either five chairs or five spots on the bleachers, all physically distanced in the auditorium. The ticket five-packs are now available! Seating will not be assigned but will be chosen on a first-come, first-served basis the night of each event.More information, along with health and distancing guidelines, can be found on our Thanksgiving Concert event page. Tickets can be obtained electronically through this link. Please remember that tickets will be required for entrance and that seating will not be assigned but on a first-come, first-served basis the night of each event. Our Thanksgiving Concert will also be livestreamed for those who are not able to attend.

Maranatha Baptist Church, Grimes is hosting an ONLINE ONLY Disciple-Making Seminar on November 16-17. The Seminar, called Developing a Disciple-Making Culture in your Church is presented by Pastor Tim Potter of Grace Church, Mentor, OH and Arch Ministries. 

The seminar will be Monday, November 16, and Tuesday, November 17, from 1pm to 5:30pm on both days. The cost if $40. For more information, or to register, go to our website (mbcgrimes.org), or follow this link:Disciple-Making Seminar Registration

It will be a great seminar not only for you, but for other men and women in your church – we hope you’ll encourage others in your ministry to register. 
If you have any questions, please contact us here at Maranatha Baptist Church at 515-986-9202 or by email at mbcgrimes@gmail.com. 

Calvary Baptist Church of Forest City, Iowa celebrated their 125th Anniversary over Labor Day Weekend, September 5-7, 2020. The celebration began on Saturday night with a concert from “Forever Be Sure”. The Sunday services featured three speakers who grew up going to Calvary Baptist Church and are now serving as pastors in ministries of their own. Pastor Joshua Farrell (First Baptist Church, Brayton, IA) spoke during the Sunday School hour, Pastor Larry Johnson (Grace Baptist Church, Mankato, MN) spoke during the morning service, and Pastor Steve Hill (Bethel Baptist Church, Iowa Falls, IA) spoke during the evening service. Other special guests included Pastor Tim Capon, IARBC State Representative, Pastor Eldon Pals (former pastor), Jerry Gortmaker (former youth pastor), Missionary Timothy Silcott, and Missionary Joy Akkermann (whose sending church is Calvary Baptist Church). Past members of the church choir were invited to join for a Reunion Choir, which sang during the morning service. A catered meal and fellowship time was enjoyed at noon. Monday, Labor Day, people gathered for a breakfast and devotion time at 9:00 a.m. with Evangelist Timothy Silcott as the Labor Day Breakfast speaker. Calvary Baptist Church was incorporated on August 17, 1895. The current pastor is Douglas W. Farrell who has served Calvary Baptist Church since August, 1991.

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Dear IARBC Pastors & Churches,
This is a time to get creative about ministering the Word. With that thought in mind, I am passing along a ministry opportunity from Jason Reynolds & our Iowa Regular Baptist Camp:

From Jason:
IRBC is excited to be hosting LightHouse Live Youth Group Event.  This weekly event will be on Thursdays at 7 p.m.  All teens (6-12th grade) are welcome to join us online!  Join us for games, activities, videos, prayer, and a study through the book of James – Faith & Works!

We are requiring people to register for the event, they will then be sent a link to join the zoom meeting.  Here is the registration link.   https://form.jotform.com/200833870125046
You will be emailed info before each session with the link to log into the Zoom Meeting.

Me again. Jason has a heart for our young people, and I thank God for for him, and for directing him to this online youth ministry. The next one will be tomorrow evening, Thursday, April 2 at 7:00 pm.
If you have any questions please call the camp.
Thanks!
Trusting God in a time of uncertainty and change,

Tim

Dear IARBC Pastors & Churches,

I have been reading through the New Testament and this morning came upon this:

“Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.” (2 John 12)

In our 21st century context, we might say “digital, internet based communication” instead of “paper and ink”. And though I am thankful that in the midst of recommended & mandated interaction with people, closures of businesses and cancellations of social gatherings, we will miss and long for meeting “face to face” once again.

These current conditions that require us to limit social interaction and cancel gatherings of 10 or more people have necessitated the cancellation of the typical gatherings of our churches and other special ministry events. This is especially hard to take as the church, the “ecclesia”, is a “called out assembly”. Being made in the image of God, we are wired to be social creatures, and as the redeemed people of God, we are wired to assemble with our local church families.

But God is still in control. He still provides. He still directs our steps. And He still desires for us to minister to one another, albeit in different and creative ways.

In that regard, as we are to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18), I am thankful that we do have the means to communicate with one another through technology, and minister to one another in different and creative ways.

In the spirit of these changes to ministry, here are a few things for you to consider:

1) 2020 IARBC Annual Conference (April 20-21 at Community Baptist Church, Ankeny)

* We will NOT be meeting physically at Community Baptist Church for our 2020 IARBC Annual Conference.
* We ARE planning to have the content/information/business, etc. available in digital format (website & email).
–  We still have elections and business to accomplish.
– We still believe that our theme: THRIVE – Building Healthy Churches is timely and needed.
– We still believe in the value of the planned content, which was designed to continue our efforts in church revitalization.

So…it is currently our plan to transition the conference to an online event (e.g. pre-recorded content and live video conferencing). We are working out the details for this arrangement and hope to make them available some time soon. Please pray with us! We are working together and seeking God’s direction so that even though we will miss the in-person fellowship and worship, we can still encourage one another in the work of the ministry, and continue to be be a blessing to the pastors and churches of the IARBC. If you have questions, contact admin@iarbc.org.

2) Communication with our church families
Our churches are using various formats to stay connected. There are more, but this is what I have heard:

* Live-streaming (I will forward an email from Brotherhood Mutual that may be helpful).
* YouTube
* Video-conferencing for smaller groups/meetings (zoom.com, GoToMeeting.com, GoogleMeet.com).
* Personal & group video-texting (Marco Polo…Sandy heard about it from her co-workers at Faith).

3) Offerings
* Putting offering checks in the mail still works (Sandy & I do that as we are often away from our local church).
* Some of our churches have added on-line giving on their websites. Usually a cost, but very convenient.

4) Need some help or ideas?
* If you could use some direction in any of these areas (communication, offerings, etc) please let me know. I may be able to answer your question, or refer you to a pastor who can.
* You can reach me directly at: tcapon@iarbc.org or (712)-790-0304.

5) What are you doing to communicate or encourage ministry among your church family?
* How are you communicating?
* How are you doing/encouraging ministry?
* I know you are busy, and that not gathering does not mean that you have all sorts of time on your hand 🙂 But…if you have something helpful to share, please drop me a quick email if you could. Thanks!

This health threat is real. The fear (for some) and uncertainty is real. But it is imperative that we trust God, walk with God, and continue the work of the ministry as best we can with the Lord’s help and for His glory. We must be alert for ways to serve one another, and for opportunities to advance the gospel. It is imperative that we stay connected and help one another. There is great value in helping one another in our local churches, and as a fellowship of churches. We are in this together.

I thank God for all of you, and your partnership in the gospel.I continue to pray for all of you.

God bless and have a great weekend.
Tim