Baptist Bulletin

At a Regular Baptist International conference in Bangkok, Thailand, five pastors met for prayer—a key focus of every meeting.

Despite their remote locations, these pastors would never describe their ministries as isolated. They stay connected through Regular Baptist International.

People ask how many churches are represented by Regular Baptist International, but the question defies easy analysis. Maybe ten thousand, but nobody has stopped to count.

Find out how your church is connected to this global network, and add its partnering ministries to your church’s prayer list. https://garbcinternational.org

—“International Partnerships: What Your Church Needs to Know (and Do)” by Kevin Mungons, Spring 2024 Baptist Bulletin

* * *

In this photo, Pastors meet for prayer at a Regular Baptist International conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

The name Generate is no accident. Generate, part of Regular Baptist Ministries, exists to fulfill the very definition of the word “generate”: “to cause something to arise or come about; to create by a vital or natural process.”

Over the past 10 years, Generate has given Regular Baptist churches nearly one million dollars in grants!

These grants have helped churches improve their facilities, plant new churches, revitalize existing churches, restore their buildings after disasters, and develop leaders.

We celebrate what’s been accomplished, but we must not stop here. There is too much to do.

—“Multiplying Believers, Leaders, and Churches” by Clare Jewell, Spring 2024 Baptist Bulletin

Visit https://generate.church

Church revitalization comes not when we seek to save our own churches but when we seek the salvation of those for whom Christ died.

Instead of looking outward to figure out how to bring people into our churches, congregations should look inward:

Have we opened the doors of our church while closing the doors of our homes? How often do we pray for those who are far from God? When was the last time we listened to the story of a person who needs to trust Christ as Savior? How long has it been since we’ve shared the gospel?

The church that seeks revitalization makes a greater effort to know people than to persuade them to join the church.

—“Multiplying Believers, Leaders, and Churches” by Clare Jewell, Spring 2024 Baptist Bulletin

If your church’s VBS consists mostly of kids who attend your church, is evangelism unimportant?

Even a VBS with mostly church kids should emphasize evangelism.

Any group of children in a church represents various stages of gospel understanding. Presenting the same truths kids hear week to week, but in a unique way through VBS, could be the glue that causes what they have learned elsewhere to stick.

And VBS may be the nudge that leads them to trust Christ as Savior.

—“Evangelizing Kids through VBS” by Joshua Mason, Spring 2024 Baptist Bulletin

Visit https://2024.rbpvbs.org

The heavens continually reveal knowledge of God’s attributes, power, and divine nature. And science is discovering what the Bible has said all along.

As amazing as the universe is, how much more amazing is our great God and Savior, who created all of it out of nothing! And what could surpass knowing our Creator as our Lord and Savior!

—“The Heavens Declare the Glory of God” by Thomas Patrick Arnold, Spring 2024 Baptist Bulletin

* * *

In this photo, the James Webb Space Telescope reveals a region of previously obscured stars. (photo by NASA)

Imagine standing underneath a tree and looking up at its trunk.

The branches are evenly distributed so the tree will grow straight and the leaves will receive the maximum amount of sunlight for food. Or perhaps the tree is bent and its branches are uneven, the tree stretching to reach more sunlight.

That tree follows instructions that are packed into its DNA—a living blueprint for exactly how we are to be. That DNA could come only from an intelligent being with ability and a will: a designer, a creator—God.

—“From Small Talk to the Gospel” by Joel Willoughby of Brains and Bibles, Spring 2024 Baptist Bulletin

Discussing a person’s need for Christ is as opportune as seeing another human being. And our confidence can grow when we have a way to lead that discussion.

One way is by using the example of creation. Use creation to point to the Creator, then ultimately to the gospel.

After all, creation reveals the Creator.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Ps. 19:1, NIV).

—“From Small Talk to the Gospel” by Joel Willoughby of Brains and Bibles, Spring 2024 Baptist Bulletin

In this photo, Tim and Angela Little talk about the book they wrote together, Song of Songs for Singles.

“Churches need to reject the popular sentiment that the Song of Solomon is for married couples only,” Timothy writes in his Winter 2024 Baptist Bulletin article, “A Song for Married Ears Only?” Singles, young adults, and the children we rear and teach need to learn from the Song of Solomon.

He writes, “As I teach on the Song, individuals approach me, lamenting, ‘I wish I had been taught that information thirty years ago.’”

Our lives naturally orient themselves around the things we love. People who truly love God will see their thoughts, emotions, and actions moving in a Godward direction.

— Brandon James Crawford, “Though Dead, He Still Speaks: How Jonathan Edwards Can Help Churches Today,” Winter 2024 Baptist Bulletin

The occasion was an interview by Albert Mohler on his podcast, Thinking in Public, on August 23, 2023. He was interviewing Daniel Hummel, author of The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism.

While helpful in many ways, that book sees dispensationalism as a recent, harmful interpretive system that must be rejected.

Just weeks before that podcast interview, Discovering Dispensationalism was published, edited by Cory M. Marsh and James I. Fazio.

Discovering Dispensationalism is well worth every pastor’s reading.

Read a review of Discovering Dispensationalism at https://baptistbulletin.org/the-baptist-bulletin-magazine/discovering-dispensationalism.

A fellowship of churches is relevant and important when it

▪️ preaches Christ unashamedly,
▪️ speaks all God’s truths (especially the gospel) winsomely,
▪️ interprets the Bible grammatically, historically, and literally,
▪️ builds upon Scripture as sufficient for life and practice,
▪️ and assists churches to be healthy, disciple-making congregations.

And the need for such a fellowship is great!

—David E. Strope, “A Unified Voice for Biblical Truth,” Winter 2024 Baptist Bulletin

In this photo, Marcina Sims introduces Faith Baptist Church, Streetsboro, Ohio, to Hannah’s Home, where she is a counselor. Hannah’s Home offers shelter and resources for pregnant women.

Inviting Marcina to present this ministry is just one step Faith Baptist took to share the realities of abortion with its members.

“God is the creator of all things, and He is the one who specially made every child,” says Pastor J. A. Littler.

“As, armed with God’s truths, you wrestle against the world’s lies, never tire of holding forth both the truth of each child’s value and the gospel message of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.”

—“Saving Lives: God’s Truths amid Abortion’s Lies,” Winter 2024 Baptist Bulletin

When Bethany Baptist Church, Salem, Oregon, planted a church, Bethany’s greatest asset was not the funds it received to build the church, but rather its faith in a big God and His sovereign plan.

“Initially, a barrier was that we couldn’t afford to give away the core team leaders,” says Pastor Tim Baker. “We also knew that a number of church plants fail within the first couple of years.”

“Those kinds of apprehensions are fear based,” Tim says. “We just had to remind people that we believe God is in this and we’re going to do this by faith. We had to lean into faith.”

—“Moving a Ministry Forward: Planting a Church Doesn’t Happen by Accident,” Winter 2024 Baptist Bulletin

In his 50 years serving in missions, Bill Commons learned a few lessons that apply to anyone who wants to effectively share the gospel or make disciples.

One of those lessons is to have both a vision and patience.

“We need a bold vision but tempered with patience, content with small things, struggling in the trenches until God breaks through in His time and pours out His blessing.”

—“Lessons I Learned on the Mission Field,” Winter 2024 Baptist Bulletin

That cover makes us smile.

✉️ Coming soon: the Winter 2024 Baptist Bulletin.

On the cover are Casey and Kelly Lute. Casey is pastor of Peace Bible Church, Salem, Oregon. And no, that’s not their baby. But what is their baby is the church itself. Casey planted Peace Bible Church with the help of Bethany Baptist Church in Salem.

In this issue, Casey Lute and Tim Baker, pastor of Bethany Baptist, share the challenges and blessings of planting a church.

Subscribe at baptistbulletin.org/subscribe to receive The Baptist Bulletin in your mailbox or inbox or to give a gift subscription.

“How chaotic and unfruitful are churches where the truth of God is absent. But how blessed is the person, the church, and the fellowship that keeps God’s Word. May keeping God’s Word mark your life, your church, and our fellowship of churches.”

—David E. Strope, “Blessed Are Those Who Practice God’s Word,” Fall 2023 Baptist Bulletin

“God’s ways are not our ways. . . . As we trust in Him—our loving God, full of grace and mercy, whose ends are always for our good and His glory—He becomes our shield, and we can live with hope and joy.”

—Kurt Harding, “God’s Grace in the Midst of Suffering,” Fall 2023 Baptist Bulletin

“I am slowly understanding what it means to have joy in the midst of sorrow. . . . The anchor for my life is knowing that behind my suffering is a sovereign God who has purposed this path for me and who loves me. . . .

“I am not abandoned. I am not forgotten. I am right where God wants me.”

—Kurt Harding, “God’s Grace in the Midst of Suffering,” Fall 2023 Baptist Bulletin

In his book Fault Lines, Voddie Baucham Jr. “rightly defines critical social justice as a new religion that ‘stands in direct contradiction to the biblical worldview,’” says Andrés Reyes, writing in the Fall 2023 Baptist Bulletin.

Read a review of Fault Lines at https://baptistbulletin.org/highlight/book-review-fault-lines.

Reviewer Stan Lightfoot says, “Baucham is a voice of passion for the genuine, unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ amid a culture-driven lurch away from that gospel. His book will help the reader understand and respond to the issues God’s people face within evangelical Christianity.”

“I’ve discovered a simple but astounding truth. More people come to Christ when we witness rather than when we don’t. . . .

“As believers, churches, and an association, we are never more relevant to a lost and dying world than when we herald near and far the message of the gospel.”

—David E. Strope, “Relevant Near and Far,” Fall 2023 Baptist Bulletin

Some sermonic zingers from the 2023 GARBC Conference, meeting in Oregon June 26–29:

✔️“Many churches have ceased growing because we, the spiritual leaders of our churches, have ceased growing.”

✔️“Churches should not collect believers but train believers and leaders and send them out.”

✔️“You can never be too small for God to use but can be too big for God to use.”

✔️“Credentials may get you in the front door; character will keep you in the room.”

💯

“Reflections on the 2023 GARBC Conference,” Fall 2023 Baptist Bulletin

Fall is just around the corner. And so is the next issue of The Baptist Bulletin.

Subscribe at baptistbulletin.org/subscribe to receive The Baptist Bulletin in your mailbox or inbox.

"For anyone wondering if college scholarship programs are worth the hassle, look no further than Andrew Burman, a sophomore at Faith Baptist Bible College.

"His path—and his personal finances—might force him to work for a year after college, but his essential passion and calling are clear: 'I have no idea where yet—just whatever opens up, wherever God leads.'

"That’s what drew him to the GARBC Christian Character Scholarship program. The program identifies rising leaders who are serving Christ in their communities and churches and then supports them with a scholarship to a participating Christian college."

Read "The 'Incredible Blessing' of GARBC Scholarships" by Kevin Mungons. https://baptistbulletin.org/the-baptist-bulletin-magazine/the-incredible-blessing-of-garbc-scholarships

“It’s amazing how God can use us when we surrender our lives to the Lord,” says Mary Broeckert, M.D., in her book Present and Powerful: A Testimony of God’s Working in Medical Missions.

“Truly, He is God, present and powerful, and we can joyfully entrust our lives to Him.”

Read a recommendation of Present and Powerful at BaptistBulletin.org.

“When danger threatens, most people run the other way, but not first responders,” says Joshua Mason in the Summer 2023 Baptist Bulletin.

Through a project called Bibles Born for Battlefields, Elijah Schewe, a Regular Baptist chaplain, is providing durable, waterproof, compact Bibles for first responders. “God’s Word is a light in moments of darkness,” Elijah says.

To help provide Bibles for first responders, please give at RegularBaptistChaplaincy.org.

“Wherever they serve, Regular Baptist chaplains provide care in times of need, confidential counsel in times of uncertainty, and comfort in times of tragedy.

“Whether through accidents or illnesses, recovery or rehabilitation, or natural disasters or national emergencies, chaplains are a presence, offering prayer, the truth of Scripture, and the love of Christ.”

- Manning Brown, director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy https://RegularBaptistChaplaincy.org

“A Journey to Chaplaincy,” Summer 2023 Baptist Bulletin

On the cover of the Summer 2023 Baptist Bulletin, Ron Faith, a Regular Baptist chaplain, visits the airfield that serves McMurdo Station, a scientific research center, in Antarctica.

“Chaplains go places in our communities that pastors cannot reach,” Ron says. And for Ron, that meant going to Antarctica.

Wherever they serve, Regular Baptist chaplains “are a presence, offering prayer, the truth of Scripture, and the love of Christ,” says Manning Brown, director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy.

Chaplains provide “a listening ear to anyone—anytime, anywhere.”

Subscribe at baptistbulletin.org/subscribe to receive The Baptist Bulletin in your mailbox or inbox.

“In a world of broken promises and broken people, thankfully we can lean on the one true and living God, who delivers on His promises no matter the circumstances.”

—Jonathan K. Corrado, “God Perfectly Keeps His Promises,” Spring 2023 Baptist Bulletin

This summer, students in Regular Baptist Press Vacation Bible School programs will learn that God kept His promise to bless the world through Abraham, making salvation available to all. Students will discover how they can, by faith, follow God’s big plan for them today.

Visit rbpVBS.org to explore “Stompers and Chompers: Building Dino-Sized Faith in God’s Big Plan.”

The “post-quarantine era is an opportunity to make the necessary positive changes to move our churches forward,” Thom Rainer says in The Post-Quarantine Church (Tyndale, 2020). “We can’t continue to ‘do church’ the way we’ve always done it and expect Great Commission results.”

Read Greg Linscott’s recommendation of The Post-Quarantine Church at https://baptistbulletin.org/highlight/book-review-the-post-quarantine-church.

“Though the message in God’s Word remains constant, the method of presenting it should not. The church has the challenge of communicating the life-changing message of the gospel in the context of an ever-changing world.

“It’s vital that we capitalize on the use of technology in ministry in ways that glorify God and that communicate the timeless truths of His message of salvation to this digital culture.”

—Brian Richard, “Church in the Digital Age,” Spring 2023 Baptist Bulletin