IFCA Church Extension Conference & Convention Kalamazoo

"Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo" is a slogan you often see in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is where we had our recent IFCA Church Extension Conference and Convention all last week. We began last Saturday, June 20th for our CE Conference at the Oakwood Bible Church about 15 minutes from the Radisson Hotel where we were staying. For those thinking we just struck it rich, we didn't. The IFCA always gets a great break on these higher class hotels where we can all be together for meals and meetings. The Church Extension Conference is an opportunity for Church Planters & Leadership to join for fellowship, challenge in the Word and updates by various Mission Agencies throughout the country. Our main speaker this year was Steve Wilt, President of Fellowship International Mission which assists local churches and missionaries to carry their ministries effectively. Our theme was "Be Encouraged." It is always a refreshing time to see what God is doing around the country in planting churches, revitalizing the struggling churches and encouraging the strong churches.
The IFCA Convention was held this year at the Raddison in downtown Kalamazoo. Due to a recent rain storm the main dining room was flooded so we had to eat in a couple different rooms throughout the week. Our main session opened Monday night with Dr. Les Loftquist, Executive Director, challenging us from Scripture on being sent to the world to proclaim the gospel. This is in correlation with our theme which is "Vision World." The purpose of Vision World is to enlist 100 churches in 2009 to pray intentionally that God would raise up international vocational missionary church planters from their number, resulting in identifying 100 new international workers from IFCA churches by June 2011. The main speaker this year was Dr. Robert Alderman, Minister-at-Large, and former pastor of Shenandoah Baptist Church in Roanoke, Virginia. We had a number of seminars we could attend, Ladies meetings, Men's Business meetings and fellowship times.

Bob was on the Nominating Committee again this year. The only difference was he was a nominee for a position on the Board of Directors; his name being one of the final six names. Unfortunately they only needed three and Bob wasn't one of them. However, our Executive Director of Northwest Independent Church Extension, Earl Brubaker was voted in this year as the President of IFCA International (he's the one smiling - or is it shock)? We're confident Earl will make a great President as he has a lot of wisdom, discernment and heart for God's leading in the IFCA. Next year's Convention is scheduled for Springfield, Illinois which was the stomping grounds of Abraham Lincoln.

Wenatchee Valley Bible Church & Stark's Visit

What a glorious and beautiful day for driving on Sunday morning for Central Washington. But then Katherine might say Bob would have no idea as he slept a good portion of the way. That was partly due to allergy medications and lack of sleep the night before. We arrived in Wenatchee about 10:00am and proceeded to our typical hangout - Starbucks, then over to Dan & Donna Bong who pastor Wenatchee Valley Bible Church. Services began in their home at 10:45am with Pastor Dan leading us in song. We had some announcements, reading & opening prayer by one of the young men in church and praise time with prayer requests. Bob was the main speaker for the morning and typically does a "sermon from the seat" message. There were about 9 adults and 2 children. Bob spoke from Daniel 3:16-18 on "Faithfulness in Times of Pressures to Do Wrong" from the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He concentrated on three marks: 1) The Mark of Unwavering Determination; by not giving into wrong even when it isn't popular, 2) The Mark of Unwavering Confidence; knowing God has the ability to deliver, but recognizing His plan might be different, and 3) The Mark of Unwavering Allegiance; understanding clearly what God's Word says and determining to do right regardless of the consequences. Following the service we had a wonderful time around the table eating a great pot roast meal provided by Katherine. Mike Jones, Child Evangelism Director and board member of WVBC joined us. At 2:30pm we had our WVBC Board meeting with discussion and prayer for the church and God's blessings in reaching the few ethnic folks in this ministry. We are truly thankful for Dan and Donna Bong ministering for God's glory. About 4:00pm we had dinner with our missionaries from the church at Rock Island Community Church. What a blessing Dennis & Lori Stark continue to be at their ministry. God continues to bless with a growing attendance. They are planning a Marriage Seminar this coming weekend using the Love and Respect Series. They are hoping for 10 couples. We continue to pray for Dennis who will be having a number of shots in his back for the pain.

Faith Bible Church Leadership/DuPont Bible Study

On Tuesday evening we had our monthly leadership meeting for Faith Bible Church. Bob sits on the team along with Dr. Roy Sprague, Minister at Large with N.I.C.E. and Chris VanLiew of Edgewood Bible Church. The other men are all involved in Faith Bible. The goal is to someday establish Elders from among the congregation. Pastor Tim Atkins leads us in a time in God's Word, prayer and discussion concerning aspects of ministry life, vision, goals, etc. of FBC. We always start with a delicious meal often created by Brenda Atikins and dessert provided by Elvia Sprague. Once the meeting begins the ladies head out for their Bible study at one of the women's house close by while the kids head up stairs to their rooms. We appreciate the ministry of the Atkins and ask for prayer as they continue to move forward in this church plant to reach the people of South Hill and Graham.

On another front, we were at the DuPont Bible Study Wednesday night for the second week in a row. A bit unusual for us but the calendar seems a bit more cooperative these days at the midweek point. Pastor Tim Atkins is leading us through the Gospel of John, but we always start with a couple songs; Brenda Atkins playing at the keyboard. There is a group of about a dozen or so that attend; although one of the faithful couples had their last night as they are getting more involved in the church they are attending in Olympia.

The goal is to turn the Bible study over to our new Church Planter, Mark and Tracy Wilson, once they move up from California in the late Fall. Mark will be working with Pastor Tim in a Church Residency Program for a year or so learning many aspects of Church Planting and giving help to Faith Bible Church. We are praying for a number of churches to help financially with the church plant and/or give assistance in a number of areas in the months ahead.

Wishkah Valley Community Church/Wagner Visit

Early morning coffee was the routine as we headed out Sunday morning for Wishkah Valley Community Church about 20 minutes north of Aberdeen. Of course the quiet hour of the morning is good for prayer together and chatting about family and ministry. Arriving in Aberdeen about 8:45am gave us the opportunity to stop for a "real" cup of coffee at Starbucks. After a short break we headed up to Wishkah for the 9:45am Worship Service; the first Sunday for the new summer schedule. It was great to see many familiar faces and greet some new folks. After a time of worship in song Pastor Jim led us in communion to celebrate the Lord's death, burial and resurrection. We sang a few more songs before Bob preached on "Living Holy & Godly in Light of the End Times" from 2 Peter 3:1-13. He stated seven facts raised by Peter and then spent some time on a major principle from verses 11-13, "Because the world will end in severe judgment by God, believers must live in such a way as to exemplify a holy and Godly life." He then developed two primary applications on Holy Conduct and Godliness.

Following the service time we viewed the newly finished Multi-Purpose Building which is lovely. It has a library, a few classrooms, bathrooms, kitchenette and a small multi-purpose area. We spent a couple minutes talking with Pastor Jim before heading out to lunch with a couple in the church. He needed to be at a funeral he was conducting in the afternoon and a baccalaureate at night so they were unable to host us this time.

On our way through Olympia we stopped at Denny's to meet John and Judy Wagner, retired missionaries with N.I.C.E. We had a great visit and enjoyed getting updated on what they are doing. They were a great asset for many years to George and Rita Williams and the Forks Bible Church. They have served in Alaska for many years and enjoy a trip now and then back to Fairbanks to visit their son and family who pastor a church and give oversight to a Christian school.

Then it was off to Faith Bible Church for their evening service at the Silver Creek Retirement Center and a time of fellowship and food at the Atikins home following.

Browning Wedding/Loomis C.C. Dedication

This weekend was another special time in our travels. Bob had the opportunity of conducting a wedding at Keyport Bible Church, along with Pastor Mike Chinn. Curt Browning was the Groom and Marilyn Curcio was the Bride. This was especially a blessing because Curt was one of Bob's Sunday School teachers growing up, as well as an elder while we pastored at Keyport Bible Church for many years. Bob and Curt have grown to have a special friendship over the years through various day hikes in the Olympic mountains, chats in the Pastor's Study, emails and still to this day they meet for breakfast whenever they get a chance. Rehearsal was Friday night with a small wedding party and a Saturday afternoon wedding in the main Sanctuary at 2pm and reception in the Multi-Purpose Building. It was also nice to visit with many of the folks we've known over the years.

Over the years Katherine has enjoyed being involved in the children's lives of various churches. Keyport Bible Church was one places she was adopted as "mom" by the Olsen daughters, Metasha and Melissa (Melissa is pictured on the right above).

Following the wedding we headed to Bainbridge Island and got on the Ferry for Seattle for our trip to Loomis. It was a beautiful day for a ferry ride, which Bob had given to Katherine as part of her birthday present. It has been a long time since we've had this type of opportunity.

We arrived in Loomis about 10:30pm and stayed with Pastor Vern and Ann, who were gracious enough to wait up for us. After spending some time in fellowship we all retired to bed knowing the Lord's Day would come soon with a full day.

After breakfast the next day we headed over for Sunday School. Loomis Community Church continues each Sunday with an Opening for all classes, which is something you don't find in many churches these days. Pastor Vern teaches the Adult Class and is currently working through Dispensationalism, Covenant/Reformed Theology and Hyper-Dispensationalism. It was a good class discussing various aspects of Covenant Theology and the distinction between Israel and the Church and the fact that God will bring Israel back into the land God promised in the future.

This was a momentous occasion for Loomis Community Church as they celebrated the addition of their new Sanctuary. What used to be the old Sanctuary is now the Foyer with a small library, a couple small tables and sink/counter top, plus room now to visit and fellowship (the addition is right of the steeple). Five of the older men were involved in the main process of building the church addition (pictured on the right below). There was a few moments to share a little gift with the men in appreciation.

We are pictured here with some of the folks who were part of the original church back in 1954, that met in a local school building (the gal below on the left in the back row was the wife of a former pastor). The Worship Service was longer than normal with various singing special's, testimonies and stories. Before preaching, Bob was asked by the church folks to honor, with some gifts, the Pastor and Board members for their guidance and spiritual help.

He then preached out of Nehemiah 12 and the Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem. His topic was "From Joyful Celebration to Faithful Ministry." He concentrated on four characteristics of dedication in the Lord's work which involves: An Act of Purification/Cleansing, A Time of Celebration, A Commitment to Ministry and A Submission of Obedience to the Word. He concluded as he started; that the dedication of the wall in Nehemiah's day had no meaning without the dedication of the people for God's glory. In reality, we dedicate ourselves first, and then we can rightly dedicate other things, such as church buildings & our homes for God's use.

We had beautiful weather, great fellowship, safety on the roads and time for plenty of conversation with each other. We continue to Praise God for the ministry of imparting our lives and God's Word to others.