Winter 2016 raises up His men in Cuba By Don Lindblad The year was 1989. Cuban pastor Daniel Perez was living in Kingston, Jamaica with his family. He was enrolled in the Caribbean Graduate School of to complete a master’s degree. Previously, he earned a bachelors’ degree from the seminary affiliated with the Evangelical Convention of Cuba: Los Pinos Nuevos (LPN). This influential evangelical convention of churches saw this gifted young man as a prospective leader, either in administration or teaching in the seminary. With this in mind, the board sent him to Kingston to equip him for such a role. Daniel is a serious student and a voracious reader, so in the course of his studies he encountered Calvinism and books published by the Banner of Truth Trust. Hoping to obtain literature from Banner, he wrote to the American office in Carlisle, Pa. Providentially, the manager was Jim Eshelman, also an elder of Grace In Havana, Cuba, from left, Jatniel Perez visits with Pastor Vladimir Mayo, wife Mariela, Baptist Church in Carlisle. This church had and daughters Keila and Cheila. been instrumental in establishing Reformed RBMS-serviced national pastor, Oscar Subsequently, Daniel was able to attend Baptist Mission Services (RBMS) in 1985. Bloise, in Kingston, and was delighted to a Banner of Truth Ministers Conference, As Jim gathered literature to send this discover that the school Daniel attended which reinforced new convictions. inquisitive brother, he also shared Daniel’s was just a block from the church building! Following his graduation, Daniel letter with David Straub, coordinator of Contact was made, a friendship was RBMS. Shortly thereafter, David visited formed, and regular correspondence ensued. See Cuba, page 11 Inside: Commentary: A theology of missions. Words of wisdom from Stay Put! PAGE 3 PAGE 4 the past. PAGE 14 ARBCA Update ARBCA Update Vol. 33, No. 1 n Winter 2016

Phone: (717) 249-7473 Fax: (717) 258-0614 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.arbca.com Editor: Scott Swanson E-mail: [email protected] Circulation: Circulation requests may be sent by e-mail to [email protected] or to the address below. Contributions to defray the costs may be sent to ARBCA Update, P.O. Box 289, Carlisle, PA 17013.

The Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of Grace Community Church, Topsham, ME America is a nonprofit organization registered in the Grace Covenant Baptist Church, Willis, TX Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The purpose of Grace Covenant Church, Gilbert, AZ this association is to advance Christ’s kingdom by Grace Covenant Church, Olmstead Township, OH providing a fellowship in which churches of common Grace Fellowship Church, Dover, DE confession may find mutual encouragement, assis- Grace Reformed Baptist Church, East Haven, CT tance, edification, and counsel, and may participate in cooperative efforts such as home missions, foreign Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Elkader, IA missions, ministerial training and publications — all of Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Owensboro, KY which are often beyond the scope of one local church. Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Palmdale, CA Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Placerville, CA Administrative Council Officers Grace Reformed Baptist Church, Rockford, IL Pastor Douglas VanderMeulen, Chairman Heritage Baptist Church, Worcester, MA Pastor Ron Baines, Vice Chairman Heritage Baptist Church, Mansfield, TX Pastor Brandon Smith, Secretary Heritage Baptist Church, Shreveport, LA Pastor Jeff Oliver, Treasurer Hope Reformed Baptist Church, Farmingville, NY ARBCA Coordinator: John Giarrizzo Hope Reformed Baptist Church, Tinley Park, IL Mariposa Reformed Baptist Church, Mariposa, CA Member Churches Miller Valley Baptist Church, Prescott, AZ Austin Square Baptist Church, Lynn, MA Pioneer Valley Baptist Church, Chicopee, MA Berean Baptist Church, Powder Springs, GA Port Cities Reformed Baptist Church, Lewiston, ID Centinela Baptist Church, Lawndale, CA Portico Church, Orange, CA Christ Reformed Baptist Church, Vista, CA Providence Baptist Church, Walkersville, MD Community Baptist Church, Fargo, ND Providence R.B.C., University Place, WA Cornerstone Fellowship, Newburgh, IN Redeemer Baptist Church, Macon, GA Elm Street Baptist Church, Sweet Home, OR Redeemer Reformed Baptist Church, Redlands, CA Emmanuel Baptist Church, Jesup, GA Redeeming Grace Baptist Church, Matthews, VA Emmanuel Reformed Baptist Church, Georgetown, TX Reformed Baptist Church of Kansas City, KS Faith Community Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX Reibers Reformed Baptist Church, Shermansdale, PA First Baptist Church, Clinton, LA Santa Teresa Baptist Church, Santa Teresa, NM Free Baptist Church of Limerick, ME Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Lenox, GA Free Grace Baptist Church, Bremerton, WA Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Ontario, CA Free Grace Baptist Church, Chilliwack, B.C., Canada Sycamore Baptist Church, East Moline, IL Free Grace Church, Lancaster, CA Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, LA Grace Baptist Church, Carlisle, PA Trinity Reformed Baptist Church, Jackson, GA Grace Baptist Church, Chambersburg, PA Trinity Reformed Baptist Church, La Mirada, CA Grace Baptist Church, Commerce, GA Trinity Reformed Baptist Church, Kirkland, WA Grace Baptist Church, Jackson, MS Tucson Reformed Baptist Church, Tucson, AZ Grace Baptist Church, Van, TX West Suffolk Baptist Church, Suffolk, VA ARBCA Update 3 Commentary: Stay Put!

...in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among greatest throw-away lines in literary history.”) They observed, whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding forth the word however, certain stars (as they thought) moved from their place of life... Phil. 2:15b-16a (ASV) night after night. They wandered among the others stars, and After having cautioned them against leaning too heavily so, they called them wanderers (planets >planavw, to wander upon him, but rather to work out their own salvation, trembling cp. Jude 13 (ajstevre" planh'tai). Were it not for the fixed stars because this was, after all, God’s work, Paul paints their position the five wanderers (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) and posture in the world. would have never been noticed. The simile (as stars) points to Here we have: the church’s principal contribution. It appears as stars do in the 1. The hostile atmosphere of this (a crooked and perverse sky, night-after-night, refusing to move. generation). Depravity is stagnant and unimaginative, twisted Stars, however fixed they may be, are of no value if they and pleated, cramped and distorted by “a labyrinth of various do not appear. Astronomers lament beclouded and light-polluted windings.” (Calvin) skies, and have recoined the children’s rhyme: “Twinkle, twinkle 2. The public interest of this (among whom you are seen as little star, How I wonder where you are...” lights) How does the church function in this miasma of culture? The same may be said of the church, sadly! 3. The stabilizing index of this (holding forth the word of Nowadays the church, if it appears at all (and we even life) The church fastens itself against drift and downgrade by celebrate its invisibility?), appears not as a star, but as a planet, attention to a fixed standard. wandering with its attention fixed upon the world rather than the The English translation, followed by the majority of word. The church, having lost its place, has lost its lustre, in fact comment (paper and pulpit), leaps to the conclusion that here its raison d’être. we have a prompt to evangelistic enterprise. We, they say, are n.b “The purpose of the church is not to save the world, to shine forth the word of life upon the sorry world in which we but to save God’s people from the world.” Hart & Muether live. Whatever value such a program may suggest, this is not the That being said, the hijacking of this text as an appeal for direction of the text. evangelistic enterprise is wrongheaded. (There are other places I draw your attention to four clarifying features: for that. This is not one of them.) 1. The verb’s mood (faivnesqe) is indicative, not imperative. The people of God are not here called upon to illuminate Not something to be done (prescriptive) but something to be the world but to fix their position as stars above it. What good (descriptive) —a matter of ontology, not obligation. this may do is secondary to the good that it is. The value of 2. The verb’s voice (faivnesqe) is passive (at least middle). stars is not their shining but their staying: their reputation for a That is, you appear —not, you shine (which would be active, stubborn refusal to move from their place night-after-night. The and would expect lavmpw >Matt. 5:16). Not a call to illuminate call here is to confessional stability. One fixed reality in a world the world, but to be seen in the . of generational flux. To navigate without wandering, the need is 3. The simile (wJ" fwsthvre") steers the thought. not another program, but a Polaris. Appearing, not as the sun (h{lio") does, but as stars (ajstevre") Heraclitus (d. 475 BC) lamented knowledge was impossible do. And kovsmo" here is the heavens: where stars live. in a world where everything moves (pavnta rJei'). Moment-by- This reduces the width of the simile. Spurgeon suggests stars moment that which was is no longer what it was. He reckoned reveal, guide, warn, and cheer. that without someone, or something, somewhere, which refused True, but this over-reaches Paul’s intention, which is simple, to move, knowledge was asleep dreaming an epistemological and moreover not burdened with modern astronomical advances. nightmare. And although Heraclitus did not know what that (Yes, the sun is a star.) might be, we do! There is Someone and there is something: the 4. The participle (ejpevconte") settles the question. immutable and impassible God of the Bible, and His church The action affirmed is not “holding forth”, but literallyfixing which appears, as stars do, fixed in the heavens, and anchored upon (of attention), or staying put (of position). A position fixed there by a word of life. The gospel is in the stars after all. by confessing a word of life (lovgon zwh'"). In a day when frenetic activity is celebrated over against ______plodding consistency— Stay put! I offer the paraphrase: Amidst a generation which tugs the church to wander after Resisting the wandering agenda of the world around you, be it— Stay put! seen, as the stars are, fixed in their position by an immoveable Against the evil that men do, here is the good we may do— standard. Stay put! ______Not to fix the world but to remain fixed above it. Stay put! Conclusion. The ancients were fascinated by the stars. And so are we. – Tom Lyon pastors Providence Reformed Baptist Church in (Malcolm Muggeridge opined Gen, 1:16b was “one of the University Place (Tacoma), Wash. 4 ARBCA Update Church Planting: A theology of church planting

By Dr. James M. Renihan applies this doctrine, calling people to by this fact. The central purpose of the Right living must always be based in repent and believe the Gospel. That which church must be the glory of God! Church right believing. God planned in eternity is accomplished in planters must bear this in mind, people Or, to say this in another way, history through Christ, and then must be must bear this in mind, it must be a topic of orthopraxy must be based in orthodoxy. applied to individuals through preaching. prayer (as in this very passage). This is our A correct church planting method must be God’s eternal purpose has progressively goal! rooted in sound theology. It will discipline revealed the mystery, right up to its present Our practice of church planting must our practice, teach us how to proceed, culmination. Originally, this was done take into account the reality of the Bible’s provide us with a framework for believing through families gathered into worshiping history, especially as it is centered in Jesus prayer, and assist us when we face blessing units, then through Abraham and the nation Christ. Eph. 1:15-23, 4:1-16. or trouble. descended from him, and finally in Christ. The Bible is really a book about Christ. We should begin with a definition But the goal is not simply evangelism— This is what our Lord taught his disciples of church planting. Here’s one: Church bringing individuals to faith—it is church on the evening of his resurrection (Luke planting is about bringing to birth, by planting. In verse 10, we read that the 24:25-27; 44-45). Jesus gave them a lesson the work of God’s Spirit, worshipping church is central to God’s purpose! in Old Testament theology! Let’s consider congregations. This perspective must be at the very this in three ways. That’s a fairly simple place to start. foundation of church planting. When The Bible is true history in all it We want and need to see the Lord do this, we seek to do this work, we are God’s says. When it speaks of creation, fall and and we must proceed intelligently. Let’s instruments in fulfilling his eternal purpose, redemption, it is trustworthy. The Old consider six theological principles from the and the churches planted are the result. Testament is the book of promise and book of Ephesians to guide our thinking preparation; the New testament is the book and our practice. Our practice of church planting must of fulfillment. All of the facts recorded Our practice of church planting must take into account the priority of God’s throughout its pages are true. take into account the doctrine of God’s plan glory. Eph. 3:14-21. The Bible is not just a book about past and purpose, Eph. 3:1-13. What is the goal of God’s eternal history, for it speaks to the present as well. At the end of chapter 2, Paul emphasizes purpose? It is to glorify himself. As Paul Christ is now Lord, the new age has come the Lordship of Christ in the church, and contemplates this doctrine of the revelation in Christ. He is present with the church and the role of apostles and prophets in its of the mystery of Christ, he worships (v. he is to be proclaimed by the church. Our growth. This is followed by the words ‘for 14), and then he prays (v. 16-19) that these message must be totally Christ-centered. this reason’ he says that he has received a Christians would know all that there is to As present Lord of the church, he revelation about the mystery of Christ as know about Christ. Then, he expresses governs and directs it. We see this especially well as the means of revealing it. Three the purpose of it all: God’s glory in the in 4:1-16. There, Paul speaks to the unity facts are emphasized: church. “Now to him who is able to do and diversity in the church, All share It is God’s eternal purpose to save far more abundantly than all that we ask together the blessings of Christ and are a people from the Jews and the Gentiles. or think, according to the power at work to pursue Christ-likeness, but some serve This is the ordained result of the revelation within us, to him be glory in the church and in special capacities (Apostles, prophets, of the mystery. There will be a glorious in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, evangelists, pastors and teachers). This is bride presented to Christ according to the forever and ever (3:20-21 ESV).” Here is his will for us. covenant of salvation. doxology. God does these things, and he The importance of this principle may God’s eternal purpose includes the does them to bring glory to himself, in the be noted in two ways: 1. The only saving two-fold means, the history of salvation church, through every generation. message is ‘we preach Christ and him and the application of salvation in the This is the stated purpose of crucified.’ We proclaim the truth of the life of each individual. The story of the God—to bring worshippers to himself— Word of God, for in it is life. 2. We preach Bible is simple. After the Fall of Adam men and women who will know him in all and follow Christ who is ascended. He is and Eve, God promised that a redeemer of his beauty and majesty, who will be able now Lord, and is present and active with would come and suffer, triumphing over to comprehend the amazing love of God the Church. the Evil One. The main theme of the rest in Christ, who will be filled with all the Our practice of church planting of the Old Testament is the expectation of fullness of God. must take into account the reality of the the fulfillment of this promise, culminating This is a fundamentally important sovereignty of God’s grace. Eph. 2:1-18. in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus principle with tremendous implications, so Christ. The New Testament explains and much so that everything must be governed See Theology, page 10 ARBCA Update 5 RBMS missions around the world

Greetings in the name of the Lord, who continues to be kind toward us as we wait for our visa to be approved. The Beardmores Allen successfully passed his skills assessment requirement and was able to Allen, Katie, Ethan, Abigail, Logan, Thomas formally lodge an expression of interest 9494 Bank St. Ext. with the Australian government. This past week we received word that Clinton, LA 80844 the EOI was accepted, so after a long wait we have finally advanced to the last step of AUSTRALIA the process which involves actually sending in our visa approval paperwork. Lord willing, this will be lodged by Jan. 18, which means that we will probably hear back sometime between March 18 and April 18. During the first weekend in February, Allen will travel once again to Perth and will preach four times on several areas of practical Christian living. Hopefully this will be the last time he travels without the family. Please pray that these messages will be well received and that they will provide further opportunity for private conversations about how believers ought to apply the law and the gospel to their daily lives. Please pray also for good health and stamina for Allen since he will be preaching at First Baptist the Sundays prior to and following his trip. This spring will be a time of transition for our family. Currently, our three oldest are being home schooled by Katie and Australian Meeting Place, Shenton Park Community Centre. usually they would finish by June. However, our plan this year is to continue this process through December. Louisiana State University to a group of The Lord has greatly blessed our church The Australian school year runs from young adults and college students. Allen with a good group of serious-minded young February to December, so this will allow has really enjoyed his time with these people and, unfortunately, our study of the us to have some continuity in the children’s young people but this semester had to step life of David will have to be cut short. We schooling rather than putting them into a away from this responsibility. Please pray did make it past Saul and Abner and got to school halfway through the year. for elder Mitch Axsom, whom some of you his coronation, though! Of course, with moving overseas there know from the Lakeshore project, since he Please thank the Lord that so many will be a built-in break for the kids, but we is the one taking over this work. churches have been so generous with hope to be able to pick up with their school In addition, Allen has had to give our support. A number of churches and work fairly soon after we arrive in Perth. up teaching the youth group on Sunday individuals within and without ARBCA Also, for the past 2½ years Allen has afternoons which is another pleasure he been preaching each Thursday night at will greatly miss. See Beardmores, page 8 6 ARBCA Update RBMS missions around the world

Year in, year out, our God remains the same as He keeps His Covenant faithfulness. The Perrons As we face the arrival of a new year, we can say with the psalmist: “I bow down Raymond and Diane toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your 6225 9e Ave, est, faithfulness, for you have exalted above Charlesbourg, QC all things your name and your word” (Ps 138:2). CANADA G1H 4A9 The last three months of the year brought sad news and good news. The sad news has been the closure of our Montreal Church that I planted 14 years ago. For different reasons, Pastor Daniel Durand left to join another association and the church closed down. The good news is that as that church was having its last service that Sunday, we had our first worship meeting as Église réformée baptiste de la Trinité in Montreal, the new church plant project that I started on Sept. 27. Thus far, we have an average attendance between 18 and 23 people. On Dec. 20 we had our Christmas dinner for our new church plant and 25 people participated. My colleague Denis Pepin shared the Word of God and we sang hymns Diane and another lady interpreted a song (see the picture). As I was starting this new church plant, I also taught a course at the Faculté de théologie évangélique in Montreal. I had 13 students for that course on anthropology. I have been invited to teach other courses as well, but for now I want to concentrate on our church plant. On Oct. 18, I had the privilege of visiting Diane Perron, right, and Pamela provide music. Free Baptist Church of Limerick, to preach on a Missionary Sunday. What a blessing of our radio station. afternoon. One of the pastors of that church it was for Diane and I to see again the During that same weekend we held a is collaborating with me in our church plant wonderful saints of Limerick and our dear ministerial meeting in St-Jérôme Church. in Montreal. brother Jack and his wife Becky. Brother We enjoyed the presence of Micaël Beaulieu, We are very thankful to pastor Marcel Jack was celebrating his 40th year as pastor who is acting as an intern in our church in Longchamps of our church in Rouyn- of this congregation. Acton Vale while he is also taking courses Noranda, who graciously offered us to create In October, I also participated in the at Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. and to take care of a website for our Église book launch of our dear Pascal Denault. He In fact, we have three students taking classes réformée baptiste de la Trinité, our church wrote a good primer of the Solas in French at CBTS. plant in Montreal. I invite you to visit it at and the book is selling very well. For that In November, after preaching in our erbt.org occasion, we had a panel of discussion (see church plant in Montreal in the morning, I picture) that has been broadcasted on the air was invited to preach in another church that See Perrons, page 7 ARBCA Update 7 RBMS missions around the world

The last quarter of the 2015 was spent mostly in preparation for deployment. The Galyons During October I spent much of my James, time engaged not only in regular duties Sharon, Jameson, Jenna and Jonathan (i.e., unit visitation, counseling, preaching), 13 Mayo St. but also fulfilling the responsibilities of the deputy wing chaplain position. Hurlburt Field, FL 32544 This entailed a lot of administrative Chaplain, USAF duties, and helped provide some helpful preparation for my next assignment (whenever that may come, likely in 2017 an “ex-Christian/now-agnostic.” Lord willing, I’ll be able to see many of or 2018). He told me that one chaplain you in April at the General Assembly. Until I preached for most of the Sundays considered him a “homework project for then, please continue to pray for the men in October, teaching on the “Solas” of conversion,” which seemed to make him and women serving in Afghanistan. Thank the Reformation. It was well received even more antagonistic towards the faith. you for your support. May the Lord bless by the Chapel congregation, and I decided to take a much more laid-back you! several members commented that they approach, simply praying for him quietly were glad that it was a season blessed and continuing to build a relationship with with “strong biblical preaching.” him. In November, I completed training and Before he left for home I gave him, paperwork related to deployment, and at his request, a list of apologetic works to Perrons also spent time visiting with my units. The read. Please pray for Kevin’s salvation. From page 6 visitation seemed important to me because Since being here it seems that the I was informed that unit assignments would Lord has given me tremendous favor Here are some prayer requests: be changed in January. Knowing that I with the leadership. I thank you for your n The wherewithal of our church plant; would be deployed during the changeover, prayers toward that end, and ask that you n A couple from our church plant are I had to give a good-bye of sorts to folks would continue to pray in that direction. I planning to get married in August and have that I have grown near to over the past year. ask that you would also pray that I might asked me to do premarital counseling with Fortunately, by God’s kind providence, I was have opportunities to share the gospel with them; able to spend the week of Thanksgiving with individuals. In addition to this, please ask n For my safety, as I am traveling every my family. I am very grateful for that time. the Lord to strengthen the faith of believers week to Montreal (six hours return trip); I departed shortly after the holiday for in this place. n For my wife, as she often comes with Afghanistan. I work here with soldiers, Every day as I hear the Islamic me. I am most grateful for her support; sailors and airmen. The days are long, with call to prayer several times, I pray n For a couple in our church in Quebec the work hours ranging from 12 to 16 hours. for the people of this land and City as they are on the verge of splitting over Most work days last about 13 or 14 hours. thank God for His grace and mercy. a church issue. She is attending a Pentecostal That time is generally spent engaging When I return from deployment I will be the church with the three younger children and personnel, counseling, conducting pre- 1st Special Operations Group unit chaplain. he is attending our church with his two mission briefs, praying for flyers before I see God’s providence in that because I am oldest sons; missions, and leading Bible studies. now working with many individuals who n For Max, a 26-year-old man, married Right now I am taking a group through are part of that group. That means I’m with four children; he and his wife would Habakkuk. I preached on Christmas Day, building positive relationships with them like to serve in the ministry and they moved and will preach once a month until I leave before we get back and I’m introduced to to Quebec City was to become better (the Army controls the Chapel building/ everyone as the “new chaplain.” established in the Reformed Baptist Faith. worship services). I certainly miss my family, but I’m He is now working and also taking courses I have had several interesting glad that that the Lord has me here at this from CBTS; discussions with individuals, and have been time. Trusting in His wisdom, I have no n Our son Jonathan’s salvation. asked by two for mentorship/discipleship. I doubt He has me here at this point for His Thank you so much for your fellowship also got into an interesting discussion with own specific reasons. and prayers. 8 ARBCA Update RBMS missions around the world

We have seen slow progress in the two church plants in Bucaramanga and the The Lines one in San Gil. There have been and are complications, one of the most difficult Stan and Bev being some disagreements among some of the leaders. Calle 165, #54C-84 (E25) In the 40-year-old church in Curití, Bogotá however, there still has been no growth. The Christian School in Bogotá in December graduated 20 high-schoolers. We COLOMBIA already have enough students and teachers for the 2016 school year beginning the end justice into their own hands, seeing that the To God be the glory! This has come about of January. ends are accepted as justifying the means. largely in the past 20 years. Two seminaries Our greatest concern as always is for Not that all the injustices are on just function in Bogotá, one sponsored now by the work of God’s Spirit in our students for one side. Social and economic inequality, the seminary in Owensboro, Ky., and the faith in Christ. corruption, and idolatry mean problems other by Miami International Seminary. The nearly 4-year-old peace talks with the justice system and the health and Two function in Medellín. between the Revolutionary Armed Forces educational programs. All of these and some smaller efforts of Colombia guerrilla movement and the Colombia, like most if not all of Latin are under Colombian leadership, of course. Colombia government continue with the America (and the rest of the world), is in Reformed resources via Internet have been goal set for June for a national referendum dire straits, although not to the same extent greatly used of the Lord in furthering His to approve or not approve the agreement as many. work. that is supposedly soon to be signed. Efforts continue to prepare pastors Paul Washer of Heart Cry ministries Of course everybody wants to see the for the Reformed churches and for church is one of the most-often-mentioned initial 50-plus-year-old armed conflict come to an planting. contacts for pastors now professing the end, but there are serious concerns about It is very difficult to say just how many Reformed faith. the nature of some of the concessions made Reformed churches exist in Colombia. The Reformed literature continues to be to the leftist movement. count depends on the definition of what is very, very important. We pray that the good It seems also that the crimes committed a church and what is Reformed. In Bogotá, work begun may now be strengthened in over these many years may not receive let’s say there are between 15 and 25. And solid foundations of a Reformed mentality, adequate sentences, and this easily may in nearly every large city there is some all of Scripture for all of life for the glory serve to divide as well as to encourage Reformed witness and interest. of God in the preaching of the Gospel of others in the future in many areas to take That certainly is of great encouragement. grace.

Jon and the church members. specifically for our transition to Perth. Beardmores Their enthusiasm for the work in Perth Once we hear back from the Australian From page 5 was very encouraging and it has been government we hope to make a trip back comforting to know they will be praying for to Pennsylvania to visit family members have been consistent in their prayers for us us. Also, another church which is near by before leaving for Perth. and we greatly appreciate their fellowship. Clinton but not within our association has Allen will also try to do as much Already this year Allen was able to visit pledged to financially support the work. preaching as he can in Clinton before we Grace Fellowship Church in Bremen, Ind. The Lord has been very merciful in leave while Katie works to arrange for our whom many of you know is pastored by providing for our needs through unexpected furniture and other household items to be Jon Hueni. sources and we thank him for his kindness. shipped overseas. Please thank the Lord Although he was re-introduced to It is truly a blessing to see so many churches that the believers in Perth are eager to have snowy weather and reminded again why he working together in fulfilling Christ’s great us come and pray that Satan’s attempts does not live in the North, Allen experienced commission. a very warm time of fellowship with Pastor Finally, we would ask that you pray See Beardmores, page 9 ARBCA Update 9 RBMS missions around the world

In my last report I wrote of the ordinariness of our routine existence as a The Hugheses church. I concluded with the acknowledgment that, while we are thankful for the ordinary, Dafydd, Maria, Ajinkya and Anjali we cannot but hope for an extraordinary 33 Sutherland Crescent work of God. It is impossible for us to Palmerston North predict the ways of God, and yet in his sovereign providence, and in answer to the prayers of his people, the Lord has NEW ZEALAND graciously woven the extraordinary into the routine of the past four months or so. Now, with the new additions to our regular ARBCA GA, the Lord willing), Dafydd This extraordinary work of God has not congregation, we have found it necessary will be teaching once again at an annual been a sudden acceleration in our growth in to lease the vacant office space next door to Theological Studies Camp in Pune, India. knowledge and grace, nor has he added to our meeting room. He would very much value your prayers for our number new converts, and yet we do This has not enlarged the room itself, wisdom and self-discipline as he prepares trust that the work he has been doing exalts but it has enabled us to free up some space for these extra meetings in the midst of the and glorifies our Savior. and add some seating, while the tenancy usual routine of work, family and ministry. More specifically, the Lord has brought next door provides us with better kitchen Thinking of family, we would also two families into our congregation who and creche facilities, as well as room after very much value your prayers for us as have moved to the area from others parts the service for people to spread out, mingle parents as we seek to raise Ajinkya, 10, and of New Zealand and boosted the size of our and converse with one another. There is the Anjali, 8, in the fear and admonition of the congregation significantly: They share our added advantage that the two areas already Lord. Please pray particularly for Maria as theological convictions and are eager to had an connecting doorway that previous she bears the burden of home-educating the serve Christ in their lives and in his church. tenants had used. children. We would be grateful for our prayers that We are particularly thankful to the Lord the Lord would unite them to us in mutual for this provision as we had initially put in love and commitment. a lease offer nine months ago which was In addition to these two families, we rejected by the landlord at that time, but in have also had two retired couples in regular January 2016 the same offer was accepted: Beardmores attendance (and often the families of their God’s timing is perfect! From page 8 adult children also). They have encouraged Over the next few months Dafydd has a us through their presence, yet their reasons number of additional ministry commitments to disrupt our work will be overcome by for coming are not as positive as we would that will take up extra preparation time and, the power of Christ. We take comfort in like, and we are having to discuss their humanly speaking, add to the pressure of the fact that even when we forget Christ situation with the elders of the church in balancing service in the church with secular he does not cease to intercede for us and which they were formerly members. We work responsibilities and family priorities. protect us. It is possible to rest even while would value your prayers for wisdom and Each year our Fellowship of Churches we work because Christ has risen from the grace, so that the Lord is glorified in the organizes four training days (we call dead after finishing all the work his Father manner in which we handle this sensitive them Roving Classrooms as they are gave him to do. matter. hosted by different churches around the We trust that many lost souls in Perth These additions to our regular country) around four traditional branches will soon come to know that in Christ God congregation have necessitated some of theology: Exegetical, Systematic, is reconciling the world to himself and changes in our physical environment. We Historical and . Dafydd they will know the joy of receiving as a lease a space above shops on one of the main will be teaching the Practical Theology free gift the righteousness of Christ. As streets in the central city. Due to growth 12- day on the topic of hospitality on Saturday believers we have experienced these joys 14 months ago (two families who moved to March 19. on a daily basis and it is our desire to obey the area), in June 2015 we had pulled down Then, during the first week of the command, “freely you have received, a wall to enlarge our main meeting room. May (following his attendance at the freely give.” 10 ARBCA Update RBMS missions around the world

The last couple months of 2015 proved to be some of the most rewarding and The Stoleys challenging I’ve faced in quite a while. Joshua, Janet, Elisa, Caleb, Katelyn and Lukas In November I was selected to attend a five-week course for captains called Squadron Officer’s School. The course is 10932 Mt. Pendleton St. designed for mid-career captains and is Las Vegas, NV 89179 designed to instill foundational leadership and team building skills for officers. Chaplain, USAF While I was not initially excited about attending the course, the Lord most certainly blessed my experience and my doctor, radiology, and the like. Amazingly, our Lord used the situations allowed me to gain a new appreciation for As this was going on, the enemy really they called about to allow me to minister to all the opportunities the Air Force offers. began to use my physical ailments to cause people in crisis while I was experiencing I’ve often said that the military offers doubt, worry, and unhealthy amounts of significant issues of my own. the best leadership training in the world, anxiety. Yet, the Lord was gracious and his Those weeks saw one marriage and attending this course reminded me of timing was perfect. saved from divorce, one couple celebrate why that is true. At the exact same time I was going the arrival of their first-born son and the Not only did we have excellent this was going on, I was preparing for my Lord’s faithfulness in a difficult delivery, a academics to teach various theories and next DMin course which was on pastoral young man come to saving faith and begin principles, but almost daily we were given self-care and avoiding ministry burnout. attending church and reading the Bible for the opportunity to put those lessons in Many of the readings and assignments the first time in his life, and an extended to practice through various leadership- were focused on knowing one’s calling and family brought back to faith and prayer in building exercises. In the end, the lessons remaining faithful to that calling, trusting the midst of a life-changing family crisis. learned will be a great benefit as I continue the Lord even in the midst of difficulty. Certainly, these last few months have in ministry. These books and papers were able been physically, emotionally, and spiritually The greatest challenge of my time in to minister to me during a time when the challenging, yet the Lord’s goodness and SOS came during the last couple weeks enemy was causing doubt and worry. The faithfulness remains unchanging. when I suffered a herniation of the last two following couple of weeks of prayer and I am so grateful for the opportunities vertebra in my neck. assurance were among the most blessed He gives me to serve him and to share the The ensuing pain was, by far, the worst I’ve had in years. hope of the gospel to those in hopeless I’ve felt in my life, and it disqualified me While my physical and spiritual situations, and I am blessed to be a part of from participating in several of the capstone struggles were going on, ministry still a family of churches that regularly lifts my activities. While this was disappointing, continued. The very day I returned from family and I up in prayer. the real challenge came after I returned my five-week course my phone began to I’m excited about the opportunities home. ring with calls from various commanders God will bring in the new year and praying After returning home I was quickly and first sergeants asking for immediate that many more will be brought to saving scheduled all the needed appointments with help with several crises. faith.

of God’s grace, which was given me by the that our task is to represent God, bringing Theology working of his power. To me, though I am his good news to the lost. From page 4 the very least of all the saints, this grace God blesses the declaration about was given, to preach to the Gentiles the himself by imparting new life to sinners We may consider this in three ways. unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring (2:1-18). Though these sinners were dead God is consistently portrayed to us in to light for everyone what is the plan of (2:1-3), God makes them alive (2:4-5), and the Bible as one who seeks after people—we the mystery hidden for ages in God who he does this through preaching (v.17). What might consult many passages to demonstrate created all things” expresses this well. This a great blessing this is to preachers! We are this point. Eph. 3:7-9, “Of this gospel I is the point of being a herald, a preacher, See Theology, page 11 was made a minister according to the gift or an ambassador. We represent another, so ARBCA Update 11

To travel legally for ministry, worship service in Velasco, Holguin, site of Cuba permission is required both from the U.S. the church served by Daniel’s son Jatniel From page 1 and Cuban governments. The U.S. Treasury (pronounced “Hot-neal”). grants a religious license, and the Cuban This occasion was no exception. returned to Cuba with his family and took government issues a religious visa. The first two days were spent there, with up ministry in a prominent LPN church. For years, ARBCA had the American an LPN leader and good friend present, By 1997, Daniel had adopted The Baptist license but association pastors also needed giving legitimacy to this visit. It is always Confession of Faith of 1689 and concluded the religious visa from Cuba, which requires refreshing to be with faithful friends and that his future contribution to the kingdom government approval upon the application loving brethren. included establishing churches that were of a registered church. In 2007, the president The next week, Don taught the doctrine biblical, Reformed, and confessional. of LPN requested a religious visa from the of man to 16 incoming students in the Las In January of that year, he moved his Ministry of Justice for Don Lindblad. Tunas extension seminary. The following family to the village of Arroyon, near his It was granted, which led to repeated week, Don taught the doctrine of man and birthplace in Las Tunas province, to begin requests from LPN for Don and later others the doctrine of salvation to 18 students in a new ministry. In short order, he founded in our fellowship of churches to come the LPN master’s degree program. In both a house church, established a seminary, for ministry. Specifically, Don has been settings, the students were enthusiastic and began an association of churches. In invited by LPN to speak at summer youth and seemed to understand, if not embrace, December of the same year, David Straub conferences, to teach continuing education biblical and Reformed teaching. and Jim Adams first visited Daniel. courses for pastors, and more recently It should be noted that throughout Though David Straub was never able to lecture in two of the LPN seminaries. the years of ARBCA involvement in to return, succumbing too soon to brain Over the years, three RBMS/ARBCA Cuba, Daniel Perez, and now Jatniel, have cancer, Jim Adams and Bob Selph made coordinators and at least eight of our pastors translated for our men. Both are skilled several trips together over the next few or missionaries have travelled to Cuba for translators, and both earned university years. Without David’s leadership, contact ministry. degrees in English. As well, they have a with Cuba was infrequent, apart from This brings us to the present. Once theological education and are acquainted regular correspondence. In 2001, Daniel again, LPN leadership asked Don to teach with the necessary terms and concepts attended an ARBCA GA for the first time. in two of its seminaries during November for accurate translation in preaching and As a result, an invitation was extended once 2015. Trips often begin with ministry to the again for visitors. Reformed Baptist Association, a combined See Cuba, page 12

Theology make people Christ-like. Eph. 4:17-6:20. maturity. This is a lengthy section, but it may be Our practice of church planting must From page 10 summarized simply. take into account the reality of the ultimate Ministers are given by Christ to teach goal of God’s purpose, which is to glorify not doing the work of conversion, but God his people to be holy, to mortify and himself in his son. Eph. 1:1-14. is. What a tremendous encouragement! to walk in humble faith. The principle is The long sentence recoded in Eph. 1:3- For his own purposes, God may choose found in 4:17-24 (believers ought not to 14 is famous. Despite all of the words and to keep people in darkness. In 2:1-3, Paul live as they did in the past) and fleshed out ideas used, its message is simple: “Blessed reminds the Ephesian Christians that they in 4:25-6:20. be God.” All of the great truths recorded were brought to life by God, but there were The general categories of wholesome there turn back to one act, which is the many others around them who were left in speech, godly families, honest workers and worship of God. their own . Christian warfare are explored by Paul. Above all things, God is to be Sometimes, for his own reasons, the God’s purpose for the church worshipped for who he is, Father Son and Lord leaves people in their sins. We see this is that it be a society full of people who Holy Spirit, and for what he has done, in passages such as Isa. 6:9-13, John 12:37- are like their Savior, and this must be the namely redeemed his people in Jesus 41, Acts 16:6-7, 17:32-34 and 28:25-28. church planter’s goal. Christ. This ought to be a real comfort to us. He must strive to see growing Church planting is about bringing If a church is not planted, it does not mean conformity to Christ in every area of life. to birth, by the work of God’s Spirit, that we are failures, but may simply be that We must train Christians to be Christians: worshiping congregations. It’s not about it is not the Lord’s purpose to establish a good husbands and wives and parents, activism, or personal success, or empire congregation of his people there. good citizens, good workers, all by faith building. It’s about God. Our practice of church planting resisting the devil. These six principles ought to mold our must take into account the reality of the Church planters must make this a practice. May the Lord teach them to us, immediate purpose of God, which is to priority—bringing converts to a growing and work mightily for his own glory. 12 ARBCA Update

Cuba From page 11 teaching. Given the relentless graying of every generation and its implications for God’s people, ministers and members, the church must be thinking of the future preparation of pastors. This partly drove the establishment of our own Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies and LPN’s ministerial training program. This need is not lost on our Reformed Baptist friends in Cuba either. With hearty thanks to God, Jatniel Perez is having a profound influence for good throughout Cuba. While Daniel Perez is known throughout the island as a competent and faithful preacher of the Word of God, now Jatniel is beginning to share that role. Jatniel is also a gifted young man, with both exceptional preaching and administrative skills. In Consolacion del Sur in Pinar del Rio: From left, Don Lindblad, Pastor Frankis Martinez, He has big plans! In addition to the wife Yajneisy, daughter Ammi (feeling a little camera-shy) and Doug VanderMeulen. church he serves, he has begun a training center for pastors, and he anticipates Nunez of the Dominican Republic. Pinar del Rio, where Don preached to a beginning a seminary in the next two years. This is a new publication on the five Western Baptist Convention congregation His building used for public worship is solas and the five points. Copies were given (WBC has roots in the Southern Baptist more than adequate for both, and there is a to all who attended the conferences. Convention), where Frankis Abad serves large house next to the church suitable for Don was already present in Cuba, as pastor. This is a large congregation of lodging and feeding a number of students having taught for two weeks in the LPN several hundred. He, too, has come to the and pastors. seminaries. As planned, ARBCA pastor doctrines of grace and is eager to learn Jatniel’s church, Centro Biblico Doug VanderMeulen arrived in Havana more about the Reformed faith. Crecer (Center for Biblical Growth) in on Saturday, Nov. 28, in time for the first That evening, we three made our way Velasco, Holguin, is 20 minutes from his conference, held just outside of Havana in to Palmira, Cienfuegos, on the southern father. While it is part of the Reformed San Antonio de Los Banos, Artemisa, with coast to meet with Pastors Arindys Aguiar Baptist Association, it is also connected 36 pastors present. and Ramon Aviles, of another Western to the Independent Evangelical Church in As in all the conferences, Don Baptist Convention church. Placetas. preached three of the solas and Doug two. We arrived late but spent several hours This legal church has granted the Though their preparations were made encouraging these brothers and talked same to Jatniel’s congregation, meaning independently, it was a sign of God’s favor about cooperating together. This was an Jatniel can request religious visas from that the two often reinforced each other in encouraging visit. the government. This he has done their lectures. Jatniel accompanied them On Monday morning, we drove two successfully. throughout the trip. hours to Colon, Matanzas. There we held the With visas approved and coming, Jatniel In Havana, we were privileged to stay second conference on the five solas. About organized three conferences for November in the home of Pastor Vladimir Mayo and 130 men from five different denominations in different locations, selecting as theme, his family. Vladimir was trained at the LPN met to hear the Word. Alberto Marrero is “The Five Solas of the Reformation.” seminary and is starting a church in a very pastor of this LPN congregation and is very Jatniel also secured the right to needy area of the city. That evening, we sympathetic to the truths Don and Doug print in Cuba as many copies as needed toured Havana and ate dinner at a Chinese preached. He is a also a long-time friend of for free distribution, “Ensenanzas Que buffet! the Perez family. Transformaron El Mundo (Teachings That Sunday morning found us driving Transform the World)” by Dr. Miguel two hours to the west into the province of See Cuba, page 13 ARBCA Update 13

Cuba From page 12

A spirited Q&A followed that evening, resulting in much good. It was a seven-hour drive to our next venue, but we worked our way east and arrived safely at Vazquez, Las Tunas for the third and final conference. The LPN church building was more than adequate for the 136 pastors, seminary students, and Christian leaders who attended. Once again, enthusiasm ran high. This fine church is served by Amauri Cagide, who also is the assistant administrator of the LPN extension seminary in Las Tunas, where Don often teaches. It was good to be with this long-time friend once again, along with a number of the students Don has taught over the years. With one extra day before Don and Doug departed for home, Daniel and Jatniel took them for a day of sightseeing. The first In Palmira, Cienfuegos: From left, Doug VanderMeulen, Pastor Ramon, Pastor Arindys and stop was Biran, Holguin. Don Lindblad. Fidel Castro was born here on the estate his father owned. Many of the in June and another in October, plus two original structures have been rebuilt, and it more in 2017. In addition, he hopes to see a has become a tourist stop for Cubans and seminary established by 2018. foreigners. Our guide did an excellent job It is through regular invitations by the of giving us a tour. Cuban church, the generous permission The family photographs themselves of the Cuban government, and ultimately were worth the visit. the kind providence of God that ARBCA Then it was off to Santiago, “Cuba’s continues to have occasions to serve the Second City.” Santiago sits on the southern Cuban people. We can be thankful for coast and is truly beautiful. It is a city rich this great privilege to visit a neighboring in history, which we were able to explore country with gospel truth. for several hours. This day made for a Thanks are due to ARBCA churches perfect end to an amazing and profitable for the generous support of regular special April 26-28 trip of ministry. projects that make these trips possible. Grace Reformed The year is 2016. Time marches on, and Without the help of sister churches, these much has changed since that early contact trips could not take place. The faithfulness Baptist Church with Daniel Perez in 1989. Yet, much is the of God’s people in prayer is certainly Rockford, Illinois same. RBMS and ARBCA churches still a factor in this positive report of God’s maintain a friendship with this dear brother. blessing. The connection remains strong as ever, and Let us pray together and continue the prospects for ministry are greater than to work together in support of the great “The Works ever. opportunity afforded our association. Jatniel’s legal status allows us freedom Clearly, our association has a past, for ministry. Through Jatniel, the number present, and hopefully, a future interest in of Christ” of contacts and opportunities grow daily. cooperating with dear brethren in Cuba. Men from all over the island contact him For info and to register: regularly for help. – Don Lindblad pastors Trinity http://www.reformed baptist. Jatniel already has two similar trips Reformed Baptist Church in Kirkland, net/arbcaga/reg istration.htm scheduled for ARBCA men in 2016, one Wash. 14 ARBCA Update In The Books: Series features riches from past

By Steve Martin – both his greatness and his Our Christian lives weaknesses. would be nothing like they n Fred Sanders – are today, not as rich, not as “Wesley on the Christian full, not as knowledgeable, Life: The Heart Renewed not as strong were it not for in Love” the faithful men and women Yes, even the great of the past who walked with Wesleyan Arminian, John Christ and left us a deposit Wesley himself, has a great of truth. amount to teach us if we Christ promised never can humble ourselves to to leave His church nor learn from him. leave them to themselves. n Tony Reinke – Even during the so-called “Newton on the Christian “Dark Ages” of 500-1500, Life: To Live is Christ” Augustine, Ambrose, The great sinner and Hillary of Poitiers, Bernard slave-ship captain became, of Clairvaux and Thomas by grace, a pastor to pastors Aquinas graced the in showing them Christ. An medieval church with outstanding book by an godliness and helpful writings. outstanding pastor to pastors. Some might wrongly think that Luther and Calvin and the n Fred Zaspel – “Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in other Reformers threw out the early and medieval church with the Light of the Gospel” Roman Catholic bath water. Nothing could be further from the The pride of Princeton is seen in his greatness and goodness. truth. They swallowed the meat of the earlier giants while spitting n John Bolt – “Bavinck on the Christian Life: Following out the bones of their predecessors and peers in the Catholic church. Jesus in Faithful Service” One has only to read the Name Index of Calvin’s or Luther’s or The greatest of the Dutch Reformed theologians is on display other major Reformers works to see how reliant each Reformer for us to appreciate and learn from. If you appreciate Berkhof, then was on the leading lights of church history. you will love Bavinck, his mentor and role model. Crossway Books has done the Christian world an immense n Stephen Nichols – “Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life: favor with its new series featuring past giants teaching on the From the Cross, From the World” Christian life. I have been dipping and sampling and working my What does a man fleeing the Nazis and liberalism have to teach way through the ones in print so far and they are fantastic. us? You may have heard about Bonhoeffer and his opposition to Crossways’ ‘Theologians of the Christian Life’ series Hitler. Learn the rest of the story. n Carl Trueman – “Luther on the Christian Life: Cross n William Edga – “Schaeffer on the Christian Life: and Freedom” Counter-cultural Spirituality” Learn how Luther thought and acted and how much we owe to See why so many owe him they spiritual lives and their him. Carl Trueman opens up Luther for Reformed Christians. intellectual health. See how he helped the 20th-century church to n Mike Horton – “Calvin on the Christian Life: Glorifying see with new eyes. and Enjoying God Forever” n Sam Storms – “Packer on the Christian Life: Knowing A great man of God whose legacy goes on and on. Horton is a God in Christ; Walking by the Spirit” great synthesizer of Calvin and shows us his theology in the right A humble giant who is one of God’s greatest gifts to the proportion and perspective. churches of the 20th and early 21st centuries. n Michael Barrett and Michael Haykin – “Owen on the n Gerald Bray – “Augustine on the Christian Life: Christian Life: Living For the Glory of God in Christ” Transformed by the Power of God” The greatest Puritan theologian and, arguably, the greatest The fifth-century giant upon whose shoulders most of western theologian England has ever produced. You may have heard Christendom stands! Bray gives us his life and teachings in a most pastors and theologians rave about Owen but have not read him. readable format. Or worse, you heard Owen was hard to read and left him alone. How edifying and mind-expanding they have each proven! This book will help you get over that. Pastors and elders, you will want them for your home and for n Dane Ortlund – “Edwards on the Christian Life: Alive your church library. But mostly for your heart! to the Beauty of God” – Retired pastor Steve Martin chairs the ARBCA Publications See why he was a great man who we can learn from still today Committee. ARBCA Update 15 Church Planting: Putting ‘missions’ into home missions

By Rob Cosby Reformed Baptists. When foreign missionaries are sent out, a question that is rarely To my knowledge, the church plant in Tucson is the first such asked, if ever, is “are there enough Christians in the community church plant by our association. When the parent church, Grace that you are going to for a core group to establish a new church?” Covenant Church of Gilbert, Ariz., approached me about planting We do not ask this question, because that is not the purpose a church in Tucson, we did not have a single contact there for a of foreign missions. Our core group. And at this point in time, there is only one couple that purpose is to establish is still with us that was churches where there part of the Bible study are none, to reach the we led before services unreached for Christ. were started. But, when we send But the Lord has out home missionaries, blessed the church plant. this is the typical first Though the work was question. They are slow and difficult for a typically sent to oversee couple of years, God has the planting of churches seen fit to plant a thriving where there is already a church in Tucson, a city core group in an area near that is one of the most an already established non-Christian cities in church. the entire nation. This process is not The Home Missions a bad thing, in and of Committee has asked itself. Part of the goal me to work on a more of home missions is to detailed strategy for be continually planting such church plants, and churches by starting from a base church and multiplying within a I will be working on that over the next few weeks and months. In given area. the limited space here, I would like to set forth a few things for us But within the context of home missions, it is important that to be thinking about as an association. we, as an association, begin to be more and more mindful of the Firstly, we need missionaries. To summarize Paul, how can need to plant churches where there are none. they hear unless someone is sent? We can have all the ideas we Several years ago my pastor at that time, John Giarrizzo, want about the need for church planting; but, if there are not men noted how many large metropolitan areas in the United States did raised up by God and sent forth from the churches, they are just not have a single confessionnal Reformed Baptist Church. ideas. Since that time, two of the cities that were mentioned have had Secondly, we need churches. We need churches who desire to Reformed Baptist Churches planted. Pastor John Yoder has planted plant other churches. Who will step out sacrificially to send men, the first confessionnal Reformed Baptist Church in the Chicago to support them, and to see that these churches get planted? We area, and I planted the first confessionnal Reformed Baptist Church need churches, who are willing to work together in groups of two, in Tucson, Ariz. But, there are still numerous regions and major three, or more, to sponsor a church plant. cities around our nation that do not have a confessionnal Reformed Thirdly, we must, as an association, recognize that, to plant Baptist Church. churches in this manner, our home missionaries are going to need One region that has been brought to my attention over the aggressive support. Since there will be no core group, they will past few weeks, by a member of our Tucson church, is southern need to be treated more as missionaries and less as pastors of small Florida. To our knowledge, there is not a single (English-speaking) churches. When we send missionaries overseas, we do not expect confessionnal Reformed Baptist Church in all of South Florida. them to support themselves when they get there and then establish This includes large metropolitan areas such as Miami, Orlando, the church in their free time. In the same manner, we need to make and Fort Lauderdale. sure that home missionaries, who are planting churches, are fully This is just one region, and there are many more around our supported. nation. While I do not desire, in any way, to discourage what has Lastly, but in reality over all, we need to be in prayer. May been the normal pattern of church planting, I do want to encourage we pray for the men, churches, and support, but also the cities that us, as an association, to begin to be more actively and strategically need churches, and the people who need to be reached. minded towards planting churches in areas where there are no – Rob Cosby is founding pastor of Tucson Reformed Baptist confessional Reformed Baptist Churches and no core groups of Church.