September 2008 – Fellowship Link

Psalm 127:3-5; “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man: so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”

The above portion of Scripture has been a blessing to me as of late. Sandy and I recently arrived home from a long and bittersweet trip. We dropped both of our sons off at college and came home to the “empty-nest.” Our oldest son Jesse is a sophomore at BJU studying Residential Construction, and our youngest Dale is a freshman at PCC studying Piano Pedagogy. You don’t realize how involved you are in their lives until they are no longer around. The time has come for us to start letting them go out on their own and serve the Lord. I have a commentary on the Psalms called “Two Thousand Hours in the Psalms” by Dr. Marion McHull and he has this to say about this passage. “One of the things which God gives as His reward, and one of His richest blessings are children. For children are the heritage of Jehovah. Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man are son’s born in one’s youth. For when one gets older, they are needed, and the man to whom sons have been born in his youth has them when he needs them. And so, the psalmist ends, blessed is the man who has his quiver full of such arrows. He shall not be ashamed when he meets his enemies in the gates, for he shall be fully armed and prepared to resist their attacks.”

Let us all pray that our children will be the ones who meet the enemy at the gate. That they will make us happy and not cause us to be ashamed, and that they will be the ones who lead in our churches and fellowship in the difficult days that lie ahead.

Around the FFBC

Youth Rally

Don’t forget there will be a FFBC Youth Rally at the Robertsville Bible Church Saturday Sept. 27 from 1-5. Any questions please call (732) 536-5369

CD’s from Annual Conference

If you were unable to attend Annual Conference and would like a copy of the CD’s at no charge please contact me at: boyce@cleaninter.net

3^rd Annual FFBC Essay Contest

Results: ages 8-12 – 1^st Peter Green, 2^nd Emily Check ages 13-16 – 1^st Joseph Check, 2^nd Renee White.

The essays can be read at the FFBC Blog at www.ffbcblog.wordpress.com (Essays can be found here)

Prayer Time

It has been suggested that we in the FFBC would set aside Fridays at 12:00 Noon for a special time of praying for God to send revival to us: individually, as churches, and as a Fellowship. Also, if there are special prayer requests you would like to share, please email them to Pastor Gary Myers at myersbbc@epix.net by Thursday evening. He will then forward them to those who wish to participate in this special weekly time of prayer.

Prayer Requests

Please remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling with and recovering from cancer.

TSBC News

Work Retreat: Nov. 7-8

Chapel floor project, cut and split firewood, and winterizing

TSBC Cookbook

Submit a favorite recipe or two to Michelle Jenkins at michelle@tristatebiblecamp.org

2008 FFBC Annual Conference with Dr. Bruce McAllister

The Annual Conference of the Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches will be held August 4 – 7 at Tri-State Bible Camp in Montague, New Jersey.

Each year, Pastors and Delegates from the FFBC meet together at Tri-State Bible Camp for a time of fellowship, prayer, encouragement, spiritual challenge and to conduct the business of the Fellowship. The 2008 Annual Conference will feature Dr. Bruce McAllister as the main speaker for the week.

Dr. McAllister serves as the Director of Ministerial Training for Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina, where he has served for over 30 years. Dr. McAllister is a former church planter who wrote his dissertation on Church Planting (and also authored a subsequent Church Planting Manual). He has also written a practical guide for training young men in leadership entitled SONS and has directed the ministerial class at BJU for a number of years after serving as the assistant to Dr. Richard Rupp in the same capacity. Dr. McAllister is a Pastor to Pastors and is often called on for advice and encouragement by men in the ministry. (Dr. McAllister’s bio page at BJU.edu)

In addition to the preaching and workshops by Dr. McAllister, the FFBC Annual Conference also has morning times of prayer led by different men in the Fellowship, a Pastors – Delegates Softball Game, Children’s meetings for the young people, and great times of fellowship on the rocking chairs on the front porch of the Inn.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Tri-State Bible Camp at (973) 293-3522 or visit them online at www.tristatebiblecamp.org.

July 2008 LINK

From the President

“Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” Lamentations 1:12a  

Jeremiah was the prophet that God used just prior to and during Judah’s being taken captive by Babylon. God told Jeremiah that he was to speak all that God told him, but Israel would not listen (Jeremiah 7:21-28). The Scriptures tell us that this is how it was for a long time in Judah before they were taken captive (II Chronicles 36:14-21), lethargy and complacency had set in, which then led to great apostasy. What more could God do? The day of grace and mercy had ended, it was now the day of His wrath; “there was no remedy.”  

I believe that America is in the same situation that Judah was just before its captivity. What are we to do? What is to become of America now that lethargy and complacency has set in? What is to become of fundamentalism now that lethargy and complacency has set in? What is to become of our beloved fellowship now that lethargy and complacency has set in? What is to become of our churches now that lethargy and complacency has set is? What is to become of our families now that lethargy and complacency has set in? What is to become of our testimony now that lethargy and complacency has set in? 

Just examine the current state of:

1. Our country:

2. Our culture:

3. The church:

4. Our congregation:

5. Our children:

6. Our character:

7. Our conduct: 

Jeremiah was looking for someone who cared about what was going on around them, he was looking for compassion, but he found none. “Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.”

What are we to do when lethargy and complacency sets in? Is there no remedy? How do we respond to “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?” I believe that Lamentations 3:22-26 has the answer. Those who realize that the Lord is their portion will both hope and wait for Him. They realize that God has new mercies every morning! They realize God’s great faithfulness, even in these days of great apostasy. This is the remedy to lethargy and complacency. The only remedy is the Lord Jesus Christ. Calling on Him for salvation or revival; which is it in your life? We must get back to the cross.

Dan Boyce  

Around the FFBC

Prayer Time

It has been suggested that we in the FFBC would set aside Fridays at 12:00 Noon for a special time of praying for God to send revival to us: individually, as churches, and as a Fellowship. Also, if there are special prayer requests you would like to share, please email them to Pastor Gary Myers at myersbbc@epix.net by Thursday evening. He will then forward them to those who wish to participate in this special weekly time of prayer. 

Executive Committee

Please mark your calendars for our next Executive Committee meeting which will be at Tri-State Bible Camp on Monday August 4^th at 11 am. 

Annual Conference

This years Annual Conference will be Aug. 4-7. Our guest preacher for the week is Dr. Bruce McAllister from BJU. So please plan on attending and enjoying some great preaching and fellowship. If you need financial assistance please contact Dan Boyce. 

TSBC News

Summer Schedule

Teen Camp II:  July 14-19, Evangelist Todd Sivnksky

Junior Camp II:  July 21-26, Rev. Jonathan Eason

Family Camp:  July 27-Aug 2, Rev. Ron Whitehead

Annual Conference: Aug. 3-7

Dr. Bruce McAllister 

1 The FFBC LINK is sent electronically or by mail each month to the churches in the FFBC and some interested friends. Any news items should be forwarded to Dan Boyce at boyce@cleaninter.net by the end of the month.

FFBC Link – June 2008

From the President
Let me start by praising God for His hand of mercy upon our trip to the Philippines, it was very evident. Thank you all for your prayers. Let me give you a short update.

Our journey started on Thursday May 8. Missionary Bryan Bell, Pastor Ernie Brodie, Jr., Ken Preston, Libby Lewis, and I left JFK airport in NYC for Hong Kong. After a short layover we arrived in Manila on Friday evening. On Sunday we ministered in three fundamental Baptist churches in Metro Manila. On Monday we traveled by plane to the island of Bohol for the 3rd annual conference of “The Fellowship of the Great Commission Fundamental Bible Churches.” The theme of the conference was, “Will Jesus Find Us Watching.” Ernie, Bryan, and I were three of the conference speakers. After the conference Ernie and Ken flew back to Manila, and then home to the States. Bryan, Libby and I took a palm boat to Southern Leyte. We preached in churches and mission hospitals, traveled by motorcycles to mountain outreaches, and preached in the open air. From Leyte, Libby and Bryan returned to the States and I traveled to Manila where I taught a group of 7 pastors. I preached in a fundamental Baptist church my last Sunday there. I flew home on Monday May 26.

The Lord blessed our efforts; we saw souls saved, believers edified, and pastors encouraged. He kept us safe in all our travels and healthy in an environment that is very different from the USA.

Please be in prayer for our Filipino brethren. The need of good sound Bible and doctrinal teaching is great. Each year that I go I am humbled by their response to my teaching. It is truly a privilege to be used of the Lord in this capacity.
Dan Boyce

Around the FFBC

Essay Contest
For all churches of the FFBC
Children ages 8-12 and 13-16 are invited to participate in the FFBC essay contest
“How Do You Honor Your Parents (Exodus 20:12)?”
First and second place winners in each group will be awarded a $50 and $25 gift card accordingly.  Entries must be received July 7 to Chuck Green, 104 Masonville Rd,
Mt. Laurel, NJ  08054

Prayer Time
It has been suggested that we in the FFBC would set aside Fridays at 12:00 Noon for a special time of praying for God to send revival to us: individually, as churches, and as a Fellowship. Also, if there are special prayer requests you would like to share, please email them to Pastor Gary Myers at myersbbc@epix.net by Thursday evening. He will then forward them to those who wish to participate in this special weekly time of prayer.

Executive Committee
Please mark your calendars for our next Executive Committee meeting which will be at Tri-State Bible Camp on Monday August 4th at 11 am.

Annual Conference
This years Annual Conference will be Aug. 4-7. Our guest preacher for the week is Dr. Bruce McAllister from BJU. So please plan on attending and enjoying some great preaching and fellowship.

TSBC News
Chris informs me that summer staff is still needed. Please announce from your pulpits that if you are a high school or college student 16 years of age or older to please contact Brother Chris for an application.

Summer Schedule
Junior Camp I: June 30-July 5, Evangelist Seth Fergusen
Teen Camp I:  July 7-12, Evangelist Jim VanGelderen
Teen Camp II:  July 14-19, Evangelist Todd Sivnksky
Junior Camp II:  July 21-26, Rev. Jonathan Eason
Family Camp:  July 27-Aug 2, Rev. Ron Whitehead

The FFBC LINK is sent electronically or by mail each month to the churches in the FFBC and some interested friends. Any news items should be forwarded to Dan Boyce at boyce@cleaninter.net by the end of the month.
http://www.ffbcblog.wordpress.com

A .pdf version of this edition of The Fellowship Link is available HERE.

FFBC Link – April 2008

From the President

Why is it that so few Christians spend time in prayer? I mean long periods of prayer time. As the day draws closer to our Lord’s return the apostasy grows deeper and we all the more need communion with our Heavenly Father.

In his book Changed by Beholding Him, Newton C. Conant (a founding member of our Fellowship), has this to say about our Lord’s time spent in prayer:

“Why then did our Lord find it so necessary to spend so much time alone in prayer with His Father? May we suggest at least five reasons: 1. The need of such fellowship with the Father which only long periods of time could satisfy. 2. The need to learn complete dependence upon the Father and thus to place all things in the Father’s hands. 3. The need to replenish strength for His daily ministry in combat with the powers of darkness. 4. The need to get the very words from the Father which He would later speak that day. 5. The need for further light and instruction in God’s will.
“Are not these valid reasons for us also to spend much time daily in quietness and meditation in the presence of the Lord?”

Prayer Time
It has been suggested that we in the FFBC would set aside Fridays at 12:00 Noon for a special time of praying for God to send revival to us: individually, as churches, and as a Fellowship. Also, if there are special prayer requests you would like to share, please email them to Pastor Gary Myers at myersbbc@epix.net by Thursday evening. He will then forward them to those who wish to participate in this special weekly time of prayer.

Men’s Retreat
This year’s Men’s Retreat will be June 6-7. The speaker will be Dr. E. Allan Griffith. Get your registrations in early to ensure a spot. See the website of Tri-State Bible Camp and Conference Center for more details.
Executive Committee
Please mark your calendars for our next Executive Committee meeting which will be at Tri-State Bible Camp on Monday August 4th at 11 am.

Annual Conference
This years Annual Conference will be Aug. 4-7. Our quest preacher for the week is Dr. Bruce McAllister from BJU. He will be preaching during the evening services as well as giving 3 workshops on various topics. This years schedule will be a bit different from years past. So please plan on attending and enjoying some great preaching and fellowship.

TSBC News
Chris informs me that summer staff is still needed. Please announce from your pulpits that if you are a high school or college student 16 years of age or older to please contact Brother Chris for an application.

Report from the Rep – April 2008

Dr. Jim Berg in his book, Changed into His Image, writes, “We hear much today about the apathy of the church. No one is ever apathetic! Every man is passionate about something…Those who have influence for God are passionate about God. They love Him with heart, soul, mind and body!…Let us then put away our preoccupation with lesser things. The next generation must be tempted with God. They must see by our passionate, God-loving lives that He is good, and He is delightful, and that He is desirable to make one wise.” Let us be done with lesser things and consistently exemplify the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives and ministries. 

Dan Boyce and Ed Cotton met with the Interim Pastor and the only two church members of Grace Bible Church in Cassville on February 18.   Pray for God’s wisdom and will in this situation.

 

The Executive Committee of our Fellowship held a meeting on Friday, March 7, in Bethel Bible Baptist Church at 1 PM. Several committee members attended the funeral for Lewis Wilson in the morning at Bethel. Brother Wilson was Ardie Racite’s step-father and Steve Racite’s step-grandfather. May the God of all comfort sustain their family by His grace.

Following devotions and prayer, the committee received the Tri-State report presented by Director Chris Jenkins. Considerable time was given to discuss the camp/conference center and McCoy Manor. Faith George, who will graduate from PCC in May, will serve in the office this summer and on a part-time basis after the camp season. She will live in an apartment at McCoy Manor this fall in lieu of compensation for her work.

Several committees were appointed, mostly to prepare for our Annual Conference scheduled for August 4-7. It was a good meeting and most followed the meeting by attending the southern Tri-State Banquet at the YMCA after the meeting.

Dan Boyce and Ed Cotton met with the Interim Pastor and the only two church members of Grace Bible Church in Cassville on February 18.   Pray for God’s wisdom and will in this situation.

 

The Executive Committee of our Fellowship held a meeting on Friday, March 7, in Bethel Bible Baptist Church at 1 PM. Several committee members attended the funeral for Lewis Wilson in the morning at Bethel. Brother Wilson was Ardie Racite’s step-father and Steve Racite’s step-grandfather. May the God of all comfort sustain their family by His grace.

Following devotions and prayer, the committee received the Tri-State report presented by Director Chris Jenkins. Considerable time was given to discuss the camp/conference center and McCoy Manor. Faith George, who will graduate from PCC in May, will serve in the office this summer and on a part-time basis after the camp season. She will live in an apartment at McCoy Manor this fall in lieu of compensation for her work.

Several committees were appointed, mostly to prepare for our Annual Conference scheduled for August 4-7. It was a good meeting and most followed the meeting by attending the southern Tri-State Banquet at the YMCA after the meeting.

 

Link – January 2008

From the President

With our 25^th wedding anniversary right around the corner we have been looking at our wedding photo album. My what changes have taken place in 25 years! Also my attention has been drawn to Ephesians 5:21-33. I must be honest and say that I have not always lived up to these commands. Many times these verses are taken out of context and we men like to remind our wives about their needing to submit themselves to us (v 22). But men, do we love our wives even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (v25)? Do we love our wives as our own bodies (v28)? For the context of these verses we need to go back to verse 1 and be reminded that we need to be “followers of God.” We are also told in this chapter to watch how we walk. Notice verse 2, “walk in love”, verse 8, “walk as children of light”, and verse 15, “walk circumspectly” or very accurately and carefully. We need to “understand what the will of the Lord is” verse 17, and what is the will of the Lord? Verse 18 tells us to “be filled with the Spirit.” Therefore a married couple that is filled with the Spirit will naturally “Submit themselves one to another,” verse 21. This is impossible to do without the Spirit’s filling, we have all proved this. I am reminded of a message I heard at one of our sweetheart banquets here at PIBC. The preacher said the wife was to:

1. Submit in all (v 22)

2. Stand in awe (v 23, 33)

3. Study and aim (v 24)

While the husband was to:

1. Love (v 25, 28-29)

2. Lead (v 26)

3. Lift (v 27)

We are told in verse 32 that this is a great mystery. The Bible uses marriage as a picture of the relationship of Christ and His church. What kind of picture does the world see when it looks at your marriage?

Dan Boyce

 

Around the FFBC

Pine Island Bible Church

Dan and Sandy Boyce will be celebrating 25 years of marriage on Feb. 5. Pastor Gary Myers will be the guest preacher as the Boyces renew their vows during the Sunday service, Feb. 3^rd. A cake and coffee reception will follow.

If the church or pastor is celebrating a special year, please let me know.

NY Pastors

Some of our FFBC men from NY met in Jan. for a time of fellowship, food, prayer and challenge from the Word. It was a time of great encouragement and we have already seen some answers to prayer.

Executive Committee

 

Please mark your calendars for Friday March 7^th. Our Executive Committee meeting will be at Bethel Bible Baptist Church in Carneys Point, NJ. Officers will meet from 10-12 am, then lunch for the officers from 12-1 pm. The Executive Committee will meet from 1-5 pm (please note the time for those who need time off from work), and the South Jersey TSBC Banquet will be that evening in the Carneys Point area. I would encourage all our Executive Committee members to attend the TSBC Banquet as an encouragement to the TSBC staff. If you need overnight accommodations please contact Pastor Whitehead about staying in the mission house.

TSBC News

Chris informs me that summer staff is needed. Please announce from your pulpits that if you are a high school or college student 16 years of age or older to contact Chris for an application.

Couples Retreat

Also, get those registrations in for the Couples Retreat which will be February 8-9; this years speaker is Dr. Jim Binney.

Banquets

South Jersey TSBC Banquet

Friday, March 7

North Jersey TSBC Banquet

Friday, March 28

(location TSBC)

 The FFBC LINK is sent electronically or by mail each month to the churches in the FFBC and some interested friends. Any news items should be forwarded to Dan Boyce at boyce@cleaninter.net by the end of the month.

December 2007 Link

Around the FFBC

 

The Atlantic District held a Pastors and Wives’ Fellowship Dinner on December 11^{th at the Carriage House.}

 

Bill and Gloria Dougherty will be leaving for an around-the-world trip on Monday, Dec. 17th which will take them first to Papua New Guinea for a three week stay, then to Scotland where they will visit Lyn Meisky, before returning home.

 

Executive Committee

 

Please mark your calendars for Friday March 7th. Officers will meet from 10-12 am, then lunch from 12-1 pm. The Executive Committee will meet from 1-5 pm, and the South Jersey TSBC Banquet will be that evening. I will make you aware of the exact location at a later date.

 

TSBC News

 

Chris informs me that summer staff is needed. Please announce from your pulpits that if you are a high school or college student 16 years of age or older please contact Chris for an application.

 

Winter Weekends

Please get you registrations in soon as the winter weekends are filling up fast.

 

January 18-19 for grades 7-12 with Evang. Mark Kittrell

 

January 25-26 for grades 4-8 with Evang. Seth Ferguson

 

Couples Retreat

 

Also, get those registrations in for the Couples Retreat which will be February 8-9; this years speaker is Dr. Jim Binney.

 

BanquetsSouth Jersey TSBC Banquet

Friday, March 7

(location to be announced)

North Jersey TSBC Banquet

Friday, March 28

(location TSBC)

How Do You Honor God at Church – Amy’s Essay

Today we conclude posting the award winning essays from the FFBC Essay Contest on the topic “How Do You Honor God at Church”, today’s post was awarded first place in the 8-12 year old division and is from Any Kincaid of Hardingville Bible Church.

How I Honor God at Church

By Amy Kincaid

I honor God at church by singing hymns. The hymns remind me of what Jesus did for me and what He will do. In Ephesians 5:19 it says, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

I also honor God at church by helping others. God wants me to have a good testimony while I help others. In Isaiah 41:6 it says, “They helped everyone his neighbor; and everyone said to his brother, Be of good courage.”

Another way I honor God at church is by listening. When I listen, it shows that I care for what the Pastor has to say about God’s Word. When I listen, I learn what is right and what is wrong and how to honor God in all I do.

Praying is another way I honor God at church. Every time I pray, I thank God for what He has done for me. I also pray that I will understand what God wants me to learn in church that day.

When I read the Bible at church, I can honor God by looking at verses to help me understand what God wants me to know.

What I wear also honors God. I make sure that I look clean, neat, and my clothes are modest.

Being on time honors God. It shows that I care that I don’t miss any of the service.

I always try my best to honor God at church and in all that I do.

_________

We thank Emily, Amy, Michala, Joseph and all of the other young people who submitted essays for the FFBC Essay contest.  You all did a great job!

How Do You Honor God at Church – Emily’s Essay

We continue our posting of the award-winning essays from the children’s FFBC Essay contest with the essay by Emily Check of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.  Emily received second place in the 8-12 year old division.

How I Honour God in Church

How do I honour God in church? I can honour God in four ways: praying, singing, listening to the message, and reading God’s Word.

When we pray we need to focus on the Lord not other things around us. In Ephesians 6:18 it says, “Praying always with prayer and supplication in the spirit.” We honour God when we talk to Him.

When we sing we need to focus on what we are doing and saying. Ezra 3:11 says, “Gather together and praise him and give thanks unto the Lord because he is good.” We honour God when we call attention to who God is.

Also we need to listen to God’s Word. Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we ought to give more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip.” We honour God by showing how important His Word is when we listen.

We honour God by reading His Word and showing respect for it. I Peter 2:2 says, “As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow there by.” We honour God by reading His Word and respecting it.

These are four ways I honour God in church. I hope you do also.