The messengers to the 2015 GARBC Conference held their annual business meeting on June 30. “I come with such a full heart of gratitude for God’s grace,” national representative John Greening said. “In the 19 years that I have served in my role, this honestly has been one of the most exciting and stimulating—as well as exhausting—years.” This was a reference to the many initiatives undertaken at the Council of Eighteen’s direction during the 2014–2015 time frame. These initiatives included the relocation of the GARBC’s resource center from Schaumburg to Arlington Heights, Illinois (a herculean task by any assessment), significant ministry staff realignment, new rebranding and church-planting endeavors, and efforts to maximize the GARBC’s online presence.
Following Greening’s report, Michael Nolan, the GARBC’s CFO and treasurer, brought the annual financial report. This was a good year for the GARBC. As a result of many extraordinary happenings, including the sale of the Schaumburg property, an unexpected estate gift, and the dissolution of a church in Fremont, California, the association was able to pay off its mortgage and increase its assets significantly. Many of these incoming funds have already been earmarked for reinvestment in vital, local-church-based ministries, such as church planting and disaster relief efforts.
The Council of Eighteen recommended three resolutions to the voting messengers. These resolutions address the issues of discipleship, union with Christ, and same-sex marriage. After a brief discussion, the messengers approved all three resolutions.
Finally, the association voted to welcome three new churches into the fellowship: Grace Baptist Church of Mankato, Minnesota; Strait View Baptist Church of Port Angeles, Washington; and Iglesia Bautista Jesu Cristo Roca De Salvacion of Washington, Indiana.
