MINUTES OF THE
GLOBAL INDEPENDENT BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP

September 21, 2004
(MEETING AT HARVEST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALBANY, OREGON)

The meeting was called to order by Moderator Dick Webster at 2:30 pm. He called on Bro. Robert Lewis to open in prayer.

1] A report was given by Bro. Rich Farinella for the Global Independent Baptist Times. The paper is now on PDF format on the website. This will help foreign missionaries to have access to the paper. The paper could use additional monthly support. Bro. Farinella asked for articles from pastors and their wives. There were no questions for Bro. Farinella from the floor.

2] Bro. Turner is updating the GIBF directory. All in attendance were asked to check and fix their information on the printouts.

3] The minutes from the May 12, 2004 meeting were approved. Bro. Keith Shumate made the motion. The 2nd came from Bro. Terry Williams. The vote was unanimous.

4] Ballots for election of officers and GIBF missions committee were handed out. The official vote saw Bro. Kevin Folger elected as Moderator; Bro. Dennis Fountain as Vice Moderator; and Bro. Marshall Stevens as Secretary. The following six men were elected to serve on the GIBM committee: Mario Monette, Scott Naill, Keith Shumate, Bob Stevens, Russ Tyree and Ken Walters.

5] A report was given from the missions office. The Osters were currently in Indiana. Bro. Jesus Venegas was introduced as a GIBM missionary. He is sent out by the Calvary Baptist Church of Temecula, California. His pastor is Bro. William Rench. Bro. Venegas gave his testimony and passed out flyers. He said he had six brothers that were independent Baptists. He is a missionary to Morella, Mexico, where he has been for 19 months. There are 1.2 million people there with 97% being Catholic. He had to change from the previous missions board he was with. They wanted him to report a minimum of 100 salvations and 75 baptisms a month. In the switch he lost about $750 in monthly support. He also has a need of property. Bro. Webster encouraged the men to get behind the GIBM missionaries.

Bro. Webster shared the blessing of Bro. Robert Lewis joining the GIBM team. He is moving to Lewisville, Texas. He will represent the GIBF in his travels. He is taking up this project in addition to what he is already doing. Bro. Webster said that Bro. Lewis has strengths in areas where he has weaknesses. Bro. Lewis gave a testimony about this move. He will be working with the website and helping develop the identity.

Bro. Webster encouraged that directories come out of the missions office. The office needs support.

6] At this point in the meeting the newly elected officers and committee were announced. Bro. Folger was introduced and took over the meeting. He stated that leadership is influence. He believes in this movement. He would like names of state fellowship chairmen and would like to meet early or late in February to work out some plans. His desire is that this movement please the Lord.

7] Support for the missions office was raised. The following men promised these amounts for monthly support:

Lydick, Dan $25.00
Folger, Kevin $75.00
Tyree, Russ $25.00
Stevens, Bob $25.00
Lewis, Randy $100.00
Smith, TJ $25.00
Williams, Terry $25.00
Shumate, Keith $25.00
Walters, Ken $25.00
Venegas, Jesus $25.00
Montoro, Pete $25.00
Fountain, Dennis $25.00
Wilder, Rick $25.00
Farinella, Rich $25.00
Park, Benjamin $25.00
Brown, Dave $25.00
TOTAL $525.00

8] Bro. Bruce Turner invited the men to the Tampa meeting – February 21 – 23, 2005. On Thursday after the meeting there will be an opportunity to go deep sea fishing. On Friday there will be a golf tournament. At the meeting there will be a Legal Pitfall Seminar, a Music Seminar. Mrs. Grace Hardy will speak at the ladies meeting.

9] Bro. Sam Davison gave a report on Heartland Baptist Bible College. The enrollment is at 442 – down 3 from the previous year. They have had a good semester start. Many of the students took advantage of the 10% discount by paying off the semester up front. Bro. Ed Pearson is doing well – and is working on the Master’s Program. The school is working on excellence. The singing groups did a great job for the school this summer. Bro. R.B. Oulette was at the school teaching on the KJV. He is thankful for the support and encouragement.

The meeting was dismissed in prayer at 3:17 pm by Bro. Kevin Folger.

Respectfully submitted,

Pastor Marshall P. Stevens
GIBF Secretary

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