SPECIAL BUSINESS MEETING

march 19 at 11:50 a.m.

Subsequent to the congregational presentations and the Special Business Meeting conducted on February 26, a Special Business Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at 11:50 a.m. following the 10:30 a.m. service. The purpose of the meeting will be votes to approve the call of Dan Johnson as Associate Pastor of Member Care and to approve the call of Jim West as Associate Pastor of Adult Disciple Making. The Elders are also recommending that Justin and Katie McCoy serving with the Navigators be approved as Global Partners. All members should plan to be in attendance for these important decisions in the life of our church body.

Congregational Presentation and Special Business Meeting February 26

Elder Retreat recap

The primary focus of the January 21 Elder retreat was discussion of near-term staffing solutions and longer-term staffing strategies. A presentation to the congregation with more details will be included in both AM services on February 26th. As part of the Sunday PM service on February 26 there will be a Special Business Meeting to provide members the opportunity to hear from internal pastoral candidates and ask questions. A subsequent Special Business Meeting will be held on the morning of March 19 to conduct a congregational vote.  Please be in prayer for the process, and that the decisions we make together will help us accomplish our mission to “multiply disciples who glorify God by going to all peoples, gathering in community, and growing in Christ.”

2023-2024 Nomination Information

2023-2024 Elder, Deacon & Treasurer Nomination INformation

Nomination forms for Elders, Deacons, and Treasurer will be emailed to CBC Members this week. If we do not have your email address on file, the information will be mailed to you. Completed forms must be returned by Sunday, March 5, and can be dropped off at the Welcome Center, or Church Office or placed in Sam Logan’s box in the mailroom. Please pray that godly men are nominated to serve as leaders in our church. Contact Anna or call the church office if you do not receive the nomination information or have any questions.

Sabbatical Announcement

Sabbatical Announcement - Note from the Elders

Pastor Justin McCoy has faithfully served our congregation for almost twelve years in several roles within our youth ministry. In preparation for his new role with the Navigators, we are offering him a sabbatical for the months of January, February, and March in accordance with the sabbatical policy for Pastors. During this time, please keep Pastor Justin and his family in your prayers, asking the Lord to continue to work in and through him, and to provide the necessary financial support needed. During this time any questions regarding Next Generation Ministries should be directed to Jake West or Hannah Haney.  

Update on Pastor Jeremy Willetts

Pastor Jeremy Willetts - Note from the Elders

It is with great joy and sadness that we say goodbye to Pastor Jeremy and his family as he leaves to become Senior Pastor at Southgate Baptist Church in Springfield, OH. We thank the Lord for Jeremy’s 16 years of faithful service to the body of Christ and his legacy of multi-generational ministry. Our youth, parents, and families have been impacted and blessed by his preaching, teaching, leadership, pastoral care, and example of a life fully devoted to the Lord and His Word. We trust and pray that the Lord will continue to use Jeremy and his family mightily in this next phase of ministry!

New Executive Director

Russ Smith - elder announcement

At their meeting in early October, the Elders approved Russ Smith as the next Executive Director replacing Mark Kehlenbeck, who is retiring.  Russ and his wife, Sandy, have one daughter, Corinne. He was saved in 2002 and started attending Calvary Bible Church in 2014. He has served in Men’s Ministry and LifeGroup Leadership, as well as a Deacon and Elder. Russ has extensive executive leadership experience and will now be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Church. Mark will continue to serve at Calvary, initially to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.

Informational Meeting

Informational meeting - Elder Announcement

On Sunday, September 25 during the evening service there is an informational meeting regarding the proposed amendment to the Constitution and Bylaws of Calvary Bible Church. The amendment has been recommended by the Elders so that our baptism requirements for Membership are consistent with our Statement of Faith.  The proposed changes will be presented in writing and be fully explained; there will also be an opportunity to ask questions. Although everyone is invited, we are especially encouraging all Members to attend. A quorum of the church Membership will be required on October 23 when we vote on the proposed amendment in the evening service, and it will be important for everyone to be fully informed of the changes and the reasons for them before they vote.  All Members, please plan to attend tonight and again on October 23. 

Sabbatical Announcement

Sabbatical Announcement - Note from the Elders

Pastor Jeremy has faithfully served our congregation for the past 15 years in several roles, but most dear to his heart is the family ministry. The Lord has been working through him to bless, encourage, and equip each of us in this ministry focus. We are now offering him a 3-month sabbatical through June, July, and August in accordance with the sabbatical policy for Pastors recently approved by the Elders. Jeremy will use this time to refresh and spend time with his family, research other family ministry programs, and attend a family ministry conference. He will also continue to refine the program he has initiated here at Calvary and develop ministry specific training. During this time, please keep Jeremy and his family in your prayers, asking the Lord to continue to work in and through him. We firmly believe this will be for the benefit and growth of Calvary Bible Church.

To the Congregation

Ukraine Crisis Response

Summary:

The Elders established a special project to create a three way partnership between local churches in Ukraine, Romania, and the USA whose goal is to meet the spiritual and physical needs of refugees and civilians who are suffering as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Guiding Principles:

• We will share the gospel (Mark 8:36): If we provide each suffering person with every provision in the world, but neglect their eternal soul, we will fail to love them as Christ commanded.

• We will prioritize the needs of believers (Gal. 6:10): While we are called to “do good to all,” our first responsibility is to meet the needs of fellow believers. Doing good “especially to those of the household of faith” strengthens our gospel witness, since the world will know us by our love for one another.

• We will follow Biblical standards of financial accountability (2 Cor. 8:20-21): While wartime circumstances often require creative methods, principles of wise stewardship and accountability must still be practiced.

• We will partner with local churches (Mat. 16:18): While we will gratefully utilize the vital assistance provided by parachurch missions, we will strive to work as closely and directly as possible with local churches on the ground who know specific needs and have a long-term presence in their community. 

Ministry Goals:

1. Share the gospel, and meet both the spiritual and physical needs of suffering civilians in the Odessa region. All Nations Bible Church is preparing a bomb shelter in the basement of the building they are renting. Since grocery-store infrastructure is breaking down, they will likely serve meals and become a distribution center for basic necessities. Most importantly they will share the gospel and minister to the spiritual needs of the local population. This strategy may also be expanded to other churches in the area. 

2. Share the gospel and assist refugees fleeing the violence into Romania. Ukrainian churches will connect refugees with the hospitality of local churches and believers in Romania who are willing to open their homes and facilities. Ukrainian believers will minister and assist refugees on their journey to the border. Romanian believers will meet them at the border and get them settled.

3. Encourage and equip believing refugees to implement an Acts 8:4 missionary strategy. Because of the persecution of Saul, “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” Our goal is to encourage believers who have been displaced by the violence to follow their example. We believe the refugee crisis will become a missions movement. What man intends for evil, God will use for good. 

 How To Participate

1. Sign up for prayer and financial need updates by emailing us at: ukraine@calvarybible.org

2. To donate to this special fund simply designate on your envelope or electronic gift “Ukraine Project Fund.”