Emmanuel Baptist Church is an independent Baptist church that is in fellowship with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches. We do not belong to a convention that has a hierarchy or endeavors to influence church matters, but a fellowship of churches that we voluntarily chose to identify with. We have found that we can clearly do some things as an association that we could not do individually; hence the need of the G.A.R.B.C.
The G.A.R.B.C. Fellowship is bound together by like convictions, spiritual values, shared goals and objectives. The structure and organization of the G.A.R.B.C. stresses and protects the autonomy of the local church. It is not possible for the association to exert its influence other than as the individual church recognizes. The reader is advised to secure and read the literature items 1-15 written and distributed by the G.A.R.B.C. Home Office. These are available in the tract rack or by contacting the church office.
The G.A.R.B.C. consists of close to 1,600 churches, and maintains a home office in Schaumburg, Illinois. Ministries of the G.A.R.B.C. operated out of the home office include:
1. Regular Baptist Press: Providing Sunday School, V.B.S. materials and books to over 6,000 churches nationwide. Regular Baptist Press has been operating since 1952.
2. The Baptist Bulletin: A monthly magazine dedicated to education, information and the general spiritual uplifting of the G.A.R.B.C. constituency.
3. The Baptist Builders Club: Gives financial grants of up to $10,000 to needy churches.
4. Gospel Literature Services: Supplies free literature to missionaries serving with G.A.R.B.C. approved mission agencies. In a given year, free literature is provided for missionaries in as many as 30 countries and 35 states.
5. A Chaplaincy Commission: Over 100 chaplains serving the needs of the military.
In addition to the previously mentioned ministries, the G.A.R.B.C. recognizes and approves five social agencies:
1. Baptist Childrens Home and Family Ministries: Provides both group homes and foster homes for children, unwed mother care, and family counseling and adoption. Headquartered in Valparaiso, Indiana, the Baptist Childrens Home and Family Ministries has service locations in Ankeny, Iowa; St. Louis, Michigan and Springfield, Ohio.
2. Baptists For Life: Is a prolife organization engaged in educational and direct action ministries. The main office is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan with many local chapters throughout the United States.
3. Michigan Christian Home Association: A Grand Rapids based home for senior citizens.
4. Regular Baptist Child Placement Agency: Based in Seattle, WA, this agency provides child care, foster home placement, adoptive ministries, care for unwed mothers and family counseling services.
5. Shepherds Baptist Ministries: Based in Union Grove, Wisconsin this is a ministry for the mentally retarded.
MISSION AGENCIES
- ASSOCIATION OF BAPTIST FOR WORLD EVANGELISM, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
- BAPTIST MID-MISSIONS, Cleveland, Ohio
- COMMITTEE ON MISSIONARY EVANGELISM, Grand Rapids, Michigan
- CONTINENTAL BAPTIST MISSION, Comstock Park, Michigan
- EVANGELICAL BAPTIST MISSIONS, Kokomo, Indiana
- BAPTIST CHURCH PLANTERS, Elyria, Ohio
All totaled, our missionary agencies serve 81 countries with over 2,600 missionaries.
It should be noted that the G.A.R.B.C. was originally set up so that it would own no agency, whether it be social, missionary or educational. These agencies are recognized as being true to the doctrinal position of the association and to their stated objective. In this way the churches and families of the G.A.R.B.C. can use and support these service agencies with confidence.
On a national level, the G.A.R.B.C. is administered by a Council of 18 members, 9 of whom are elected each year by the associational messengers that meet each year in June for the annual conference. The association also elects a National Representative, who oversees the administrative work of the association on a day to day basis, and travels widely to represent the interests and ministry of the association.
The uniqueness of the G.A.R.B.C. is in its origin. It was founded as a matter of Biblical principal, objecting to the modernism and excesses of conventionalism. Belief that the Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice has established a basis for convictions that in essence hold the association together. The churches, ministries and agencies have one unifying influence, the statement of faith that declares our purpose.
On the state and local level, G.A.R.B.C. churches work together to provide youth camps, retreats, regional and state conferences for the enrichment and edification of the churches, and provide a balanced youth ministry for the teens.
The G.A.R.B.C. does not feel that it is the only association that is right or doing a work for the Lord, but does feel that it has a Biblical mandate to exist and a vital ministry to fulfill. You are invited to join us in this exciting venture.