The Executive Board of the Baptist Convention of Iowa (BCI) voted on April 6th at their regular Executive Board meeting to enter into a new partnership with Reach The Rest (RTR), a mission organization that focuses on reaching the most unreached people groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the partnership is to further extend the ministry of Iowa churches as they seek to obey the Great Commission.

Beginning May 1, 2019, Tim Lubinus, BCI’s executive director will give some of his time to RTR to develop its US operations and to coordinate some of its overseas ministries. RTR, which has grown rapidly in the last few years and is in need of additional leadership, reached out to Tim to consider a partnership. Tim and his wife, Darlene, formerly served with the International Mission Board (IMB) for sixteen years and will be able to put some of his missions and organizational experience back to work internationally.

Chris Eller

With funding from RTR to BCI for Tim’s time, the BCI will hire Chris Eller, currently Pastor of Small Groups at First Family Church in Ankeny, as BCI Associate Director beginning May 1, 2019. Chris has extensive experience in multiple BCI affiliated churches in Iowa and is gifted in ministry and organizational administration. For BCI, he will especially give his time toward leading ministries and events to support churches and their pastors as well as overseeing BCI’s ministry operations. Tim will remain responsible for BCI’s overall mission and ministries.

No other BCI staff changes are anticipated for this time. With enough funding to create the associate director position coming to BCI from RTR, the partnership will have little impact on BCI’s budget. This arrangement will be evaluated annually by BCI and RTR executive boards to make sure it is working for both organizations.

Todd Stiles, BCI executive board vice-president and pastor of First Family Church in Ankeny, said that this is a win-win for BCI and RTR. “Seeing Chris transition will be difficult for our church, but this kind of kingdom-minded collaboration is exactly what we need to meet the challenges of a lost world. This arrangement will allow both BCI and RTR to gain from Tim’s organizational strengths, and with Chris’ new position we will be able to continue to expand the support and trust of Iowa churches that we’ve gained over the last few years.”

Tim Lubinus believes that the addition of Chris Eller is exactly what BCI needs at this time. “After these past five years, we don’t need any more major changes; adding Chris to our staff team will help us focus on increasing the quality of everything we do.”

If you have questions or comments, contact BCI Executive Board president Jim Parker or Tim Lubinus.