On April 4th, the BCI Executive Board held their quarterly meeting via video chat to pray for ministry in Iowa and make critical decisions during these challenging times.

NEW EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS

There were two new Executive Board members present at the meeting. Pastor Dave Miller from Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa, has replaced John Tank as the Northwest Region Representative. Pastor Paul Miller of Cornerstone Community Church in Chariton, Iowa has joined the board as a representative of the Southeast Region, replacing Bob Allen who has joined BCI Staff.

COMMITMENT TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MINISTRY

During this current COVID-19 crisis there is a great deal of uncertainty about how churches and other non-profit organizations will fare in terms of revenue from gifts and offerings. There’s also related to that a concern about how the Baptist Convention of Iowa will fare in a few months time. In the midst of uncertainty, the Executive Board stepped out in faith with a decision to continue its financial commitments at previously established levels.

Executive Director Tim Lubinus said, “The BCI Executive Board decided to commit to giving our April, May, and June 2020 Cooperative Program funding at or above our 2019 levels, regardless of what funding comes in from our churches. We want to show continued commitment for reaching the world for Jesus Christ, to show support to our national SBC entities, and to encourage our churches to do the same thing.”

Additionally, the Board decided to continue with funding for the 2020-2021 Iowa Ministry Fund [https://bciowa.org/iowaministryfund/], which give financial grants to Community Transformation ministries that are doing gospel-centered ministry to individuals who have need in Iowa. However, the amount of the grants to be given to the selected ministries, typically $10,000 under normal circumstances, will be determined by the Executive Board in the fall. If you know of a gospel-centered serving ministry meeting needs in Iowa, they may apply to the Iowa Ministry Fund through the online form [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zCFOG3q4LCW6E2yOsOhXFoaQRBMNHqNBHwOLgOBJ1UQ/edit].

MOVING FORWARD IN FAITH

Although there are many uncertainties about how BCI and BCI churches will be affected by COVID-19, we are encouraged by the many opportunities that we’ve seen for the gospel to advance in unlikely places as a result of this pandemic. We can move forward together in faith because we serve a God who cares and who was not surprised by the current crisis we face.