The Elders of OBC met for their regular monthly meeting on March 18 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting began with Pastor Pat leading the elders in a time of prayer. It was thrilling to be able to go to the Lord who is our gracious Savior God, who listens and leads us as we pray. Pastor Pat prayed for continued Christian relationships between the body of Christ, the various spiritual and material needs of the body, our continued reliance on the Holy Spirit, and finally he thanked the Lord for our joy and the wisdom we find in Christ.

Dan Perina read the London Baptist Confession of 1689, Article 31, “Of the State of Men after Death, and the Resurrection of the Dead.” The Bible is so clear on the destiny of both soul and body of all upon death. Those who trust in Christ alone will be received in paradise after death and their bodies will be glorified on the last day. Those who reject Christ alone will be cast into hell, where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved for judgment day and their bodies will be raised to dishonor.

Dave Guthrie discussed the Giving & Attendance Report from February. The monthly general offering total was $78,262 against a budget of $79,097. Our total actuals vs. budget for the year remain strong. We are praising the Lord for our continued sacrificial giving as we continue into the spring months knowing that our Lord knows our needs and that He will meet them.

Please continue to pray for strong giving as we strive to reach our budget for the year. The next three months are crucial in that endeavor. Attendance has also been encouraging as the numbers continue to increase from February to March. Please continue to pray for many to hear the great proclamation of the gospel, many even for the first time. May God add many to His church body in these coming days.

Pastor Pat discussed the possibility that Johnny Gravino (a missionary to Rome) will come to OBC this spring to preach and meet the body here. He is currently in the U.S. and is looking for possible financial support. Please pray for his potential visit in the month of April.

Pastor Pat also led a discussion of the upcoming graduation of Aaron Sasane. Aaron and Abi and their two children Jonny and Sophia, will return to India after Aaron’s graduation from Seminary in California this May. Their move will be very expensive: flight tickets, shipping belongings, car downpayment, security deposit for rental apartment, furniture, appliances, temporary housing, and finally a missionary administration fee. 

Please pray for these needs to be met as Aaron’s graduation is scheduled at the end of May! Also, after his return to India to pastor a local church, he will need financial support of $3,700 monthly. God has been so good to provide a great biblical education for Aaron who has been faithful in his studies to carry out his gospel ministry. The elders are very encouraged. 

Finally, Pastor Pat updated us with his many writing projects. He has agreed to write several book endorsements, one of which is a book by Harrison Perkins, who will be a speaker at this year’s Pactum conference. He is publishing a small tome on the Ascension of Christ and has also signed a contract with a publisher to author a book on “Good Works.” 

Pastor Pat is going to be very busy in the days ahead. Please pray for him, that the fruit of these writing projects will ultimately strengthen the church. His current book, Active Obedience of Christ, has also been requested to be translated to Armenian. Exciting days!

The meeting closed at 8:15 pm. The next regularly scheduled elder meeting is planned for April 15.