The elders met for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 15. Our morning began in the sweetness of prayer exalting Christ for His sufficiency and beseeching His grace for the many facets of gospel ministry. 

Our discussion for the morning opened with a review of the financial reports for the month of April. Average attendance was 419. We praise the Lord that so many were able to hear the riches of God’s grace in Christ through the preaching of the gospel.

We noted that general fund giving was $75,195 for the month against the April expenses of $53,781. We expressed thankfulness that we are only $18,000 under our budgeted income for the year.

Once again we are reminded that God is the provider and sustainer. The cross reminds us of our dependence upon God for everything – our salvation, our sanctification, and our future inheritance with Christ in heaven. 

The elders and pastors were especially encouraged to host Vineet for a few days. Vineet pastors in Pune, India. He traveled to the United States to attend a 9 Marks Pastor’s Conference. On his way to Washington, D.C., he stopped in at Omaha to meet with the pastoral staff and elders to give a report on the ministry in Pune.

He specifically asked prayer for wisdom in developing the leaders necessary to serve as elders and deacons of their church. Furthermore, he outlined for us a recent trip he had made to northern India to minister the gospel in a boarding school for some 400 children.

The school is in dire need for teachers and leaders who own the message and ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately over the years the surrounding churches have given way to a version of Christian Liberalism and consequently there is a dearth of leaders who understand the goodness of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

This means that the gospel needs to be preached, leaders and pastors trained and sent out, and churches planted. Until then a number of earnest people beseeched Vineet to come often to minister the gospel and bring fellow-servants of the gospel to teach the Word. 

Finally, the morning culminated by considering a number of candidates for membership. Each of the elders recounted their particular membership interviews. We are encouraged to see so many approved for membership and ready to be presented before the church body.

We are reminded of the priority of the church of Jesus Christ. He promised to save, sanctify, and glorify His Church as His Bride. He assures us in His Word that His blood-bought, ransomed Church will overcome the threats of Satan and the world and will continue to grow and advance through suffering and trial until He returns. All believers in Jesus are united to the body of Christ! It is an unspeakable joy to belong to the family of Christ. 

It is our prayer that God will continue to use His body to give and serve for the advancement of the gospel and the kingdom of His beloved Son.

We are thrilled to be joined together with each member of the OBC body in the furtherance of the gospel! 

Grace and Peace,

Chris Peterson in behalf of the elders