The Elders of Omaha Bible Church gathered for their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 19. After prayer, we began our meeting by considering the topic of the Lord’s Supper in the London Baptist Confession of 1689. We were reminded that the Lord’s Supper is given for our spiritual nourishment and encouragement in which by faith our hearts are strengthened by the Spirit in communion and fellowship with Christ.

We were encouraged to remember to pray over the Lord’s Supper and thereby dedicate the ordinary elements of the bread and the wine for extra-ordinary or holy purposes in the worship service. The Lord’s Supper serves as the bond of Jesus’ New Covenant pledge to us.

We also reviewed the financial reports for the month of December and January. We noted that while we fell short by $3,000 for the financial plan for January ($76,000 against a $79,000 budget) the month of December was very strong, putting the church in a good position.

By the end of January, almost half-way through the fiscal year, we have an income of $444,000 against a budget of $396,000. We are grateful for the Lord’s continued provision, both spiritually and physically, within His local body. We are reminded that, “from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36).

The elders were encouraged to receive the report that Aaron Sasane is wrapping up his studies at Westminster Seminary and plans to graduate in May of this year. We are grateful to the Lord that Aaron and Abi were very encouraged by our church’s support and are looking forward to seeing how God uses OBC to continue to further the gospel through their partnership as they return to India for church planting endeavors.

We trust their time in the States has served them well in seminary and church preparation for full-time ministry in India. We pray the challenges, trials, blessings, and joys in studies, local church ministry, life in California, and time at Omaha Bible Church have all served them well over the last four years in shaping and conforming them as servants of Christ.

We are thankful to have been able to spiritually and physically support Aaron and his family through OBC’s service and seminary training fund. We are praying that Aaron’s seminary training will serve as a great asset to the church in India.  

Finally, we considered a number of benevolence opportunities put forward by our deacons for suffering members. The elders concluded by voting to approve a number of candidates for membership in the OBC family, body of Christ. We look forward to the upcoming membership induction Sunday wherein the church family can join together in welcoming them.  

We are very thankful for the unity and partnership in the ministry of the gospel, preparing the next generation for the entrustment of the stewardship of the gospel. The Lord has provided His church for the encouragement of the saints as they walk through life unto the grave of death, and finally the culmination of the joyous walk into eternity in fellowship with the heavenly church, the angels, and the face-to-face worship of Jesus our God and Savior. May we see the priority of the ministry of Jesus through His Church through all seasons of our lives. 

We do not take God’s blessings to the body lightly. Praise God for these times of gospel proclamation through the pulpit, theology study groups, home groups, and the digital medium of the Pactum podcast as a means of spiritual refreshment, encouragement, and edification!

We continue to rejoice that we can be in partnership together with each of you in what God is doing here in Omaha through the ministry of OBC. Our hearts echo Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:4-5, “always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” 

On behalf of the elders,

Chris Peterson