The Elders of Omaha Bible Church (OBC) met on the morning of September 16, 2020 via Zoom. We began our meeting with prayer and thanksgiving for all the Lord has done and is doing in his church, and for wisdom in serving and leading his people as elders of his church.

After prayer, Mike Grimes led us through Article 12 of the London Baptist Confession of 1689 on the subject of Adoption. It is truly amazing that not only has Christ forgiven us for our sins and provided righteousness for us through his life, death, and resurrection, but through Christ, God also made us partakers of the grace of adoption by which we enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children in God.

August 31, 2020 marked the end of our fiscal year and the Lord has blessed us richly once again through the giving of his people. This is truly special in light of the disruptions the coronavirus pandemic has brought into our lives and into the life of our church.

We exceeded our giving goal for the year as total income was $802,355. We also finished the year $15,639 under our planned expenses. As a result, our fiscal year net income was a positive $94,572. This allows us to start the new fiscal year which began September 1 on a solid financial footing. The pastors and elders thank you for faithfully supporting the ministry of OBC.

The elders took a major step toward supporting Aaron Sasane as he seeks to go to seminary at Westminster California Seminary in Escondido, California beginning in January 2021. We committed to pay for Aaron and his family's housing expenses while he attends.

The seminary has already granted him a full-tuition scholarship. Aaron is the brother of Vineet Sasane who we already support full-time in Pune India. It is Aaron's desire to return to India after seminary and plant a church/churches. This is another great opportunity to develop leaders and pastors to faithfully preach the gospel to the millions and millions of people in India.

The elders modified our church policy regarding the coronavirus guidelines in light of Governor Ricketts’ decision to move Douglas County into Phase 4 of the Directed Health Measures. Of course we continue to operate under the Mask Ordinance, as passed by the City of Omaha.

There will be no changes to our Sunday morning worship service, or to the continued suspension of nursery, Sunday School classes, Children's Church, or CTA on Wednesday night.

However, we are implementing some of the changes allowed under Phase 4, including allowing us to have gatherings of more than ten people in a room, and also serve food and drink without restrictions. This will primarily affect our Home Groups, and other small Bible Study discussion groups moving forward.

We rejoice that Wayne and Shanna Cantwell are moving back to Omaha and applied for reinstatement of their membership to OBC, which the elders gladly approved. 

The elders also approved the renewal of Keith Walter's term as a deacon for another three years. 

Also approved was a project to repair and replace large sections of the sidewalk on the south side of the church that is deteriorating. Hopefully that work can be done this fall. 

The meeting was adjourned with prayer by Pastor Pat at 7:50 a.m.