Berea Update for September 26, 2025
Yesterday, I sat stunned, as I read the news of Voddie Baucham's death due to a medical emergency. He was 56 years old. It certainly made the message I preached on Sunday seem all the more "urgent." Voddie has been an influential voice in my own Christian faith, as he's served as a pastor in Texas, as a missionary leading a seminary in Africa, and most recently, as a president of a seminary that was just starting here in the United States. Several of his books have deeply impacted me in how I view ministry. While I may not agree with all of his theology, within those roles, he exclaimed the authority of the Scripture, and challenged men to lead their families with courage and conviction. I first heard him preach while I was a student at Cedarville University. He preached with such purpose and enthusiasm that he brought a towel with him to wipe away the sweat as he preached. It was hard to forget his presence and his messages. The Gospel was made alive through his words and he spoke truth, no matter the cost.
Beyond his death, the church has felt the weight of loss this year. With the passing of other modern "spiritual giants" like John MacArthur and James Dobson and other well-known Christians in Phil Robertson and Charlie Kirk, we are left mourning the absence of voices that have help to shape modern generations with unwavering truth. Yet, as I think about it more, these moments are not merely endings—they are divine invitations. The God who called and equipped these faithful servants is the same God who calls us today. The harvest remains plentiful, and the Gospel still burns bright. These losses remind us that the torch of faith must be carried forward, not in our strength, but in His. As we grieve, we’re also challenged to rise, to proclaim Christ boldly, and to fill the gaps left behind with courageous obedience. This week’s devotional, below, invites you to reflect on your role in God’s unfolding story, to step into His call, and to carry the Gospel with boldness for such a time as this.
Upcoming Events
1. Please plan to join us on Sunday morning as we worship together! I'll be finishing the series, "Unshakable: Standing on the Promises of God" this week. This week's message is called "Ready? Or Not? He's Coming!" which will be about the Promise of the Second Coming. I'll be preaching from 2 Peter 3:1-18.
2. This Sunday, after the morning worship service, we will be having a reception for Justin and Eliza Schlatmann. Light refreshments will be served. You are encouraged to stay after the service on Sunday to say goodbye and thank them for their service to the Lord while here at Berea. If you would like to provide them with a card, a basket will be available at the reception.
3. A new quarter of Sunday School is underway! If you couldn't make it for the first two weeks, you are still invited and encouraged to participate in a class! For adults this quarter, there are two options:
A Study of the Sermon on the Mount
Teacher: Pastor Mark Gainer
Location: Family Life Center
This class, which is a continuation from the summer quarter, on the Sermon on the Mount, will explore Jesus’ transformative teachings in Matthew 5–7 diving into themes of kingdom living, righteousness, and discipleship. Discover how these timeless principles challenge and inspire us to live faithfully in today’s world. This sermon is as relevant today as it was back then! Participants will be encouraged to apply Jesus’ teachings to their own lives in very practical ways throughout the course.
A Look at the Apostle Paul
Teachers: Michael Greenwood and Pastor Brian Miller
Location: Front Left Room off Family Life Center
Join us for this exciting study on the life and ministry of Paul. We will study his pre-conversion life, including his dual citizenship, family, education, and early childhood. We will also review his miraculous conversion, ministry, and important missionary journeys. You will be challenged by his love and service to our Savior.
4.
Small groups will be launching soon! Beginning the week of October 5, groups will be going through a Bible study called "Beware of the Religious Imposters" using 2 Peter, 2 and 3 John, and Jude. Small groups is more than Bible study though! Come build relationships as you share life together as a group! There is time of prayer, encouragement, and support while groups fellowship together. To see meeting times and locations, and to register, please visit this site:
Fall 2025 Small Group Registration
5. A week from today, on Friday, October 3, starting at 5:00 PM, we'll be out at Locust Hills Golf Course to enjoy an evening of food, fun, and fellowship together! There will be a four-hole golf scramble, a putting challenge, and if you're not a golfer, many other games for everyone to play! There will also be a dessert auction to benefit Operation Christmas Child, as we seek to collect the remain money needed for shipping the boxes. We are still in need of some desserts! If you'd like to contribute, please contact Bonnie Dantzer!
6. During the month of October, we'll be celebrating "Missions Month" here at the church. Each week, we'll be hearing from a special guest speaker who is faithfully serving the Lord around the United States and world, to hear about their ministries and hear from God's Word about how we can reach different cultures for Christ. There will be combined Sunday School for youth group and adult Sunday School classes throughout the month, and the special guests will also be sharing and preaching during the morning worship service. More details about our first speaker will be included in next week's blog!
Office Administrator Opening
As you know, Eliza Schlatmann, our Office Administrator, has recently resigned, effective September 30. We are grateful for the faithful service in this role, and we continue to seek someone who can step in to help keep our church office running smoothly. This position is vital to the life and ministry of Berea Bible Church, providing administrative support to our pastors, assisting with communications, and helping coordinate many of the details that keep our ministries moving forward.
Here is a brief description of the role:
1. Administrative Support: Provide support to pastoral staff, including managing church membership records, attendance, and event calendars (print and online, including ROCK directory).
2. Communication: Handle phone calls, emails, and office guests, ensuring professional and timely responses. Sort and distribute mail and prepare outgoing correspondence.
3. Publications and Media: Prepare weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, announcement slides, and worship song inputs for Proclaim software. Maintain church websites, social media, and graphics.
4. Resource Management: Order and maintain supplies for office, custodial, communion, and other ministries. Manage building usage requests and maintain office equipment.
5. Financial and Record-Keeping: Pay church bills and maintain organized church files and records.
6. Event and Ministry Support: Create registrations, Meal Trains, and volunteer schedules. Assist in planning special events and preparing materials (e.g., sermon notebooks, visitor packets).
7. Additional Duties: Attend staff meetings, prepare reports for business meetings, purchase gifts for special occasions, distribute missionary reports, and perform other tasks as assigned by pastoral staff.
We know that this role requires specialization in many areas. Training will be provided to the individual selected for this role.
In the short term, we are looking for someone who may be willing to serve on a temporary or part-time basis. However, if the Lord provides the right person, we are open to hiring for a regular part-time (30 hours/week) position immediately, with the potential to expand to full-time in the future. Hours can be somewhat flexible, depending on availability.
If you are interested, or if you know of someone who may be a good fit for this ministry role, please contact me (markgainer@bereabiblechurch.org) as soon as possible. Thank you for praying with us that God would provide the right person to serve in this important role.
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for our church, that we might have unity, as we continue to work through staff transitions and building needs! Pray for wisdom for our church's leadership, and that the Lord might be glorified!
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
Day 1: The Promise Beyond the Grave
John 11:25–26 (ESV) – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’”
As we mourn the recent homecomings of faithful servants like John MacArthur, James Dobson, and Voddie Baucham—giants who boldly proclaimed God's truth—we cling to the eternal life they now fully embrace. Their earthly voices may be silenced, but the promise of resurrection reminds us that death is not defeat; it's the doorway to unending joy in Christ.
Reflection Question: How does the reality of eternal life change the way you view loss today?
Prayer Focus: Praise God for the hope of resurrection, and thank Him for the faithful witnesses who now see Him face to face.
Day 2: Recognizing the Gap Left Behind
1 Kings 19:16 (ESV) – “And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in place of Elijah.”
The departures of MacArthur's expository fire, Dobson's family wisdom, and Baucham's unyielding defense of Scripture leave a profound gap in our midst. Like Elijah's mantle falling to Elisha, God calls us to recognize this void not as an end, but as an invitation to step forward. The harvest fields are ripe, and the workers are few.
Reflection Question: What "gap" in ministry do you see in your community, and how might God be preparing you to help fill it?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to open your eyes to the needs around you and to stir a willingness to serve where giants once stood.
Day 3: Boldness in the Face of Transition
Acts 4:29–31 (ESV) – “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness... And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Alistair Begg's recent retirement from the pulpit echoes the transitions of those who've gone before, urging us to pray for fresh boldness. In a world growing darker, God equips ordinary believers to proclaim the Gospel without fear, just as the early church did amid uncertainty.
Reflection Question: Where in your life do you need God's Spirit to ignite boldness for sharing your faith?
Prayer Focus: Pray for the Holy Spirit's filling, that you might speak God's word courageously in everyday conversations this week.
Day 4: Martyrs Who Light the Way
Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV) – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”
Charlie Kirk's martyrdom for standing firm in truth joins the chorus of witnesses who paid the ultimate price. Their sacrifices strip away our excuses, calling us to run our race with endurance. Surrounded by such heroes from throughout Scripture and modern history, we are not alone—Jesus Himself cheers us onward.
Reflection Question: What "weight" is hindering your pursuit of God's call, and how can you lay it aside today?
Prayer Focus: Thank God for the cloud of witnesses, and ask for endurance to honor their legacy through faithful obedience.
Day 5: Answering the Call to Carry On
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV) – “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
The passing of these leaders isn't a pause but a commission: to entrust the truths they championed to the next generation. Paul’s charge to Timothy reminds us that faithfulness multiplies—one voice becomes many, echoing through time as we teach and disciple others.
Reflection Question: Who in your life can you invest in this week to pass on the Gospel truths you've received?
Prayer Focus: Pray for wisdom and opportunities to mentor others, building a chain of faithful witnesses.
Day 6: Strengthened for the Task Ahead
Philippians 4:13 (ESV) – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Filling the shoes of spiritual giants can feel overwhelming, yet Christ promises strength sufficient for every task He assigns, whether that brings success or struggle. Whether preaching, parenting, or simply loving our neighbors, we carry the torch not in our power, but in His. These losses highlight our dependence on the One who never leaves.
Reflection Question: In what specific area of service do you need Christ's strength most right now?
Prayer Focus: Confess any feelings of inadequacy, and claim God's promise of empowering grace for the work He's called you to.
Day 7: The Joy of the Eternal Harvest
Matthew 9:37–38 (ESV) – “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”
As we reflect on these transitions, we see the fields white for harvest—eternal souls awaiting the Gospel. The giants we've lost ran their race well; now, with eyes on eternity, we pray and step out boldly, trusting God to raise up new voices for His glory.
Reflection Question: How will you commit to being a laborer in God's harvest this coming week?
Prayer Focus: Intercede for more workers in the field, and dedicate yourself afresh to proclaiming Christ until He returns.
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
Hope to see you all on Sunday!
With Hope,
Mark