Leadership transitions eventually occur in every organization, and the GARBC is no exception. The staff at the Regular Baptist Ministries Resource Center has been praying that God will provide His choice to fill the vacancies left by Mark Jackson, director of the International Partnership of Fundamental Baptist Ministries (IPFBM), and David Crandall, director of Gospel Literature Services (GLS). During their tenures of service, these capable servants of the Lord provided exceptional leadership for our GARBC international outreach efforts. God used these leaders to greatly expand our Association’s global networks. It has been a privilege to work with them on behalf of our Fellowship of churches.

It is a delight to announce the appointment of Chris Hindal to the new position of GARBC International Ministries director. To better leverage the potential of the IPFBM and GLS branches, Chris will coordinate both ministries while retaining their separate identities. Chris and his wife, Deb, are ideally suited for this global role. They have served in pastoral ministry within our Fellowship for thirty-five years. Deb’s parents served in the pastorate in Association churches, and Chris’s parents were active members in an Association church as well.

During their ministry, Chris and Deb led their congregations to gain an expanding vision for the harvest fields of the world. Their four married children and families are actively involved in ministry: Jodi with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) in Slovakia; Becki in a Baptist Bible Seminary Project Jerusalem church plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania; Andy on staff at Lake Ann Baptist Camp in Michigan; and Lori in lay ministry in her church in Waterford, Michigan. Chris has served multiple terms on the GARBC Council of Eighteen with distinction and is an Advisory Board member of ABWE. Chris and Deb have traveled repeatedly to the mission field, often leading teams from their churches. God has given them a great burden for international ministry.

GLS, in carrying out its mission, distributes RBP church educational resources and other training products to churches and missionaries around the world. The practice of printing resources stateside and shipping them to other countries continues to be viable. However, global improvements in technology and in publishing capabilities create the possibility of training nationals to develop and publish cost-efficient resources that are ideally suited for their purposes. David Crandall initiated this new model of production and distribution with the collaborative efforts of GLS Asia and the printing of materials in China. Chris Hindal will continue to develop this new model, which will require strategic thinking and coordinated planning. The GLS opportunities Chris will be pursuing are enormous.

Meanwhile, the IPFBM is capturing the imagination of church and association leaders in many countries. The passion of these Biblically like-minded, Baptist leaders is invigorating for planting and growing churches. They have a contagious vision for training ministry workers to multiply the influence of the Word of God among all nations. As local churches within the GARBC grasp the concept of peer relationships with churches in other countries, the possibility of a widespread ministry impact can become a reality. Chris will be working to educate our churches and facilitate these peer relationships.

I make three requests of you on behalf of Chris and Deb:

  • Pray for them in this new ministry venture
  • Invite them to help your church, area pastors’ fellowship, and state or regional association learn how to get involved in these new global opportunities.
  • Support this worldwide ministry generously with your gifts.

This global network provides a bright future for the Great Commission in action. Join us in riding the rising wave of outreach potential.