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The Earnest Contender

Grace Baptist ChurchP.O. Box 69Oak Harbor, OH 43449

Address Service RequestedJude 1:3

The Earnest

Inside

See “Goodness” pg. 7

Grace Baptist Church Volume 30, Issue 1Spring/Summer 2016

Contender

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“O taste and see that the LORD is good:blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

~ Ps. 34:8

s I look back upon my life, Ican honestly say that Godhas been good to me. Iaccepted Christ at the age of

twenty. Before Christ saved me, my lifewas filled with sin and shame. The deviland his vices didn’t want to let me go.But when I was saved, the Lord placeda desire in my heart to know Him, andas I studied His Word, He began totransform my life. The Christian life isnever easy. If it were, we wouldn’t needto put on the whole armor of God! Isoon realized that victory came when Ifound myself in His Word, in churchand in prayer. When this was done, itwas a lot easier to yield myself to theHoly Spirit of God.

After salvation, I got busy servingthe Lord. Visitation, Sunday school andjunior church filled my life. In time, mypastor asked me to be a trustee and adeacon at the church. It wasn’t long afterthat when Lord called me to preach. Off

to Bible College I went. When we left forcollege, my youngest child, Jon, was onlytwo weeks old. Needless to say, time atcollege was very difficult. I was never a verygood student, but by the grace of God, hardwork and lots of prayer, we finished.

Following college, the Lord directed usback to Northwest Ohio to start a work. Heled us to Oak Harbor where we startedGrace Baptist Church in April of 1986. Itwas just my wife and I and our threechildren. By the end of that summer, ourlittle church averaged 15-20 on Sundaymornings. I worked a full-time job andpastored Grace simultaneously for over 14years. About the time I went full time aspastor, the church suffered a split that nearlydestroyed us financially and emotionally. Butby the grace of God, we continued. Duringthe past 30 years, we’ve experienced times ofjoy and heartache, times of lack and times ofabundance, and times of hurt and rejection.Through it all, God has been so good to meand my family.

Through God’s hand, we were able topurchase the old Methodist building at thecorner of Church and Ottawa Streets. Over

A

By Pastor Rick Bickelhaupt

Taste and See

that

the

LORDGoodisPhoto Gallerypage 2

Farewell Wordspage 3

Training up ChildrenPage 4-5

Upcoming Events &Ministry News

page 6

Shining Forth fromOak Harbor

page 7

The Earnest Contender is printed quarterly as aministry of Grace Baptist Church. All articles forThe Earnest Contender should be submitted no laterthan the 20th of every odd month. All articles aresubject to change and approval. All articles shouldbe submitted to graceoh@juno.com in MS Wordformat. Donations are accepted to minimizeprinting and publishing costs. Please submitdonations to Grace Baptist Church:

Editor ......................… Jeremy Bickelhaupt

Layout/Design .......... Jeremy Bickelhaupt

Assistant Editor ........ Shauna Bickelhaupt

Contributing articles: Richard Bickelhaupt, JoeBrock

ContenderThe Earnest

2 • The Earnest Contender , Spring/Summer 2016 7 • The Earnest Contender, Spring/Summer 2016

the next few years, our church began togrow. We worked on that old building –built in 1875 – and did everything possibleto make it presentable. We insulated,painted, repaired the boiler, built abaptistry and much more over the next fewyears. But the church continued to grow,and I realized that if we were going tocontinue to reach people, we needed tolook for a new location. In 1992, wepurchased 5.5 acres of property – ourcurrent location – and in August of 1993,we began to build our first building. Withalmost all-voluntary labor, we completedthe building in five months and held ourfirst service in January of 1994. Since then,we have seen our ups and downs. Peoplehave come… and people have gone. Butthe Lord always sends others to replacethem. Through the years, I watched Godbuild His church. In 2003, we added a newfellowship hall and converted the oldfellowship hall into classrooms and nurseryareas. By 2011, we were making plans tobuild again. Preliminary work began in2012 when we remodeled the entrancefoyer. In 2014 we updated our electricalservice to accommodate the our new

sanctuary. Then, just last April, we brokeground for our new sanctuary. Nearly ayear later, on February 21, 2016, we heldour first service in the new building. Thevery next week, the transition of the oldsanctuary into hallways and classroomscommenced. That project should bewrapped up very soon.

The building projects have been verydifficult and taxing on all of us. Manyhave put in a lot of hours doing the workin order to try to save the church’sconstruction budget. In the process, sadly,people left or are preparing to leave. Butthrough it all, God has been so good! Sofar this year, our offerings and attendanceis higher to date than it has ever been. Inthe past few months, people have beengetting saved and a spirit of revival seemsto be stirring in our midst. Men have beenstepping up and filling the gap where it isneeded.

I have to confess that over the past30 years I have not been a perfect pastor,I have made mistakes, but through it all,God has been so good to me and myfamily. When I came in 1986, Gail and Iwere 28 years young, Jessica was 8,Jeremy, 6, and Jon was just 3. Now, all of

my children are married and Gail and I have13 grandchildren. (Oh… did I mention thatGod has been so good to me!?) Down the years, we’ve experienced thebad with the good. We have made manyfriends through this ministry in which Godhas placed us. As I look back upon the 30years that I have been the pastor GraceBaptist Church, one thing remains constant:the goodness of God. In Psalms 34:8 – avery difficult time in his life– King Davidinvited his readers to “Taste and see that theLord is good.” The world has its temptations,and there is “pleasure in sin, but for a season;”however, there is nothing more satisfyingthan looking back on your life and seeing thegoodness of God. The last part of this versestates: “blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”Certainly, I do not deserve God’s blessings,but I am thankful for each of them. To allthat read this, I invite you to “taste and see thatthe Lord is good.” You may ask, “After 30years are you going to retire?” By God’sgrace, NO! I hope to continue to serve aslong as the Lord gives me strength. Inclosing, I would like to thank Grace BaptistChurch for allowing me to be your pastor forall these years and for being a part of ourlives. Certainly God has been good to me!□

from “Goodness” pg. 1

Shining forth from Oak HarborMany have asked why we chose a lamp post as part of our church logo.Well, the answer is two-fold.

First... although we reach into Ottawa County and itsneighboring counties, Oak Harbor is the center of theaction. Our church was founded on the streets of thissmall village and its lamp posts that line her streetshave become an iconic symbol. When people think ofOak Harbor, its lamp posts come to mind. The imageeven graces the town flag. So first, it serves as anidentity with our Jerusalem (Acts 1:8).

Second, the lamp post's purpose is to illuminate. Themission of Grace Baptist Church (Oak Harbor, OH)is to illuminate this dark world with the Light that isChrist. It is our goal that this light will continue toshine brightly from Oak Harbor to the uttermost partof the world. For the last 30 years, our light has notonly burned, but it has grown stronger and brighter!May the Light of Christ shine on from GBC!

Charter member, Bill Hopkins, presents PastorBickelhaupt a Bible during his ordination serviceon July 15,1987.

Pastor and Gail and their three childrenJon (4), Jeremy (7), Jessica (9) ready forEaster Sunday, 1987.

Former pastor of Dillon Road Baptist Church (Fos-toria), Gary Crawford, sits with Pastor Bickelhauptduring our groundbreaking fellowship in the sum-mer of 1992.

The late Don Cowell (left) and former member,Mike Garn (right), fellowship at the property dedi-cation service in 1992.

“Brother John” Phillips attempts crowd control forthe junior boys class during VBS in the summer of1992.

Round-up Sunday on Sept. 21, 1986. Pic-tured from left to right: Jon Bickelhaupt,Thomas Rohrer, Jeremy Bickelhaupt, Jes-sica Bickelhaupt, James Rohrer and Ni-cole Bowers.

Left to Right: Makayla Free, Xoie Bickelhauptand Kellen Bickelhaupt all ready for a ChristmasProgram on Dec. 23, 2012.

Clubbers take part in The Young Lions’ ClubSummer Safari Aug.17, 2009.

Mark Rogers sings during our annual tentmeeting revival services in June 2013.

Ordination Servicefor Joe Brock

5 p.m.

Farewell Fellowshipfor the Brock Family

6 p.m.

Youth CampCOBEAC

Homecoming Service

30th Anniversary ServiceW/ Mark & Liz Rogers

Homecoming Revivalw/ Mark& Liz Rogers and

The Dalton Family Singers7 p.m.

Vacation Bible SchoolDetails TBA

Steve BootsChurch Planter

11 a.m.

J.R. WrightMissionary to Greenland

11 a.m.

Ministry NewsMinistry NewsHomecoming Service

This year’s 30th Anniversary Service willalso be coined our “Homecoming Ser-vice.” GBC is extending an invitation to allformer members to join us on June 26,2016, to help us commemorate 30 yearsof ministry in Oak Harbor. Our goal is tosee everyone who has ever stepped footin our church, to come “home” and cele-brate with us. Mark and Liz Rogers will bewith us that Sunday to minister to usthrough Word and song. We will also behaving a carry-in dinner to follow themorning services. Please make plansnow to join us for this very special service!

Revival ServicesFrom Monday, June 27 throughWednesday, June 29, GBC will conductits annual revival services. Mark & LizRogers and the Dalton Family Singerswill be here each evening to minister to usthrough Word and song. Each service willbegin at 7 p.m. Don’t miss it!

Men’s FellowshipsThe men of GBC will continue to meetevery other Thursday and Saturday (thenext being June 2, 4). The purpose ofthese meetings is to get men to “man up”in various areas of their spiritual lives.Thursday’s meetings will be conducted atthe home of Jon Bickelhaupt starting at6:30 p.m. Saturday’s meetings will be atthe church and begin at 8:30 a.m. Pleasecontact Jon or Joe Henderson for moredetails on dates.

OCCA NewsOttawa County Christian Academycontinues to enroll for the fall. Anyoneinterested should contact JeremyBickelhaupt ASAP for an applicationpacket. Also be in prayer as we look tohire on a few more staff members to helpwith our growing enrollment. Pray God

brings the right people on board. Finally,all parents should note that Orientationwill be August 22 at 6 p.m.

Vacation Bible SchoolVacation Bible School will be conductedthe week of July 25-29 from 6-8 p.m. Thetheme and further details will beannounced at a later date. Bustransportation will be available. Pleasecontact Pastor Bickelhaupt for questionsor to volunteer during the week.

Building UpdateCurrently, we are wrapping up thebuilding projects. As of the writing of thisupdate, the conversion of the oldsanctuary to new classrooms and officesare nearly complete. All that remains is toinstall suspended ceilings/lighting andcarpeting. It is our goal to have everythingwrapped up before our HomecomingService.

Spruce-up SaturdayAn all-church clean has been scheduledfor Saturday, June 25. We are looking toget several families to volunteer for“sections” of the building to deep clean.Sections need to be cleaned are listed onthe sign-up sheet in the foyer. We willbegin at 9 a.m. and finish when we finish.Let’s do our best to get our building intotop-notch shape before our“homecoming” guests arrive onAnniversary Sunday.

UPCOMINGEvents

3 • The Earnest Contender, Spring/Summer 20166 • The Earnest Contender , Spring/Summer 2016

Activities &

June 20 – Trading Post is OPEN!.

July 13 – Water Wars VI (Wienie Roast Fundraiser)Club will not be conducted on June 27 and July 27due to Revival Services and VBS respectively.

“We are so grateful for the time that God has allowed usto be a part of Grace Baptist Church. To leave is a hardthing; however, we know that we are following God’splan for our lives. This is the place where our family be-gan, where God gave us victory in trials, and where wegrew as Christians. We have made many friends. We aregrateful that many of you count us as close as family. Myfamily and I love this church.

As I write this, I am encouraged by Paul’s admonition tothe church in Philippi: Only let your conversation be as it be-cometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, orelse be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in onespirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;(Philippians 1:27). Paul had a desire to see the Christiansin Philippi live a victorious Christian life. He desired tosee them face to face, but couldn't because he was underarrest in Rome. When Paul received a report, he wantedto hear that they were serving the Lord.

The challenge that Paul gave to the church in Philippi isthe same expectation that we ought to have for eachother. My desire is that when we hear from each other,we can both report the following things:

…That We Are Living a Godly Lifestyle

Our lifestyle should be worthy of the Gospel (vs. 27).We must make sure that we are growing in the Lord dai-ly by having a strong devotional life. We must be carefulto not only read the Bible but to obey the Bible. Wemust be strong examples of the Lord Jesus Christ in ourcommunities. God commands us in Philippians 2:12,

wordsFarewell

By Joe BrockAssociate Pastor Joe Brock has accepted the position of pastor at Harmony BaptistChurch in Camden, NC. Brother Brock and his family have served faithfully here atGrace for nearly eight years. His dedication to our people and ministries have been verymuch appreciated and we will miss them dearly. We are grateful for their service and wepray for the Lord’s continued direction for them as they prepare to serve in new roles else-where. You can encourage the Brocks by attending his ordination service on Saturday,June 4 at 5 p.m. You can also help us send them off on June 12 following the eveningservice. We will conduct a short farewell fellowship for them Be sure to bring them a noteof encouragement!

“work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” We must notonly talk about our faith but we are to perform our faith. Weare to live in a way that points people to Christ.

…That We Are Faithful to Our Churches.

Being faithful to church is more than showing up. Faithful-ness to church includes serving others and sharing the Gospelwith the lost world. The Bible says that we are to have “onemind.” In Philippians chapter two, we are encouraged to havethe mind of Christ. Even though Jesus Christ deserves allworship and glory, He came as a servant. He put others be-fore Himself and poured His life into His disciples. When wecome to church, we are to be unified in the mind of Christ.We are to do all things for the glory of God and serve eachother.

…That We Are Laboring in the Gospel

Paul encouraged the Christians in Philippi that they should be“striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” Gospel work requiresthat we put aside our secondary goals and aspirations and geton board with God’s mission in this world. The word strivinghas the idea of wrestling. The work is not easy and that is whywe are to strive together. The work of the Gospel is not justfor a few in the church; it is the responsibility of every singlemember in the church to be connected in some way to theGreat Commission.

I believe that the greatest days are still ahead for Grace BaptistChurch. You must determine to get behind your Pastor andget on board with what God is doing here. Let’s determine tosupport our churches by living godly lives, by being faithful,and by working to get the Gospel out into a lost and dyingworld.”

The Trainer and His Objective

he role of a trainer is toprepare another participantfor a future engagement.Trainers are to provide thetrainee with tools for

interacting during that engagementwhen it arises. If successfully trained,the trainee will use those tools to effectthe outcome desired of the trainer.Therefore, it can be assumed that thetrainee's performance is a directreflection of his training, but even moreso of the one providing the training...the trainer.

The Christian TrainerIf you, as a believer, have children, thenyou are a spiritual trainer regardless ofwhether or not you desire to be. Theparent is either training proactively byobeying God's Word, or he is trainingunwittingly by ignoring God's Word.

So often we hear Proverbs 22:6-- "Trainup a child in the way he should go, and whenhe is old, he will not depart from it"-- and wetie it to Biblical obedience. We allunderstand that the verse denotes thatinstilling God's law from His Word intoa child will effect obedience to it whenhe matures to independence. All this isthe practical application of the verse,but have we ever considered theconnotative training the same verse

implies? The other side of the coin, ifyou will?

If we fail to lead and train our childrenspiritually by using God's Word as ourguide, then we are choosing to trainthem by ignoring it. My dad always said,"Choosing not to choose is a choice initself." Thatsaying stuck withme and it came tomy recollectionthe moment mychildren began tomimic the thingsthey heard andsaw within thewalls of ourhome. It was then my wife and I had tochoose to whole-heartedly be proactivein the spiritual training of our children.

My ExperienceBeing a Christian educator has beenextremely helpful in my own journey asa parent. For twelve years, my wife andI have seen other parents precede us inchild-rearing. Some have done well inequipping their child's spiritual tool bag.Others not so much.

What a teacher hears and observes fromstudents behind classroom doors revealsso much about the training sessionsperformed in the home. When the childof a Sunday school teacher or Christian

ministry worker walks the hall recitinglyrics of a current pop song, we can infertraining methods in the home conflictwith those the Christian school or churchtries to instill. Supposed "Christian"parents allow improper music, movies,friends, television shows and video gamesto influence their children, and the results

evidence that impropertraining. Over the years,parents who werethought to be strongspiritually have beendiscovered to beotherwise. Their childrenhave shown littlespiritual fruit; rather,their lack of respect for

authority, their constant chatter of worldlyentertainment, their use of foul language,their thanklessness and lack of desire forsinging praises to God, their deceitfulnessand dishonesty, their boldness and lack ofconviction for their sin... these are allevidences we regularly observe thatindicate improper training at home.

So here's where the rubber meets theroad. The flipped side of the coin that isProverbs 22:6 can be summed up like this:The training you choose to implement inyour home, whether it be good or bad,will effect results. Those training inignorance of God's Word will see results

reflecting that choice. Their children willtake the way in which the parents haveunwittingly trained them. When thosechildren mature to independence, theywill cling to bad influences, which willaffect life choices. When that timecomes, it won't be the church's fault, norwill it be the pastor's or the Christianschool's. It will lie on the shoulders ofparents who trained them.

Sadly, the promise of Proverbs 22:6 alsohas a negative implication. You see, ifchildren in Christian homes havereceived a improper training, then thepromise is that they (the children) willnot depart from it (the poor way). Thistoo, we have observed. Students enterupper junior high and high school, andrebel and digress into an anti-Christianmind-set. They bolt from the home assoon as they are of age and ruin their lifethrough drugs, alcohol, violence, crime,having children out of wedlock andmore. Parents then ask why and shaketheir heads in disbelief and are

completely oblivious to fact that it wastheir own training initiatives that are toblame.

There are No Perfect TrainersNo parent we have observed (includingourselves) has executed perfectly the willof God in his child's spiritual training.Doing so is nearly an impossible task.Striving to do it to the best of our abilityshould be the ultimate goal. No doubt,there will be times when we come upshort in an area, but the child will be lesslikely to remember those shortcomings ifhe sees that we are consistently striving toattain Biblical guidance for him.

Is There any Hope for the PoorlyTrained?We've all heard the saying, "You can'tteach an old dog new tricks," and we allknow that's not true. It just takes a willingdog and a willing trainer. What we cantake from this old adage is that it is hardto teach that old dog new tricks. Why doyou suppose Proverbs 22:6 focuses on thechild? Well, children are easily trained.Anyone with children knows this first-

Training upChildren

By Jeremy Bickelhaupt

T

hand. They pick up on things quickly andeasily. But this is not so for an older personwho is set in his way-- the way he wastrained to go. Can an older individual beretrained to obey God consistently? Yes, butthe task will be much more difficult, becauseyou have to reprogram the memory of theprevious training. Unfortunately, memory issaid to be the strongest muscle of the body.

ConclusionThe time we have with our children is short.Are we making the best of that precious timeto strengthen their spiritual walk, or are wehindering it. We have either chosen toproperly train them up in the nurture andadmonition of the Lord through obedienceto His Word, or we have chosen to trainthem by ignoring that same Word andminimizing the sins which doth so easilybeset us. There will come a day when youwill see the effect that your training has hadon your children. I pray to see more youngadult believers living sanctified, holy lives inthe coming years. This prayer, though, isn'tas much for the trainee as it is for the trainer!May God burden us as Christian parents tobe proactive spiritual trainers in the home.

See “Training” pg. 5

From “Training” pg. 4

4 • The Earnest Contender, Spring/Summer 2016