Membership

Next 3-Week Membership Class Begins October 12th @10:45am

3-Part class will be on Sundays October 12th, 19th, and 26th.

Fall 2025 Membership Class Details

Length: 3-week class
Date: October 12th & 19th & 26th, 2025
Location: Great Room, YFMB
Time: 10:45am

Why Membership

Unlike a social-club membership, where the organization exists to serve the members, church membership is more akin to being in a family, or sports team. Membership at MBC exists as a united group of believers who are counted on in an attempt to fulfill a common purpose of becoming a provider of God’s love and care to others. We are a church not for ourselves, but for others. Members commit to joining a spiritual family that provides encouragement and support to one another. We are called to a higher degree of responsibility, service and sacrifice. Our elders and leaders pledge to assist our members with care, counsel, prayer and teaching.

Is Church Membership Biblical?

We hope that, as the Lord leads, you make a covenant to be part of our church family.

Four Steps to becoming a Member…

If you are interested in becoming a member please read through our four-step process below.

Step One: Membership Class

We want you to make an informed decision about joining our church. We periodically offer a Membership class that explains our values and beliefs and discusses the next steps to joining MBC. All prospective members are invited to attend our Membership class. This is where you will learn about the history and vision of MBC, acquaint yourself with its ministries and opportunities, and dialogue with elders and other congregants on questions you may have about the church or Christian community. This 3-week class will include the following topics: Articles of Faith & Doctrinal Positions, Church Covenant, Vision & Mission Life.

Upon completion, those who attended are able but not obligated to sign up for a membership interview, the second step of the membership process.

For more information on how to become a member please contact the main office at: 908.647.0594 or reach out to MBC’s email.

Step Two: Baptism

Baptism:

For many, baptism is the first public step of obedience to Christ. If you have not been baptized following salvation, we ask you to take this step before becoming a Member.

Step Three: Signing the Covenant

Signing the Covenant

Sign the statement of faith and church covenant, and the application would go to the elders.

Step Four: Meet with an Elder

Meet with an Elder

The final step is for the prospective member meets with an Elder for approximately 45 mins to provide basic biographical information and recount God’s converting work in his or her life.

Questions?

Dave Hentschel

Lead Pastor: Preaching,
Spiritual Formation & Care

Contact Dave with any questions

Dave Hentschel

Lead Pastor: Preaching,
Spiritual Formation & Care

Contact Dave with any questions

Questions?

Dave Hentschel

Lead Pastor: Preaching,
Spiritual Formation & Care

Contact Dave with any questions

Romans 1-8, But Now: Hope for All Who Fall Short

Playlist - Psalms - August 13 - September 10

Getting Connected

New at MBC? Let's get you plugged in!

Below you will find a variety of way of becoming part of our thriving community. Subscribe to as many as your interests may lie.

Getting you Connected & Tell us about yourself

Fill out this Connections form to let us know who you are and how you wish to get involved with MBC.

Join a Shared Interest Group

What is a Shared Interest Group?

Shared Interest Groups are groups formed around a common goal and are generally informal in nature.

Fill out this Shared Interest form to let us know how you wish to get involved with MBC. People who share the same interests in recreation, leisure, arts, entertainment, sports activities, and more, come together and build relationships.

Subscribe to our twice weekly Enews

Volunteer: Share Your Gifts, Give your time to serve

Fill out this Share Your Gifts form to let us know how you wish to get involved with MBC.

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Submit a Prayer or Praise

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For the most up-to-date information regarding teen activities please subscribe to the Weekly Sync.

Subscribe to our Channel.

Underground Sessions

Next Underground – March 7-8, 2026

Save the date! March 7th to 8th, 2026 is our next Underground Sessions event!
Jason Thacker will be our special guest and the topic will be “Disability & Bio Ethics”. Mark your calendars and we hope to see you there!

What are the Underground Sessions?
Check out our Previous Sessions Below.

Everyone can benefit from an evening at the Underground.

Courageous Conversations:

Intersection of faith, culture & politics.

Underground Sessions is a live forum we hold several times a year where we discuss challenging and relevant issues in our world today. We do this with a spirit of grace and compassion while maintaining biblical faithfulness. In the past we covered topics from addiction and the opioid crisis to suicide awareness, from pornography and the sanctity of human life to issues of race and sexual and gender identity. We always have food, a live band and a presentation followed by audience participation and interaction.

The event is held in the lower level room of our Youth and Family Ministry Building. Childcare is typically provided up through 4^th grade.

Stay tuned to find out when our next Underground will be taking place.

In the mean time check out our Previous Sessions Below and our Underground Sessions Podcast.

Follow our Underground Sessions Podcast:

Join the conversation! Subscribe to the Underground Sessions podcast and be part of a community that seeks understanding, compassion, and biblical faithfulness in every topic we explore.

Explore our past sessions and stay tuned for upcoming live forums. Subscribe to our podcast to ensure you never miss a thought-provoking episode filled with grace and wisdom.

You can also follow our Podcast on Google, Apple, or Iheart Radio.

Introducing our new Podcast that focuses on conversations at the intersection of faith, culture and politics. Come to the underground with us and step into the tension as we
discuss various topics in the form of pastoral commentary and culturally relevant interviews featuring guest professionals specializing within the topic of discussion. The Underground is not a place where everyone agrees. But a space where respectful dialog can happen, difficult topics addressed, and ultimately where Christ is exalted.

PREVIOUS Underground - October 5, 2025

Heads up, foodies! Dinner will be served at 5pm. Sign up for the dinner for $5 when you register for the event. Come hungry!
Registration now!

PREVIOUS Underground - October 6, 2024

Heads up, foodies! Dinner will be served at 5pm. Sign up for the dinner for $5 when you register for the event. Come hungry!
Registration now!

End Times Roundtable: A Balanced Discussion on Revelation and Millennial Views

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion over a meal and secure your spot for the Underground Session. REGISTRATION BEGINS SOON!

Introduction:

How will the world end? Where is history moving? Are we close to the return of Christ? These are questions that Christians and Non-Christians alike have posed throughout the centuries. Christians, in particular, have wide ranging views about the nature and events of the “end times.” As such, the apocalyptic book of Revelation has garnered attention and fascination from skeptics and believers wanting to know if it provides a roadmap for the future. Or … does it offer a window to the minds of first century Christians? With the current geo-political tensions, people are asking these questions again. This Underground Sessions will seek to provide the various views held by Christians through the millennia about be these issues.

Moderator:

Rev David Hentschel Pastor Dave has been blessed to serve as the Lead Pastor of Preaching, Spiritual Formation and Care at Millington Baptist Church in Basking Ridge, NJ. Prior to this ministry assignment, he has enjoyed pastoring in other churches in New Jersey and Texas for the past 20 years. His background in public speaking and business helps tremendously with leadership and strategic planning and he is thrilled to have the opportunity to pastor and teach the scriptures in the local church setting. Pastor Dave holds an A.B.S. and a B.S. in Biblical Studies from Cairn University and a Th.M. in Bible Exposition and Pastoral Ministries from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is married to his wife Juli, and they enjoy three wonderful daughters and one awesome son in law. Some of his favorite activities include reading, spending time with his family and playing basketball.

Panelists:

Alfonse Javed
(Dispensational Pre-Millenial)

Dr. Alfonse Javed is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Metuchen, NJ. He is the founder of RAM Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving religious minorities in the Muslim world, and the Executive Director for Heart for Muslims, which equips believers to reach their Muslim neighbors for Christ. He holds three doctoral degrees, three masters degrees, and three bachelors degrees in various subjects both secular and spiritual. He is also a member of the graduate online faculty of Liberty University. He lives in Metuchen with his wife and four children.

Rev. Bob Erbig
(Historic Pre-Millenial)

Bob is the Lead Pastor for Preaching, Family Life and Mission at Millington Baptist Church in Basking Ridge, NJ and has 20+ years of experience in youth and family ministry, apologetics and executive leadership. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from Denver Seminary (Littleton, CO), where he studied under Dr. Craig Blomberg and Dr. Doug Groothuis. Additionally, he completed a Fellowship through the Colson Center for Christian Worldview and is a Level 1 Certified Biblical Counselor through the Association of Biblical Counselors. His ministry and research interests include apologetics, worldview, culture and ethics as he provides directional leadership for the Underground Sessions ministry at MBC.

PREVIOUS Underground

Heads up, foodies! Dinner will be served at 5pm. Come hungry!

Ready to dive into a deeper understanding of sexuality in light of God's grand story?

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion over a meal and secure your spot for the Underground Session with Dr. Christopher Yuan.

Join us at Millington Baptist Church for an enlightening Underground Session featuring guest speaker Dr. Christopher Yuan. We are excited to explore the compelling topic of “Holy Sexuality and the Gospel” through the lens of Dr. Yuan’s insightful work. Drawing inspiration from his book, Dr. Yuan delves into the concept of holy sexuality, examining the practical aspects of chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage. This event promises a practical and relevant exploration of a robust theology of sexuality, offering attendees a deeper understanding within the framework of God’s grand story.

Whether you’re seeking guidance on how to share Christ with a loved one navigating their identity or grappling with your own questions, Dr. Christopher Yuan’s perspective is sure to provide valuable insights. Discover that holy sexuality is not only aligned with the Gospel but is also good news for everyone. Join us for an evening of wisdom, compassion, and a profound exploration of this important aspect of our faith journey.

Resources:

Dr. Christopher Yuan graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and received a master’s in biblical exegesis in 2007 and a doctorate of ministry in 2014. Christopher taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for twelve years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. Dr. Yuan has co-authored with his mother their memoir, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope, which has sold over 100,000 copies and is now in eight languages. Dr. Yuan’s newest book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story, was named 2020 Book of the Year for Social Issues by Outreach Magazine.

Previous Underground — November 4, 2023

Join us on November 4th from 6:30-8:30pm as we discuss this topic over a meal.

Over the last year the conversation about Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) has exploded on the scene. Hardly a day passes with us seeing a heading about ChatGPT or some company investing in A.I. research. Whole fields are being transformed. What once was relegated to sci-fi movies has not become part of everyday conversations. The advances in this technology are primed to transform many sectors of everyday life: art, education, social media, internet search engines, transportation, the economy, banking, and so much more. Are we ready? As Christians, have we thought about all the implications … theologically? This event will feature an interactive presentation, as well as an engaging panel discussion on the topic related to everyday life. We’ll also ask the big questions, such as,

“What does it mean to be human? How will relationships change? What is the nature of reality? And … what would Jesus think about all this?”

Eric has a background in design and computer science making a career combining the two. He works in 3-D design, interactive motion design, virtual reality, augmented reality, holographic displays, projection mapping and A.I. As the Director of Creative Technology at Havas NY, he launched projects for IBM, Volvo, Jaguar, Dos Equis, Johnny Walker, New York Life, Merck, Exxon, and more. As the founding partner of By and Large LLC, his company helped IBM launch Watson Advertising, an interactive tool which brands would incorporate to help their customers interface with the famous A.I., Watson.

Paul has been working at Bell Labs (Nokia) since 1978. He is a Research Director and a Bell Labs Fellow. His team was awarded an Emmy for their pioneering work in HDTV. Paul has recently have been working in video analytics, AI, and robots and drones. Much of his work centers around how technology can make a positive impact on humanity.

Previous Underground — January 28, 2023

Have you ever asked big questions about life but never received adequate answers? Meaning, suffering, faith, identity—we all wrestle to some extent. The Christian faith offers good answers to our questions, but we don’t always talk to the right people. On January 28^th at 6:30pm. Millington Baptist Church is hosting our next Underground Sessions event: “Answering the Toughest Questions.” If you are someone who has difficult questions about life and faith, but you haven’t gotten good answers—this event is for you! Join us for light refreshments, live music, group discussion and an expert panel who will receive and answer your questions!

Previous Underground — November 9

Our next Underground — April 2

This is a limited in-person event, Livestream will also be available. Register soon to secure your spot

Children. They are the most vulnerable among us and also the future of society. Many parents claim, “they would do anything for their child.” But what does that look like? What do children need to thrive? What does it mean to elevate the rights of children above our own desires?

On April 2^nd the Underground Sessions will host Katy Faust, author of the book, Them Before Us. Katy is the founder and director of a non-profit of the same name, which is “committed to putting the needs of children at the forefront of the battle surrounding the very foundation of society—marriage and family.” The pandemic years have made it painfully clear that children are the primary victims of adult-centric narratives. Those narratives drive our conversations about family as well, to the detriment of children.

What are the rights of children? We’ll answer that question and discuss the implications for issues like abortion, adoption, divorce, marriage, LGBT parenting, and reproductive technologies. These are sensitive topics for many—topics on which the church is often silent. Yet biblical principles, not cultural trends, must inform our perspective when considering how to care for “the least of these.” In doing so, we find scriptural prescriptions for sex and marriage that agree with natural law and social science.

There is limited seating so please register soon to secure a spot. Food, music, and childcare (if needed) will be included. Livestream access to the event and its resources are available on the Underground Sesions Web Portal.

This Underground Session we are excited to host well-known author and social critic Os Guinness. Os received his D. Phil degree from Oxford and has written over 30 books including The Great Quest, Carpe Diem Redeemed, and The Magna Carta of Humanity. The theme for this event, Carpe Diem Redeemed, Os will be offering a wake-up call to the west as we look at the myriad of challenges facing the American church. In particular, Os will look at the history of the American and French revolutions and the lessons they offer us today. In each case, the faith of citizens played an important role in revitalization and human flourishing—what role will we play in our modern moment?

This is an inter-generational event—we will draw applications for multiple generations. Os will be streaming virtually, but the event will be offered live, in person. You can also watch it on our YouTube channel: mbcunhindered. Os is an engaging speaker and we know that all who attend will be blessed.

Previous Underground — April 2

Previous Underground — November 8

Columbo—A Two-Step Game Plan for Maneuvering with Confidence and Grace in Any Conversation (45–90 min.)
Each of us as Christian ambassador faces two daunting challenges when trying to make a difference for Christ. First, we don’t know how to initiate conversations about spiritual things in a way that doesn’t seem awkward. Second, we don’t know how to keep ourselves from getting trapped or overwhelmed by others more aggressive than we are.

In this talk, Greg will teach you a two-step game plan allowing you to maneuver with confidence in any situation, no matter how little you know, and no matter how knowledgeable, aggressive, or even obnoxious your opposition may be. Columbo is the simplest tactic imaginable to help you stop a challenger in his tracks, turn the tables, and then get him thinking. And it can be done in a gracious and winsome way.

If you’re tired of finding yourself flat-footed and intimidated in conversations about what you believe, if you want to increase your confidence and your skill in discussions no matter who you’re talking with, this talk is for you.

(This material is included in “Tactics—A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions”)

Previous Underground – August 7, 2021

Registration is Open!

Peace. A concept raised often but rarely practiced in our modern age. Instead, it has been replaced by a commonplace hostility: in our spoken words, our social media posts and, sadly, in our actions. Why? Is it because hostility makes us feel better, superior, justified in our action? Or maybe the pursuit of peace is just too… difficult. On August 7^th, from 6:30-8:30pm, our next Underground Session will tackle the topic of peace and hostility, specifically as it relates to Christian and Muslim relationships. Is peace possible? We’ll discuss current issues in the Middle East, how to have cross dialogue with different faith traditions, and how to love all people who are made in the image of God. At the Underground Session, we step into the tension for the glory of God. Peace and hostility create a natural tension—let’s discuss how to be people of peace in a world of hostility.

Registration is Open!

Building peace in a climate of hostility?

If you plan on joining us virtually, information will be emailed to you prior to the event.

Previous Underground – March 6, 2021

How do we talk about race? The events of 2020 made clear that our country, and our churches are polarized by racial tension. Unfortunately, conversations about race often lead to division, strife, and blame. Is it possible to have productive dialogue in our current climate?

On March 6^th, the Underground Sessions will once again tackle this difficult, but necessary topic. Defining terms is crucial. We will discuss the current understanding of racism—what do terms like “woke,” “white fragility,” “whiteness,” and “critical race theory” mean? Injecting these loaded words into the conversation on race has caused hurt and increased distrust among believers. Ultimately, Christ followers are called to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God (Micah 6:8). But is the current form of social justice truly biblical justice? Our call to action depends upon our grasp of this issue.

At this event, our aim is to use Scripture to define terms like humanity, race, love, and justice. We also want to bring practical tools to help people have better conversations and develop deep, meaningful relationships across racial and ethnic lines. We invite you to step into the tension and have the courage to engage in this important dialogue.

*Due to COVID restrictions, Seating for attending this event in person is very limited so make sure you register early.

If you plan on joining us virtually, information will be emailed to you prior to the event.

Previous Underground – October 3, 2020

Did you miss this event?

If missed out on this thought-provoking and challenging session below you will find all three parts for your viewing enjoyment.
Stay tuned for more Underground Sessions on our Podcasts and our biannual live events.

Income Inequality Recap

On October 3^rd, 2020, MBC hosed its first ever virtual The Underground Sessions event where we discussed the important, and provocative, topic of “income inequality.” Our guest for this event was Dr. Anne Bradley, an expert economist who approaches this topic from a Christian worldview. After giving a keynote talk defining income inequality, she sat down with Pastor Bob and further discussed the related topics of socialism, capitalism, racial discrimination, as well as practical steps to address poverty in our world. You can watch the full-length session, or choose from three different segments on this page.

About the Speaker

Anne Bradley is the George and Sally Mayer Fellow for Economic Education and the Academic Director at the Fund for American Studies. She served as the Vice President of Economic Initiatives at The Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics, where she developed and commissioned research toward a systematic biblical theology of economic freedom. She is a visiting professor at Georgetown University and has previously taught at George Mason University and at Charles University, Prague. She is currently a visiting scholar at the Bernard Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy. She served as the Associate Director for the Program in Economics, Politics, and the Law at the James M. Buchanan Center at George Mason University.

Dr. Bradley’s academic work focuses on the political economy of terrorism with specific emphasis on the industrial organization of al-Qaeda. Her academic research has been published in scholarly journals and edited volumes. She is currently working on a book that analyzes the political economy of al-Qaeda post 9/11. Based on her academic research she also worked as an Economic Analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency’s Office of Terrorism Analysis.

Dr. Bradley is the author of several books, and served as the general editor of For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty, in which she frames a solid biblical & economic understanding of how best to care for the poor and foster economic development.

Enjoy the event again or for the first time.

Resources: Income Inequality

Session Presentation

Income Inequality, Poverty and Human Flourishing, Dr. Anne Bradley >

Books

Set Free: Restoring Religious Freedom for All. by Art Lindsley (Author), Anne R. Bradley >

For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty. Anne Bradley >

Counting the Cost: Christian Perspectives on Capitalism by Art Lindsley PhD (Author), Anne R. Bradley PhD (Author) >

Money, Greed, and God: Why Capitalism Is the Solution and Not the Problem Paperback – Illustrated, May 4, 2010 by Jay W. Richards >

How would Jesus vote? By Darrell Bock (see Chapter 4 on economics) Howard Books, May 17, 2016 >

Articles & E-Books

A Critique of ‘Five Reasons Socialism Is Not Christian’ Craig M. Watts February 28, 2020 >

Free E-book. David Azerrad. Marx and the False Communist Promise. >

Video Teaching

Capitalism, Christianity and Income Inequality, Dr. Anne Bradley >

Exploring differences, unraveling stereotypes & seeking common ground so we may live with and care for our neighbors of differing faiths.
Judaism, Islam and Christianity. They all trace their roots to the biblical figure of Abraham, yet their modern expressions have differing beliefs. In our next Underground we will have a panel featuring a Jewish Rabbi, a devout Muslim, and Christian Minister. We will discuss their varying positions, where we can find common ground and how these ideas effect contemporary issues. Registration for attendance and childcare is required by March 11th.

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Lead Pastor:
Preaching, Family Life & Mission

Contact Bob with any questions

Our next live Underground Session:

Our next Underground Session conversation will center around the current challenges to Religious Liberty, as well as how to love those who disagree with us. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Douglas Groothuis, Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary. There will also be a panel discussion featuring experts in the field of law, business, and education.

Our keynote and guest panelists:

Dr. Groothuis, PHD received a PhD and a BS from the University of Oregon, and an MA in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has served as an adjunct professor at Seattle Pacific University, visiting instructor in apologetics for Westminster Theological Seminary, and instructor at the University of Oregon.

He is the author of a variety of books, including Christian Apologetics, and has published articles in magazines such as Christianity Today, Moody Magazine, The Christian Research Journal, Christian Counseling Today, Modern Reformation and Perspectives. He has also written editorials for a variety of newspapers.

Rosette Adera, D. Mgmt.

Rosette is the Chair of the Business Administration Department at Pillar College where enjoys infusing Biblical principles into curriculum design and instruction. Rosette is also a student of Management, Leadership and Organizational Behavior where she engages in the Christian’s response to the issues of identity, diversity and inclusion. She is also currently serving on the Board of Garden of Hope Foundation, an initiative that is lifting the lives of youth, women and children from the slums of Nairobi.

Jesse P. Nash, JD is an attorney providing legal services covering Real Estate: Business and Banking and Business / Corporate.

Jesse Nash, who practices law in Princeton, New Jersey, was selected to Rising Stars for 2011 – 2017. This peer designation is awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. The Rising Stars selection process takes into account peer recognition, professional achievement in legal practice, and other cogent factors.

Prior to becoming an attorney, he studied at Seton Hall University School of Law. He graduated in 2003. After passing the bar exam, he was admitted to legal practice in 2003.

Missions – World Partners

The next World Partner Ministry Update presentation will be on

July 29, 9am
in the Fellowship Hall.

MBC Missions | Get involved with our Local & World Partners.

We are committed to making a difference by empowering people to embrace God’s missional mandate to love and serve our neighbors around the corner and throughout the world. The MBC Missions Team is dedicated to supporting numerous World Partners, as well as strategic local ministries.

MBC has a long and rich heritage of following the Great Commandment to “Go into all the World…” (Matthew 28:18-20) to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That heritage continues to the present day as MBC supports World Partners serving in 16 countries as well as 5 local and 3 international organizations. All of which are focused on meeting people where they are and ministering to both their spiritual and physical needs.

The support provided by MBC is hands-on as well as monetary. Over and above the “regular support” special Ministry initiatives are undertaken such as:

Bringing clean water to a remote village in Senegal,
Outfitting an auto repair shop so that men and women can be trained in auto repair and earn a living for themselves and their families
Paying for an RN for a 1^st Choice crisis pregnancy center

We’d love to tell you more and if you are interested click the Get Involved to learn how you can put your time and talents to use in meeting people’s spiritual and physical needs.

How you can put your faith into action:

Join the Missions Team
Serve with one of our local partners
Consider participating in missions trips
Pray for our World Partners
Continue your financial gifts to MBC

If you would like to get involved with our Missions efforts please contact us here.

Steven & Gwen Anderson

A young missionary couple with two boys and one on the way! They're heading to a remote part of Ecuador to support church planters and minister to the Awa people in Palmira.

Diana & Bogdan Anton

Based in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, working with Josiah Venture. Bogdan leads a national ministry of evangelism and discipleship through sports, called EDGE

Darius & Bia Bocsa

They serve with Josiah Venture in Romania. with a mission to equip young leaders to fulfill Christ’s commission through the local church.

Bo & Michele Columbine

Bo, who is a mechanic, welder, and machinist, serves men (and women) by teaching them vocational skills. He opened a vocational trade school to teach auto mechanics.

Lucas & Bekah Grudda

the Gruddas minister with World Venture in Senegal,. They are teachers in Dakar Academy, a school for Missionary and Expatriate children.

Rachel & Shelbey Hunt

Rachel and Shelbey Hunt reach out to their community in Bicester, England, through discipleship, teaching, and a micro-church coffee shop.

Nathan & Becky Kendall

After serving in Guinea for 18 years, Nathan and Becky (and kids Philip, Marie, and Taliana) are moving to Senegal to serve the church leadership and train pastors

Kevin & Kaori Laverman

The Lavermans (WorldVenture, Japan) recently moved, following the Lord’s lead to reach out to a huge new subdivision of Tokyo with no Christian churches.

Gracie Leung

Gracie Leung is on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, serving local campuses, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Princeton University.

Adrienne Livingston

Adrienne Develop Girl Empowerment Curriculum created for sex trafficking & domestic violence prevention

Tammy & Rob Mittuch

Tammy is serving with Cru's FamilyLife-Local ministry. She will be coaching the FamilyLife-Local staff women throughout the nation.

Diana Muenzenberger

Diana is a middle school teacher to missionary kids at Faith Academy in the Philippines.

David & Emily Parmer

They live in Strasbourg, France, sharing the Gospel with refugees and immigrants. They operate a coffee shop as a hub for community and assistance. With a vision for planting churches.

George & Linda Renner

Training a new generation of African Christian leaders

Ernie & Judy Scalabrin

Ernie and Judy Scalabrin are domestic missionaries with the Navigators, serving locally with the Greater NYC/NJ Navigators Missions Team.

Click Here

Mark & Kathy Schaaf

Serving with World Venture, Mark is the International trainer for Walk Thru the Bible.

Amoon Sharon

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with South Asians of many faiths

Marc & Alyssa Stasio

Lifelong New Jersey residents, met at Cru on Rutgers University. Their transformative experiences with Jesus in Cru led them to dedicate themselves full-time to sharing the Gospel with today's college students.

Joe Violi

Joe (The Navigators—Nav20’s) ministers to recent college grads in the Philadelphia area, encouraging them to follow Jesus as they transition to the working world.

Tom & Alicia Voster

Serving with World Team in Cambodia for evangelism and church planting. They arrived Dec. 2017 and are adjusting to the culture and are in language study.

Clint & Jillian Watkins

The Watkins serve with DiscipleMakers. They work with college students at weekly Bible studies and outreach events during the school year.They have served at Gettysburg College since 2013.

John & Stella White

John and Stella White serve with WorldVenture in Kyiv, Ukraine. They both teach at the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS).

Lindsey Williams

Lindsey Williams is on the operations staff of Athletes in Action, which is an organization that brings the Gospel to college athletes across America.

Eric & Tina Yee

Planting healthy churches that make Christ’s disciples reach the unchurched, unwanted, unreached & unengaged in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Our missions are intended to motivate one another towards love and good deeds so that it may encourage Renewal, Growth, Connection & Action within community and the world around us.

“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

“For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

“Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.”

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

"Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

"19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

World Partners | Get to know our many missionaries.

Click on a pin to pull up World Partner info.

Steven & Gwen Anderson

Steven and Gwen are a young missionary couple who have been married for five years and have two boys, Atticus and Matthias, and another baby on the way! They plan to come alongside church planters in a mountainous part of Ecuador to partner with them and help minister to the Awa people. There in the remote town of Palmira, they intend to help build a church plant among this indigenous group.

In such a remote area of Ecuador, Steven and Gwen have the conviction to preach the gospel and share His good news with those in need. “We can’t imagine dedicating our lives to a more worthy purpose than that of bringing people the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Diana & Bogdan Anton

Diana (DU) and Bogdan Anton are based in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, working with Josiah Venture.

Bogdan leads a national ministry of evangelism and discipleship through sports, called EDGE, and he constantly trains church leaders who are desiring to use this platform to connect with unchurched teenage boys in the cities and villages in Romania.

He is passionate about using sports to connect people to Jesus Christ, because God used sports to connect him to a church ministry and thus to hear the Gospel for the first time when he was 21 years old. Diana is focused on discipling young women and mentoring women leaders, both locally and nationally. Together they also do discipleship training for youth leaders and pastors, and lead the youth ministry in their local church.

Michael & Debbie Bannon

Since 1981, they have served with WorldVenture in evangelism, church planting and leadership development. They first served in Kenya for 14 years, working with an unreached Muslim tribe. Then in 1997, with Lithuania’s independence and Michael’s Lithuanian heritage they redeployed to Lithuania. By 2012, they felt that the national leadership was very capable of continuing this on their own.

In 2012, they were invited to Galway, Ireland as part of the pastoral staff of a church plant made up of over 20 nationalities. They sought to minister to these people and encourage them to reach out to the Irish people around them as well as to the nations they represented. They served in Ireland for 6 years.

Then in 2019, World Venture asked them to take a new position helping to train the next generation of World Partners. They connect with churches, colleges, and special mission events to call out and train those who desire to reach the unreached of the World for Jesus!

Find out more about the Bannons.

Darius & Bia Bocsa

Darius and Bia Bocsa serve with Josiah Venture in Romania. Josiah Venture’s vision is a movement of God among the youth of Central and Eastern Europe that finds its home in the local church and transforms society with a mission to equip young leaders to fulfill Christ’s commission through the local church.

This mission is being achieved through churches throughout Romania with such activities as youth leadership training, holding Evangelistic Summer camps, and assisting in church planting.

Tami Brown

Since 2018, Tami has served as the President and CEO of IDEAS. IDEAs promotes international transformative development through small business, health initiatives, and adult education.

Along with her late husband, Stan, Tami has invested skills and resources in Pakistan, Kenya, and Central Asia. Prior to her current role, Tami served as Vice President of Global Operations for IDEAS.

Bo & Michele Columbine

Bo and Michele Columbine minister to African Families in predominantly Muslim Senegal. Bo, who is a mechanic, welder, and machinist, serves men (and women) by teaching them vocational skills. He opened a vocational trade school to teach auto mechanics.

An essential part of the training will be Bible lessons. Christian business ethics using the Bible will also be incorporated. In a country that has a 48% unemployment rate it is necessary to make job makers and not job seekers. They currently have up to 8 students. Michele ministers to the women primarily through an ESL class she teaches. Bo and Michele have two daughters; Grace and Faith.

F is a missionary through World Venture, stationed in Europe with a primary focus on Asian women in prostitution, and a secondary focus on friends, neighbors and the artist community in Austria.

Before moving to Austria in 2017, F worked with marginalized and sexually exploited people in a closed Asian country from 2007-2017.

F and her husband are excited to communicate with you, but because of their continued close contact with and desire to continue training trips in that country, need to keep a low internet profile.

Please reach out to helpexploitedwomen@proton.me to know how to connect with, pray for or financially support.

Lucas & Bekah Grudda

Lucas and Bekah Grudda minister with World Venture in Senegal, Africa. They serve as teachers in Dakar Academy, a school for Missionary and Expatriate children.

Specifically, they seek to impact the children for Christ as they teach them physical education and coach several sports. They have three young children: Olivia, Caleb, and Micah.

Maceo & Rosalie Hemmingway

Serving in Newark and South Carolina, the Hemmingways offer counseling, help with addiction problems, and assist with those dealing with single-parent homes and unemployment.

They also look for opportunities to present the gospel through Bible studies, retreats, support groups, tutoring, and street evangelism.

Nathan & Becky Kendall

Nathan and Becky Kendall moved from Guinea to Senegal, West Africa in 2022. Previously, they spent 18 years working in Guinea. The church they worked with tripled in size over their time, primarily as congregants were encouraged to invest in each other and engage their community. Nathan trained leaders in the church as well as in government.

They worked with university students, targeting mainly the few Christian students, to grow them in their walk with God and develop their academic and professional skills. They also worked on developing the people around them, be it starting a missionary kid school and anglophone library, multiple businesses, or teaching professional skills.

Part of the Kendalls’ life goal is to grow Christ’s Kingdom wherever they are. As they start work in Senegal they are looking for how to use their experiences and skills to make an impact and grow Christ’s Kingdom there.

They have three children: Philip, Marie, and Taliana, and have served with WorldVenture since 2001.

Rachel & Shelbey Hunt

Rachel and Shelbey have been in the UK for five years in various roles. They currently serve with GEM UK in England in a micro-church coffee shop. They equip, serve, and invite the local community into a true relationship with Jesus while encouraging their fellow brothers and sisters to reach out alongside them.

Rachel and Shelbey both work within the coffee shop amongst local customers and regulars while developing relationships with a gospel end in mind. Rachel serves the church community through discipleship, teaching, and encouraging a group of believers through a small group. Shelbey helps lead both the small church community as well as a network that connects various churches throughout Bicester. He also works with GEM UK to empower new missionaries entering the field for their first terms.

Kevin & Kaori Laverman

Kevin and Kaori Laverman (WorldVenture, Japan) recently made a move, following the Lord’s lead to reach out to a huge new subdivision of Tokyo with no Christian churches.

Along with the new work in “Muko,” they continue to support Denen Grace Chapel in Kawasaki. This church reaches out to its community and to returnees, Japanese people who became Christians abroad.

Gracie Leung

Gracie Leung is on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, serving local campuses, The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and Princeton University.

The mission of InterVarsity is to establish and advance witnessing communities on campuses that follow Jesus as Lord, growing in love for God, God’s word, God’s people of every ethnicity and culture, and God’s purposes.

Gracie disciples, equips, and empowers students to follow Jesus with their whole lives and bring the Good News to those on campus who are loved by God yet do not know Him yet.

Church members are trained and encouraged to start their own bible studies with their family members, friends, and co-workers, and to develop different missional initiatives to reach students, refugees, street children and their families, those enslaved in the sex industry, and those who have little access to healthcare, and partner together to prepare to send out our own local members to an unreached, unengaged people group near us.

Adrienne Livingston

Since 2014, Adrienne Livingston has been the Director of Anti-Sex Trafficking Initiatives (Oregon) with WorldVenture. Adrienne is a Co-Developer of the Girl Empowerment Curriculum which was created as a sex trafficking and domestic violence prevention curriculum for middle and high school girls.

The desire to see girls understand their value as image bearers of God, navigate relationships in healthy and safe ways, and be equipped to recognize and avoid sex trafficking and domestic violence situations. She is the producer and host of the Justice Hope Freedom Podcast to educate about the issues of sex trafficking and exploitation. A life value she holds is giving back to community and upholding justice and care.

Tammy & Rob Mittuch

Rob (affiliate staff), Tammy (full-time), Ellie (19), Trey (17), Mackenzie (15),

Tammy Mittuch is serving with Cru’s FamilyLife-Local ministry. She will be coaching the FamilyLife-Local staff women throughout the nation, equipping them to reach communities with the gospel while doing the same in her own sphere.

The hope & prayer is to see the gospel transform families by working with the local church, leading small groups, training others to share their faith, and reaching the lost with the gospel. Our hope is to help change the world one home at a time.

Diana Muenzenberger

Diana is a middle school teacher to missionary kids at Faith Academy in the Philippines. She first served at Faith Academy in 1995 on a missions trip.

Diana takes great joy in developing relationships with her students while watching them thrive academically. Find out more about Faith Academy.

Dave, Emily & Artemis Parmer

“David and Emily Parmer, along with their daughter Artemis, live in Strasbourg, France. They work with a team of believers to reach refugees and immigrants from unreached nations with the Good News. Since 2022, they have begun their journey of language learning and integrating into ministry life.

The team runs a coffee shop which offers people a haven to build community and receive help with administrative paperwork, French learning, and other life-on-life opportunities to express the love that Jesus has for each of them. With a long-term vision for churches to be planted in the least-reached neighborhoods of Strasbourg, the Parmer’s are seeking to use hospitality in the coffee shop and their own home to offer their neighbors a glimpse at the redemptive power of Jesus in their own lives and family.

George & Linda Renner

George and Linda lived in Nairobi, Kenya for 20 years and George was a professor at Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology.

George’s vision is to train a new generation of African Christian leaders who are deeply grounded in God’s Word and who had developed the skills and character for effective leadership in complex African contexts. Linda’s work involved mentoring student wives and poor single moms in the Nairobi slums by providing skills in sewing.

Today, George is a Global Specialist for WorldVenture. Linda continues to market the wonderful hand-made products made by the “Global Bag Ladies.” George’s involvement in Africa today sees him involved with former students all over Africa. He has partnered with the Evangelical Church of South Sudan for 20 years, offering pastoral training in theology and peace building. George partners with Transformational Leaders for Africa in bringing Bible teaching to Rwandese pastors. He also teaches about leadership and conflict transformation in Nigeria and Uganda.

Ernie and Judy Scalabrin

Ernie and Judy Scalabrin are domestic missionaries with the Navigators, serving locally with the Greater NYC/NJ Navigators Missions Team. Their exciting focus of ministry is After-School Bible Clubs in the public schools grades K-12. They teach and train volunteers to effectively share the Gospel with and disciple public school children who attendd.

Their ministry is expanding quickly to public schools not only locally in New York and New Jersey but to other states. They see scores of children every year trust Christ as Savior! They have been involved in this ministry for 23 years. If you are interested in knowing more about them or doing a Bible Club in your local public school you can contact them at erniebrs@gmail.com

Mark & Kathy Schaaf

Supporting national gospel movements, Mark serves as Walk Thru the Bible’s international trainer. Serving with WorldVenture, Mark is the International trainer for Walk Thru the Bible. Equipping, training, and coaching national pastors in teaching for life change.

Experiential learning among oral learners with under-resourced pastors is Mark’s primary focus. Training church leaders to understand and teach the Bible as one grand story. After many years in the Middle East and South Africa, the Schaafs live in Atlanta while serving globally.

Bern & Patty Schraut

Bern and Patty live in Austria with their two adult sons. Bern is Deputy Technical Director for Trans World Radio (TWR) in Europe.

TWR has been changing their technologies to include internet and smartphones as well as AM, shortwave, and satellite radio so they could better cross geographic borders – Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The core content, the message of the gospel, has been repackaged in different lengths and languages and readied for multiple technologies. Their communication platform has changed from radio-program centered to content centered and will allow them to adjust quickly to new technologies in the future. Their vision required a change in the technical backbone of TWR as well as the change in programming. Bern has been involved in areas like program distribution and playout, frequency management, in-house software development and project management based on biblical principles. Bern & Patty attend a free evangelical church in Vienna, where Bern helps with preaching and technical advice and Patty is involved in their music program and leads two women Bible studies.

Amoon Sharon

Amoon, Ghazala and their sons reach out to people of all faiths with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through fellowship, love and respect. They are based in Central NJ, and uniquely positioned to minister to a large South Asian population with the love of Jesus.

They perform their mission through a variety of outreach efforts: through South Asian Fellowship theybuild bridges of friendship with people from multiple religious backgrounds to fellowship and study the Word of God; through Prison Ministry they minister to inmates of all faiths; through ESL Ministry they teach English and reflect God’s love to immigrant students from multicultural and religious backgrounds; through Believer’s Fellowship they provide a place to new believers to fellowship and grow together with people of diverse backgrounds; through Pakistan Ministry the Alpha Church and Alpha School were established to meet the spiritual, physical and educational needs of the villages in Pakistan.

Marc & Alyssa Stasio

Marc and Alyssa are passionate about seeing the Gospel spread throughout New Jersey. They’ve lived here their whole lives and met each other at Cru on Rutgers University.

After powerfully encountering Jesus as students in Cru, they’re now working full time to reach today’s college students with the Gospel.

Joe Violi

After serving nineteen years on college campuses in the Navigators’ Collegiate ministry at Rutgers and Penn State, Joe is now assuming leadership of the Nav20’s ministry in Philadelphia, PA. Joe seeks to come alongside and equip recent alumni and other young adults in their 20’s as they transition to new jobs, neighborhoods, roommates, etc. He encourages them to abide with Jesus and live for him in these new contexts.

The goal of Nav20’s is to develop a network of young adults pursuing Christ together, making disciples, and pointing friends to Jesus where they live, work, and play. Find out more about Joe.

Tom & Alicia Voster with sons Mason & Camryn

Serving with World Team in Cambodia, the Vosters are developing a student ministry at the university in the capital city of Phnom Penh.

They are managing two dormitories for the students they minister to, one for men and one for women. They are developing biblical study programs to aid in their ministry. Their desire is to make disciples that will pass the gospel on to others.”

Clint & Jillian Watkins

Clint and Jillian serve with Disciplemakers in Lancaster, PA. The Watkins connect with college students through weekly bible studies and other outreach events such as conferences and retreats during the school year to encourage their Christian growth and help them to evangelize their campuses for Christ.

Clint and Jillian currently serve with three different colleges in the Lancaster area: Elizabethtown College, Thaddeus Stevens College, and Lebanon Valley College

John & Stella White

John and Stella White serve with WorldVenture in Kyiv, Ukraine. They both teach at the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS).

John teaches courses in the area of cross-cultural and urban missions, including Introduction to Missiology, Cross-Cultural Communication, Theology of Urban Mission, and History of the City and Urban Mission, while Stella teaches English. John also is helping develop an urban strategy for WorldVenture. John’s home church is Millington Baptist Church

Lindsey Williams

Lindsey Williams is on the operations staff of Athletes in Action, which is an organization that brings the Gospel to college athletes across America.

She works alongside the national campus staff to run finances, plan events, and anticipate the needs of campus teams and directors. Lindsey and her husband live in Michigan

Eric and Tina Yee

Eric and Tina Yee are working to plant healthy churches that make Christ’s disciples to reach the unchurched, unwanted, unreached & unengaged in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Senegal Partners | MBC is passionate for the Mission Globally.

MBC has been partnering with the small church in Senegal since 2005 to bring the gospel to this largely Muslim and very poor country. We have a partner village, Langomack, which is located near the center of Senegal. We have made more than 18 visits to this village.

When we visit, we help with Kids Clubs, work on different construction projects, enjoy very elaborate feasts, worship with the small group of believers in the village, join in prayer walking, enjoy “tea debates” and do a lot of visiting.

Recently we have been involved with exciting projects in the village: 1) providing much needed books to the school in the village 2) providing resources to install a long water pipe to bring water to the village – the church in Langomack is using it to provide a tangible and valuable blessing to the entire village.

In addition, we have come alongside our World Partners in the city capital of Dakar to provide funding for an auto mechanics school and shop where livelihoods are being earned, and disciples are being made.

We have dear friends in the village now, and we always rejoice when we can see each other in person. The people in the church in Langomack have come to know us and are faithful to pray for us. God has woven our hearts together for His glory.

Local Partners | MBC partners with great local ministries. Check them out below to plug in.

“Serving the people I love, this is my wonderful gift from God, my “Missionary Christmas.”

“Pray for more opportunities to talk about Jesus and how He is the exact representation of God, how He bridges the gap between us and God.”

“But God is still at work in the midst of a pandemic and, I believe, is using this unique season to reveal Himself in special ways.”

“Covid 19 is the least of the problems facing believers who are the Evangelical Church of South Sudan.”

“Please pray now for God’s mercy over the Senegalese and for His name to be glorified.”

“We cannot do what we do as believing professionals, offering our work for God’s glory and purposes, without your prayer and financial support.”

MBC Missions Unhindered | MBC efforts are not held back by COVID.

The MBC Missions Team partnered with a local church (Camino de Fe, Pastor Dan Fenco) to help provide lunches to ELL kids in a local school.

This summer program is run by the school district. Our church Camino de Fe helped two years ago. Initially, it was for ELL (English Language Learner) students entering kindergarten. This year, they are including other ELL students that need additional help. The school district approached me and Camino de Fe and then I thought of involving other churches in the area that have been partnering with us.

These camps have been an initiative of the Somerset Hills School District to help students who have recently come to the country to adapt to the school system. Oftentimes the parents are not familiar with the school system nor their children have been in a school setting before. The school district’s program helps the children adapt and be familiar with the new school year in the fall. It also helps teachers become familiar with new students. The state, through different grants, compensates the ELL (English Language Learner) teachers.

In the past, there was not enough money to provide for the snacks and lunches. Oftentimes, the teachers and administrators took the initiative to provide for that need. The school approached the company that is in charge of their lunches, but it would be a huge expense since they have to buy food in bulk and it is a small group of children. Some food might go to waste.

The school does not necessarily have to provide the lunches/snacks, but they understand the challenges that families and their children face. Oftentimes, the children go home at the end of a school day and there is no one at home, so they thought it would be a good thing to provide snacks and lunches.

MBC prevents COVID job losses for pastors in Africa.

MBC provided money to these pastors to allow them to continue to minister to their congregations. These congregations are not able to support the pastors on their own because many have lost their jobs due to Covid.

Bo Columbine – Senegal auto repair campaign.

Pastor Bob talks with Bo Columbine and the impact our Expanding the Table giving campaign is having in Senegal. Specifically, MBC helped to renovate the Foyers Shama Auto Shop in the capitol of Dakar, leading to vocational training and relational impact amongst young Senegalese men and women.

Pastor Kioko in rural eastern Kenya

We seem to be having a 1st century experience, worship in homes. I have been sending a passage to read, a thought from the passage and some prayer needs every Saturday evening in readiness for Sunday using SMS. Families have organized themselves to have a worship leader, a song leader and someone to explain the thought. Some collect an offering. This means more people are involved than when we all gather in the Church building. I hear the services are also short! Very un-rural. I am so happy that worshiping Jesus is assuming another paradigm and not coming to a halt. I see the mature believers in families becoming disciple makers as the church grows. I am planning to give some training through social media. When we are back to Church (When!), I would like to see how we can continue having the home cells. ~Kioko

Pastor Sitati in rural western Kenya

It has been another good Sunday.

Ever since the Government announced the closure of churches, my Sundays have been very busy. I put on my mask and visit individual families with the sermon. I wash my hands at every home and observe the social distance. We have a 30 minute service per family. People have been giving their lives to Christ. Members are being strengthened. New people have joined the church. We are experiencing tremendous growth. Please pray that the Lord continues to give me strength. I usually leave my house at 9:30am and come back at 6:00pm to beat the curfew. ~Sitati

Questions?

Yvonne Lai

Missions Chair

Contact Yvonne with any questions

Livestream

Our Sunday Live Stream is now on our YouTube channel

MBC LIVE!

MBC’s Sunday experience is only available on our MBC Unhindered YouTube channel. We no longer provide live streaming to Vimeo and Facebook.

Welcome to MBC!
If you consider yourself new here, we would love to get to know you and help you get acquainted with our community.
Just click the link above and fill out a Connection Form.

Giving at MBC
You can make one-time or recurring donations to MBC via our online portal, using your credit or debit card, or direct withdrawal from your checking account.

Did you miss it?
No worries, you can still enjoy our services at any time:

1. Visit our Media or Sermon Archive pages.

2. Subscribe to our Podcast:

We are currently experiencing an unexpected temporary power outage affecting our Live Stream broadcast. We hope the power will be restored shortly for our 10:45 Service. We apologize for this inconvenience we are grateful for your patience.

I’m NEW HERE
Welcome to MBC! If you consider yourself new here, we would love to get to know you and help you get acquainted with our community. Just click the link above and fill out a Connection Form.

You can also view MBC’s Sunday experience on Facebook Live.
So check us out and share the stream with others!

You can also view MBC’s Sunday experience on Facebook Live. So check us out and share the stream with others!

MBC Teens Live Stream

MBC Kids Live Stream

Did you miss it?
No worries, you can still enjoy our services at any time:

1. Visit our Media or Sermon Archive pages.

2. Subscribe to our Podcast:

You can make one-time or recurring donations to MBC via our online portal, using your credit or debit card, or direct withdrawal from your checking account.

We are currently transitioning to a new giving platform called Pushpay, which allows for a fast and simple giving experience.

Pastor’s Table Blog

Comfort in Catastrophe

Bob Erbig

November 3, 2025

Listen to this article

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:31

When the Storm Hits

Weddings are supposed to be joyful, memorable beginnings. For one Texas couple, Kasydee and Hunter Bishop, that joy was quickly tested. They had just said their vows and boarded a plane for their dream honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica. But soon after landing, Hurricane Melissa formed and turned directly toward the island. Flights were canceled. The windows were boarded up. The Bishops were stranded, waiting for impact.

Hunter told reporters, “We just really have no idea what to expect right now.” That line could describe so many moments in life—when the skies darken, the winds pick up, and you suddenly realize you’re not in control.

How do you prepare for a coming catastrophe? That’s the question Isaiah 40 answers.

Comfort in the Chaos

In Isaiah 39, King Hezekiah made a critical mistake. When envoys came from Babylon, he proudly showed them all his treasures—the gold, the silver, even his armory. Isaiah warned him that Babylon would one day return to take it all. A storm was coming for Judah.

And yet, the very next chapter opens with this astonishing word from God:
“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

Even when the storm is self-inflicted, God offers comfort. He forgives sin, reveals His glory, and promises to shepherd His people home. Isaiah 40 paints the picture of a God who gathers His lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart (v. 11). That is who He is—a God who comforts us, even when we’ve brought the storm upon ourselves.

King of Creation — and the False Gods We Trust

But Isaiah doesn’t stop with comfort. He reminds us that the God who forgives is also the King of Creation—the One who measured the oceans in the hollow of His hand and weighed the mountains on His scales. No one counsels Him. No one rivals Him.

Then Isaiah exposes the absurdity of idolatry. The nations around Judah worshiped gods of gold and wood—handmade idols they had to prop up so they wouldn’t topple over. Isaiah asks, “To whom will you compare God? An idol?” (v. 18). The craftsman carves it, the goldsmith decorates it, and the poor man chooses wood that won’t rot. These “gods” are powerless, yet people trust them for security.

Before we laugh too hard, Isaiah’s words confront us too. We may not bow before statues, but we still chase modern idols—success, wealth, technology, influence, control. When catastrophe comes, these idols can’t save us. They can’t hold us when the hurricane hits. Only the living God—the Creator of heaven and earth—has that kind of power.

Strength for the Weary

After tearing down false gods, Isaiah points us back to the true source of strength. The same God who calls the stars by name also calls you by name. He never grows weary. And when you feel faint, He offers His strength.

Then comes that breathtaking promise:
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles…”

To “wait” in Hebrew (qāwâ) means to trust expectantly—to let go of control and depend completely on God. Those who wait on Him exchange their worn-out strength for His limitless power. Like an eagle catching the wind, we soar—not because the storm disappears, but because God lifts us above it.

So, what storm are you facing today? What idols are you tempted to trust when life feels out of control? Isaiah invites you to release them—to stop striving, stop clinging to false security, and wait on the Lord.

When you do, you’ll find comfort in catastrophe, strength in exhaustion, and faith that flies above the storm.

Reflection:
What “idols” do you tend to rely on when life feels chaotic? How might God be calling you to lay them down and wait on Him instead?

Bible Reading Plan:

Day One: Isaiah 39
Day Two: Isaiah 40:1-11
Day Three: Isaiah 40:12-31
Day Four: Psalm 27

Bob Erbig

Bob Erbig serves as Lead Pastor: Preaching, Family Life and Mission at Millington Baptist Church in Basking Ridge, NJ. He is a graduate of Eastern University and Denver Theological Seminary. He and his wife Amanda enjoy one daughter.

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MBC's Bible Engagement Plan

MBC’s Bible Engagement Plan: Isaiah – From Ruin to Redemption

As a church community, our desire is to move from hearing God’s Word to living it out daily. This Bible Engagement Plan is designed to help us walk through Isaiah together in a weekly rhythm that deepens our understanding while also cultivating habits of daily reading and reflection.

LISTEN TO THE SUNDAY SERMON

Each week begins with the Pastor’s Sunday sermon on a passage from Isaiah and includes

Pastor’s Outline: A guide to follow along and take notes. We also suggest picking up the Isaiah scripture journal from the Welcome Center.
Discussion Questions: Provided to encourage reflection and conversation in small groups, families, or personal study. If you are not already part of a small group, consider joining one this Fall: Click here to explore one of MBC’s small groups

READ AND REFLECT ON THE WEEKLY PLAN

Monday through Saturday, follow the suggested reading plan outlined in the Saturday eNews Bulletin. As you read and reflect on your passage each day, ask these two guiding questions and jot down your thoughts in your Isaiah journal.

What does this passage reveal about God—His character, His purposes, or His promises?
How should I respond in light of what I’ve read—through trust, obedience, repentance, or worship?

MEMORIZE THE WEEKLY KEY VERSE

Every week, one key verse from the sermon will be highlighted for memory. You are invited to use the free Bible Memory app and join the “Millington Baptist Church” Bible memorization group: Click here to join

READ AND REFLECT ON THE PASTOR’S DEVOTIONAL BLOG

Each Wednesday, one of our pastors will share a devotional expanding on the sermon theme helping to connect Isaiah’s message to everyday life.

Why This Rhythm Matters

Immersion: This plan helps you engage learning in multiple ways—hearing, reading, memorizing, and reflecting—so you gain a richer understanding of Isaiah’s message.
Transformation in Community: Discussion questions and shared readings create space for us to learn together and nurture application of the biblical principles into our daily lives.

Questions or comments?

Contact Amy Huber, Director of Discipleship and Connections: ahuber@millingtonbaptist.org

Previous Entries

Pastor Bob Erbig and Pastor Dave Hentschel

Welcome to the Pastor’s Table

April 1, 2020

MBCAdmin

This blog is our invitation to you to pull up a seat and have a conversation with us. Here you will find theological musings, ministry updates and pastoral encouragement for our church body and for our broader community.

Who Has The Keys? (Reflections on Revelation 1:9-20)

September 23, 2024

June 18, 2024

Dave Hentschel

By Pastor David Hentschel In Luke 18:15-34, we are drawn into a series of encounters that Jesus has with different groups of people, each offering profound insights into the nature of the Kingdom of God and what it means to follow Jesus. Let's break down these verses and reflect...

Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better! (Reflections on Luke 18:9-14)

June 10, 2024

Bob Erbig

“I’m Better Than You” Yesterday we continued our sermon series on the Gospel of Luke. Our focus was the “Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector” in Luke 18:9-14. This parable has some unique features. First, it is one of the only parables where Jesus tells us the lesson...

1 2 … 17 Next »

Communion

Preparing to Take Communion at Home |

1. Grape Juice or Water (quantity depends on size of your group)

2. Bread or Baked Crackers | Unleavened bread is the best expression of the “bread” element. Unleavened bread simply is bread baked without a rising agent (most large grocery stores stock unleavened bread), but you can select any bread or cracker of your choice.

3. Be Ready at Home with Your Elements | The pastor will direct you through properly receiving communion. All you need to do is follow along online individually or as a group during the service.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR PERSONAL USE
Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

The Lord’s Table & Children |

When should my children take the Lord’s table?

We allow the parents to decide when their children are ready, but we encourage them to make sure their children understand the significance of what they are celebrating. It is a decision we would encourage them to make carefully and prayerfully.

What key principles determine a child’s readiness?

For any person to be ready, they must understand that at the Lord’s Table we are doing these things:

We Remember
The mental action of the participants of the Lord’s Supper is to focus the mind on Jesus and especially his historical work in dying for our sins. 1 Cor 11:24-25 says “Do this in remembrance of me.”
We Worship
1 Cor 10:20 talks about sacrifices given to idols, which Paul says are given to demons because there’s worship going on there, and so in the same way, when we celebrate the Lord’s table, there is true worship here. This is why the Lord’s table is for believers only, It’s not for unbelievers, because it is part of worship. The Lord’s Supper is an act of the gathered family of those who believe in Jesus, the church. It is not an act for unbelievers. Unbelievers may be present—indeed, we welcome them to be present—there is nothing secretive about the Lord’s Supper. It is done in public.
We Give Thanks
The word EUCHARIST in 1 Cor 11:24 means to give thanks. Why ? Because He paid our sin debt.
We Practice Self-Examination
The scripture says a man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. (1 Corinthians 11:28-29) Infants and smaller children, not instructed in the Lord, cannot “examine themselves” or properly “recognize the body of the Lord.”

Note to Parents: Look for your child’s capability in understanding, seriousness, and their ability to remember, worship, give thanks and practice self-examination.

Our baptism services are intended to publicly celebrate personal Renewal & Growth in Jesus Christ and spur on Connection & Action within community.

Questions?

Dave Hentschel

Lead Pastor: Preaching,
Spiritual Formation & Care

Contact Dave with any questions

The Lord’s Table |

Young Adults

Young Adults (Ages 18-30)

Young adults ages 18-30 are invited to go deeper in their relationship with God and with each other as we navigate this exciting and complex life stage together. We will engage in topical cultural discussions through thought-provoking messages, serving opportunities, and time in prayer that aims to develop a strong community of believers. Plus, did we mention there will be food? Come join us!

Young Adults Group Led by Johnny Graves:

Johnny Graves leads a Young Adults Small Group that meets on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 4pm (location varies). For more information on the small group, you can email Johnny at jgraves@millingtonbaptist.org

Monthly Young Adults Fellowship:

Monthly fellowship of food, fellowship, worship and a message meets on the first Saturday of the month in Watchung.

*Need directions? Contact Johnny Graves (jgraves@millingtonbaptist.org).

Meaning in the Madness Book

Finding Meaning in the midst of Madness A Book on the Old Testament Scripture "Ecclesiastes" by David Hentschel & Bob Erbig Chaos. That is a ...

Updates & Connection Opportunities

Weekly Pastors Video: Every week Pastor Bob and special guest brings you some encouraging truths from the Scriptures , current events and let you know ...

The Bridge

When: 12:30pm on Sunday December 14th, 2025.Where: Fellowship Hall Feel free to bring the whole family!Come and learn more about the mission and ministries of MBC ...

Christmas Eve 2025

Tuesday, December 23rd & Wednesday December 24th, 2025 12/23: 7pm 12/24: 4pm & 6pm We hope to see you and the whole family at MBC ...

Pickleball+ @MBC

Pickleball is DONE FOR THE SEASON. We'll see you back on the courts in 2026! IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR THIS SUNDAY 5/12/24 Happy Mother's Day! Pickleball ...
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Men’s Breakfast, December 13

When: Saturday December 13thTime: 7:30am – 9:30am (Doors Open at 7:30am)Where: Fellowship HallWhat: We invite all men and their sons to join us for a ...

Young Adults Class: Preparing for the Next Stage of Life, Ages 18-25
Meets July 7, 14, 21, & 28, 10:45am, YFMB, Room 202
If you are in college or newly embarking on a career and don’t feel fully prepared to face many important aspects of life, such as: managing money, creating a resume, interviewing, taxes, investing, or even deciding on a church, this 4-week class will help prepare you for what lies ahead in this
next stage of your life.

Shuttle Service from the Chabad

Starting 9/7/25 our weekly shuttle service will be back in action! We hope you’ll TAKE ADVANTAGE of our shuttle rewards program this fall!

Take MBC with you

We are very excited to roll out our new MBC app!

The Church isn’t a building – it’s people! We want to make sure that everyone can experience the MBC community and stay connected whenever they want.

Our app will expand the way we connect with both new individuals checking us out and those who call MBC their home. Its primary features keep you connected with information and personalized notifications to our various ministries, Sunday morning Live Stream, sermon archives, our podcast, giving access, and up-to-date information on our community activities and events. As a bonus, we also added the Bible for your convenience during the sermons or whenever you desire to connect with the Word of God.

There are three ways to get our app:

1. From your cell phone, text: “mbcnj app” to (833) 683-6726 and a link for direct download will be immediately sent;

2. Or search for Millington Baptist Church on or .

3. On your computer, you can go here to get the app sent to your phone.

Once you download it, please go to your app store and leave a great review to help others find it easier.

If you have attended our church for any period of time, then you know our mission is to expand the table for the glory of God and to be fully devoted to Christ, our church body and the community around us. This app is merely a small expression of our desire to make those connections and grow the body of Christ.

Stay tuned as new features will be added over time.