 We are busy preparing for Connect25, which will be held at Crosspoint Bible Church in Omaha, NE July 10-12. Registrations are now open! Please check out the details here: Connect25
Our Ministries Coordinator, Gary Krehbiel, continues to offer our FEBC Fusion event at churches around the Fellowship, to rave reviews. If your congregation would enjoy an evening of fun and fellowship while learning a bit more about the FEBC, contact us for more information.
I believe any church can benefit from connecting with what we’re doing as a Fellowship. Thank you for your support, prayer and encouragement! Tags:
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An Ode to the “Rope Holders”4/11/2025  “So, what are you young people doing?” My future wife, Wendy, and I were standing in the lunch lineup at the annual missions conference at Briercrest Bible Institute. We were greatly encouraged that a pleasant elderly couple took the time and interest to befriend a couple of young people totally unknown to them. Like us, Archie and Grace McCaskell had driven many hours to attend the conference. We explained that we hoped to get married, and then work towards serving the Lord on the mission field. We learned that they lived on a farm near Redvers, Saskatchewan. They told us to be sure to come and visit them. And so began a decades-long friendship, paused only when the Lord Jesus in His wisdom and time called His faithful servants home to be with Himself forever. What especially impressed us about Archie and Grace was their unselfish love and interest in others. We could see Jesus in them! In Philippians 2:20, Paul wrote about his beloved Timothy, “For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.” Archie and Grace sincerely loved and cared for others. They never possessed great earthly riches, but they freely shared with others of the treasures they did have. For Wendy and me, that was a source of encouragement and strength. They became part of our team of prayer warriors and rope holders. Who or what is a rope holder? The concept is taken from Acts 9:23–25 as Paul was delivered from those seeking his life in Damascus. These friends delivered him by lowering him through the wall in a large basket (presumably using ropes). Before William Carey, the father of modern missions, left for India, he told his friends, “Saving souls can be likened to a man drowning in a deep well and a volunteer can do nothing unless there are people who will hold the rope for him to be lowered till he reaches the drowning man, and then pull them up to safety.” Carey added, “I will go to India as a volunteer to seek sinners drowning in the well of sin. But I can’t do it alone. I need rope-holders. Will you be my rope-holders?”  The Character of the Rope HolderWhat helped shape Archie and Grace so that they became such beautiful rope holders? A few glimpses from their lives will help us understand their success. In fact, these glimpses reveal that it was not in their own strength they lived and served, but through their Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. As they steadfastly submitted to the often difficult circumstances the Lord allowed, Archie and Grace increasingly became conformed to His image. Our first glimpse is from World War 2. Archie and Grace had married, but the distance of war separated them as Archie served overseas. While he was in Europe, their son Keith was born. When Archie finally returned, Grace and young Keith met Archie at the railway station. When Keith saw his dad for the first time, he enthusiastically ran towards him and shouted out, “Daddy, daddy!” How could he do that, when he had never even seen his dad? Only because his loving mom had through faithful prayers instilled in their young boy a love for the dad he now was about to meet for the first time. No doubt, she had also shown him a picture or two many, many times. Grace and Keith had faithfully prayed for their loved one. That quality of keeping the memory alive is rope holding at its finest! As Wendy and I served overseas and in Canada we were privileged to benefit from the same quality of commitment and obedience to the Lord. The McCaskells lived in a small and simple farmhouse, a little more than 6 miles west of Redvers. A powerful glimpse revealing the hardships they at times endured is when, during a particularly harsh winter, their dear Redvers friends, Carl and Mary, decided to drive out to the isolated farm for a visit. They did so in late February or early March. When they arrived, Archie and Grace told them, “You are the first people we have seen since Christmas!” We conclude that the character of Archie and Grace was not developed in a vacuum, but as the Lord tenderly guided them through both joys and hardships… The farm thrived, and so did the McCaskells’ involvement in church. Well into retirement years, they served faithfully in the local church and through home groups. They took Bible correspondence courses, as they wanted to continue to grow in the knowledge of Jesus and His Word. And, they continued to help Keith and the family on the farm. On one precious visit Wendy and I were even privileged to help out with the potato harvest! In the years leading up to Wendy and I departing for the mission field (and while we were home on furlough), Archie and Grace continued to encourage us. They helped arrange so that we could speak in local churches and at home meetings. They supported us financially and through their faithful prayers. Even though my family to this day can’t see or know the full impact of those prayers, I am sure it was considerable. Archie and Grace helped hold the ropes, for which we are eternally grateful. We were the beneficiaries of that faithfulness which by the Lord so carefully had been honed during the preceding often challenging decades.  Holding FastFollowing our service on the mission field and some further studies, our family served in a church not far from Redvers. Of course it was through Archie and Grace we had come in contact with the church in Maryfield. Again we benefited from their faithfulness. And because we lived nearby we could be there when the Heavenly Father in His wisdom decided that it was time to call His servants home to heaven. We were honored to visit Archie in Redvers Hospital, shortly before his home-going. Even though he was quite weak, he was clearly encouraged when I said to him, “At this point, you may be physically frail, but that light of the Lord in your eyes still shines brightly!” How encouraging to see a godly man finish well! Some years later Grace joined her husband in the heavenly mansions. At Archie’s funeral service I read a Bible passage reflecting his deep love for the Word of God. The passage, Psalm 119:30–35, describes well his life of dedication and obedience, and why he and his precious Grace were able to serve as such steadfast prayer warriors and rope holders.
 Wendy & Hans Elgby A Rope Holder’s LegacyThis article is not written just to remember and honor Archie and Grace, but also to see what lessons we can learn from them. We must beware lest our fast paced and secular world rob us of the true riches and service such as Archie and Grace clearly had found. The Lord lovingly shaped and guided this fine couple. Jesus lived in and through them. Archie and Grace remained faithful through both joy and at times deep personal sorrow. They continued to look beyond their own sphere, to see how they could be used by the Lord to be a blessing to others. The challenge for us then must be to seek to emulate them. Let us also take a genuine interest in others. Let us live for more than what benefits just us. Let us live to be a blessing in the lives of both friends and strangers. Under the Lord, let us make and take opportunities to minister. We certainly should do this for the sake of others, but ultimately so that Jesus Christ may be honored and glorified. For both those hoping to serve the Lord on the mission field and for the rope holders, may we not neglect the basic disciplines of the Christian life but be faithful in prayer, Bible study, hospitality, and giving. “Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” 
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  A call is heard from far away From over sea and land Of lives expiring every day Like an hourglass of sand. To the ears of our hearts They call without words, From the world’s farthest parts They’re desperate to be heard. With broken souls and hungry bones They cry for what they do not know; With blind eyes and hearts of stone Day by day their needs grow. They don’t just need water, But they crave the Water of Life The orphan and slave made son and daughter, They’re craving peace an end to strife. You know what they crave Though they do not; From heaven to cradle to cross then cave One man, one God their lives He bought. Only the Way, the Truth, the Life Only this God, this sacrificial Man Can bring relief to their souls and end their strife; Will you hear their call and be His hand? How will they learn what they do not know? How will they hear if we do not go? Go. Make. TeachAnd Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. – Matthew 28:18-20 Go—it can be a scary word sometimes, but it is what we are called to do.
We are called to go. Go to people who long for something more, to people who are broken, to people who are lost. We are called to go to those far away and those nearby because they are all far away from the kingdom and the kingdom is what they need. We are called to go, and we are called to make. To make broken hearts whole, empty bellies full, and wounded bodies mended. We are called to make an orphan beloved, a sinner a saint, and a lost one found. To make disciples of wandering souls. We are called to go, to make, and to teach. To teach the blind to see and the deaf to hear and dead to rise. We are called to teach the beloved to love, the saints to forgive, and the found to find. Go. Make. Teach—tasks that would be impossible for us to do on our own. But we are never alone. Jesus has filled us with the Holy Spirit and He will be with us, helping us and guiding us, until the end of the age when Christ returns. So, we never have to be afraid to go. We never have to be afraid to make. We never have to be afraid to teach. Let us therefore go and make and teach in the Name of Christ who commissioned us. Tags:
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Resources: Here to Help4/11/2025  One way in which we strengthen our churches is by supporting the elders of each church. This is done in many ways, but here are a few examples: Formal resources, including:
Informal engagements to review ministry philosophy, vision and mission, administrative issues, developing governing documents, and much more. Direct support for issues that come up in the church, including theological questions, conflicts, growth consultation, etc. In short, your elders have a team of seasoned ministry leaders that can help when they need assistance. This is part of the mutual support and encouragement our Fellowship provides. Check out a more complete list of resources here: FEBC Church Resources, but remember that we are willing to talk about any situation at all. Don’t hesitate to contact Gary, Kevin, or the FEBC Office.  Tags:
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Faith & Responsibility4/11/2025  Lately, as my due date draws nearer, I’ve been thinking a lot about the new responsibilities I will need to learn to shoulder as a mother. Not just shoulder, but fully own with grace, even in the face of the increased stress that comes with parenthood. Becoming a mother feels all the more daunting when I look at the amazing women in my life and the examples they have set as patient, joyful, and deeply loving mothers, seemingly filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit and the gifts He brings. I am so incredibly blessed to have a support system full of godly mothers who are not only wonderful examples to look to and learn from, but also attentive and encouraging friends who will walk alongside Cayden and me as we navigate becoming new parents. When I begin to overthink the parenting hurdles surely ahead—and dwell on the increasing sinfulness of our society and the pressures that Christian parents will inevitably face—these women have already helped center me. They gently bring me back around to the hope, peace, and joy found in God’s Word. One of the most profound responsibilities that has been weighing on my heart lately is the role parents play in the spiritual development and well-being of their children. As I’ve considered what this truly means, I’ve also found myself reflecting on the women and mothers in my life who have set such a strong example for me. What sets them apart, I’ve realized, is not just how they parent, but how seriously they have always taken their calling as believers. Long before they became mothers, they were committed to boldly sharing the Word and love of Christ with those around them. In contrast, I’ve had to confront the fact that I’ve never been that great at boldly sharing my faith or actively seeking out opportunities to witness. Too often, I’ve let the fear of rejection or the discomfort of confrontation keep me silent. I’ve been worried about the responsibilities I will hold as a parent, all while neglecting the responsibilities I already hold as a Christian. Jesus' words in the Great Commission come to mind: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20, New International Version). This isn’t a suggestion, it’s a commission. It’s a direct charge given to all of us who follow Christ. We need to take this call seriously. As believers, we are not meant to live in stagnation. The Christian life is not passive. It’s not enough to simply be “good people” or attend church regularly. We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16, NIV). That requires movement, intention, and engagement. It requires that we not only talk about our faith but live it out in a way that others can see and be drawn to Christ through us. When I started to view parenting through this lens, everything changed. The thought of being responsible for sharing and showing the love and teachings of Christ with my daughter began to feel less intimidating and more like a privilege. If I’m already living out my faith daily (witnessing to others, serving joyfully, seeking Christ earnestly) then parenting won’t be a dramatic shift. It will simply be an extension of the life I’m already striving to live in Christ. Parenting will still have its challenges, no doubt. But when the foundation is a life already built on the love and truth of Jesus, the task of raising a child to know and love Him feels less like a mountain to climb and more like a continuation of the journey I’m already on. My hope and prayer for you, is that you will embrace your responsibilities as a believer, not as burdens, but as blessings. Whether you are a parent or not, the call remains the same: share Christ with boldness, live out His love with consistency, and see every opportunity to witness as a gift. When we understand that God has called each of us to be messengers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18–20, NIV), it changes how we see our everyday lives. What once felt like a duty now becomes a privilege.
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The Restoration4/11/2025  Most people reading this article already know the story well. God gave Adam and Eve perfection. They chose self over obedience, and the world was plunged into rebellion, chaos, pain, despair, illness, and more. God taught us through Israel that He is holy and righteous, and that we are not. And so, as Paul put it in Romans 8, all of creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth. I love the imagery Paul uses. Childbirth is at once one of the most painful, torturous things to endure and one of the most beautiful scenes to unfold. The experience is horrible, but the result is amazing new life. And that is what God has been working out through the ages. Our lives can be difficult, messy, and downright horrible at times. But out of the messiness of our broken world, God is bringing about the most beautiful thing. It is restoration. God is restoring us to the state he intended all along - perfection in his presence for eternity. As Paul continues in Romans 8:24, “we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (ESV). Our bodies will be restored. Our minds will be restored. Every damaged or broken part of our being, mentally, physically, or emotionally, will be restored to perfection. Paul says it is in this hope that we are saved. Easter is our biggest holiday because the Easter story provides that hope. When we could not do enough to achieve righteousness, God sent his only son to be righteous on our behalf. When we could not pay enough to atone for our sins, Jesus paid the price with his own life. When we could not muster the strength to defeat death and the grave, God raised Jesus from death to life - the resurrection that paves the way for all who believe in him. We don’t have to be good enough. We don’t have to pay the debt. We don’t have to be strong enough. Jesus became all those things for us. Now we only have to believe in Jesus Christ for our salvation. That is a story most of us know well, but it is also still the most powerful story ever told. Easter can easily get muddied up, between bunnies and chocolate, dresses and hats, hunting eggs, and even fancy church services. It is a great time to invite someone to church, and a great time for churches to do special things. But amid all of this, I hope we are telling ourselves, telling one another, and telling those visitors the story of restoration. When I think about Paul’s illustration of birth pains, I think of that moment in most couples’ experience when the soon-to-be mother looks at her husband and says, “It’s time!” She knows that new life is imminent, and so they grab their pre-packed bag, jump in the car and rush to the hospital. If, as Paul said, all of creation has been groaning in the pains of childbirth since the fall of man, I think the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our Messiah, seems like the moment when God said: “It’s time.” And from that moment, we should be doing everything we can to prepare with urgency - like the parents on their way to the hospital. Our hope is on the horizon. That new birth is coming. Let’s approach this Easter with urgency. It is not just about the pageants and the songs and the food and the family gatherings. It is about the promised restoration of all things. God has called us to invite those around us to participate in this restoration. The best Easter celebration cannot compare to the celebration that is coming! Praise God, and Happy Easter!
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Mission Focus: Connect254/11/2025  As we look forward to the summer of 2025, an exceptional opportunity awaits our Fellowship: Connect25, scheduled for July 10–12, 2025, at Crosspoint Bible Church in Omaha, Nebraska. This gathering embodies our commitment to uniting believers, sharing knowledge, and equipping one another to fulfill our mission more effectively. Why Attend Connect25?Connect25 is more than just an event; it's a pivotal moment for our Fellowship to come together, strengthen bonds, and enhance our collective ministry efforts. The event's motto, "Connecting you with people, information, and resources to do ministry better," encapsulates its core purpose. Whether you are a seasoned church leader, a ministry volunteer, or someone passionate about growing the Church, Connect25 offers a space to be encouraged, sharpened, and sent out better equipped for the work God has called us to do. In an age where ministry can feel increasingly complex, isolating, and challenging, Connect25 provides the kind of relational and spiritual fuel we all need to move forward in faith. Anchored in Our MissionAt the heart of the Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches is a commitment to the Great Commission found in Matthew 28 —the calling to make disciples of all nations. We believe that every member of every church has a crucial role to play in proclaiming the Gospel and building up the body of Christ. Our Fellowship exists to join hands to strengthen His church. That means we walk together, support one another, and help one another grow—not only in ministry effectiveness but in personal spiritual maturity. Events like Connect25 are a tangible expression of this mission. They provide opportunities to:
Come Ready to Be RenewedThis summer, don't miss the chance to step away from the daily grind of ministry to be refreshed, re-centered, and re-ignited. Whether you’re in a season of growth, transition, or simply seeking clarity, Connect25 is designed with you in mind.
Connect25 represents a significant opportunity for personal growth, communal strengthening, and enhanced ministry effectiveness. By attending, you’re not only investing in your personal growth—you’re contributing to the collective strength of the Church. You're saying "yes" to unity, to shared purpose, and to the Great Commission. You're joining hands with others in the Fellowship to do the work Christ has called us to, better together. Let us gather to be inspired, to be challenged, and to be sent back out—better prepared to strengthen His church wherever He has placed us. To learn more and register, please visit the Connect25 page. We can’t wait to connect with you in Omaha this July! Tags:
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 Around the world, millions of people are dying without ever having heard the good news that simple trust in Jesus will guarantee them a home in heaven. The task seems overwhelming. Obviously, no one person can do it all, nor should they even try. In 3 John there are some verses that give a hint to how God wants the work to be done. The Apostle John writes, Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore, we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. (Vv. 5-8 ESV) The work is meant to be shared. We share in the ministry when we share in the burden of living and ministry expenses. If we share in the responsibilities of the work, we will also share in the reward at the end. The “good and faithful servant” commendation will be our reward as we support those who go out. I read somewhere that in the military, it takes about 37 people in support roles for every person in the battlefield. Just like there are many ways this support staff works to support those on the front lines, there are many ways to support global partners. An entire book, Serving as Senders, by Neal Pirolo, has been written that could be used as a handbook for the support ministries of the church. Sharing in the financial aspect of the work is not the only way to share in the ministry. Prayer also plays a big part in sharing the burdens. As we encourage global partners through prayer, we also encourage global partners through communication. We share the burden of the work as we communicate with them. The Apostle Paul often commends the people he is writing to for their generosity in making his ministry possible. He commends them for giving, for their hospitality, for their prayers and for their encouragement. All of these things make the one sent stronger and more energetic in their work. God promises that the people who do these things will share in the work and share in the reward. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. – Proverbs 11:25 ESV You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. – 2 Corinthians 1:11 ESV The final chapters in many of Paul’s epistles are rich in the simple things people have done for him which encouraged him in the ministry, encouraged him to continue on. These people shared in his ministry and will be rewarded.
The people in the featured image are sharing in the joy of a ministry as they receive word from their partners abroad. They share in this joy because they have contributed in some meaningful way to that ministry, whether it was financial support, prayers, letters of encouragement, just showing an interest in the work and keeping up with what is going on. Then, when they hear news from that partner, they share in the joy of progress and would share equally in sadness of setbacks or trials the partner is enduring. Becoming meaningfully involved with a global partner greatly increases a person's interest in the ministry and provides the conduit to share in the rewards of the ministry. Tags:
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From Generation to Generation2/5/2025  Below are the deaths, births and weddings that occurred across our congregations since our last published issue. During these major events, and always, we will proclaim His praise. Crosspoint Bible Church, (Omaha, Nebraska)
Dalmeny Bible Church (Dalmeny, Saskatchewan)
Jansen Bible Church (Jansen, Nebraska)
Langham Evangelical Bible Church (Langham, Saskatchewan
Martensville Mission Church (Martensville, Saskatchewan)
Stuartburn Gospel Chapel (Stuartburn, Manitoba)
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4/11/2025
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