Across The Nation
Randall & Barbara Bach, Thank You for 51 Years of Service through Open Bible Churches!
After serving in Open Bible for 51 years, Randall A. Bach is concluding his role as President of Open Bible Churches, effective August 30, 2023. He said, “Serving as your president is a privilege and blessing, undoubtedly the highest honor of my life. While serving in this office, I have been keenly aware that I am a steward of something I do not own. My hope is that I have made a positive difference for the Lord and Open Bible’s mission during my tenure of stewardship. Colossians 3:23 is deeply rooted in my heart as a life commitment: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.’ That is a central component of my worship to the Lord.”
“Randall has been a leader of influence and innovation in our Open Bible family for many decades,” said Open Bible Vice President Bruce Pfadenhauer. “He is a man of integrity, excellence, and has a strong work ethic that has been proven in a long list of assignments and accomplishments. Randall has been a statesman for Open Bible Churches, and it has been my privilege to serve under his leadership and as a partner on his leadership team.”
Randall’s main assignments were serving at Open Bible College, Open Bible Churches’ national office, Open Bible’s East Region, and as president of Open Bible Churches. Here we list some of his accomplishments.
Open Bible College (1972-1983)
Randall began his tenure at Open Bible College in Des Moines, Iowa, as a faculty member and director of public relations at the age of 22. At age 23, he became registrar and implementor of the federal student aid program. He became the school’s executive vice president at age 24 during the college’s successful quest for accreditation. At age 29, he became the school’s president.
During those years at the college, Randall led choir and student ministry teams on tours through the Central, Mountain Plains, and Southeast regions. He relocated and expanded the college library. He led staff members who oversaw academics, student records, recruitment, student financial aid, dormitories, cafeteria, married student housing, facilities, and an on-campus childcare business. He worked to preserve and restore the historic Butler Building, which housed administrative offices and classrooms. He helped in the development of a cooperative Associate of Arts degree with the neighboring American Institute of Business and served several terms as chair of the Open Bible Committee on Higher Education, coordinating relationships between Open Bible’s colleges. Randall served as a member of Central Region’s board of directors and as district youth director. His wife, Barbara, served at Randall’s side as bookkeeper, vocalist on a ministry team, and leader of the student wives’ fellowship.
Open Bible Churches (1983-1998)
Next, Randall moved to the national office, where he wore many hats, including serving as the national Christian Education and Youth Director, Executive Director of Church Ministries, Executive Director of Communications, and Director of World Evangelism. In these offices he traveled extensively to speak to churches on behalf of Open Bible. He represented World Evangelism in most Open Bible districts, participated in transitioning the national board to a smaller size and redefining its composition, and led the transition to computerizing national office operations, including online giving and the website. He was the designer for renovations to national office spaces, published the first We Believe doctrinal publication for adults, published CrossTraining for Kids, a doctrinal resource, and sponsored children’s ministry leaders training workshops. He transformed the Message of the Open Bible to an award-winning, four-color publication. He championed Youth For Missions giving, which grew from $7,000 annually to $86,000. He led and organized Gospel Teams Overseas, a program that conducted short-term missions trips for young people, and led an adult ministry team consisting of regional and district youth leaders on a ministry trip to Jamaica. He implemented Frontline, Open Bible’s first national youth convention, led a leadership summit of regional and district youth leaders to visit Tijuana in pursuit of the development of a short-term ministry base, and led a Youth For Missions project that raised funds to purchase land in Tijuana for the base.
East Region Open Bible Churches (1998-2011)
Randall’s next position was serving as the East Region Executive Director and Vice President of Open Bible Churches. In this role, he renovated the regional office, led the development of the Open Bible Manual with separate sections that contain national bylaws and policies and principles, as well as church bylaw models. In consultation with the national board of directors, he led the 2007 national restructuring team, that changed the size and composition of the national board. He led the development of a district leaders manual and implemented a four-color regional newsletter called PULSE. He traveled extensively throughout the region assisting with pastoral transitions and conflict resolution, implemented complimentary Galatians 6:6 retreats for all senior pastors and spouses, led restructuring of the regional board of directors, published the Pastor/Board Relationship resource, implemented Vanguard teaching summits for ministers and church leaders, and planned and led regional conferences and retreats. Barbara served in various capacities in the regional office, traveled extensively with Randall, and led the regional women’s ministry. Barbara also exercised her gift for hospitality, hosting dinners and providing baked goods for board meetings.
Open Bible Churches (2012-2023)
As President of Open Bible Churches, Randall led and implemented the transformation of World Evangelism, an almost 50-year-old giving program, into Mission Venture Plan, a designated giving program that supports Open Bible ministries and missionaries with unified giving options. He implemented a strategic foresight process and led the implementation of a restructured, more inclusive board of directors and an executive leadership team. As a result of the strategic foresight process, he launched what became Movement, a ministry to identify, reach, and develop young adult leaders. He implemented a digital media office to create an online processing of functions and visibility. He led the Message of the Open Bible’s transition to become a free, online publication with a multiplied readership. He implemented an annual retreat with regional executive directors and spouses to resource and deepen relationships and mutual support, created the CURRENT e-letter for credentialed ministers and spouses, and upgraded the consultation process for the appointment of regional executive directors.
He represented Open Bible and served as a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the National Association of Evangelicals and represented Open Bible Churches as a member of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America. He led an extensive remodeling of the national office. He implemented Acquire, an online video training resource for ministerial credential applicants, pastoral enrichment, and lay leader training. He also championed the establishment of Open Bible schools of ministry and implemented a certification process for them. He led a conversion of the credentialing process to be administrated entirely online.
Randall published We Believe: Core Truths for Christian Living and We Believe for Kids, a three-year, contemporary doctrinal curriculum for churches. He launched Prayer Points, a short, monthly video with praise and prayer highlights, implemented Better Roads, a bimonthly podcast in which the spiritual journeys of guests (mostly Open Bible) are explored, and created a staff communications team that brainstorms and coordinates the many pieces of communication that are distributed from the national office. The final piece of Randall’s publishing vision to resource Open Bible churches as they make disciples was Thriving in the Spirit, written by Burt Campbell and premiering at the 2023 Open Bible convention. He streamlined national conventions and targeted locations that are desirable family destinations, appointed a Presidential Unity Commission, dedicated to building bridges between races, and developed a new historical memories and archives room at the national office.
Randall and Barbara traveled thousands of miles to engage with pastors, spouses, and churches and to represent Open Bible in the greater evangelical community of the nation. Barbara again applied her God-given gift of hospitality to host dinners for boards, office staff, and other groups in the Bach home and contributed her delicious baked goods from “BaBaJo’s Baked from Scratch Kitchen” for board meetings and for the office staff.
“As challenging as it is to let go of something I love,” he said. “I know it is time to pass the baton to fresh leadership and vision, to walk out the door with thankfulness for the opportunity to have served, to leave at my initiative, and to depart with joy in my heart from knowing I have given every ounce of my fiber to be faithful to His call on my life. There would always be more I want to do, but that will be for someone else.”
Life “happened” to me when my first husband died. After walking through my own grief, the Lord allowed me to walk alongside many others who were also grieving. Doors continued to open in this area, and when the opportunity arose to serve with Marketplace Chaplains, I felt a confirmation from God that this was where He wanted me. I started as a chaplain shortly after applying, and two years later I was offered the job as Director of Operations for a new team formed in South Florida.
Marketplace Chaplains is a ministry that stands out from others due to how it was formed and its core reason for existing. It was formed by a former military chaplain, Lee Strickland, in 1984. After his experience of being served by chaplains in the military, Lee desired to provide a similar service for his community through this unique ministry. Marketplace Chaplains has teams made up of male and female chaplains who each assist in the care of the employees within companies throughout the United States and Canada. Relationships within these companies are built through routine chaplain visits that happen weekly, bimonthly, or monthly. These regular visits help the employees become comfortable with the chaplains so that when a crisis happens, they are more likely to call for help. Chaplains are available to the employees 24/7, assisting with bereavement, funerals, suicide prevention/support, and family crises.
Marketplace Chaplains has teams made up of male and female chaplains who each assist in the care of the employees within companies throughout the United States and Canada.
A few years back, a leader of one of the companies I serve called in a panic when one of his employees was sobbing, having discovered that her healthy, 40-year-old husband had died suddenly in his sleep. The leader asked me, “What do I do?” He had offered her condolences and covered her flight home to begin arrangements, but despite this, he shared that such a tragic situation made him feel helpless and weak. I reminded him that when we feel weak, the Lord promises to be our strength. I also let him know that in times of tragedy it is often not what we say but simply our presence that God uses. As I spoke, I realized that all I had walked through in my own grief had helped me support this leader through this huge trial.
There are challenges with being a Christian chaplain in spaces that recognize all faith traditions. I remember a particular moment when I was in training at the hospital when the program’s director insisted that the name of Jesus could not be used to close a prayer without the patient’s consent. I wrestled with this concept, even wondering if this limitation was God telling me not to serve in this type of ministry. Later that day, I was making my rounds on my assigned floor in the paralysis unit, which serves patients with injuries impacting their ability to walk. I entered a male patient’s room, greeting him with a simple, “Hello, sir, how are you?” In an extremely loud and animated voice, the patient responded, “There you go!” Assuming I wasn’t welcome, I responded, “I’m sorry, sir, I’m not sure I understand you. Did you want me to come back a different time?” To which he responded, “How can you leave now? You just brought the Holy Spirit in here!”
I was shocked; I knew that a greeting was all that I had spoken. I hadn’t offered prayer or said anything about God. This man hadn’t even seen my badge of chaplaincy when he made this statement. In this moment I saw the power of God’s presence in my life. I was able to see that when I support and serve patients or employees in secular spaces, Jesus goes with me whether I mention His name or not. God can and will use me in this role as a chaplain, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Him in the marketplace.
I realized that all I had walked through in my own grief had helped me support this leader through this huge trial.
For those who sense a calling to serve as a chaplain or who simply want to learn more, Marketplace Chaplains is often looking for men and women who sense the call of God to impact their community outside of their church. Visit this website to search for jobs and learn more about this amazing way to transform lives: www.mchapcares.com
About the Author
Kwabea Francis
Kwabea Francis serves as Executive Director of Operations with Marketplace Chaplains and is an ordained Open Bible minister. Her heart is to share the love and purpose of God with those she ministers to as a chaplain, preacher, and teacher of the Word of God. She attends Living Word Open Bible Church in Cooper City, Florida. Kwabea earned her Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and is a graduate of the University of Florida. She and her husband have five sons and three grandchildren.
On September 19-21, pastors from around the country gathered for the 2024 Open Bible National Hispanic Conference, held in Antioch, California. Attendees of the conference numbered close to one hundred and represented nineteen different Open Bible churches. Templo Santo Community Church was the hosting church for the conference, and our theme was “CHANGED: Transformed to Transform.” We were blessed with the presence of powerful speakers: President Michael Nortune, Dr. Nicholas Venditti, and Pastors John Mendez, Michael Zakarian, and Caleb Plummer.
The Church as a whole, the Open Bible denomination, and Hispanic Ministries are needed for such a time as this.
The conference started with a welcome dinner where pastors and leaders were able to reconnect with old friends and connect with new friends who were first-time attenders. We had a powerful night of worship during which President Nortune spoke a prophetic word about entering a new season. God has opened a wide door for Open Bible, and new opportunities are on the horizon for our ministries.
Throughout the following days, we heard challenging messages on embracing our vision (Dr. Venditti), navigating culturing changes (Pastor Mendez), loving and embracing the next generation (Pastors Zakarian and Plummer), and depending on the presence of God (President Nortune). In addition to these incredible sessions, we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of San Francisco and the surrounding areas.
In our closing session, Pastor Mendez encouraged us that we were chosen for this time in history. The Church as a whole, the Open Bible denomination, and Hispanic Ministries are needed for such a time as this.
As we concluded with a time for more fellowship, here are a few of the things we heard people saying:
“This conference exceeded my expectations.”
“I felt the love and unity within the Hispanic Ministries.”
“The messages were relevant for our time.”
“Best conference ever!”
We look forward to what God has in store for Open Bible’s Hispanic Ministries. We believe that a door has been opened for our dream to come to life – having a Hispanic ministry in every state in this nation.
About the Author
Jorge Navarrete
Jorge Navarrete was appointed as the senior pastor of Templo Santo Community Church in May 2002. Prior to that, he served as youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, member of the Board of Elders, and as church administrator for Templo Santo. In May 2017, Jorge was appointed to serve in his current role as Director of the Hispanic Ministries for the West Sector. Pastor Navarrete also works for the Supreme Court of California as the Clerk/Executive Officer. He has served in this role since 2016.
There are over 10,000 homeless citizens in Lee County, Florida, but thanks to a creative nonprofit idea and a fully sponsored shower trailer, Open Bible Community Church (OBCC) has found a unique way to serve them.
Located in North Fort Myers, OBCC is pastored by Joe and Pat VanEst. When Hurricane Ian hit their county in 2022 and homelessness exploded, pastors Joe and Pat responded by founding “Hope Ambassadors,” a nonprofit designed to empower individuals through disaster relief and ongoing rehabilitative efforts.
Beginning by providing food and hygiene kits to homeless communities, the team soon realized there was a need for showering facilities. Through a string of miracles and one philanthropic donor, a shower trailer was purchased, and Hope Ambassadors now owns the only shower trailer in Southwest Florida. Housing two rooms and ten total shower units, the trailer visits two homeless communities twice a week and has already provided nearly 500 showers to families in need.
“This has totally changed the thinking of our church,” says Pastor Joe VanEst. “We are building relationships with these folks, and it’s only a matter of time until we can share Jesus with them.” Already, the church has seen growth from visitors who have come to church after using the shower trailer.
Hope Ambassadors is quickly building relationships with other local nonprofits that provide services like haircuts, food, and clothing. Future dreams include creating a commercial kitchen that would create nutritious, freeze-dried meals for hungry families. Hope Ambassadors’ mission statement is “To heal communities in the spirit of unity,” and thanks to God’s grace and provision, they are well on their way.
“This has totally changed the thinking of our church”
