26.2 iarbc update

As you know, on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at a Special Business Meeting ay Ankeny Baptist Church, messengers of the IARBC churches ratified the recommendation of the Council of 10, with a 99% plus vote, to have Pastor Will Hatfield serve as the next IARBC State Rep. (SR). Will has served as the lead pastor at CrossRoad Baptist Church in Ames for over 20 years.

At our recent Council of 10 meeting we made a few adjustments, and added a few more details to our IARBC State Rep. Transition plan, and would like to share them with you…

1) Passing the SR baton

I announced almost a year ago that I would plan to retire in May, 2026. We had published on our website that Will would assume his duties as SR on May 1. After much discussion with all parties involved, it was decided that Will would assume his duties as IARBC SR on June 1, 2026. At that time he would be full-time, and be available to be out in churches.

2) Transition Timeline

Will Hatfield:

– He came on the IARBC payroll half-time on February 1.

– He will continue in that capacity through May.

– He will continue to serve as lead pastor, half-time, this month through May.

– He will assume duties as the IARBC SR on June 1, with full-time pay at that time.

Tim Capon:

– I will continue to serve as the IARBC SR through May.

– I will serve in a full-time capacity through April, then half-time through May.

– I will be out in churches through May.

– I will continue on the IARBC payroll, half-time, through June.

3) Transition Plans

In general, this gives us several months to work together to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Specifically, it will allow…

– Us to travel together to a variety of ministry events such as:

* Area Pastors Fellowships

* Pulpit Committee Workshops

* Ordinations, etc.

– Meetings with Sadie Hatting (IARBC Administrative Assistant)

* I typically meet with her at Anchor Baptist, or by Zoom on a weekly basis.

* She can help Will get a picture of the scope of what she does for the IARBC.

– Us to spend time together to:

* Review the scope of duties of the IARBC SR.

* Make connections with ministry partners.

* Share resources that will be helpful in ministry.

– Will to:

* Prepare for this transition (strategy, focus, initial priorities, etc.).

* Accept invitations for being out in churches starting June 1.

* Prepare for working with churches in transition, and leading Pulpit Committee Workshops.

* Consider the adjustments that he and Amy, along with their family will need to make.

* Preach and provide leadership at CrossRoad Baptist Church through May.

In Summary:

February – May Will serves half-time on IARBC payroll

February – April Tim serves full-time as SR.

May Tim serves half-time as SR.

June Will assumes duties as SR, and goes full-time.

I stay on IARBC payroll, half-time.

We believe that there is value in a few months of transition. Value to me, to Will and to our churches.

Here are a few things you can do to help…

– Please pray as there will be much to do, discuss, plan and adjust over the next few months.

– Continue to contact me for SR stuff through May. Things like…

* Preaching (I do have a few Sundays open through May).

* Churches in transition (workshops, resumes, ministry connections).

* Pulpit Supply/Interim Pastor recommendations.

* Information to post (Inside Iowa).

* Ordinations, Installations, etc.

– Contact Will Hatfield soon to have him in your church (any time after June 1, 2026).

* email:whatfield@iarbc.org

* cell:(515) 708-5814

One more thing.

In March, 2025 I attended a State Rep. Retreat hosted by the GARBC. Clare Jewell (GARBC NR) and Kerry Watkins (GARBC Head of Operations/HR Director) put this three day retreat together. It was held at Twin Lakes Camp in Indiana. And was super helpful to connect with Clare, Kerry and other SR’s from around the country. So much so that it was decided to do it again. This time in Florida.

Today through Thursday is this year’s GARBC SR Retreat. We all decided that it would be best for Will to attend the retreat, and get a start on the transition. He flew out today and will return late Thursday. Please pray for him and the rest of the guys as they spend these few days together.

Thanks for taking the time to read this update.

Thanks for your words of encouragement and prayers on our behalf.

And thanks for your partnership in life and ministry.

There is much to be done over the next few months, and I want to steward this leg of the journey well.

PS:  Please this with your church family!

Needing God’s direction and hand of blessing,