2008 - ABc/GRR
Transcription
2008 - ABc/GRR
GREAT RIVERS REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS These scholarship programs exist in the Great Rivers Region to assist young people who are members in Great Rivers Region American Baptist Churches to secure a college and/or seminary education. Scholarships for any college student (regardless of major) or seminary student from the Gernenz-Shurtleff / Wilcoxen Scholarship are available. Ministerial students attending ABCrelated schools and seminaries in preparation for ministry can also apply for the Harold O. Long Scholarship. All applications must be received in the GRR office by April 1, 2008. To receive an application for these scholarships, write to: Scholarship Committee, Att: Sharon Downs, PO Box 3786, Springfield, IL 62708, phone: 217-726-7366; fax: 217-7267566, or email: [email protected] Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Belleville, IL Welcomes: Brandi Denise Williamson, John Ralph Smith, and Deborah Kay Daugherty Bethel Baptist Church, Colchester, IL Welcomes: Larry Zimmerman and Roxie Zimmerman First Baptist Church, Macomb, IL Welcomes: Pat Allison, Allen Black, Wayne Melvin, Lou Melvin, Victor Milleson, David Shinneman, and Marci Shinneman Muncie Baptist Church, Muncie, IL Welcomes: Katherine Kinney and Katie Marble First Baptist Church, Paris, IL Welcomes: Jenae Dodd Mainstream Contact Information Missions Conference The GRR Missions Conference that has been held in January the last few years has been moved to April 25-26. More information will soon be available. Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region January 2008 No. 1 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar January 18-21 - SKWIM 2008 at Greenlake for Areas II & III Youth February 23 - Area IV Annual Meeting, Centralia, IL FBC Feb. 29 - March 1- Area I Annual Meeting, FBC Elgin, IL March 8 - Area III Annual Meeting FBC Peoria, IL March 8 - Creative Worship Seminar Len Wilson & Jason Moore Midnight Oil Productions FBC Peoria, IL March 8 - Area V Annual Meeting FBC Kansas City, MO March 9 - Area II Annual Meeting FBC Greenfield, IL April 12 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 25-26 - GRR Missions Conference hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist May 10 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org May 17 - Boundaries Professional Ethics Course web: www.abc-grr.org Message From Our Region President On January 6 we finished our Christmas season with the visit of the Magi—those Wise Men from the East. Have you ever thought about the types of wisdom we see in that familiar passage from Matthew 1? King Herod’s approach to wisdom is simple—get rid of the competition. If this newborn is being called King, he must be done away with. The wisdom of the Magi was to sort out the evidence. Their understanding of the wisdom of the ages and the stars in the heavens seemed in conflict with what King Herod was telling them. Like a crime scene investigator, they had to take what they heard and knew and come up with a solution. Our own wisdom might take us another direction. Does it make a difference in how we will be treated? What about how much money we’ll have in our pockets as a result? What about our social life and status? Do we handle sticky situations based on our own wisdom or do we use another kind of wisdom? As I began the year I put to use a gift I receive—a Bible that is organized so that I can easily read through it in a year. Each day I will be faceto-face with truths from the Scriptures. What I do with those truths, how I incorporate them into my daily life, will definitely have a bearing on the wisdom I exercise in making decisions. How do you make decisions? Do you get rid of competition so you’ll come out on top? Do you sort out evidence so you’ll make a rational, logical decision in the world’s eyes? Do you use your own judgment so it will leave you in the best place? Or do you consult the one asset we have as Christians—the Scriptures. Let 2008 be the year of making decisions with God in the equation, and may it be a genuinely Happy New Year. For the praise of His glory, Pastor Diane DeSmidt Mission News Building Blitz - 2008 Dates have been announced for a second Building Blitz: * April 28 - May 17, 2008 * Baton Rouge, LA Week 1 and Week 3 will involve volunteers with every level of construction skill. Week 2 will be for skill contruction volunteers only. For info, visit the GRR home page and Gulf Coast 2008 page of this web site. You may also contact Victoria Goff at National Ministries ([email protected]). Registration for the Build will be through National Ministries. When the registration materials are available, they will also be available by link from the GRR web site. Area Meetings Creative Worship Seminar March 8, 2008 Peoria First Baptist Church “Many churches have discovered that simply installing the screen and the projectors doesn’t automatically transform worship. There is a huge difference between technology and culture. How do you change the culture of worship in a way that it will speak to the world that we live in today?” The Creative Worship seminar by Len Wilson and Jason Moore will address what our churches can do to transform worship through culture of worship, artful expression of the worship theme, development of the team that plans and supports worship, and use of technologies (from banners to projection). This is NOT a tech seminar, but a time of learning resources and an approach that will help us intentionally plan worship that will reach the changing world around us. The seminar is being limited to 80 for space considerations. Early registration of several members of your church will save you. Please register no later than January 25 to assure yourself of this discounted rate. Find registration form at: http://www.abc-grr.org/midnightoil/ Promofor8Mar08.html or in the recent Pastors mailing. Area I Friday, February 29 - Judson University Fine Arts Auditorium Saturday, March 1 - Elgin First Baptist Church Church News First Baptist Church, Moline, IL has taken on the challenge of resettling a Karen refugee family from Burma. So far the church has ministered to 23 Karens who have been attending worship at FBC. The ABC/USA is working to resettle 10,000 Karen refugees who were persecuted and have been living in refugee camps in Thailand. The Karens are historically American Baptists and were among the first converts of Baptist Missionary, Adoniram Judson. First Baptist Church of Galesburg, IL will be celebrating their 160th Anniversary January 13-16th, 2008. Area II Sunday, March 9 - Greenfield IL First Baptist Church Area III March 8, 2008 at Peoria FBC Speaker: Reid Trulson, Executive Director, Board of International Ministries Area IV February 23, 2008 at Centralia First Baptist Church Area V March 8 - Kansas City MO First Baptist Church For more information and to download registration forms for these meetings: www.abc-grr.org/areas/annualmeetings.htm Take advantage of these times of fellowship, worship, and learning. The anniversary date is January 15th. An "old fashioned" church service will be offered on the 13th at 10:00 a.m. A winter tri-annual meeting will follow during which we will recognize the members of 50 years and greater. There will also be a memorial time to honor those the Lord has taken home in the past year. On January 15th, a 24 hour prayer vigil will be held. Then on the 16th there will be a family night with a Potluck and a time of singing. It will be a special time for us to reflect on our heritage and the future the Lord has for Galesburg-FBC. GREAT RIVERS REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! These scholarship programs exist in the Great Rivers Region to assist young people who are members in Great Rivers Region American Baptist Churches to secure a college and/or seminary education. Scholarships for any college student (regardless of major) or seminary student from the Gernenz-Shurtleff / Wilcoxen Scholarship are available. Ministerial students attending ABCrelated schools and seminaries in preparation for ministry can also apply for the Harold O. Long Scholarship. All applications must be received in the GRR office by April 1, 2008. To receive an application for these scholarships, write to: Scholarship Committee, Att: Sharon Downs, PO Box 3786, Springfield, IL 62708, phone: 217-726-7366; fax: 217-7267566, or email: [email protected] Berwick Baptist Church, Berwick, IL celebrated a glorious day for Christ’s kingdom on January 20 with seven baptisms and an additional ten bringing their membership to the church. An attendance of 94 was a high for the year. The church has also made improvements to the parking lot this fall and is planning the celebration of its 175th anniversary on July, 27, 2008. Praise the Lord! Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] First Baptist Church, Belleville, IL Welcomes: Rev. Paul Sowden, Sr. Diane Sowden, Paul Sowden, Jr., Graham Sowden, and Jessica Sowden Berwick Baptist Church, Berwick, IL Welcomes: Shawna Wainman, Justin Manser; Samantha Fox, Kelly Titus, Kevin Titus, Nathan Haynes, Jason Gabriel, Christine Smith, Wenonah Smith, Bill Jockisch, Kay Jockisch, Peggy Sickles, Ron Koch, Betty Slusher, Ed Sluscher, Helen Fluke and Donnie Gabriel First Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO Welcomes: Daisy Hall, Cassie Shumate, Beth Poe, William Poe, Cameren Leonard, Donna Fast, Kenneth Fast, Suanna Counts, Sallie Ellen Smith, Mary Susan Smith, Diana Condori, Debra Ebright, and Marvin Combs First Baptist Church, Macomb, IL Welcomes: B.C. DeSpain and Chablis DeSpain The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region January 2008 No. 2 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar February 23 - Area IV Annual Meeting, Centralia, IL FBC Feb. 29 - March 1- Area I Annual Meeting, FBC Elgin, IL March 8 - Area III Annual Meeting FBC Peoria, IL March 8 - Creative Worship Seminar Len Wilson & Jason Moore Midnight Oil Productions FBC Peoria, IL March 8 - Area V Annual Meeting FBC Kansas City, MO March 9 - Area II Annual Meeting FBC Greenfield, IL April 12 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 25-26 - GRR Missions Conference hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist May 10 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp May 17 - Boundaries Professional Ethics Course web: www.abc-grr.org Max Klinkenborg Announces Retirement After 20 years of service to the Great Rivers Region, Rev. Max Klinkenborg has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2008. This is an early retirement that was mutually negotiated between Max and the GRR Ministry of Staff Relations. The terms of this early retirement were approved by the Regional Ministry Board during its January 18, 2008 meeting. Max was recognized for his service during the 2007 Annual Meeting in Decatur IL. He has faithfully served the churches of Area II for twenty years. Max is one of the senior “deans” among his national colleagues in similar roles. During his 20 years on the ministerial staff of the GRR, Max has shepherded the Foresee-the-Future campaign and led church planting. Nationally, he served with the Interim Ministries/ Ministers-at-Large program. In recent years, Max has assumed leadership for leadership for Natural Church Development efforts in the Region and has given his expertise to Consecration Sunday efforts. More on Max Klinkenborg’s Retirement: The Region is grateful for Max’s 20 years of dedicated service, and prays that God’s blessing will continue to be with Kay and Max as they enter this new stage of life When Max concludes his service, Dr. John Grisham will be assigned to service Area II as his major responsibility. John will be leaving behind his role in mission education and stewardship to assume this new task. Financial reality, this retirement, and other retirements anticipated over the next seven to nine years provide a timely opportunity for us to adapt to our changing world. The Regional Ministry Board is working with the ministerial staff under the leadership of Dwight Stinnett to address two questions. The first question is: How best to serve GRR churches in the 21st Century? The second question is: How to design a financially sustainable staff structure to provide that service? Answers to these two questions are leading us to study and consider what could be the most radical rearrangement of regional staff responsibilities since the Great Rivers Region was created from the Illinois Baptist Convention and the Missouri Convention of American Baptists over 40 years ago. In all this, we reaffirm our confidence in the vision that God has given us. We see healthy churches engaged in effective Christian ministry locally and globally. It is our intent to provide services and programs for churches that challenge, assist, represent, and empower to that end. First Baptist Church of El Paso Begins Celebrating 150 Years Area Meetings March 8, 2008 Peoria First Baptist Church First Baptist Church of El Paso, IL began its celebration of the first 150 years on Sunday, January 20. The church began on January 21, 1858. The present church building is on the same land as the original building. Area I Friday, February 29 - Judson University Fine Arts Auditorium Saturday, March 1 - Elgin First Baptist Church Area II The service Sunday featured Wally Hines (left) who dialoged with Dr. Tim Smith, (right) current pastor. Wally Hines’ father was pastor of El Paso from 1915 through 1921, before moving on to pastorates in other places including FBC Kankakee and Central Baptist of Springfield. Wally was born in 1919 and while he does not have many of his own memories of El Paso, he remembers the stories his parents shared with him. Other members of the church also shared some memories and four students from the local high school sang solos. Refreshments were served after the worship service. A more formal celebration is planned for later in the year. Creative Worship Seminar Sunday, March 9 - Greenfield IL First Baptist Church Area III March 8, 2008 at Peoria FBC Speaker: Reid Trulson, Executive Director, Board of International Ministries Area IV February 23, 2008 at Centralia First Baptist Church Area V March 8 - Kansas City MO First Baptist Church For more information and to download registration forms for these meetings: www.abc-grr.org/areas/annualmeetings.htm Take advantage of these times of fellowship, worship, and learning. “Many churches have discovered that simply installing the screen and the projectors doesn’t automatically transform worship. There is a huge difference between technology and culture. How do you change the culture of worship in a way that it will speak to the world that we live in today?” The Creative Worship seminar by Len Wilson and Jason Moore will address what our churches can do to transform worship through culture of worship, artful expression of the worship theme, development of the team that plans and supports worship, and use of technologies (from banners to projection). This is NOT a tech seminar, but a time of learning resources and an approach that will help us intentionally plan worship that will reach the changing world around us. The seminar is being limited to 80 for space considerations. Early registration of several members of your church will save you. Please register no later than January 25 to assure yourself of this discounted rate. Find registration form at: http://www.abc-grr.org/midnightoil/ Promofor8Mar08.html or in the recent Pastors mailing. Disaster Relief Pontiac, IL suffered significant river flooding recently. Funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing are being used to help the flood victims. Pastor Jim Wolfe of FBC Pontiac has been chosen to help lead the longterm flood relief for the community. GREAT RIVERS REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS These scholarship programs exist in the Great Rivers Region to assist young people who are members in Great Rivers Region American Baptist Churches to secure a college and/or seminary education. Scholarships for any college student (regardless of major) or seminary student from the Gernenz-Shurtleff / Wilcoxen Scholarship are available. Ministerial students attending ABCrelated schools and seminaries in preparation for ministry can also apply for the Harold O. Long Scholarship. All applications must be received in the GRR office by April 1, 2008. To receive an application for these scholarships, write to: Scholarship Committee, Att: Sharon Downs, PO Box 3786, Springfield, IL 62708, phone: 217-726-7366; fax: 217-7267566, or email: [email protected] Camping 2008 Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Champaign at Savoy, IL Welcomes: Kevin Logsdon, Joann Logsdon, Ivan Sherburn, and Jane Sherburn News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region February 2008 No. 1 Ridgeview Baptist Church, Danville, IL Welcomes: Jennifer Ciancio, Seb Ciancio, Jennifer Kinney, and Karen Pitts Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar February 23 - Area IV Annual Meeting, Centralia, IL FBC First Baptist Church, Galva, IL Welcomes: Chad Hodge Feb. 29 - March 1- Area I Annual Meeting, FBC Elgin, IL First Baptist Church of Peoria, IL Welcomes: Bradley Burmood, Anjan Cheeria, Shanthi Cheerla, Glen Evans, Sally Heathcoat, Michelle Lacy, Jacob Lewis, Kelley Sutherland, Agnes (Udayakumar) Kamalam, Jeba Udayakumar, Brian Ulrich, Courtney Ulrich, Katya Ulrich, Luda Ulrich, and Trey Winfrey March 8 - Area III Annual Meeting FBC Peoria, IL First Baptist Church, Wood River, IL Welcomes: Keith Huff and Gerry Huff Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Blackhawk Baptist Camp Oregon IL & Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Springfield IL The Mainstream Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org March 8 - Creative Worship Seminar Len Wilson & Jason Moore Midnight Oil Productions at FBC Peoria, IL March 8 - Area V Annual Meeting FBC Kansas City, MO March 9 - Area II Annual Meeting FBC Greenfield, IL April 12 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 25-26 - GRR Missions Conference hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist May 10 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp May 17 - Boundaries Professional Ethics Course May 24 -Open House Lake Springfield Baptist Camp May 31 - Blackhawk Clean Up Day web: www.abc-grr.org Friends, I plan to be in Baton Rouge with my hammer for the 2008 Habitat for Humanity project and hope to see you there. Registration information is available on the GRR web page: http://www.abc-grr.org/gulfcoast2008/ index.html and read the article below. See you there! Dwight Stinnett AMERICAN BAPTIST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO BUILD HOUSES ON GULF COAST Once again National Ministries, on behalf of American Baptist Churches USA, will partner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge in the spring 2008 to build five homes for families who have permanently relocated to Baton Rouge, following displacement by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. More than 300 volunteers will be required to complete the homes in this “Blitz Build.” “Taking part in a ‘Blitz Build’ is an amazing opportunity to let others see the love of Jesus Christ in you,” says Victoria Goff, National Ministries’ Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries. “It is awesome to help raise wall after wall and then—before you know it—you have a house standing before you. Doing this side-by-side with others filled with Christ’s compassion, and the homeowners, too, makes it even more special. Don’t miss this chance of a lifetime to give back, and return home enriched in ways you could never have imagined.” Both individuals and groups are needed to make this “Blitz Build” successful. Participants must be at least 16 years of age. Construction skills are not required, but any knowledge of or experience with construction is appreciated. Skilled laborers—such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters—are especially critical, along with skilled individuals who can serve as house leaders. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to and from Baton Rouge and the worksite as well as a weekly fee of $100 for food and lodging. More than 150 volunteers will be needed the first week, beginning Monday, April 28, when the five homes are blessed and the walls are raised. That week, work will focus on framing the exterior and interior walls, raising roof trusses and roof decking, and installing windows, doors and vinyl siding. During the second week, beginning May 5, plans call for completion of subcontractor work, so volunteer opportunities will require those with specialized skills. To finish vinyl siding, tape and float sheetrock, paint, and install trim work, cabinets and landscaping in the final week, beginning May 12, another 150-plus volunteers will be needed. The build will end on Saturday, May 17, with a dedication of each home. In 2007, National Ministries built 12 homes with 200-plus American Baptist volunteers in Baton Rouge, La., as part of a similar “Blitz Build” effort in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Since hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit in August and September of 2005, National Ministries’ Volunteer Ministries office has sent more than 1600 volunteers to the Gulf Coast to help with rebuilding. The Rev. Marilyn Turner: “We are thankful for the many American Baptists who continue to share their time and resources as gifts bringing comfort to the hurricane survivors. This is a long-term ministry of caring, and it is one that could not be accomplished without their dedication.” The registration deadline for participation in the 2008 “Blitz Build” is April 1. American Baptist News Service April Conferences DAUGHTERS OF THE FLAME AMERICAN BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY 2008 CONFERENCE APRIL 16-19, 2008 St. LOUIS, MISSOURI Contact: Rev. Muriel Johnson Fanning the Flame A National Pastor's Renewal Conference April 22 - 25, 2008 American Baptist Assembly Green Lake, WI Great Rivers Region Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church April 25-26, 2008. Contact: John Grisham Area Meetings Area V Imitating Christ In Service March 8 - Kansas City MO First Baptist Church For more information and to download registration forms for these meetings: www.abc-grr.org/areas/annualmeetings.htm Take advantage of these times of fellowship, worship, and learning Area I LEAP Into Ministry Friday, February 29 - Judson University Fine Arts Auditorium Saturday, March 1 - Elgin First Baptist Church Area II Children In Poverty Sunday, March 9 - Greenfield IL First Baptist Church Speaker: Rev. Marilyn Turner Associate Executive Director, Program Ministries of National Ministries – ABC/USA Concert by 4 His Glory Area III Your Legacy of Faith March 8, 2008 at Peoria FBC Speaker: Reid Trulson, Executive Director, Board of International Ministries Area IV Missions: Here, There, and Everywhere February 23, 2008 at Centralia First Baptist Church Speakers: Area IV Mission Trip Participants: Charles Klassen, Quinton Runyon, Rex and Becky Cooper, and John Lobos Creative Worship Seminar March 8, 2008 Peoria First Baptist Church The Creative Worship seminar by Len Wilson and Jason Moore will address what our churches can do to transform worship through culture of worship, artful expression of the worship theme, development of the team that plans and supports worship, and use of technologies (from banners to projection). This is NOT a tech seminar, but a time of learning resources and an approach that will help us intentionally plan worship that will reach the changing world around us. The seminar is being limited to 80 for space considerations. Find registration form at: http://www.abc-grr.org/midnightoil/ Promofor8Mar08.html or in the recent Pastors Mailing. Missions Conference (continued) Mylinda and Gary Baits are pastors and professors but mainly friends and connectors who walk alongside their sisters and brothers in Christ. They enjoy connecting students with leadership training, connecting scriptures to everyday life, and connecting people’s gifts with life changing ministries. The Baits work with the Costa Rican Baptist Federation in pastoral and lay leadership development and theological education. Conference Breakout Groups: Bluefields, NicaraguaCarol & Dave Matheson Christian Center of AnadarkoBen Sullivan Costa Rica PartnershipGary Baits Democratic Republic of CongoWendy Barnhardt Discovery Groups/Volunteers Jonathan Hilsher Kids Hope United Pat Griffin Murrow Indian Children’s Home Joan Brown New Neighbors Ruth Peterson Peoria Friendship House, Peoria Barbara Hartnett Women at Risk Elizabeth Landau April Conferences DAUGHTERS OF THE FLAME AMERICAN BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY 2008 CONFERENCE APRIL 16-19, 2008 St. LOUIS, MISSOURI Contact: Rev. Muriel Johnson The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region February 2008 No. 2 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar Fanning the Flame A National Pastor's Renewal Conference April 22-25, 2008 American Baptist Assembly Green Lake, WI GRR Clergy Spouses April 18-19, 2008 Lake Springfield Baptist Camp “The Song In Your Heart” Ardys Carpenter - Retreat Leader Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: web: www.abc-grr.org Area Meetings February 23 - Area IV Annual Meeting, Centralia, IL FBC Feb. 29 - March 1- Area I Annual Meeting, FBC Elgin, IL March 8 - Area III Annual Meeting FBC Peoria, IL March 8 - Creative Worship Seminar Len Wilson & Jason Moore Midnight Oil Productions at FBC Peoria, IL March 8 - Area V Annual Meeting FBC Kansas City, MO Area IV: Missions: Here, There, and Everywhere March 9 - Area II Annual Meeting FBC Greenfield, IL February 23, 2008 at Centralia First Baptist Church Speakers: Area IV Mission Trip Participants: Charles Klassen, Quinton Runyon, Rex and Becky Cooper, and John Lobos Music by Rod Mays Youth Event with Upstairs Worship, Kaleb Scharmahorn April 12 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 25-26 - GRR Missions Conference hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 May 10 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Area I LEAP Into Ministry E-Mail: [email protected] May 17 - Boundaries Professional Ethics Course Friday, February 29 - Judson University Fine Arts Auditorium Saturday, March 1 - Elgin First Baptist Church Mission Projects: Used Book Depository, Campbell Soup Labels The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org May 24 -Open House Lake Springfield Baptist Camp May 31 - Blackhawk Clean Up Day Area I Youth Winter Retreat, Friday, February 29 through Sunday, March 2, Judson University, Elgin, IL Area III Your Legacy of Faith March 8, 2008: Peoria First Baptist Speaker: Reid Trulson, Executive Director, Board of International Ministries The Creative Worship Seminar (same date & place ) by Len Wilson and Jason Moore will address what our churches can do to transform worship through culture of worship, artful expression of the worship theme, development of the team that plans and supports worship, and use of technologies (from banners to projection). Area V Imitating Christ In Service March 8 - Kansas City MO First Baptist Church Guest Preacher: Rev. Lisa Harris, Executive Director of Bethel Neighborhood Center Youth: Triple M: Mission, Meal, and MegaFun Day Area II Children In Poverty Sunday, March 9 - Greenfield IL First Baptist Church Speaker: Rev. Marilyn Turner Associate Executive Director, Program Ministries of National Ministries – ABC/USA Concert by 4 His Glory For more information and to download registration forms for these meetings: www.abc-grr.org/areas/annualmeetings.htm Churches In Ministry In the coming months, The Mainstream will be featuring churches of the Great Rivers Region who are doing some exciting things in ministry. First Baptist Church, Macomb, IL is the church featured in this issue. “Several Area III churches have shown significant growth over the past few years. However, I can think of no other church that has turned around so intentionally and deliberately in the last three years,” says Dr. Richard Ricks, Associate Minister for Area III of the Great Rivers Region, of First Baptist Church, Macomb, Illinois. The Rev. Wally Holt, pastor, has led the church in increasing and developing its leadership group through intentional discipleship. Worship attendance has more than doubled in the few years of his pastorate. The members are also intentional in their support of mission at all levels. This most recent chapter of the life of First Baptist Church Macomb, began with the church naming a search committee which then met in consultation with Dr. Richard Ricks. Through many hours of prayerful discernment God blessed this collaborative work between the church and the GRR with the name of The Rev. Walter Holt. That he has been God’s person for this pastorate has been affirmed by many in the church and community. When Rev. Holt began his pastorate, the church had about five children and perhaps four couples under the age of fifty. Now there is a healthy cross section of young, middle-aged and seniors attending. The children’s sermon time has grown to ten to fifteen children. More than 50 percent of those attending Sunday worship now also meet in small groups and more than two thirds of those attending worship stay for Sunday school. Submitted by: Dr. Richard Ricks and Claudia McCain, Director of Small Group Ministries, FBC Macomb New Director of Campus Ministry at SIU American Baptist Campus Ministries at Southern Illinois University welcomes Lois Bartley as the new Director of Campus Ministries. Lois who served as Interim Director for the Campus Student Ministry of SIU was asked to take a full time call as Director in January. Lois moved to Southern Illinois three years ago with her husband Francis Bartley who is pastor of First Baptist Church Of Ava, Illinois. As Director, Lois says that she is excited by what the Lord is doing through the Campus Ministry at SIU and sees this ministry as having a great future potential in reaching college students through Intentional Christian Living. Learn more about this vibrant and growing American Baptist Campus Ministry. Contact Lois at: Lois Bartley 516 S Hays Carbondale Illinois 62901 Ph. 1-618-318-1701 Email: [email protected] Website: http://intranet.siu.edu/~ambs/index.htm Great Rivers Region Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church April 25-26, 2008. Friday: 3:00 p.m. Registration 3:00 – 5:00: Visit Mission Displays; talk with Duane Binkley or Dwight Stinnett. 5:00 – 6:00 Dinner 6:30 - Evening Session Mission Speaker, Duane Binkley Preacher, Max Klinkenborg Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Worship Speaker, Gary Baits Commissioning Service for Gulf Coast Volunteers Missionary Speakers: Duane and Marcia Binkley serve Burmese ethnic Karen and Chin refugees both in the United States and Thailand. The Binkleys work with the tens of thousands of refugees coming to the U.S. while continuing to work with those still remaining in refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar (Burma) border. The Binkleys are jointly appointed by International Ministries and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Within the U.S. the Binkleys will work with national and regional mission entities of American Baptist Churches USA and ABC and CBF local churches. (More on Missions Conference on page 4) April Conferences DAUGHTERS OF THE FLAME AMERICAN BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY 2008 CONFERENCE APRIL 16-19, 2008 St. LOUIS, MISSOURI Contact: Rev. Muriel Johnson Fanning the Flame A National Pastor's Renewal Conference April 22-25, 2008 American Baptist Assembly Green Lake, WI GRR Clergy Spouses April 18-19, 2008 Lake Springfield Baptist Camp “The Song In Your Heart” Ardys Carpenter - Retreat Leader Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church Champaign, Savoy, IL Welcomes: Martin G. Wu, William Denney, Arlys Denney, and Art Skelton Wilton Center Federated Church, Manhattan, IL Welcomes: Joe Budka, Nicole Caputo, Mark Gall, Amanda Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, Nikki Steen, Kim Tysse, Tom Tysse, and Jim Wedster Old Stonington Baptist Church, Stonington, IL Welcomes: Patrick Miller First Baptist Church, Towanda, IL Welcomes: Adam Wilson, Kristi Wilson, Emma Wilson, Kayla Jenkins, and Dawn Staton Pastor Honored for Service Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] A special service was held February 24, 2008 to honor Pastor Larry Wiese for his twenty years of service to the First Baptist Church of Orion, IL. During the morning worship service, Dr. Cheryl R. Henson, Great Rivers Regional Associate Minister for Area I gave the message, "Ready, Willing, and Able" and presented Pastor Wiese a certificate. Roger NIghtingale, vice moderator of the church, also presented the pastor a certificate for his twenty years of service. A luncheon and open house was held from 12 noon until 2:00 p.m. at the church. The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region March 2008 No. 1 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar March 28-29 - Oasis: Area 1 ABW Retreat at Stronghold March 29 - AB Men's Disaster Relief Leadership Team Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 5 - AB Men's Disaster Relief Spring Training Work Day Grace Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO and Blackhawk Baptist Camp April 12 - ABW Spring Rallies: Area I FBC Plano, IL Area III FBC El Paso, IL Area IV Pleasant Grove Baptist, Humboldt, IL April 12 - Clean Up Day at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 16 - 19: American Baptist Women in Ministry Conference, St. Louis April 19 - Area 1 ABW Spring Meeting FBC Morrison, IL April 19 - ABMen's Disaster Relief Spring Training and Camp Cleanup Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 22 - 25: Fanning the Flame, A National Pastor's Renewal Conference April 25-26 - GRR Missions Conf. Cherry Hills Baptist web: www.abc-grr.org Great Rivers Region Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church Springfield, IL April 25-26, 2008. Friday: 3:00 p.m. Registration 3:00 – 5:00: Visit Mission Displays; talk with Duane Binkley or Dwight Stinnett. 5:00 – 6:00 Dinner 6:30 - Evening Session Mission Speaker, Duane Binkley Preacher, Max Klinkenborg Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Worship Speaker, Gary Baits Commissioning Service for Gulf Coast Volunteers Missionary Speakers: Duane and Marcia Binkley serve Burmese ethnic Karen and Chin refugees both in the United States and Thailand. The Binkleys work with the tens of thousands of refugees coming to the U.S. while continuing to work with those still remaining in refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar (Burma) border. (Missions Conference continued, p 2) Missions Conference (continued) Mylinda and Gary Baits are pastors and professors but mainly friends and connectors who walk alongside their sisters and brothers in Christ. They enjoy connecting students with leadership training, connecting scriptures to everyday life, and connecting people’s gifts with life changing ministries. The Baits work with the Costa Rican Baptist Federation in pastoral and lay leadership development and theological education. Conference Breakout Groups: Bluefields, NicaraguaCarol & Dave Matheson Christian Center of AnadarkoBen Sullivan Costa Rica PartnershipGary Baits Democratic Republic of CongoWendy Barnhardt Discovery Groups/Volunteers Jonathan Hilsher Kids Hope United Pat Griffin Murrow Indian Children’s Home Joan Brown New Neighbors Ruth Peterson Peoria Friendship House, Peoria Barbara Hartnett Women at Risk Elizabeth Landau Mission Projects: Used Book Depository, Campbell Soup UPC’s or lids (see www.campbellsoup.com for specific details) Max Klinkenborg Recognized At Area II Annual Meeting Max Klinkenborg, Regional Associate Minister Serving Area II was recognized during the Annual Meeting at First Baptist Church, Greenfield, IL on March 9, 2008. Max has served Area II in this position for more than twenty-one years. He has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2008. Dr. John Grisham, who assisted with the recognition will be following Max in this position, July 1. James Daugherty, Area II Moderator, presented Max with a certificate of appreciation. Lois Pembrook, from FBC Greenfield is pictured below presenting Max a hoe, straw hat, and garden seed for his retirement. Rev. Gerald Phillips, Rev. Dan Edwards, and GRR Executive Minister, Dr. Dwight Stinnett expressed appreciation to Max for friendship and ministry. Rev. Muriel Johnson from the GRR staff presented Max with gifts and cards from Area V. Following the presentations, Max expressed his thanks and talked of future plans, announcing his intention to move to Kansas City, MO following his retirement - “but still in the GRR.” Max will be missed. We all pray for God’s blessings on him and his wife Kay in their retirement. Disaster Relief: American Baptist Men Respond To Ice Storm An ice storm did extensive damage in the Jacksonville, IL area in December. On December 13, 2007 Ron Greenfield, Mac Shotwell and Paul Stivers met with Rev.Jim Harper, pastor of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville to survey the damage and to do site inspection at the locations assigned by the city. They were joined by Bob Nicolette. Later that day the small disaster relief trailer was parked at First Baptist Church, thanks to Charlie Schumaker and George Meyer. The next day, twenty-one volunteers worked at 15 sites, completing 14 of them. Because of extreme winter weather, the work was delayed until Dec. 20 and 21. Paul Stivers, team leader, led a team to complete eight additional sites: Breaking for Christmas, work resumed In January with three teams completing work at seven additional sites. Together thirty volunteers completed work at 29 sites in 6 days. On January 3 and 4, Ron Greenfield returned to Jacksonville to complete work at one site and three new ones. Work on this, our 7th disaster response, was completed on January 5 at 3 sites. The following from Carol Rowe summed up what we heard from so many: "Thank you so much for clearing my yard of limbs after the ice storm… I do so appreciate and recognize the hard work and the Christian action. Your love for our Savior is evident in your good works. Again thank you and may God's blessings be with you always." Mac Shotwell - GRR AB Men’s Disaster Relief Coordinator FBC Kansas City Youth on Mission: In the summer of 2007 the First Baptist, Kansas City, MO church bus hauling a trailer full of supplies and gifts - followed by a mini-van - headed south on a mission trip. We spent days of work and fun at Murrow Indian Children’s Home and then forced ourselves to part in keeping with our plan to also minister to Bacone College. At Bacone, our youth first dug in and dug up an overgrown sand volleyball court in time for incoming students to enjoy. The next morning our youth painted parking lines in the hot Oklahoma sun and later cooked our lunch. After lunch they reported to Melissa Foutch for some “inside work” -- folding thousands of newsletters to be sent to Bacone alumni and supporters. Emily Dold, one of our newest youth - though more than glad to help fold, seal, address and ready them for posting - was impressed at how much work this was, especially since we had not worked with its production or printing. During the next months, God worked in and through Emily and our youth and leaders. This led to our youths’ fund raising skit about our faith and following Christ. Thanks to a gifted and giving congregation we raised over $500 that now has been sent to Murrow in hopes they can purchase a folding machine with perhaps a service contract. May God’s work as seen in Emily, be done in each of us, so we may see and feel needs, listen to God speaking to our hearts, and follow through with the love we’ve first been given, for we know the needs of our world are great. Pastor Doug Valentine April Conferences DAUGHTERS OF THE FLAME AMERICAN BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY 2008 CONFERENCE APRIL 16-19, 2008 St. LOUIS, MISSOURI Contact: Rev. Muriel Johnson Fanning the Flame A National Pastor's Renewal Conference April 22-25, 2008 American Baptist Assembly Green Lake, WI GRR Clergy Spouses April 18-19, 2008 Lake Springfield Baptist Camp “The Song In Your Heart” Ardys Carpenter - Retreat Leader Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission First Baptist Church Paris, IL Welcomes: Allen Williams and Crystal Williams Central Baptist Church, Springfield IL Welcomes: Misty Carver, Cheryl Teele, Georgie Borchardt, and Lindsay Foster American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region March 2008 No. 2 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar March 28-29 - Oasis: Area 1 ABW Retreat at Stronghold March 29 - AB Men's Disaster Relief Leadership Team Lake Springfield Baptist Camp E-Mail Changes For Staff The e-mail addresses of several region staff members have changed due to Insight being changed to Comcast. The following are the correct e-mail addresses: Linda Ricks-Mainstream Editor [email protected] (The letter after the 4 is an L not a 1) April 5 - AB Men's Disaster Relief Spring Training Work Day Grace Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO and Blackhawk Baptist Camp April 12 - ABW Spring Rallies: Area I FBC Plano, IL Area III FBC El Paso, IL Area IV Pleasant Grove Baptist, Humboldt, IL April 12 - Clean Up Day at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Richard Ricks - Regional Associate Minister Serving Area III [email protected] April 16 - 19: American Baptist Women in Ministry Conference, St. Louis Cheryl Henson - Regional Associate Minister Serving Area I [email protected] April 19 - Area 1 ABW Spring Meeting FBC Morrison, IL Mike Henson - Camps Property Manager [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org April 19 - ABMen's Disaster Relief Spring Training and Camp Cleanup Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 22 - 25: Fanning the Flame, A National Pastor's Renewal Conference April 25-26 - GRR Missions Conf. Cherry Hills Baptist web: www.abc-grr.org Great Rivers Region Camping 2008 Camping season is coming soon! It is time for you to think about children and youth going to camp at one of our two camps. Lake Springfield Baptist Camp and Conference Center is located near Springfield, IL . Blackhawk Baptist Camp is located near White Pines State Park in northern Illinois. Our purpose in GRR camping is "to bring children, youth and adults a step closer to Christ." Join us this summer at Blackhawk or Springfield Camp as we commune with God in nature, make Christian friends, and grow spiritually. April 13 is American Baptist Camps and Conference Sunday. We invite you to celebrate this in your churches. Suggestions for promoting camp can be found on the region website. www.abc-grr.org CAMPING WISH LIST – 2008 1. More Campers 2. Directors and Counselors 3. Offerings in support of GRR camps 4. Prayer for all who participate and all who provide leadership for GRR camping Great Rivers Region Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church Springfield, IL April 25-26, 2008. Friday: 3:00 p.m. Registration 3:00 – 5:00: Visit Mission Displays; talk with Duane Binkley or Dwight Stinnett. 5:00 – 6:00 Dinner 6:30 - Evening Session Mission Speaker, Duane Binkley Preacher, Max Klinkenborg Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Worship Speaker, Gary Baits Commissioning Service for Gulf Coast Volunteers Missionary Speakers: Duane and Marcia Binkley serve Burmese ethnic Karen and Chin refugees both in the United States and Thailand. The Binkleys work with the tens of thousands of refugees coming to the U.S. while continuing to work with those still remaining in refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar (Burma) border. Mylinda and Gary Baits are pastors and professors but mainly friends and connectors who walk alongside their sisters and brothers in Christ. They enjoy connecting students with leadership training, connecting scriptures to everyday life, and connecting people’s gifts with life changing ministries. The Baits work with the Costa Rican Baptist Federation in pastoral and lay leadership development and theological education. Conference Breakout Groups: Bluefields, NicaraguaCarol & Dave Matheson Christian Center of AnadarkoBen Sullivan Costa Rica PartnershipGary Baits Democratic Republic of CongoWendy Barnhardt Discovery Groups/Volunteers Jonathan Hilsher Kids Hope United Pat Griffin Murrow Indian Children’s Home Joan Brown New Neighbors Ruth Peterson Peoria Friendship House, Peoria Barbara Hartnett Women at Risk Elizabeth Landau Mission Projects: Used Book Depository, Campbell Soup UPC’s or lids (see www.campbellsoup.com for specific details) Registration Information: Registration forms can be downloaded from the regional website or registration can be done online. Lodging information is also available. For further questions contact the Region Office. Leadership Changes New Areas of Service Barry Norris, Pastor, Park Place Baptist Church, Montgomery, IL Chrissy Bartholomew, Youth Minister, First Baptist Church, Oak Park, IL Sharon Farral, Associate Pastor to Seniors, First Baptist Church, East Moline, IL Bon Rutherford, Youth Minister, Judon Memorial Baptist Church, Joliet, IL John Withum, Youth Minister, First Baptist Church, Aurora, IL Departing Vada Southern-Allen, Interim Minister, First Baptist Church Kankakee, IL Ron Harbold, Interim Minister, First Baptist Church, Plano, IL Richard Cunningham, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Morris, IL Alternative Ministerial Education The Regional Ordination Program has a new name as of January 18, 2008 by action of the GRR Board of Ministries. The name of the Regional Ordination Program (ROP) has been changed to Alternative Ministerial Education (AME). Nothing is being changed about the content or procedures of the ROP. The reason for the suggested change is to more accurately reflect the purpose of the program. For more information contact Carl Cottingham, Dean of AME. Spring Training Work Days for Disaster Relief Volunteers On Saturday, April 5 there will be two events, one at Blackhawk Baptist Camp and another at Grace Baptist Church in Kansas City, MO. On Saturday, April 19 a third training and work day will be held at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp. All three of these events will include “hands-on” training with the use of disaster relief equipment: chain saws, water pumps and other tools. In addition, the day will include latest information on readiness for disaster response, team identification, responsibilities, group building and how we are organized to respond. At our two camps we will help do spring clean up while we are training. In Kansas City we will cut down dead trees on the church grounds. Dress for physical work, wear steel toe shoes if you have them and bring work gloves. Complimentary lunch will be served at all three events. The day begins at 9:00 a.m. in Kansas City and at 9:30 a.m.at Blackhawk and Springfield. Reservations need to be made with Jack Smith (for Blackhawk Camp) at [email protected] or by calling 815284-6156; with Paul Webb (for Kansas City) at [email protected] or at 816-505--0619 ; with Mac Shotwell (for Springfield) at [email protected] or 217-241-4048. American Baptist Men American Baptist Men have a heart of mission. AB Men have served in training disaster relief teams (see calendar on front page) as well as sending individuals to help persons recover. These mission trips have found their way to places as close as Jacksonville IL and as far away as Managua, Nicaragua. After a terrible 1972 earthquake in Managua, Nicaragua, ABM volunteers helped to rebuild a Baptist Church Camp. There were 29 men who worked two weeks at Camp Managua. Work that was done consisted of electrical, carpentry, cement work, cooking, and installation of a ventilation system in the kitchen. The picture (taken by Curt Mundell) at left is of an art piece depicting a dove flying into a cross. This piece of art is at the First Baptist Church of Managua. When Curt returned home he made a replica of this art and hung it in the the chapel of Lake Benton Baptist Camp as a memorial of the work that the American Baptist Men had done in the country of Nicaragua. If you would like to receive a list of the names of those men - several whom the Lord has already called home - who worked on this post-earthquake relief mission trip, please contact me, Charles Schumaker at: 925 N Patton Ave Springfield IL 62702 Actionable. That’s what faith in Christ is. Join us as we continue today in mission near and far! Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Belvidere, IL Welcomes: Niki Sturm, Ace Lewis, Hui Chong Dofflemyer, Robert Dofflemyer III, Jacob Hughes, Lee Bachelder, Jillian Leutscher, Jake Colson, Rebecca Colson, Rolando Munoz, Angela Munoz, Terry Sanford, Susan Sanford, Russ Garner, Gena Garner, Mara Baer and David Rogers First Baptist Church, Cordova, IL Welcomes: Don Thompson, Marvin Bowles, Robert Hetz, and John Bosten The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region April 2008 No. 1 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar April 12 - ABW Spring Rallies: Area I FBC Plano, IL Area III FBC El Paso, IL Area IV Pleasant Grove Baptist, Humboldt, IL April 12 - Clean Up Day at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 16 - 19: American Baptist Women in Ministry Conference, St. Louis April 19 - Area 1 ABW Spring Meeting FBC Morrison, IL Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry (300 word maximum; pictures in jpeg format). Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] (Please note the change in the email address.) The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org April 19 - ABMen's Disaster Relief Spring Training and Camp Cleanup Lake Springfield Baptist Camp April 22 - 25: Fanning the Flame, A National Pastor's Renewal Conference April 25-26 - GRR Missions Conf. Cherry Hills Baptist May 10 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp May 17 - Boundaries Professional Ethics Course May 24 -Open House Lake Springfield Baptist Camp May 31 - Blackhawk Clean Up Day web: www.abc-grr.org Great Rivers Region Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church Springfield, IL - April 25-26, 2008. Friday: 3:00 p.m. Registration 3:00 – 5:00: Visit Mission Displays; talk with Duane Binkley or Dwight Stinnett. 5:00 – 6:00 Dinner 6:30 - Evening Session Mission Speaker, Duane Binkley Preacher, Max Klinkenborg Saturday: 8:30 a.m. Worship Speaker, Gary Baits Commissioning Service for Gulf Coast Volunteers Breakout Groups Lunch There will be 2 Conference offerings: Murrow Indian Children's Home and scholarship funds for persons participating in Gulf Coast projects. The Used Book Depository will have a truck at the conference to receive Bibles, Hymnals, Commentaries , and Bible study resource books-Friday evening only. The American Baptist Men will have their disaster relief trailer at the conference. Your registration by April 22, 2008 will help with plans for meals and hospitality and for breakout groups. Churches In Ministry What makes a church healthy? One of the most important characteristics is the church's outreach beyond their own congregants to their neighborhood, community, state and uttermost parts of the world. In Area 1, of GRR, Oak Park Avenue Baptist Church in Berwyn, IL, is just such a church. Last summer, under the leadership of their pastor, Bill Steger, the church hosted a block party for their neighborhood. They requested permission from the city of Berwyn to close off the entire block around the church and invited everyone from the neighborhood to a good old-fashioned barbeque and music festival. The church purchased enough food for over 600 people, and even though it rained all day, around 250 came to the event. It was such a great outreach event that the church is planning another one this summer. Oak Park Avenue reaches out in many other ways also. They provide their facilities to a Spanish-speaking congregation, but go even beyond that, to have occasional bi-lingual worship services together. The church is supportive of numerous missions in the community as well as a variety of ABC missions including Blackhawk Camp and others. Their passion for missions and outreach is also evidenced in the fact that many of the church have been on mission trips themselves to Central America. All of their love and compassion for others to know Jesus Christ is evident in their inspiring worship services and relationships with one another. Why is Oak Park Avenue one of the healthiest churches in Area 1? The answer is they feel compelled by Christ's love to carry out the Great Commission. They truly care about their neighbors and go outside the church walls to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. Submitted by: Rev. Cheryl Henson Regional Associate Minister Serving Area I DAUGHTERS OF THE FLAME AMERICAN BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY 2008 CONFERENCE APRIL 16-19, 2008, St. Louis Contact: Rev. Muriel Johnson Fanning the Flame Pastor's Renewal Conference April 22-25, 2008 American Baptist Assembly Green Lake, WI First Baptist Church Greenfield, IL Builds For the Future In March, the Area II Annual Meeting was hosted by First Baptist Church, Greenfield, IL in their new church building. One of the work- shops, led by building committee chairman, Larry Pembrook, featured the process in which they were able to build a new church building. The decision to build was not an easy one as it meant leaving the old church with its history and memories. The need for more space caused the church to plan to build. Three years of planning and pledge drives preceeded the building process. The land was donated and about $240,000 in pledges was added to the $400,000 that had been saved to present to the bank for a loan. Because of using skilled labor church members as well as help from others, the church was built for slightly over half of the appraised cost. The Greenfield Church found out that there were groups of Baptist that would come and help build churches. A church from Alabama contacted Greenfield and said that they had two hundred people who wanted to build a church and they did not have a place arranged as they normally would. This group from Alabama wanted to come in June 2005 and it was already February. With God’s help, everything fell into place. The site was prepared and the plans finalized. The group from the Alabama church brought builders, food, and cooks to stay for a week at no cost to Greenfield. The Alabama church requested that a dedication service be held on Thursday night of that week. At that service, the Alabama church presented a love offering to Greenfield that they had been collecting, amounting to $4700.00. Some other smaller groups from Illinois also came and did work on the church building. FBC Greenfield members did most of the finishing work through the winter and the first service was held on Easter of 2006. The sunrise service was held in the old church and the regular morning worship service was held in the new church. The new First Baptist Church Greenfield cost approximately $1.1 million and is 20,400 square feet. The sanctuary seats around 290. Rev. George Rosales, pastor, said, “A million is nothing compared to one person knowing the Lord.” The Lord’s hand was in this building project as key people who were needed became available in the time of need. Volunteers work crews from Greenfield have been to the church in Alabama and to Berea, KY. A group is planning a work trip to Redbud, IL this year. Volunteers in mission continue as the Lord’s mission is being fulfilled. GRR Clergy Spouses April 18-19, 2008 Lake Springfield Baptist Camp “The Song In Your Heart” Ardys Carpenter - Retreat Leader Minonk First Baptist Church Celebrates 150 Years Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church of Minonk, IL celebrated the 150th anniversary of the church on Sunday, April 20, 2008. Following a luncheon at the church, an afternoon service was held. First Baptist Church, Aurora, IL Welcomes: Dylan Andersen, Garrett Jackson, Jancy Lundberg, Isabella Sickler, D. J. Varney, Mariah Myrtil, Adam VanVolkenburg, and Jane Saenz Richard Ricks, Regional Associate MInister serving Area III, is pictured presenting a certificate to Pastor Richard Olson (center) and Jay Hurd, church member (left). Ricks also preached the message. The service included a variety of special music. . A reception was held following the service. First Baptist Church, Belleville, IL Welcomes: Joshua Baird News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region April 2008 No. 2 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar April 25-26 - GRR Missions Conf. Cherry Hills Baptist First Baptist Church, Paris, Il Welcomes: Devin Mason, Deanna Mason, Austin Mason, and Sydney Mason April 28 - May 17 - Gulf Coast Baptist Blitz Build with Habitat For Humanity First Baptist Church, Sparland, IL Welcomes: Miranda Shofner May 2-3 - Face To Face Indianapolis, IN Central Baptist Church, Quincy, IL Welcomes: Brianny Thomas, Joanne Sigler, Susan Wilson, Russell Wilson, and Dorothy Mahla May 10 - Clean Up Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Mainstream Contact Information May 31 - Boundaries Professional Ethics Course Note Change of Date Alf Anderson Celebrates 65th Anniversary of his Ordination Monday, April 28, 2008, Rev. Alf Elliot Anderson will celebrate the 65th anniversary of his Ordination as a Minister in ABC-USA. Alf was Ordained at Marquette Manor Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. Following his studies at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Anderson served in the GRR at Chatsworth, Bushnell, Ashland, East Alton, and Pleasant Plains, IL. He also served on the staff of American Baptist Assembly at Green Lake, WS for one season. We congratulate Rev. Anderson for his service. The Mainstream Send your stories of mission and ministry (300 word maximum; pictures in jpeg format). Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 May 24 -Open House Lake Springfield Baptist Camp May 31 - Blackhawk Clean Up Day June 16-21 - Great American Bike Ride Across Illinois July 5-11 - National ABY Gathering Estes Park, CO August 9 - Area I Senior Adult Day E-Mail: [email protected] (Please note the change in the email address.) The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org August 21 - Area II and III Senior Adult Day October 3-5 - Great Rivers Region Annual Meeting Moline, IL web: www.abc-grr.org Mission Opportunities Volunteers Needed 2008 Baptist Blitz Build Twenty more volunteers are needed for the first week, April 28 – May 3. During that week, workers will be framing exterior and interior walls, raising roof trusses and roof decking, and installing windows, doors and vinyl siding. During the week, May 12 – 17, we need more than 50 volunteers. That week the work will focus on completing vinyl siding, taping and floating sheetrock, painting, and installing trim work, cabinets and landscaping. National Ministries is partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2008 on behalf of American Baptist Churches USA to build 11 homes for 11 deserving families in this Blitz Build. Some of these families were displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita and have permanently relocated to Baton Rouge We give thanks to God for the 210 generous American Baptists who have already promised their time and talent to this worthy cause. We pray more will be called to this ministry, helping these deserving families find the gift of God’s love in the sound of hammers and saws and the sight of God’s people (continued on p. 2) Mission Opportunities Continued... working together to provide shelter for those lost in a storm. Aidsand Wright-Riggins, III Executive Director - National Ministries A Community In El-Salvador The Vision: The revitalization of the hillside community of Cuscatlán by building Peace Park around Bridge of Salvation Baptist Church. This project supplies work for the people, a park for the whole community, restores the land of the church, builds a retreat center and parsonage allowing the Bridge of Salvation Baptist Church to become a community of faith that serves both the surrounding community and the churches in El Salvador. In August of 2001, International Ministries began sending teams in partnership with the Baptist Federation of El Salvador (FEBES) to assist in the rebuilding efforts after an earthquake and a hurricane. In 2002, International Ministries was able to buy six lots of land in order to build this park for children in the community and a retreat center for the churches of the federation. A 700 student public school and mission field is right across the street from this church. Building Peace Park will help to remind all of us of the peace God offers across the bridge of Jesus Christ. This vision is several years in the making and needs your physical and financial help to complete it. Would you consider joining a team workingin El Salvador from June 28 through July 6, 2008 which includes eight time trip veterans Dale Phillips and John Oncken ? Please contact Pastor Brian Hodge at First Baptist Church in Waverly at 217-435-7651 or send an e-mail to [email protected] for more information about how you can support this project by giving or going to work on a trip this summer or in the future. Easter Blessings Easter brought many blessings to First Baptist Church, Sparland, IL . Our usual Sunday mornings - down to around 30 about a year ago - have picked up to nearly 60. On Easter morning 135 members and guests worshipped together in our newly sided, roofed, and freshly painted sanctuary. Also, a baptism was also held in our new baptistry. Our cup runneth over! March 30 brought us a church full as we held our annual Race for Christ pinewood derby. After a hot dog lunch for all we raced nearly 30 kids' hand made race cars, and nearly 40 big kids (40 and over in age) hand made cars, buses and trucks. We are looking forward to April 27 as Pastor Anderson has challenged the Board of Ministries to a "Pie Contest". If the congregation can fill 110 seats for church service, the Board of Ministries gets to "Pie the Pastor", but if they fall short, Pastor gets to "Pie the Board." Afterwards, we will all celebrate the "Pie-ing" with a Pie Social for everyone. Submitted by Connie Anderson Summer Lunches Were a Success! Lunches were served to 258 children in the North Greene area last summer from June 11 through August 17. Tammy Winters, a member of the Helping Hands organization, directed the project. Mrs. Winters said that 60 lunches were fixed daily (Monday thru Friday) at the junior high cafeteria in Roodhouse. Churches who prepared lunches for a week: White Hall First Baptist, White Hall Catholic Church, White Hall Christian Church, White Hall Methodist Church, Roodhouse Baptist Church, Gentle Shepherd Church, White Hall Presbyterian Church, Harvest Media, and the Roodhouse Methodist Church. These lunches were taken to White Hall, Roodhouse, and Hillview. Churches, Bible school groups, individuals, organizations, Kroger's, Meehan's, and Dollar General all gave donations. Mrs. Winters said "What I like best about this project is that it is "people helping people" in our own towns!" There were no grants involved in this, just donations! We are talking about 60 lunches daily for 54 days. 3,240 lunches donated and prepared for our children in the community! Thanks to all who donated time and money to this worthwhile project! National American Baptist Women in Ministry Conference: Daughters of the Flame Pastor Heather Henson (at right) of Wilton Center Federated Church is pictured here with her area minister, Cheryl Henson. Heather was part of the leadership team who planned and hosted the national conference for women in pastoral, mission, chaplaincy, and staff ministries. Music led by Hornrette Washington Thomas in addition to that provided by several soloists and vocal groups was awesome! Inspiring speakers included Kate Harvey, Yvonne Thorne, Elisa Vazquez, Claudia Barbosa, and Rothang Chhangte. James Wolfe, Pastor of Pontiac IL First Baptist Church accepted the invitation to conduct a book signing of his recent publication: AB Women in Pastoral Ministry (Cloverdale, 2007). A look at the participants revealed the fruit of many generations of work of our churches and the missionaries they have sent - there were women in ministry who have come from China (Hong Kong), Burma, Laos, Haiti, Brazil, India, the Philippines, the U.S. and many other places. God has called and these women have obediently followed. Find a short slide show at www.abc-grr.org/womeninmin08/ daughtersoftheflame.htm Great American Baptist Bike Ride Across Illinois The Great American Bike Ride Across Illinois is for anyone who enjoys biking and wants to support New Church Development. Participants will bike about 250 miles across north-central Illinois. News of Ministry and Mission University Baptist Church, Champaign, IL Welcomes: Heloisa Alves, Erik Potter, Peter Ferrans, Vicki Vieira, and Danielle Beard First Baptist Church, Olney, IL Welcomes: Madalyn Parr, Savannah Parr, Elizabeth Harmon, Terrilynne Majors, Deborah Benstine, and Jamie Lofton The ride begins June 16 at First Baptist Church, Marseilles, IL and ends at Moline, IL on June 21. The purpose of this ride is to raise money and awareness to aid in planting new churches. Each rider should seek out people to pledge money on a per mile, per day, or whole ride basis. One hundred percent of the money raised will go into planting new churches. For more information or to donate to this mission see the regional website www.abc-grr.org or contact Max Klinkenborg at the regional office (217 - 726 - 7366 or [email protected].) The Mainstream Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region May 2008 No.1 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar Baptist Blitz Build Underway May Volunteers for the Baptist Blitz Build began their work last week. Those 10 Clean Up Day at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp First Baptist Church, Plano, IL Welcomes: Paul Mason 17 Dedication of Baptist Blitz Blitz Build Homes First Baptist Church, White Hall , IL Welcomes: Randi Stone, Arika Hull, Jocelyn Myers, Dylan Whicker, Jordan Whicker, Morgan Winters, Wesley Teno, Eriq Gaige, Logan Davidson, and Michael Seymoure. 24 Open House - Lake Springfield Baptist Camp 31 Boundaries Professional Ethics Course: East Peoria First Baptist Church 31 Clean Up Day at Blackhawk Baptist Camp June 6-8 Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: AB Womens Ministries Conference - Lake Williamson Retreat Center Carlinville, IL 16 - 21 - Great American Baptist Bike Ride Across IL July Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] July 5-11: National ABY Gathering in Estes Park, Colorado August The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org 9 - Area I Seniors’ Day 21 - Area II / III Seniors’ Day from Area IV working the first week are pictured above. More than 200 volunteers have signed on to help build 11 houses for 11 deserving families on the Gulf Coast in the 2008 Blitz Build in Baton Rouge, La., April 28 – May 17. 2008. The Blitz Build began with a blessing of houses on Monday, April 28. The GRR have 73 volunteers including those from Area IV. Two volunteers from the Costa Rica Baptist Federation and Gary Baits, a missionary with American Baptist International Ministries on U.S. and Puerto Rico assignment, were sponsored by the GRR. A dedication of the homes on Saturday, May 17 will conclude the project. Churches In Ministry There are several churches in Area 4 that are making significant differences in their communities but none more so than Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center (Cairo Baptist Church). To say that this congregation reaches out and makes a difference in their community would be an understatement. · Red Cross Blood Drive held six (6) times a year in the Activity Center. · Flu shots administered each October in the Activity Center. Rev. Larry Potts has been the pastor since May of 1960. His leadership has established within the congregation a mindset that ministry begins in the local community and works its way outward. Many of these outreach ministries involve many volunteers and countless hours (especially Upward basketball). If you are looking for a worship experience that will lift your spirit then Mighty Rivers Regional Worship Center is the place. Submitted by: Rev. Randy McNeely Associate Minister to Area 4 · “Heart Smart for Women” conduct ed each Wednesday January April in JC’s Hall. · Sheriff’s appreciation dinner held annually in the JC hall. · Girl Scout cookie Distribution Day annually in JC hall. · Upward Basketball, a sports min istry outreach from November to March, over the past nine years. Serving 192 children and families from 41 churches and the nonchurched in the Activities Center. GRR Missions Conference 2008 The Gulf Coast Volunteers were commissioned at the Saturday Morning Session. Brian Romanowski Ordained The First Baptist Church of Mahomet, IL held a service of ordination for their pastor, Brian Romanowski on Sunday April 27, 2008. Two recently settled Burmese brothers sang Speakers at the Conference included (l to r): Duane Binkley, ABC Missionary helping with refugee resettlement; Max Klinkenborg, GRR Associate Minister; and Gary Baits, ABC missionary working with Costa Rican Baptist Churches. · Activities Center is open daily for people to come in and walk. · Community announcements on the L.E.D. sign in front of the church. · Annual trip to Wisconsin to the Kalahari resort for adults and youth. · Trips to Branson on “Ole Blue”. · Live broadcast of the morning wor ship service since May of 1963. · Sunday lunch served in the church fellowship hall. From left to right: Richard Ricks, GRR Associate Minister; Judy McDowell of Mahomet FBC; Brian Romanowski; and John Welch, Moderator of FBC Mahomet. Rev. Dr. Malcom Shotwell preached the message. Rev. Dr. Richard Ricks led in the the vows of ordination and the presentation of the certificate. A reception was held following the service. The Cherry Hills Baptist Church Men’s Choir provided special music during the Saturday Morning Session. Before and during the Conference, there were many missionaries (volunteer and staff) engaged in conversation at their displays. Great American Baptist Bike Ride Across Illinois The Great American Bike Ride Across Illinois is for anyone who enjoys biking and wants to support New Church Development. Participants will bike about 250 miles across north-central Illinois. First Baptist Church Centrailia, IL Welcomes: Chris Atchison, Jeff Schmitz, Heather Schmitz, Kelsey Schmitz, Natalie Bozett, Brittany Allison, Kacey Krupp, Mikayla Krupp, Montie Joe Graham, Bob Cozadd, Paula Cozadd, Sandra Nealy, Tina Sligar, Jessica Elliston, Ryne Smith, Kenneth Teitsort, Virginia Teitsort, Kellee Lamb, Neil Lawrence, and Dara Lawrence. First Baptist Church, Galesburg, IL Welcomes: Nora Morrow The ride begins June 16 at First Baptist Church, Marseilles, IL and ends at Moline, IL on June 21. The purpose of this ride is to raise money and awareness to aid in planting new churches. Each rider should seek out people to pledge money on a per mile, per day, or whole ride basis. One hundred percent of the money raised will go into planting new churches. For more information or to donate to this mission see the regional website www.abc-grr.org or contact Max Klinkenborg at the regional office (217 - 726 - 7366 or [email protected].) The Mainstream Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Newton, IL Welcomes: Victor and Charity Vanderhoof First Baptist Church, Urbana, IL Welcomes: Sally Elam News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region May 2008 No.2 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar May 24 Open House - Lake Springfield Baptist Camp 31 Boundaries Professional Ethics Course: East Peoria First Baptist Church 31 Clean Up Day at Blackhawk Baptist Camp 6 - 8 AB Womens Ministries Conference - Lake Williamson Retreat Center Carlinville, IL July Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: July 5-11: National ABY Gathering in Estes Park, Colorado August Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] 8, 9 - Baptist History & Polity class led by Dr. Adrian Lamkin. Class hosted by East Peoria First Baptist Church 9 - Area I Seniors’ Day The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org GRR Helps Rebuild Baton Rouge Approximately 80 volunteers from the Great Rivers Region have recently returned from Baton Rouge, LA where they helped rebuild homes for those left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. June 16 - 21 - Great American Baptist Bike Ride Across IL Mainstream Contact Information web: www.abc-grr.org 21 - Area II / III Seniors’ Day American Baptist once again joined with Habitat for Humanity to build homes in a three week Baptist Blitz Build. Dr. Dwight Stinnett, Regional Executive Minister, was part of the GRR group who were there for the final week. He wrote about the experience in Current Thoughts. The following is an excerpt from his article. He explains why the construction was in Baton Rouge instead of New Orleans. “The infrastructure of New Orleans is still so devastated that large numbers of volunteers needlessly strain the capacity of that city and local notfor-profit services. Baton Rouge was a major refuge for persons fleeing the destruction in New Orleans. New Orleans is still well below (continued) its pre-Katrina population, while Baton Rouge has grown rapidly because of the influx. The 20+ homes we have built in the last two years have been for families displaced from New Orleans to Baton Rouge. This year we were building a whole new neighborhood from the ground up. About 20 acres on the South side of Baton Rouge had been given to Habitat. Habitat had already built several homes on the property. It was really satisfying to be able to see so clearly the impact of our efforts. What was once an open field is now the setting for about 15 new homes. It is a very nice, modest neighborhood with a good mix of population, lots of children, and nearby playground and community center. that volunteers from the Great Rivers Region will lead the way once again. These kinds of projects are one of the ways we prove that we are committed to the whole Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope you will visit our website (www.abc-grr.org) to see some pictures, read other reports, and find links to other sites. Begin thinking about next year! Can you go? Can you encourage someone else to go? Can you help with finances? Are you willing to pray? Can you get involved with you local Habitat chapter—or some comparable organization helping low income families build a life? Dwight Stinnett Once again, the Great Rivers Region sent the largest number of volunteers—over eighty. Dr. Aidsand Wright-Riggins (Executive Director for the Board of National Ministries) recognized us for our volunteer efforts during the celebration service on the last day of work. This seems to be turning into one of those annual mission projects for Great Rivers (in some ways analogous to our international partnership with Costa Rica). I don’t yet know what will happen next year, but I am confident that something will and The First Baptist Church of East Moline, IL, held a service of ordination for their Associate Pastor for Senior Care, Sharon Farral on Sunday, April 27, 2008 Dr. Ruth Peterson preached the message. Rev. Ron Miles led the Faith Baptist Church Preparing To Move First Baptist Church, Batavia, IL has been located in downtown Batavia for 172 years. The present building was built 119 years ago. The congregation is saying “goodbye” to the building with the final worship services on Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. All this is happening because the church is building a beautiful new building at the corner of Main Street and South Mill Creek Drive. The congregation is grateful to the Bethany Lutheran Church which has made their gymnasium available to us for worship services until construction of the new building is completed sometime this summer. First Baptist Church will have a new name: Faith Baptist At Mill Creek. vows of ordination and Rev. Clark Luce led in the charge to the congregation. Moderator Deane Knight presented the Certificate of Ordination. Pastor Sharon achieved this milestone through the GRR’s Alternative Ministerial Education Program. For many, leaving the old building will be an emotional parting, as many grew up in this church. The final service on June 1 will be an opportunity to share the experiences of church life together. Participants in this final service will include Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke and Rev. Dr. Cheryl Henson, Associate Regional Minister serving Area I. A special moment in this last service will be the Communion Service, which will include the passing of the mantle of pastoral leadership from former pastor, Rev. Richard Watts, to interim pastor, Rev. Ronald Miles, to our new pastor, Rev. John Pattison, who begins his ministry in June. The evening service features a concert by the internationally known pianist Huntley Brown. Church Spearheads Dream House Project Members of First Baptist Church of Jerseyville, IL are the core group behind building a handicapped accessible house for the Skinner family, longtime members of the church. The sons of the family, Duey and Colton are afflicted with a rare neuro-muscular disorder, Louis Barr Syndrone. A few years ago, it became evident that both boys would be confined to wheelchairs. A Sunday School class began helping the family toward buying a van with a lift. The entire church soon became involved and a van was purchased. The family’s current home is not handicapped accessible. Church members, Tim & Kaye Buis, Kim Hawkes, Kellie Hill and Debbie Wedding began the task of trying to provide a new home for the family. They became the nucleus of the “Friends of the Skinner Family Committee” which has expanded to the whole community. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in April. At the ceremony, Rev. Gerald Phillips, Interim Pastor, said, “The support that has been shown towards the Skinner family is just overwhelming and in my opinion, if you look at how quickly everything has come together, it has God’s fingerprints all over it.” The church family and community continue to be involved in many fund raising projects as well as providing physical labor at the construction site. Information provided by Joyce Sagez - Church Secretary The Mainstream Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! News of Ministry and Mission First Baptist Church, Benton, IL Welcomes: Phil and Jean Bailie First Baptist Church, Mattoon, IL Welcomes: Amy Bennett, Rebecca Blanke, Miles Brown, Mayla Johanpeter, Daniel Klapp, and David Klapp First Baptist Church, Ottawa, IL Welcomes: Ashley Dettore, Cassie Klien, Thyra Beals, Vernon Distin, and Samantha Daneile Rolling Prairie Baptist Church, Rochester, IL Welcomes: Andrea Estes, Steve Hinds, Allison Huston, Jerry Rutherford, Terri Springer, Libby Van Dyke, and Tina Verduin First Baptist Church, Towanda, IL Welcomes: Cory Deerwester and Aubrey Deerwester American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region June 2008 No.1 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar June 16 - 21 - Great American Baptist Bike Ride Across IL Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org Flooding Overcome The rain fell all week, day after day, filling and eventually overflowing the Kaskaskia River in several places in northern Coles County. July 5-11: National ABY Gathering Estes Park, Colorado August 8, 9 - Baptist History & Polity class led by Dr. Adrian Lamkin. Class hosted by East Peoria First Baptist Church 9 - Area I Senior Adult Day 21 - Area II / III Senior Adult Day Mainstream Contact Information web: www.abc-grr.org September 5 - 7 - Area I Senior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp 11 - Sacred Boundaries Course Creekwood Baptist Church Rockford, IL 19 - 21 - Area I Junior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp October 3 - 5 - GRR Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn Convention Center Moline, IL We (Pleasant Grove Baptist Church) had been planning over six months for our 150th Anniversary celebration to take place on June 7-8. The tent was coming, the ice cream was delivered, supplies were checked, church was clean and we were ready. There was to be a community ice cream social under a tent in the grove on Saturday. A clown was coming, 4-Given from Mattoon FBC was to sing, games were planned and there were plenty of old pictures to share with the visitors. If it would only stop raining so we could be under the tent in the grove. Saturday brought more rain to the north, swelling the river higher than anyone, even our oldest member, could ever remember. The road to the new bridge was rapidly disappearing. Then we had word they were going to close the bridge…the last open road north and south through the area. Those who were working to get the water and mud out of the church basement were alerted to get out of there. The tent man was contacted and urged to return home. (Continued on page 2) The ice cream was safe. Festivities were cancelled. People left for homes. The river soon covered the bed of the bridge road with six inches of water. Tragically, 2 families lost their homes east of the church to the rising waters. Saturday was lost but what about Sunday? There were visitors from Alabama, Indiana, Missouri and Iowa. Randy McNeely was coming to share in our service. Susan Doty was coming to sing. After one phone call to Pastor Mike Snow, we had a place to gather for worship and then dinner afterwards at First Baptist of Mattoon. After another phone call with Kim Henness, we had a worship service planned and ready to go. After the final call, our dinner could be delivered to the new site. The result was one of the most wonderful worship experiences we have ever had. The music carried us to the gates of heaven. Four visiting former pastors shared of their experiences with us. The “mother” church renewed ties to her “daughter” as old friendships were renewed and new ones formed. Mattoon FBC treated their guests to the best gift anyone could give…unconditional love with open arms to come share their space. All agreed God was there last Sunday in a very real, special and wonderful way. The weather gave us lemons and with God’s help we made sweet lemonade to refresh us all. Thanks be to God. Rev Stephanie Johanpeter (Pastor Jo) “Do You Believe in Miracles?” Sports Illustrated recently broadcast a special on the “Top Ten Sports Stories of All Time.” Perhaps not surprisingly, their choice for number one was the USA Hockey Team’s victory over the Russian Nationals in the 1980 Olympics. Who can forget sportscaster Al Michael’s “Do you believe in miracles!?! Yes!!!” as the seconds ticked down? The members and friends of the First Baptist Church of Oak Park, IL witnessed their own miracle May 11. On “Miracle Sunday” we received $158,000 in offerings for a new roof and air conditioning unit for the church’s gymnasium/fellowship hall. This figure represents more than half of what we normally receive in offerings for the year. For us, it truly was a miracle! We are grateful to John Grisham of the Great Rivers Region staff who introduced the concept of “Miracle Sunday” last fall. “Miracle Sunday” is designed to raise a significant amount of cash in one special offering. When he first met with us we did not know how we would go about raising the $150,000 needed to replace our leaky roof and temperamental a/c. We thought our best options were to take out a loan, launch a multi-year campaign, or tap our already depleted reserves. John encouraged us, however, to believe in the “Miracle Sunday” approach as it was tailor made for a project like ours. (Continued on facing page) The straight forward process includes soliciting a few pre-campaign commitments, announcing the “Miracle Sunday” date several months in advance, monthly reminder letters and one personal phone call. In essence, it is letting people know of the need and encouraging them to consider a special gift. The new roof and air conditioner will certainly be a welcome improvement to our facility. As grateful as we are to “Miracle Sunday” for what it has meant for our facility needs, we are even more grateful for what it has meant to our spiritual development. It has been a tangible reminder of the greatness and graciousness of God. Do we believe in miracles? Yes!!! Submitted by Rev. Harry Parker Church News American Baptist Women’s Ministries across the nation are supporting as their special project: Slavery in the 21st Century: Break the Chains. Approximately 800,000 to 900,000 victims annually are trafficked across international borders worldwide including as many as 20,000 in the United States. The family of Phila Nestrick, a member of United Baptist Church, Kinderhook, IL set up a memorial fund and it was their wish that the funds be used to support a worthy mission. The ABWM at Kinderhook chose to give $1,000 to the ABWM Break the Chains special project. On Saturday, May 17, First Baptist Benton, IL hosted a pancake breakfast to raise funds for summer camp for the Cub Scout Pack that meets weekly in the fellowship hall. Professional Leadership Changes Incoming Jason Hladik - FBC Plano, IL John Withum - Coordinator of Children & Yth Min, FBC Aurora, IL Sharon Farral - Assoc Min to Senior Care, FBC East Moline Barry Norris - Pastor, Park Place Baptist Church, Montgomery, IL Chad Hoesman - Pastor FBC White Hall, IL Kim Johnson - Development University Baptist, Champaign, IL Christian Ricker - Pastor FBC Chenoa, IL Karen Boucher - Associate Pastor FBC Pontiac, IL Jim Jackson - Co-Pastor Cottage Home Baptist, Carbondale, IL Shawn Parks - Co-Pastor Cottage Home,. Carbondale, IL Randy Johnson - Pastor FBC Carbondale, IL Paul Sowden Sr. - Pastor FBC Belleville, IL Gary Watts - Pastor Temple of Truth, Kansas City, MO Brian Crippen - PastorFBC Rosewood Heights, East Alton, IL Pat Ciupek - Interim FBC Carthage, IL Bob Haley - Interim FBC Urbana, IL Departing Chad Hoesman - Interim, Alsey Baptist Church, Alsey, IL Barbara Henderson - Pastor, Temple of Truth, Kansas City, MO Matt Ohley - Pastor Godfrey Baptist Godfrey, IL GRR Ministers Conference Harvest Time: Self Care For the Worker Friday October 3, 2008 Holiday Inn Convention Center Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Champaign, Savoy, IL Welcomes: Nan Picchietti Audrey Skelton, Shawn Birt, Julie Gibson and Carol Hahn First Baptist Church, East Alton, IL Welcomes: Paula Boone, Ricky Boone, Carrie Boone, and Brett Boone First Baptist Church, Girard, IL Welcomes: Harold Huston and Pearl Huston Worship Leader: Rev. Cheri Grizzard, Pastor of Worship and Community Life, First Baptist Church, Peoria, IL Preachers: Dr. Leroy Mitchell: Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb, Il. American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region June 2008 No. 2 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar 5-11: National ABY Gathering Estes Park, Colorado August 8, 9 - Baptist History & Polity class led by Dr. Adrian Lamkin. Class hosted by East Peoria First Baptist Church 21 - Area II / III Senior Adult Day September Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry to: E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org Regional Associate Minister Serving Area II Changes July 9 - Area I Senior Adult Day Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 Dr. Terry Minchow-Proffitt: Pastor of Delmar Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO News of Ministry and Mission First Baptist Church, Carbondale, IL Welcomes: Craig Holt Moline, IL Presenter: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thome - bilingual (English/Spanish) faith-based, counseing psychologist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. The Mainstream 5 - 7 - Area I Senior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp 11 - Sacred Boundaries Course Creekwood Baptist Church Rockford, IL 19 - 21 - Area I Junior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp October 3 - 5 - GRR Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn Convention Center Moline, IL July 1 will bring a change to the GRR Staff. After serving for over 21 years as Regional Associate Minister serving Area II, Rev. Max Klinkenborg begins his retirement. Max and his wife Kay will be moving soon to their new home near Kansas City, MO. The GRR is grateful for Max’s 21 years of dedicated service and prays God’s blessings for Max and Kay as they enter this new stage of life. Dr. John Grisham, a long-time member of the region staff is changing roles. He will now be the Regional Associate Minister serving Area II. As all of the other Area ministers have additional region responsibilities, John will work in the area of Congregational Stewardship. The GRR is thankful for John’s ministry as he continues his work. Mission News Mission Volunteers The Great Rivers Region is very proud and thankful for two individuals who have recently served as mission volunteers. Elizabeth Landau returned from the Czeck Republic in November 2007 after serving as a volunteer for a year. She served as an assistant to Lauren Bethel. Elizabeth is a graduate of William Jewell College and a member of FBC Kansas City, Mo Daniel Baltz served as a volunteer with Ketley and Vital Pierre in Bluefields, Nicaragua for eight months, returning home at the end of April 2008. Daniel will be a freshman at Bethel College in Minneapolis in the fall of 2008. He is a member of FBC Aurora, IL. When Ketley Pierre spoke at the recent International Ministries Conference in Cincinnati she told of the impact that Daniel, as an 18 year old volunteer, had on several ministries related to the Bethel Church in Bluefields, Nicaragua. Missions Conference The April 25-26 2008 GRR Mission Conference --- hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist Church in Springfield, IL --- was a great event as 225 persons participated. Mission Conference “breakout” presentations were current and very timely. These included the response to Children in Poverty (featuring Elliott Ave, Virden FBC and the churches of north Greene County), resettlement of Karen Refugees, Women at Risk, the Baton Rouge Baptist Blitz Build and the Great Rivers Region Costa Rica Partnership. As is often the case with this kind of event there was anticipation fulfilled as well as the unexpected surprise. As was expected there were missionary speakers, breakout groups, exhibits, good food, and great hospitality. The offering for Murrow Indian Children’s Home exceeded $3,000 and the offering for support of the Baton Rouge Baptist Build was $2,500. 6,000 pounds of books were gathered for the Used Book Depository. The unexpected included a presentation by the Cherry Hills Men’s Chorus, participation by Joan Brown (Murrow Indian Children’s Home), Ben Sullivan (Anadarko), and Barbara Hartnett (Peoria Friendship House), the three 2008-2010 National Ministries Special Interest Missionaries for the Great Rivers Region, and the music presentations by two Karen men from FBC Moline, IL. Evaluations for the event were unanimous in approval of having the event at the end of April rather than in January as in past years. Church Celebrates “Miracle Sunday” Results First Baptist Church of Virden, IL took a hard look at their finances recently and decided that something needed to happen - something miraculous - for the church to continue their ministry in the way they felt that God wanted. Through the direction of the American Baptist Area II office, the church was introduced to the concept of “Miracle Sunday.” The idea of Miracle Sunday is simple. Together the congregation decides upon an amount needed to fulfill their goals. Then through a series of letters to current and past members and friends—they begin to focus upon and pray earnestly about that goal. A Sunday is chosen upon which to celebrate “Miracle Sunday.” Invitations are sent to attend a worship service in which the offering is taken and dedicated and a meal that is served following the service after which the total of the offering is announced. The offering is a onetime gift—no pledges are solicited and no one person’s gift is singled out over another. Each person is directed to give and be blessed as God has led them. First Baptist Church of Virden set their sights upon a lofty goal of $25,000.00. A portion would include a sizable amount to be set aside to complete a remodeling project of the Sunday School area, to be dedicated to the memory of Dorothy Oller, a lifelong member of First Baptist. Miracle Sunday was celebrated on June 8 with over 80 people in attendance. When the total amount was announced, the church celebrated the accomplishment of the goal; but more importantly, we celebrated the the assurance that prayer and faith can strengthen a body of believers and move others to take a more active and vital part in the ministry of a church fellowship that they love. The final total was a miraculous $26,694.25! First Baptist Church sponsors a mid-week children’s program, feeding and ministering to an average of 30 children each week. The church sent 15 of those children to summer church camp, and was able to raise funds to help take 5 youth to the Area II Skwim event this past January. The members of First Baptist Church, along with their pastor, Rev. Diane DeSmidt, look forward to even more ministry opportunities that Miracle Sunday will provide. Submitted by Debbie Kershaw FBC Virden, IL AMERICAN BAPTIST MEN and BOYS 2008 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE July 11 & 12 Friday Evening: Time of worship, fellowship and communion Saturday: Reach out to the community through project works and service to others Disaster Relief: Update on this ministry. Come and see how you can be a part of a ministry that truly strives to help others. GRR Ministers Conference Harvest Time: Self Care For the Worker Friday October 3, 2008 Holiday Inn Convention Center Moline, IL Presenter: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thome - bilingual (English/Spanish) faith-based, counseing psychologist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Worship Leader: Rev. Cheri Grizzard, Pastor of Worship and Community Life, First Baptist Church, Peoria, IL Preachers: Dr. Leroy Mitchell: Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb, Il. Dr. Terry MinchowProffitt: Pastor of Delmar Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO The Mainstream Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! Elliott Avenue Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Welcomes: Shadow Cook, LaDarius Donald, LaMarco Donald, Selena Harris, Cassidy Haynes and Dawana Stone Park Place Baptist Church, Montgomery, IL Welcomes: Howard Alrich, Mary Alrich, Barry Norris, Blanche Norris, Anthony Romo and Marie Romo Central Baptist Church, Quincy, Il Welcomes: Brianny Thomas, Joanne Sigler, Susan Wilson, Russell Wilson, Dorothy Mahla, Karlie Donald, Steven Donald, Sandra Donald, Melanie Nall, Zachery Dees, Vision Ayalew, Mary Dees, Ryanna Kelley, and Sarah Wilson Northern Baptist Church, West Frankfort, IL Welcomes: Luke Pond, Becky Sloan, Kurt Leberman, Mary Lynn Whitlow, and Bob Whitlow Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region July 2008 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar August 8, 9 - Baptist History & Polity class led by Dr. Adrian Lamkin. Class hosted by East Peoria First Baptist Church 9 - Area I Senior Adult Day Blackhawk Baptist Camp 21 - Area II / III Senior Adult Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp September 5 - 7 - Area I Senior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp web: www.abc-grr.org Great Rivers Region Youth Attend National American Baptist Youth Gathering “What were you doing at 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, July 9?” Over 20 Great Rivers students and adults climbed a mountain to watch the sun rise in Rocky Mountain National Park. Students climbed the mountain in darkness with glow sticks and flashlights. After the long hike to the top, students led a devotion and sang worship songs. These students were part of a group of over 100 students from Great Rivers participating in the National Gathering of American Baptist Youth at the YMCA of the Rockeis, July 5-11. 11 - Sacred Boundaries Course Creekwood Baptist Church Rockford, IL 19 - 21 - Area I Junior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp October 3 - GRR Ministers Conference Holiday Inn Convention Center Moline, IL 3 - 5 - GRR Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn Convention Center Moline, IL About 1,400 American Baptist Youth and Youth Sponsers attended this conference in Estes Park, Colorado. Titled “More Than a Week,” the conference encouraged students to take what they learned home and apply it in their lives so it would truly last “More Than a Week.” Lives were changed-numerous Great Rivers youth accepted a call to ministry and rededicated their lives to Christ! Speakers (continued) for the conference included Duffy Robbins, Emmett Dunn, Yamina Apolinaris, Eboni Marshall, and Shane Claiborne. Students also participated in small groups, workshops, and back-home devotions. Youth Leaders had the opportunity to participate in youth leader training through Bible studies, leadership sessions with Duffy Robbins and spiritual renewal sessions. Thank you for your support to the America for Christ offering, which helps provide events like this for our students.” Great Rivers Region Churches Annual Gathering Harvest Time Date: October 3-5, 2008 Place: Holiday Inn Moline, IL Convention Center at the Airport Keynote Speaker: Mylinda Baits Missionary Partner in Costa Rica Friday Evening: Youth Ministry Team Christian Comedian : Charles Marshall Saturday: Workshops GRR Mission Banquet - Costa Rica “Emerging Voices” To register or for more information: www.abc-grr.org or 217-726-7366 Church News From Winchester... The First Baptist Church of Winchester, IL sponsored a Community Patriotic Musical for our town. 5 different churches were involved: First Baptist, Methodist, Assembly of God, Grace Baptist, and St. Mark’s Catholic. From Kansas City... Grace Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri recently made contact with the Karen (Burmese) refugee community that is being resettled about four miles from the church. Five families, or about 25 people, have attended worship and other events at the church. Pictured is the youth choir singing a song for “peace in our land” and the She Sho Group choir singing about “loving our neighbors.” The Karen have been in refuThe choir presented a musical entitled, “God Bless the USA” under the direction of Rev. Sue Metcalf the pastor of First Baptist Church. This was enhanced by a large screen video presentation. The American Legion and V.F.W. held a Posting of the Colors. Boy Scouts greeted people and gave them a program bulletin and an American Flag pin. The Royal Neighbors of America group worked what we called the “Table of Thanks”. There were many different cards for people to sign sending words of encouragement and thanks to be sent to service men and women around the world. Over 100 people were in attendance. We recognized and thanked all service men or women in attendance. It was a blessing to see the churches of one small town working together to thank God for our great country and thank the men and women in the military who are serving to keep our freedom in this country safe. 30’ by 50’ plot. The garden is full and growing crazy! We plan to share its fruits with the entire church first and then those in Sparland who are in need. On Sunday, June 22, church members, Randy and JahnNelle Shofner hosted the first Children’s Fishing Derby. The 21 kids caught 142 fish. All received ribbons and some received trophies. Several men have signed up to attend the Promise Keepers Conference in Peoria this August. We have had many praises thanks to God and our Prayer Warriors who meet every Wednesday evening. We bring up concerns for the week and take them to the Lord. Amazing things are happening in Sparland! Senior Adult Days Area I: August 9. 2008 gee camps in Thailand for over 20 years. This community of Karen are recent arrivals in the U.S. -- some have come within the last several weeks. Jewish Vocational Services is the resettlement agency for them here in Kansas City. Grace Baptist Mission Committee has joined with JVS to befriend and mentor the Karen. We are learning from each other and enjoying the Spirit at work in our midst. The connection with the Karen began almost 200 years ago when missionary Adoniram Judson went to Burma and evangelized the Karen Place: Blackhawk Baptist Camp From Sparland... First Baptist Church, Sparland, IL is experiencing blessings flowing out from its first “share” garden - a Cost: $12.00 Time: 9:30 a.m. Registration Speakers: Area I Youth Ministry Team Cost: $10.00 Swimming Pool will be open Areas II and III: August 21, 2008 Place: Lake Springfield Camp Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bethel Neighborhood Center Scripture tells us to welcome the stranger in our midst. In a recent worship service, Bethel Center Church did just that as two dozen Karen refugees were welcomed to a special worship of healing and communion. The Karen have been resettled in Kansas City, Kansas and are meeting at First Baptist Church there. During the worship, the pain of the world’s refugees and those displaced by cyclones and earthquakes were recognized. The worship was planned by Rakmi Shaiza, staff person at BNC. A litany was read reminding us of the pains of the world. We sang together, joined together at the communion table, received prayers for healing, and listened as Lisa Harris delivered a sermon putting the pain of the world into perspective with the Good News which our Lord has for all people. Bethel Board members Bob Southard and Ed Baxter were present and participated. The Spiritual leader of the Karen people also prayed in the Karen language. The fellowship together after worship saw the intermingling of the two groups. We were reminded that these people from Burma were first evangelized by Adoniram Judson. One of the Karen young women is working with the summer youth program at Bethel. Several Karen children are attending the summer program. For information about Bethel Neighborhood Center see our website: www.bethelcenter.org or call the Center at 913-371-8218. Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission First Baptist Church, Cordova, IL Welcomes: Jesse Chavez, Zachery Mikles, and Taylor Rel. First Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO Welcomes: Marlon A. Smith, Roberta Stevenson, Darrell A. Robinson, Lisa F. Robinson, Alexandria Robinson and Betty Cauthon GRR Directory Correction Phone for Shurtleff Baptist Campus Ministry at SIU-Edwardsville, IL: 618-650-3248 American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region Coming Fall Events Issue August 14, 2008 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar August 21 - Areas II & III Senior Adult Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp 29 - Sept. 1 -- Family Camp Lake Springfield Baptist Camp September 5 - 7 - Area I Senior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp 11 - Sacred Boundaries Course Creekwood Baptist Church Rockford, IL 19 - 20 - Junior High Weekend Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org Harvest Time 2008 GRR Annual Meeting October 3-5, 2008 Fifth Season Convention Center Moline, Illinois John 4: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” 19 - 21 - Area I Junior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp October 3 - GRR Ministers Conference The Fifth Season Conv. Center Moline, IL 3 - 5 -- GRR Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn Convention Center Moline, IL Keynote Speaker: Mylinda Baits - Missionary Partner in Costa Rica with her husband Gary and their children. Schedule For Annual Meeting GRR Ministers Conference Friday: Pastor’s Conference Friday Evening: Youth Ministry Team Christian Comedian - Charles Marshall Saturday: Worship with Mylinda Bates Workshops GRR Mission Banquet - Costa Rica Saturday Evening: “Emerging Voices” Sunday Morning – Worship with Mylinda Baits Harvest Time: Self Care For the Worker Friday October 3, 2008 Fifth Season (formerly Holiday Inn) Convention Center Moline, IL Presenter: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thome - bilingual (English/Spanish) faith-based, counseing psychologist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Accomodations: Fifth Season Convention Center,(formerly Holiday Inn), Moline, Illinois Important Note: The Holiday Inn Convention Center has changed ownership. The new name of the Convention Center is, “The Fifth Season.” The only change is that hotel reservations must be made directly at 309-762-8811, the hotel reservations desk. YOU MUST USE “AMERICAN BAPTIST” WHEN MAKING RESERVATIONS TO GET THE PRICE BREAK. Do not use the online Holiday Inn website or the 800 Holiday Inn number. Deadline to register for a hotel room remains September 3. To register or for more information: www.abc-grr.org or 217-726-7366 Worship Leader: Rev. Cheri Grizzard, Pastor of Worship and Community Life, First Baptist Church, Peoria, IL Preachers: Dr. Leroy Mitchell: Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb, Il. Dr. Terry MinchowProffitt: Pastor of Delmar Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO Area I Youth Fall Retreats Blackhawk Baptist Camp 4491 W. Henry Rd Oregon, IL 61061 Senior High (Grades 9-12): September 5-7, 2008 Junior High (Grades 6-9): September 19-21, 2008 Cost: $48.00 (Leader Cost: $24.00) (Cost includes free t-shirt!) Late Registration (Less than 10 days before the event): $58 LAKE SPRINGFIELD FAMILY CAMP AUG 29-SEPT 1, 2008 Fees: $50 per family a $15 lodging fee if staying 1 night Rooms Available in Carter Hall, Dining Lodge and Cabins Tent Camping – central shower house NO RV CAMPING Lake Springfield Baptist Camp FOOD: Individual families may provide their own food and are welcome to use camp kitchen facilities. They may also choose to have their meals provided at a cost of $50 per family and will assist in preparation and clean-up of meals. A potluck meal will be shared on Saturday evening with each family providing 1 dish regardless of meal option. Camping and food option are both non-refundable and is due by August 24 All rooms are first come first served basis. Randy & Marsha Marshall: 618-4986275 or [email protected] Greg & Tammi Cash: 618-462-0388 or [email protected] “It isn’t over til the weight challenged individual sings!” Areas II & III Senior Adult Day Registration begins at 8:30pm Friday Night Retreat Ends at 11:30 Sunday Morning (Lunch not provided Sunday) Parents picking up students may join in Sunday Worship at 10:00am. Junior High Weekend September 19 - 20 “With God All Things Are Possible” – Matthew 19:26 August 21, 2008 - Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Speaker: J.P. Parrish 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost: $40 for Youth $20 for Adults Registration begins at 6:30 PM – Ends at 4:00 PM Cost: $12.00 Bring bedding, toiletries and Bible For more info: pastorjon@parisfbc. org Music - Roger & Dianna Strunk . “Serving in Nicaragua” - Carol Matheson GRR Calendar September Aug. 29 - Sept. 1 -- Family Camp Lake Springfield Baptist Camp 5-6 - Area IV & V Youth X Conference Holiday Inn Mt. Vernon, IL 5 - 7 - Area I Senior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp 11 - Sacred Boundaries Course Creekwood Baptist Church Rockford, IL 19 - 20 - Junior High Weekend Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Hillsboro, IL Welcomes: Laura Seago First Baptist Church, Mahomet, IL Welcomes: Jacqueline Kay Mills Old Stonington Baptist Church, Stonington, IL Welcomes: Ben Hogge, Patrick Hogge, David Hogge, Leslie Jackson, Sandy Moffett, and Tobi Moffett First Baptist Church, Dixon, IL Welcomes: Brenda Voss and Richard Wilson (pictured below being baptized in his hospital room by Rev. Bunyan Cocar, co-pastor, FBC Dixon, IL) 19 - 21 - Area I Junior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp 3 - GRR Ministers Conference The Fifth Season Conv. Center Moline, IL 24 -25 - Face To Face First Baptist Church New Castle, Indiana News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region August 27, 2008 Email: [email protected] web: www.abc-grr.org Harvest Time 2008 GRR Annual Meeting October 3 - 5, 2008 Fifth Season Convention Center Moline, Illinois John 4: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Keynote Speaker: Mylinda Baits - Missionary Partner in Costa Rica with her husband Gary and their children. October 3 - 5 -- GRR Annual Meeting at the Fifth Season Convention Center Moline, IL The Mainstream Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org Schedule Friday Evening: Youth Ministry Team Christian Comedian - Charles Marshall Saturday: Worship with Mylinda Bates Workshops GRR Mission Banquet - Costa Rica Saturday Evening: “Emerging Voices” Sunday Morning – Worship with Mylinda Baits Hotel Accomodations The Holiday Inn Convention Center has changed ownership. The new name of the Convention Center is, “The Fifth Season.” The only change is that hotel reservations must be made directly at 309-762-8811, the hotel reservations desk. YOU MUST USE “AMERICAN BAPTIST” WHEN MAKING RESERVATIONS TO GET THE PRICE BREAK. Do not use the online Holiday Inn website or the 800 Holiday Inn number. Deadline to register for a hotel room remains September 3. To register or for more information: www.abc-grr.org or 217-726-7366 GRR Ministers Conference Harvest Time: Self Care For the Worker Friday October 3, 2008 Fifth Season (formerly Holiday Inn) Convention Center Moline, IL Presenter: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thorne - bilingual (English/Spanish) faith-based, counseing psychologist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania Worship Leader: Rev. Cheri Grizzard Preachers: Dr. Leroy Mitchell and Dr. Terry Minchow-Proffitt Reflections of Camp On the Way” was our theme for the 2008 Great Rivers Region Camping season. It was a great year and we truly were on the way to bringing children, youth and adults closer to Christ. We had over 750 campers this year in our Regional program. In one camp alone we had reports of 22 first time decisions made to follow Christ and 15 indicated their desire to be baptized. In one of the most exciting camps, we had an equal number of Karen children (Asian) and American children at the camp. The first day each group was a little wary of each other. The language barrier seem insurmountable, but by day two they were all good friends and by the end of the week they didn’t want to leave their new found friends. Camp is more than just getting back to nature. It is building new relationships, deepening values, developing life skills and independence. It is life changing and has eternal significance. We even had one camper give up a trip to Six Flags Amusement Park to come to camp! Just as you have seen food costs and energy costs rise so has the camps. Food costs were up about 20%. Even though summer camp is over, the camps still have expenses to meet through the rest of the year. Lake Springfield needs about $5,000 in new funding revenue to subsidize their budget. While Blackhawk Camp should finish with a positive balance, their church donations are down about $5,000 so far this year. Please consider what your end of the year gift to our camping ministry will be. Continue to pray for the many campers who made decisions and will be following up with baptism in their local church. “Camp Tee-Shirt $10, Camp photo $5, Camp scholarship $230, camper’s life changed for Christ – PRICELESS” Rev. Dr. Cheryl Henson “Take It To Town” Volunteers Spread Across Carlinville From Catholic Charities to the county fairgrounds, Carlinville High School to Camp Weyanah, members and friends of the Carlinville Federated Church infiltrated all types of local organizations Saturday, June 14th with one mission: to lend a hand. In all, more than 80 people volunteered at 15 sites as part of “Take it to Town,” a project started by the church five years ago. “We want to help the community,” said Federated member Pete Genta, who served as site coordinator for painting and repairs done at the American Legion Hall. “As a church, that’s what we’re supposed to do, and that’s what we like to do. Workers weeding the garden at Carlinville Rehabilitation Center “It’s a great way to take the church to the community,” said Steve Nicholson, a Federated member and project coordinator. “It’s like a mini mission trip. There’s always something to be done.” The church has a committee which contacts local organizations that might need help throughout the year,” Nicholson said. “After projects are picked, site coordinators are assigned based on their abilities.” As volunteers sign up in the weeks before the day of the project, they are contacted by site coordinators to inform them of the work and preparation needed at each site. People of all ages and abilities are welcomed to participate. This year’s event included participants from elementary school students to senior citizens. Cleaning at the Food Pantry “There’s a lot of appreciation from the groups we help out. We’re not doing it for that purpose, though,” said Pastor Jeff Johnson. “Our mission is to be the hands and feet of Christ in our community.” (Much of the above article was written by Dan Armstrong, a reporter for the South County News, and a member of the Federated Church. This article is submitted with the permission of the newspaper.) GRR Calendar September 19 - 20 - Junior High Weekend Lake Springfield Baptist Camp 19 - 21 - Area I Junior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp October 3 - GRR Ministers Conference The Fifth Season Conv. Center Moline, IL 3 - 5 -- GRR Annual Meeting at the Fifth Season Convention Center Moline, IL 24 -25 - Face To Face First Baptist Church New Castle, Indiana November 7 - 9 -- ABY Gathering, Decatur, IL Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church Champaign, Savoy, IL Welcomes: Deborah Malone, William Malone, Tammy Faulkner, and Lorraine G. Pryor First Baptist Church, Girard, IL Welcomes: Mikayla Ann Butler, Allie Beatrice Cousins, Kylie Renee Denton. Mariya Elizabeth Jones, and Tiffany Marie Scantlin Second Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO Welcomes: Michelle McGhee, Noah Parker, Matthew Parker, Valerie Beatty, Brady Graham, Tahrique Petway, Lylana Petway, Justyce Petway, Lillian Roquemore, Deleon Harper, Samuel Jordan, Jr., and Clifton Johnson First Baptist Church, Mattoon, IL Welcomes: Marla Rhine, Catherine Miller, and Nathan Miller First Baptist Church, Plano, IL Welcomes: Stephen Russell, Pamela Russell, Frank Hermann. and Brenden Lingle Ridgeview Baptist Church, Danville, IL Welcomes: Heather Jackson, Peggy Tinder, Joy Rayapati, and Sam Rayapati Central Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Welcomes: Nichole Palsen, Autumn Cook, Andy Fuqua, Corinne Fuqua, Bob Smith, Paul Cressy, Susan Cressy, Darin Harms, and Dulci Harms The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region September 2008 No. 1 Email: [email protected] web: www.abc-grr.org Harvest Time 2008 GRR Annual Meeting October 3 - 5, 2008 Fifth Season Convention Center Moline, Illinois John 4: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Schedule Friday Evening: Youth Ministry Team Christian Comedian - Charles Marshall Saturday: Worship with Mylinda Bates - Missionary Serving in Costa Rica Workshops: Walk Across the Room (an evangelism approach); Sharing the Good News in Electronic Form Who Will Drive the Tractor? The Broader Field with Gary Baits GRR Mission Banquet - Focus on Mission: Costa Rica Saturday Evening: “Emerging Voices” Sunday Morning – Worship with Mylinda Baits GRR Ministers Conference Harvest Time: Self Care For the Worker Area I Youth Fall Retreats Blackhawk Baptist Camp 4491 W. Henry Rd Oregon, IL 61061 Friday October 3, 2008 Fifth Season (formerly Holiday Inn) Convention Center Moline, IL Presenter: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thorne - bilingual (English/Spanish) faith-based, counseling psychologist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvani Worship Leader: Rev. Cheri Grizzard Preachers: Dr. Leroy Mitchell and Dr. Terry Minchow-Proffitt Senior High (Grades 9-12): September 5-7, 2008 Junior High (Grades 6-9): September 19-21, 2008 Cost: $48.00 (Leader Cost: $24.00) (Cost includes free t-shirt!) Late Registration (Less than 10 days before the event): $58 Pictured is Marvin Miller having his 1960 Cushman Eagle blessed by Dr. Mark Estrop First Baptist Church, White Hall, IL held an installation ceremony for Pastor Chad Hoesman on Sunday August 17, 2008. David Surbeck, pastor search committee chairman, gave a welcoming word to the congregation, then Dan Edwards, pastor of the Roodhouse First Baptist Church, led in the prayer of invocation. David Prosser of The Lighthouse Outreach in Roodhouse and Pastor George Cowper of Gentle Shepherd Fellowship of White Hall joined Pastor Edwards in readings from Scripture. Each Registration begins at 8:30 pm Friday Retreat Ends at 11:30 a.m. Sunday Morning (Lunch not provided Sunday) Parents picking up students may join in Sunday Worship at 10:00 am. Bike Blessing Rolling Prairie Baptist Church in Rochester, IL held a bike blessing in June for the congregation and community. Sixteen bikes showed up and were blessed. Dr. Mark Estrop, pastor, explained that this is an old tradition with motorcycle riders, and is a way to develop relationships with people who may not have traditional relationships with churches. “It’s a great way to meet people and get yourself known in the community,” stated Estrop. Pastoral Installation Services Junior High Weekend September 19 - 20 Lake Springfield Baptist Camp “It isn’t over til the weight challenged individual sings!” “With God All Things Are Possible” – Matthew 19:26 Speaker: J.P. Parrish Cost: $40 for Youth $20 for Adults Registration begins at 6:30 PM – Ends at 4:00 PM Bring bedding, toiletries and Bible For more info: [email protected] also took time to express to the new pastor and to the congregation their words of encouragement. Esther Jean Coates, pianist, accompanied the congregation in singing of several songs. Pastor Chad’s daughter Niki played a piano special. This was followed by Pastor Glen Greenwood, interim, preaching the worship message. Duane Westnedge, chairman of the deacons, gave the Charge to the Pastor. The Charge to the Congregation and response were led by David Surbeck. Words of installation and welcome to the new pastor were presented as a responsive reading by Noel Smith, church member. Dr. John Grisham from the American Baptist Churches Great River’s Region then led the prayer of installation. Pastor Gary Coates of the Pentecostal Church prayed benediction before all were invited to share in a time of refreshments and fellowship in the church fellowship room. Installations (continued) The First Baptist Church of Plano, IL held a service of Installation for their new pastor, Rev. Jason Hladik. Pastor Jason began his ministry in Plano on April 6, 2008. He is a graduate of Judson College and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. The Charge to the Minister was led by Rev. Allan Holder from Marley Community Church in Mokena, IL. Dr. Cheryl Henson, Area I Minister, led the Charge to the Congregation. The Prayer of Installation was given by Rev. Lee Johnson from Healing Stream Baptist Church in West Virginia, and special music was given by Ms Chrissy Bartholomew, Youth Pastor of Oak Park Baptist Church. An Open House at the church parsonage followed the service. The church thanks God for bringing Pastor Jason to First Baptist, Plano. The First Baptist Church of Pontiac, IL held a service of installation for Rev. Karen Boucher, Associate Pastor on August 3, 2008. Dr. Richard Ricks, Associate Minister for Area III, ABC/GRR led in the charge. Dr. Jim Wolfe, Pastor, preached the message entitled, “Authentically Called”. Following the morning worship service, the church honored her with a reception. GRR American Baptist Youth Gathering BRINGIN’ JESUS BACK John 14:19 November 7-9, 2008 First Baptist Church D Decatur, IL Speakers: Rev Steve Mechem J. P. Parrish Concert by: The Virginia Go Mission Opportunities & Workshops Cost: $50.00 Youth $40.00 Youth Leaders Open to: Youth Grades 8-12 & College Freshmen & Sophomores The American Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief Teams Urgently Need Volunteers If you can help contact AB Men Leaders Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Moline, IL Welcomes: Plaw Hso Thaw, Cherry San, Heh Nay Htoo, Hei Roh Htoo, Ka Su, Ma Myint, Pa Bi, Pa Si, Htoo Mu Paw, Juni Yar, Ma Than Kyi, Layer Htoo, Shwe Thoung, Hser dee Paw, Htoo Brown, April Paw, Gay Kapaw, Ku Kapaw, Tha Nay Paw, Aller Kyaw, Hsar Htee, Sa Dee, Naw Ta, Thwe Paw, Sunday Paw, Hsa His Hser, Hser Mu Shee, Day Day, Naw Gay Hel, Pah Cher, Saw Paw Klo, Paw Eh Htoo, and Saw Pi Lee. The new members of First Baptist Church of Moline are Karen refugees from Burma. With the leadership of John and Ruth Peterson who have been serving the church as interim pastors, a Karen worship service has been started. Many of the Karen who have come to America know Christ because of the mission work started by Adoniram Judson. Once in America, they sought out their fellow Baptists. We are thankful for mission work both past and present. Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region September 2008 No. 2 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar October web: www.abc-grr.org Harvest Time 3 - GRR Ministers Conference The Fifth Season Conv. Center Moline, IL 3 - 5 - GRR Annual Meeting at the Fifth Season Convention Center Moline, IL November 7 - 9 - ABY Gathering, Decatur, IL 2009 Theme - Plant the Harvest January 16 - 19 - SKWIM at Green Lake March 14 - Area V Annual Meeting, FBC Edwardsville IL 15 - Area II Annual Meeting Jacksonville FBC 21 - Area IV Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Benton IL 22 - Area I Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Ottawa IL 22 - Area III Annual Meeting North Bridge Baptist Church Normal, IL 2008 GRR Annual Meeting October 3 - 5, 2008 Fifth Season Convention Center Moline, Illinois John 4: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Schedule Friday Evening: Youth Ministry Team 8:00 PM: Charles Marshall Christian Comedian Comedy with a purpose (youth ticket $5.00) Convention Schedule (continued) Saturday: Worship with Mylinda Bates Missionary Serving in Costa Rica Workshops: Walk Across the Room (an evangelism approach) Sharing the Good News in Electronic Form Who Will Drive the Tractor? - The Broader Field with Gary Baits GRR Mission Banquet - Focus on Mission: Costa Rica Saturday Evening: “Emerging Voices” Salem Association Celebrates 175 Years The Salem Baptist Association celebrated its 175th anniversary during its annual meeting, Sunday, September 21, 2008. The meeting was hosted by First Baptist Church of Macomb. The theme was Remembering the Past, Living in the Present, Looking to the Future. The churches that make up the Salem Association are Blandinsville, Berwick, Carthage, Bethel Colchester, Macomb, Raritan and Roseville - all in the western part of central Illinois. The anniversary cake pictured below had pictures of all the churches of the association. Sunday Morning – Worship with Mylinda Baits GRR Ministers Conference Harvest Time: Self Care For the Worker Friday October 3, 2008 Fifth Season (formerly Holiday Inn) Convention Center Moline, IL Presenter: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thorne - bilingual (English/Spanish) faith-based, counseling psychologist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvani Worship Leader: Rev. Cheri Grizzard Preachers: Dr. Leroy Mitchell and Dr. Terry Minchow-Proffitt Members of the participating congregations shared memories of the Salem Association meetings of the past during the afternoon session. Dr. Richard Ricks, Regional Associate Minister Serving Area III, brought the evening message. Marilyn Shelley (center) of Bethel Baptist - Colchester and Claudia McCain (right) of FBC Macomb were program co-chairs. Rev. Wally Holt (left) is pastor of FBC Macomb. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH KANKAKEE DEDICATES NEW BUILDING AND CELEBRATES 150 YEARS On September 14, 2008, amidst the torrential downpour from remnants of Hurricane Ike, the First Baptist Church of Kankakee, IL celebrated their 150th anniversary and the dedication of their new church building at 1756 W Route 113 in Kankakee, IL. Despite the weather, it was a wonderful day of celebration and worship as 150 people gathered in the new building to praise God. The guest speaker Rev. Michael Erickson, a pastor in Maryland and former member who grew up in the church, spoke to the rich heritage of the congregation, the wonders of what God is doing in the present, and the promise that the future holds for the next 150 years. The new building sits on 7.5 acres of land and is nearly 7,500 square feet. It is a flexible space that the congregation hopes to be able to share with the community to do more effective ministry. The church looks forward with excitement to the work that God has in store for the congregation in the upcoming years. Contact the church at [email protected] or at 815-932-2214. Find more information about the church on its website at firstbaptistkankakee.com. Submitted by: Jessica Henks, Interim Pastor Leadership Changes Incoming Jason Hladik - Pastor FBC Plano, IL Eric Hunt - Pastor, Old Stonington Baptist Church, Stonington, IL Paul Etherton - Pastor, FBC Arcola, IL Sean Hicks - Pastor, White Swan Baptist Church, Woodlawn, IL Floyd Disney, Interim, FBC, Girard, IL Jack Smith - Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Reynolds, IL Steven Newell - Interim, York Baptist Church, Thomson, IL Rick Church - Pastor, FBC Jerseyville, Vernon Howard - Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO Delano Benson - Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church Saint Louis, MO Outgoing Charles White - Interim, FBC Girard, IL Joshua Melvin - Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Reynolds, IL Kelly Melvin - Associate Pastor, FBC, Galesburg, IL Gerald Phillips - Interim FBC, Jerseyville, IL Pat McKenna, Youth Minister, Cherry Hills, Springfield, IL Wade Allen, Associate Pastor, Central Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Robert Russell - Interim, FBC, Carrollton, IL Delano Benson - Pastor, Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO GRR American Baptist Youth Gathering BRINGIN’ JESUS BACK John 14:19 November 7-9, 2008 First Baptist Church D Decatur, IL Speakers: Rev Steve Mechem J. P. Parrish Concert by: The Virginia Go Mission Opportunities & Workshops Cost: $50.00 Youth $40.00 Youth Leaders Open to: Youth Grades 8-12 & College Freshmen & Sophomores Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Macomb, IL Welcomes: Julie Bunch, Derek Helling, and Emily Richardson The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region October 2008 No.1 Northern Seminary Has New President The Northern Seminary Board of Trustees has prayerfully and unanimously selected the Reverend Dr. Alistair Brown to lead the school in its next chapter of theological education. Dr. Brown began his leadership responsibilities in midSeptember. For the past 12 years, Dr. Brown served as General Director of the Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) at its World Mission headquarters in Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK. He also served for more than ten years as senior pastor at a large, center-city church in Aberdeen, UK. Dr. Brown earned a Ph.D at the University of Edinburgh. Dr. Brown will lead the seminary through several changes, including the relocation of its main campus to Elgin, IL adjacent to Judson University The GRR was pleased to meet Dr. Brown at the GRR Annual Meeting. The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar November web: www.abc-grr.org Harvest Time 7 - 9 - ABY Gathering, Decatur, IL 2009 Theme - Plant the Harvest January 16 - 19 - SKWIM at Green Lake March 14 - Area V Annual Meeting, FBC Edwardsville IL 15 - Area II Annual Meeting Jacksonville FBC 21 - Area IV Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Benton IL 22 - Area I Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Ottawa IL 22 - Area III Annual Meeting North Bridge Baptist Church Normal, IL April 17 - 18 - Clergy Spouse Retreat Lake Springfield Camp 24 - 25 - GRR Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church, Springfield, IL The 2008 GRR Annual Meeting was held October 3-5 in Moline, IL. The theme was “Harvest Time”; the theme scripture taken from John 4: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” Mylinda Baits, missionary to Costa Rica, was the keynote speaker. Her preaching at the annual meeting communicated her belief that worship is not limited to Sunday mornings, but is a daily expression of the life transforming and liberating love of Christ. Mylinda also spoke at the American Baptist Women’s breakfast on Breaking the Chains. Mylinda is helping to establish “El Centro de Tranformacion Mariposa”, a church based family ministry working to keep young people out of the sex trade in Costa Rica. Mylinda and her husband Gary are pastors and professors in Costa Rica. They work with the Costa Rican Baptist Federation in pastoral and lay leadership development and theological education. GRR Convention Highlights The Area I Youth Ministry Team led the music for the Friday evening session. Gary Baits was the keynote speaker at the Mission Banquet on Saturday evening. The service Saturday evening was entitled Emerging Voices. The preachers for the evening were Heather Henson,(upper left) Bunyan Cocar, (upper right) and Terrance Clark, (left) all under 35 years of age. The Karen refugees from Moline (above) sang on Sunday morning and the Karen children (left) participated in a Bible lesson as part of the children’s programming. Church News First Baptist Church, Carthage, IL is responding to Christ’s call to “allow the children to come unto me”. In September, the church began the new year of Kids Club. Children, grades K-5th, were invited to come to church on Wednesday afternoons for games, refreshments, music, and active Bible lessons. The children are drawn into the truth about who Jesus is and how he wants them to live their lives through story telling, drama, and puppets. The director of Kids Club is Kara Cozart. Janet Carlisle leads the music and teaching. Other members of the team include Neva Eads, Judy Allison, Brenda Putnam, Dick Putram, Judy Knorr and others. Pat Ciupek, interim pastor, is very thankful for this ministry that the lay leadership of the church provides. The leaders of Kids Club are tuned into the individual needs of each child and work to relate to the parents of the children. Kids Club at Carthage FBC has grown from around 25 to between 40 and 50 each week. Most of the children do not regularly attend church. Through this ministry, the church is reaching out to the community. A video clip of Rev. Pat Ciupek sharing about this ministry can be found on the Regional Web page. (www.abcgrr.org/ccm/library.htm). Pastor Charles Klassen of FBC Benton IL presented a preview for the community of the 13 week Financial Peace University program to beat debt, control finances and give like never before. The church also had a PowerPoint slide program presented to all adult Sunday School classes from the GABBRAI bike ride to solicit funds for church planting. This will be available to other churches to support the program and next year’s ride Community Baptist Church, Utica, MO began their 34th consecutive year of C.L.I.A. (Christ Love In Action ), an after school program for children, K - 6th grade. Seventh and eighth graders can become Youth Leaders. Lois McCain has been the director for 33 years. Other leaders are Shirley Hess, pastor, Liz Cunningham, Kathryn Ratliff and Rene Harkins. The motto for C.L.I.A. is “Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only” from James 1:22. The group meets two times a month during the school year concluding with a dinner and an awards ceremony in May. The picture below is the group from the awards ceremony in May of this year. GRR American Baptist Youth Gathering Dates To Remember BRINGIN’ JESUS BACK 2009 GRR Missions Conference John 14:19 April 24-25, 2009 November 7-9, 2008 First Baptist Church D Decatur, IL Cherry Hills Baptist Church 2125 Woodside Road Springfield, IL Speakers: Rev Steve Mechem J. P. Parrish Concert by: The Virginia Go Mission Opportunities & Workshops Cost: $50.00 Youth $40.00 Youth Leaders Open to: Youth Grades 8-12 & College Freshmen & Sophomores Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region October 2008 No.1 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar November 7 - 9 - ABY Gathering, Decatur, IL ABC - USA 2009 Biennial Meeting 2009 Theme - Plant the Harvest June 26-28, 2009 January Pasadena, California 16 - 19 - SKWIM at Green Lake March 2009 GRR Annual Gathering 14 - Area V Annual Meeting, FBC Edwardsville IL Thursday, October 29 Saturday, October 31, 2009 15 - Area II Annual Meeting Jacksonville FBC Holiday Inn City Centre Peoria , IL The compiled reports of the work of the GRR Board of Ministries and Staff, the compiled authorized budget for 2009, and the churches’ representatives to the GRR and ABCUSA Boards - as published and distributed at the Moline Gathering of October 3 - 5 - are available on the GRR web site: www.abcgrr.org/grrboard/index.htm The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org 21 - Area IV Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Benton IL 22 - Area I Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Ottawa IL 22 - Area III Annual Meeting North Bridge Baptist Church Normal, IL April web: www.abc-grr.org Karen Refugees Become A Part of First Baptist Church, Moline, IL Beginning in June, 2007, Karen refugees from the Thai-Burma border began arriving in the Quad Cities area of Illinois. Soon, First Baptist Moline interim co-pastors, John and Ruth Peterson agreed to sponsor a family. The Petersons rejoiced that the family was from an area of the world that they had become familiar with during their 2 trips to Burma. Careful not to violate the commitment to not proselytize, they did not talk about religion. Within two weeks, however, the Karen family members asked what John and Ruth did for work. When the Karen family learned the Petersons were Baptist pastors, numbers of Karen began to excitedly ask about attending their church. Within the next year the community of Karen refugees grew rapidly. Several new families arrived each month. Large numbers were Baptist and eagerly joined the first small group that came and sat through the English service. The Petersons invit- 17 - 18 - Clergy Spouse Retreat Lake Springfield Camp 24 - 25 - GRR Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church, Springfield, IL ed them to read (continued on p. 2) scripture and pray in their language in most of the services. They also provided Karen words for hymns. The Karen blessed worship as they sang solos, duets, and choir numbers in Karen and several times even in English. One young man who had been a teacher in Bible Schools in three border camps emerged as a pastoral leader. Soon a steering committee was formed to plan a Karen language worship service. In early spring, 2008, the Karen language service began. Soon, a children’s Sunday School class in the Karen language formed using the curriculum available from International Ministries’ Karen Konnection website. The children, rapidly learning English, participate in the children’s choir - singing in English - and in the children’s church session. Over a dozen Karen children enriched the summer Vacation Bible School experience. Three attended Blackhawk Baptist Camp. In September, 33 Karens joined the church upon confession of faith and one after baptism. More are desiring to join. Families continue to come. They are witnessing to their fellow Karen and are an invigorating presence in the life of First Baptist Church Moline. 50 to 60 are in attendance each Sunday even though a goodly number have employment that keeps them away on Sunday morning. Numbers of long-time members of the church have said, “We have been praying for more children and young couples to come to our church. Little did we dream that God would answer our prayer with people from the Thai-Burma border!” What a surprising, wonderful God we serve!” Submitted by: Ruth Peterson New Look and Features of GRR Web Site Americans access the web through cable, dsl, and other “fast/broadband” connections; 1/3 of Americans have no connection to the internet. 10% of these have made a conscious decision not to - no matter what the speed and availability. This leaves 17 % of Americans using dial-up modems for e-mail and “browsing” the web. These numbers are similar in the GRR. What does this mean for churches? FBC Urbana Celebrates 170 Years First Baptist Church of Urbana celebrated its 170th anniversary as an organized Baptist church on September 22, 2008. The church was founded on September 22, 1838. The church is few in number but still doing the Lord’s will in Champaign county. God Bless! Bob Haley, Interim Pastor Charles Klassen (above right) is joined by Randy McNeely of the GRR Ministerial Staff as they record a session for the GRR web site. Charles is the Pastor of Benton First Baptist Church. In this clip he tells about the work that members of the church are doing to provide meals for children. This feature of the web site is called “Celebrate Churches’ Ministries.” You can find this on the front (home) page of the GRR site. Previous clips can be found by following a link to an archive. Churches who have participated in this - so far - are Rock Island FBC, Faith Baptist at Mill Creek, Carthage FBC, and FBC of Macomb. Themes have included other ministries with children, small group ministry, and dynamics of discerning and initiating leaving an old church and building a new one. You will also find audio and audio/ video recordings of each of the 4 workshops from the 41st Annual Assembly of the ABC Churches of the GRR. View Dr. Yvonne Thorne’s 4 - part seminar on Clergy Self-Care. Pastors and members of Pastoral Relations Committees would benefit from Dr. Thorne’s teaching. Surveys tell us that nearly half of We need to use both web and mail! We also need to be aware of the needs of those who want to use our churches’ and GRR web sites, but who have - by choice, lack of availablity, or financial realities - dialup connections. One example of serving these needs is to provide web experiences that can function adequately using a dialup connection. The GRR web site is constantly being “tweaked” to make it more useful as a tool of ministry. Be part of making it an ever better tool. Ideas? Needs? Gliches? Send an e-mail to Richard Ricks: [email protected] Dates To Remember 2009 GRR Missions Conference April 24-25, 2009 Cherry Hills Baptist Church 2125 Woodside Road Springfield, IL ************* ABC - USA 2009 Biennial Meeting Our Great Rivers Region Family Is Growing! First Baptist Church, Greenville, IL Welcomes: Tyler Sharp, Robert (Tom) Leihser, Brenda Leihser, and Kimberly Bone ************** 2009 GRR Annual Gathering Thursday, October 29 Saturday, October 31, 2009 Holiday Inn City Centre Peoria , IL Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region November 2008 No.2 Email: [email protected] GRR Calendar Central Baptist Church, Quincy, IL Welcomes: Vision Ayalew, Mary Dees, Ryanna Kelle, Britni Miller/ Skirvin, Zachary Rideout, Gregory Spohr, Alexandra Spohr, and Sarah Wilson Area 4 Youth (continued) Lunch was a “gourmet hamburger buffet” with all the trimmings plus cold slaw, chips and baked beans. It was great! Each person had the opportunity to select what items would make the perfect hamburger sandwich. Quinton Runyon will let us know who won that competition. Winston Bennett challenged everyone present to make God the most important focus in each individual’s life. For those who took the time to be here this weekend their lives were both blessed and enriched. Due to technical issues the GRR website address is changed to: www.abcgrr.org (no dash betweed abc and grr) The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org web: www.abcgrr.org Meet The New GRR President; Joel Lohr November 7 - 9 - ABY Gathering, Decatur, IL 2009 Theme - Plant the Harvest January June 26-28, 2009 Pasadena, California The Mainstream 16 - 19 - SKWIM at Green Lake March 14 - Area V Annual Meeting, FBC Edwardsville IL 15 - Area II Annual Meeting Jacksonville FBC 21 - Area IV Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Benton IL 22 - Area I Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Ottawa IL 22 - Area III Annual Meeting North Bridge Baptist Church Normal, IL April 17 - 18 - Clergy Spouse Retreat Lake Springfield Camp 24 - 25 - GRR Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church, Springfield, IL If it were possible to be born American Baptist, that would have been my story. I grew up attending the First Baptist Church of Hillsboro, Illinois. I came to Christ there at the age of 10. Later, as a layperson, I worked with youth. I also taught a Jr. High Sunday School class after my grandmother “retired” from teaching that class that she had taught for many years. I also served the Hillsboro church at various times as Deacon, Moderator, and in various other capacities as there was need. After I graduated from high school, camping became a central passion for me. Through most of the 1980s and 90s I was involved in camping. I counseled, directed and - during one summer - even served on staff at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp. I attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville where I received my Bachelor of Science in Social Work. I was active in the Shurtleff Baptist Campus Ministry throughout my (continued on p. 2) time at SIUE. The time was rather lengthy as I worked hard to squeeze a 4 year degree into 9 years. My journey took me to Chicago where I attended Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and served as Associate Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Park Forest, Illinois. Following graduation from Northern with my M. Div,, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to come home to the Great Rivers Region where I served the Old Stonington Baptist Church as pastor for over 11 years. I much appreciated the opportunity to work alongside the wonderful people at the church and in the larger Stonington and Christian County area. I went to Stonington as a bachelor. While I was at the Old Stonington Baptist Church I met and married my wife Jennifer (Maurizio) who grew up in the First Baptist Church of Decatur. In July of 2007, we accepted a call to come to our present setting of ministry at the First Baptist Church of Wood River, Illinois. We have served the church since September of 2007. We have two children, Josephine (Joey) age 3 ½ and Ian age 18 months. Having been a member of Great Rivers Region Churches my entire life, I am thrilled to serve as president for 2009. It gives me great pleasure to know that perhaps I will be able to offer something back to a Region that I have cared for deeply for many years and has served as such a wonderful home to me throughout my life and ministry. Rev. Joel Lohr Officers Elected at the GRR Annual Meeting The following officers were elected on October 4, 2008 at the GRR Annual Meeting in Moline, IL. Ruth Mooney Speaks at GRR Churches Ruth Mooney, missionary to Costa Rica spoke to several churches in the Great Rivers Region this past week. In the picture below, she is speaking to youth and adults in Sunday School at First Baptist Church, Peoria, IL. Rev. Joel Lohr - President, Rev. Sharon Farral - First VicePresident Dr. Benjamin Manso - Second Vice-President P. J. Patterson -Vice-President for Finance Rev. Wally Holt - Vice-President for Planning Nominees to the General Board of ABC/USA include: Dr. Kenneth Board (Area 1) Rev. Wally Holt (Area 3) Dr. Robert Scott (Area 5). 2008 GRR Reports Available The compiled reports of the work of the GRR Board of Ministries and Staff, the compiled authorized budget for 2009, and the churches’ representatives to the GRR and ABCUSA Boards - as published and distributed at the Moline Gathering of October 3 - 5 - are available on the GRR web site: www.abcgrr.org/grrboard/index.htm Ruth has served in several countries in Latin America since she was commissioned as a missionary in August of 1986. She has served in El Salvador, Cuba, and Costa Rica. As a Christian educator, she has wriiten curriculum and trained Christians to write Bible study materials that help churches identify God’s call and activity in their midst. Ruth is now on home assignment, living in St. Paul, Minnesota. When she returns to Costa Rica next June she will have a new ministry. She will serve as a professor at the Latin American Biblical University in San Jose, Costa Rica. She will be teaching Christian Education, working in the publications department and participating in the lay leadership training program. She has maintained an ongoing relationship with this seminary since her years in El Salvador, and she is looking forward to the opportunity to help train leaders from several countries in Latin America. Ruth will also be participating in the GRR Missions Conference in April. SKWIM 2009 January 16-19, 2009 What is SKWIM? SKWIM is a ski retreat, held at Green Lake, WI. It is designed to give high school and middle school students a time to be spiritually recharged at the school year’s midpoint through having a great time with friends and adults skiing, swimming and joining in worship. Speaker and Worship: This year we are blessed to have Ray Fritz from Andover, MN. He will be sharing truth with us while Evan Posey and Davis Harwell from Covington, GA lead us in worship. We will also have breakout times for church groups to meet together following the main sessions. Cost: $130 (covers rooming, food, programming) plus skiing, snowboarding and water park costs. For more information and a registration form go to www.skwim. org. This can also be accessed through the GRR website at www.abcgrr.org. Area 4 Youth Rock Holiday Inn! Area 4 youth converged on the Mount Vernon Holiday Inn for the first annual X-Conference. This conference was held September 5-6, 2008. Friday night featured “Two Empty Chairs” leading in worship and Jason McLeod from Facing the Giants bringing the message to area youth anxious to hear. Saturday included more fantastic music and Jason continuing share with those present the need for God in their lives. (Continued on page 4) GRR Changes E-Mail and Web Addresses Our Great Rivers Region Family Is Growing! The new general e-mail address for the GRR is [email protected]. Those who have offices in the GRR Resource Center: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] The 4 Regional Associates - Revs. Henson, Ricks, McNeely & Johnson have not changed their e-mail addresses. The web site of the GRR is now www.abcgrr.org. Look familiar? It’s the same address, but with the hyphen (dash) removed. E-mail and web sites are just two of the ways that the ABC GRR challenges, empowers, assists and represents American Baptist Churches in Illinois and Missouri. This publication - The Mainstream - as well as meetings by appointment with church leaders and pastoral staffs, telephone conversations, mail, and even fax are tools that the GRR Staff uses in these efforts. The web site, www.abcgrr.org, is a place that our churches - pastors and church members - go to find News, Opportunities, Reflections, and Connections for Growing Healthy Churches. It functions as an online directory, calendar, file cabinet of resources (static and interactive), video library (interviews, sermons, and workshops), and event registration tool. Try it out. Be one of the 2,500 who will use it this month. First Baptist Church, Carbondale, IL Welcomes: Marcy Kerr and Nick Mitchell The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region November 2008 No.2 First Baptist Church, East Moline, IL Welcomes: Dean Spillum and Katie Spillum Second Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO Welcomes: Marcus Harris, Alexander Harris, Daniel Harris, Cheryl Harris, David Harris, Jayden Burkes, Gayle Gladney, Shawana Gladney, Akira Gladney, Crystal Davis, Sharon Cunningham, Earnest Campbell, Crystal Sanderson, Michelle Adkins, Leroy Huggins, Barbara Allen, Janice Rollins-Reed, Tiffany Diggs, Michelle Goudeau, Marva Thomas, Ayanna Gladney, Anthony Stillwell, Sarah Updyke, Paul Cowley, Gale Cowley, Zaria Cowley, Patricia Williams, Lee Stamps, III, Frances Howard, Sophia Howard, Vernon Howard, III, Jajuan Howard, Dwayne Lewis, Helen Lewis, Jimmiel Finley, Kenyetta Finley, Melissa WaltonJones, Lester Jones, David Rentie, Lorraine Rentie, and Daina Rentie Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abc-grr.org Email: [email protected] web: www.abcgrr.org GRR Calendar Consecration Sunday 2009 Theme - Plant the Harvest Asking the question of our Lord, “What percentage of my income would you have me give?” has prompted spiritual revival in churches. Their members have found God really answers this question. God does guide and encourage us to take steps of faith. Consecration Sunday is a program, developed and refined by Herb Miller, that starts with a church prayerfully discerning if God is leading them to use this program. All GRR Staff ministers are trained in the program and are a great resource for guiding a church’s leadership in this discernment process. Should the church discern that God is leading the church to use this resource, each staff minister is available to serve as consultant and speaker in the process. The GRR web site has several testimonies of pastors whose churches have used this discipleship program. Go to www.abcgrr/stewardship/. The basic process: 1. Learning & Discerning whether to use the resource; 2. Church approval; 3. Invitation of outside consultant and speaker; 4. Doing it “by the book”; 5. Inviting all of the congregation to a catered Consecration Sunday Meal; 6. Leaders’ dinner one... (cont p. 2) January 16 - 19 - SKWIM at Green Lake March 14 - Area V Annual Meeting, FBC Edwardsville IL 15 - Area II Annual Meeting Jacksonville FBC 21 - Area IV Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Benton IL 22 - Area I Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Ottawa IL 22 - Area III Annual Meeting North Bridge Baptist Church Normal, IL April 17 - 18 - Clergy Spouse Retreat Lake Springfield Camp 24 - 25 - GRR Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church, Springfield, IL May 28 - Church for All Generations with Edward H. Hammett FBC Bloomington, IL week prior; 7. Consecration Sunday with outside speaker; 8. Presentation of members’ responses to God’s answer to the question What percentage of my income would you have me give?; 9. Celebration lunch after worship to celebrate what God is doing through the church whose members commit to be in step with God’s Regional Associate Minister leading. Richard Ricks leads in the Consecration of Giving dur- For more ing worship at First Baptist information Church of Bloomington IL. call or e-mail the GRR Associate Minister assigned to your Area. Raritan Baptist Celebrates 150 Years of Worship & Mission On Sunday, November 16, Raritan Baptist Church welcomed former members and pastors - and pastors’ children - as the church celebrated its 150 years. FBC Jerseyville, IL Installs New Pastor GREAT RIVERS REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS The congregation of First Baptist Church, Jerseyville, IL held the installation of their new pastor, Rev. Rick Church, on Sunday, November 16, 2008. Dr. John Grisham, Regional Associate Minister serving Area II, preached the message in the morning worship service. Following the service, a dinner and reception were held. Local pastors and community leaders brought greetings. Rev. Church comes to Jerseyville from Santa Cruz, CA. He was ordained in 1992. Rev. Church received his masters degree from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkley, CA and did additonal graduate work at Fuller and Golden Gate Baptist Seminaries. Rev. Church is currently enrolled in doctoral studies at Northern Baptist Seminary. Rev. Church and his wife, Marilou are the parents of six daughters. The church congregation and the new pastor are looking forward to ministry that emphasizes worship, discipleship, and developing a servant lifestyle in the lives of its members. There are scholarship programs in the Great Rivers Region to assist young people who are members of Great Rivers Region American Baptist Churches to help with college and/or seminary education costs. Scholarships for any college student (regardless of major) or seminary student are available from the Gernenz-Shurtleff / Wilcoxen Scholarship. Ministerial students attending ABC-related schools and seminaries in preparation for ministry can also apply for the Harold O. Long Scholarship. All applications must be received in the GRR office by April 1, 2009. To receive an application for these scholarships, write to: Scholarship Committee, Att: Sharon Downs, PO Box 3786, Springfield, IL 62708, phone: 217-726-7366; fax: 217-7267566, or email: [email protected] Harvest Grants Harvest Grants are intended to empower and encourage churches to “open their eyes” to the fields all around them during 2009. These matching grants can be used by GRR churches for just about any evangelistic effort. Our operational definition of an “evangelistic effort” is any program, activity, or event directed to those outside the church and including an intentional invitation to Christian discipleship. To get a packet, including application, call the GRR or download it from http://www.abcgrr.org/evangelism/Harvest_Grants_2009.pdf 2008-2009 Gernenz-Shurtleff & Wilcoxen Scholarship Recipients Chuck Bosworth, Brian Hodge, Brandon Rhea, Steven Lilja, Reid Ackerman, Rukiya Anthony, Daniel Baltz, Zachary Bansner, Amy Barringer, Whitney Benefiel, Ryan Bressner, Megan Brown, Angelica Bruce, Jan Byrd, Carol Byrd, Antoine Charlier, James Combs, Alicia Comfort, Clint Davis, Nathan Elder, Morgan Fulton, Katie Galle, Ryan Hagan, Elizabeth Harkness, Sarah Harkness, Amanda Harwood, Jordan Haycock, Cheryl Hodge, Chayla Hurd, Lindsey Hueter, Tyler Hyndman, Hayley Jackson, Jayme Karenko, Ashley Kaytor, Kyle Keever, Caitlyn Knight, Michelle Law, Jerika Long, Sentirenla Longkumer, Derek Maninfior, Jeremy Nelsen, Luke Nelsen, Sarah Olson, Sabrina Park, Katherine Parker, Victoria Poulter, Geoffrey Reiter, Karen Ricks, Nathaniel Rohrsen, Bethany Rollet, Clayton Smith, Rachel Street, Rebekah Street, Brooke Stull, Elizabeth Surbeck, Stephanie Swigert, Morgan Taylor, Kevin VanOs, Dustin Walker, Rikki Weger, Rebecca Wiegand, Brian Wilmert, Cynthia Winch, Russell Zehr, Krista Ziebarth 2008 – 2009 Harold O. Long Scholarship Recipients Wade Allen, Jonathan Foiles, David Rogers, and Paul Rollet GRR Changes E-Mail and Web Addresses The Mainstream Our Great Rivers Region Family Is Growing! The general e-mail address for the GRR is [email protected]. Those who have offices in the GRR Resource Center: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] First Baptist Church, Greenville, IL Welcomes: Tyler Sharp, Robert (Tom) Leihser, Brenda Leihser, Kimberly Bone, Jeffrey Boland, Christine Boland, Joseph Boland, and Michael Boland Regional Associates - Revs. Henson, Ricks, McNeely & Johnson - have not changed their e-mail addresses. The web site of the GRR is now www.abcgrr.org. Look familiar? It’s the same address, but with the hyphen (dash) removed. E-mail and web sites are just two of the ways that the ABC GRR challenges, empowers, assists and represents American Baptist Churches in Illinois and Missouri. This publication - The Mainstream - as well as meetings by appointment with church leaders and pastoral staffs, telephone conversations, mail, and even fax are tools that the GRR Staff uses in these efforts. The web site, www.abcgrr.org, is a place that our churches - pastors and church members - go to find News, Opportunities, Reflections, and Connections for Growing Healthy Churches. It functions as an online directory, calendar, file cabinet of resources (static and interactive), video library (interviews, sermons, and workshops), platform for just-in-time learning, and event registration tool. Try it out. Be one of the 2,500 who will use it this month. New Vision Baptist Church of the Living God, Kansas City, MO Welcomes: Kim Richardson, Kenneth Murray, and Jaedren Murray First Baptist Church, Jerseyville, IL Welcomes: Gordon Wilson Beverly Wilson, and Trent Mizulski Warder Street Baptist Church, Marion, IL Welcomes: Robert Cox and Homer Robinson Elliott Avenue Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Welcomes: Dawna Stone, Cassidy Haynes, LaMarco Donald, LaDarius Donald, Selena Harris, Shadow Cook, Nate Williamson and Linda Williamson Mainstream Contact Information Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (fruit of this mission and ministry) to: Linda Ricks 232 Devron Circle East Peoria, IL 61611 E-Mail: [email protected] The Mainstream is a twice-monthly publication of the American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region, 3940 Pintail Drive, Springfield IL 62711 Telephone: (217) 726-7366 Fax: (217) 726-7566 Email: [email protected] Web: www.abcgrr.org News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region December 2008 Email: [email protected] web: www.abcgrr.org GRR Calendar 2009 Theme - Plant the Harvest Merry Christmas January From the 16 - 19 - SKWIM at Green Lake March Great Rivers Region Staff 14 - Area V Annual Meeting, FBC Edwardsville IL 15 - Area II Annual Meeting Jacksonville FBC 21 - Area IV Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Benton IL 22 - Area I Annual Meeting First Baptist Church, Ottawa IL 22 - Area III Annual Meeting North Bridge Baptist Church Normal, IL April 17 - 18 - Clergy Spouse Retreat Lake Springfield Camp 24 - 25 - GRR Missions Conference Cherry Hills Baptist Church, Springfield, IL May 28 - Church for All Generations with Edward H. Hammett FBC Bloomington, IL Dwight Stinnett John Grisham Cheryl Henson Richard Ricks Randy McNeely Muriel Johnson Candy Stivers Sharon Downs Downs Debbie Naugle Roland Sundberg Mike Henson Linda Ricks Carl Cottingham Wayne Rogers News From Our Executive Minister “Open your eyes and look at the fields...they are ripe for harvest!” (John 4:35) This biblical challenge provided the basis for the theme of “Harvest Time” at the annual meeting of Great Rivers Region churches in October. It also will provide the focus for regional emphasis in 2009. Each of the GRR Areas will explore the theme in their own unique way through their Area meetings in February and March. The GRR Mission Conference (April 24-25) will challenge us with “Harvest Time: Here, There and Everywhere.” For the first time, the GRR Mission Conference will include a track exclusively for young adults. This event is being designed by our own eXtreme Team veterans. Finally, there will be a special GRR workshop with Dr. Eddie Hammett to help churches “Reach People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60.” The workshop (May 28), for both pastors and lay leaders, will not only highlight one of the key challenges churches face today, it will provide practical suggestions for success in this crucial “field.” The DesPeres Legacy makes the Hammett workshop possible. In addition to these events, there will be two regional resources to challenge, assist and empower churches in their harvest work. In 2008 we offered an experimental Intern Grant Program. It was a great success, with nearly a dozen churches taking advantage of matching grants to do something new. Thanks to the DesPeres Legacy, these grants will be continued in 2008 with some modifications. While the funds are limited, these grants will make it possible for churches to try something they have never done before. Harvest Grants is another matching grant program. These grants can be used by GRR churches for just about any evangelistic effort during 2009. The operational definition of an “evangelistic effort” is any program, activity, or event directed to those outside the church and including an intentional invitation to Christian discipleship. These special GRR events and services are intended to challenge, empower and assist churches to “open their eyes and look at the fields.” I cannot enjoy the harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables by staying in the barn and polishing the equipment; or reading a farm magazine; or watching a video of an extraordinary harvest in another place. I can only harvest by working hard to prepare the soil, choosing and planting good seed, tending to growing plants, and only then, the harvest. I must look to my own field. The same is true of churches. What “field” has God given you? Dwight Stinnett Note: To get a Harvest Grant packet, including application, call the GRR or download it from http://www.abcgrr.org/evangelism/Harvest_Grants_ 2009.pdf 2009 Camping Season Schedule Available Looking for a way to support camping in your church? Here are some ideas. > Give your church a full or partial scholarship as a Christmas gift to help the church send another camper from the community to camp. > Start praying and recruiting children and youth from your community and church to go to camp this coming summer. > Put a Camping Sunday on your church calendar. Invite an alumnus or camp manager to say a word or two, perhaps show a video. > Invite one of those who went to camp last year to talk about her / his experience. For more information, including dates of camps: www.abcgrr.org/ grrcamps/index.htm A Chance Encounter One week a month, the senior ladies and Charlie at Bethel Neighborhood Center make pillows for Cancer Action clients and empathy dolls for patients at Children’s Mercy Hospital. We needed more unbleached muslin for the empathy dolls so, on a Saturday afternoon, I went to the Hancock Fabric Store to buy a bolt of material. With very few customers in the store, the clerk asked me what I would be doing with so much material. I explained that the muslin would be used to make dolls for the children at Children’s Mercy Hospital. Immediately, a lady who had walked up behind me began to almost shout, “Oh, thank you! Thank you! My three year old shut a door on her finger this week. We rushed her to Children’s Mercy. They gave her a doll and she loved it. Now she sleeps with it every night. Don’t ever stop making those dolls.” The clerk was amazed and mentioned how ironic it was for both of us to be at her register at the same time. The lady said, it is even more strange. I live in southern Johnson County, but was in the area for the Apple Fest and stopped at this store on my way home. Once again God winks! Elaine Mills Taken from “Around & About” FBC Kansas City, MO GREAT RIVERS REGIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS There are scholarship programs in the Great Rivers Region to assist young people who are members of Great Rivers Region American Baptist Churches to help with college and/or seminary education costs. Scholarships for any college student (regardless of major) or seminary student are available from the GernenzShurtleff / Wilcoxen Scholarship. Ministerial students attending ABCrelated schools and seminaries in preparation for ministry can also apply for the Harold O. Long Scholarship. All applications must be received in the GRR office by April 1, 2009. To receive an application for these scholarships, write to: Scholarship Committee, Att: Sharon Downs, PO Box 3786, Springfield, IL 62708, or email [email protected]