Dear Partner in Mission and Ministry:

Church of God\Great Lakes Region
April 2010
Dear Partner in Mission and Ministry:
Church of God
Great Lakes
Region
Executive Offices
2 S 678 Park Blvd
P. O. Box 2399
Glen Ellyn, IL 60138
Ph: 630.790.1424
FAX: 630.790.1450
greatlakescog.com
leadershipcampus.com
Remember the song the three little piggies sang in their cartoon? ―Who’s afraid of the big
bad wolf?‖ Their jolly bravado was radically changed when actual confrontation came. But,
of course, after their adversary was boiled in the pot, trying to climb down Practical Pig’s
chimney, they struck up the song again.
I suppose there are better texts from which to teach on overcoming fear, but that episode came so clearly to mind I couldn’t resist running it through the memory mill. The story
does emphasize two critical points:
1. It’s easy to be fearless until fear comes upon you.
That observation also has a flip side: To be afraid is not the same thing as being
overcome by fear. Some view a life of faith as being overcome by fear. Some view a life of
faith as one that never fears. Wrong! Listen to Paul, for example: Within were fears, he
says, describing his own trials (2 Corinthians 7:5).
To listen to some proponents of the believing life, you would think that every encounter with difficulty should be met with a smile, a shrug, a scripture, and a ―Who’s afraid?‖
M. Darrell Rice
Administrative
Bishop
I have confronted circumstances—both real and imagined—and have been shot
through with terror or unnerved with sorrow, depending upon the situation. You probably
have, too. Don’t let anyone tell you he or she always skips and dances in the face of fear.
And don't—I repeat—don’t feel guilty because you do experience fear. But . . .
Marsha Rice
Women’s Ministry 2. What counts is what you DO with fear.
President
As with the piggies, fear may dampen your song, chase you, and bring squeals of
panic. So run. Don’t be ashamed. Run. But run in the right direction: The name of the
Don R. Chavis
Youth & Christian Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe (Proverbs 18:20).
Education Director
Once inside the safety of Jesus’ authoritative name, force fear into your mold. Remember Practical Pig? For the wolf to get in that pig’s ―strong tower,‖ he had to come down
Jennifer
the chimney.
Guimbellot
Administrative
Assistant
Jan Schuda
Treasurer
Lights the fire of faith with prayer. Don’t keep on worrying about anything, but in
everything pray! Then God’s peace will guard you like a sentinel—your heart and
mind secured (Philippians 4:6)
Reignite the fire of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:6—7). Meet fear with flame.
As Jesus’ sheep, we’re certainly not pigs . . . But we still have a wolf to deal with.
John/Barb Fease When he howls, c’mon inside the Refuge. And turn on the burners!
Campus Directors
- Pastor Darrell Rice
“Getting Connected” is a monthly newsletter highlighting the
ministry of the Churches of God in the Great Lakes Region.
Page 2
REGIONAL OFFICE ADDS NEW TREASURER
Jan Schuda is the new assigned treasurer for the Great Lakes Region Office. Jan comes
to the office with years of experience in the banking and financial industry. She is a
member of Village Green Baptist Church. Jan, welcome to our team!
Regional Council
MAY IS MISSIONS MONTH: THE CRY OF ALBANIA
Michael Reynolds
Howard Hendrix
Chris Morrison
Larry Busby
Alton Bailey
William Emanuel
Michael Galles
Daniel Hanners
Christopher Lewis
The Great Lakes Region has adopted “The Cry of Albania” as our World Missions challenge for
2010. With God’s help and the cooperation of God’s people, we can make this visionary
outreach to win souls among the God-hungry people of Albania an overwhelming success.
You can help in two ways: First, consider your finances and ask God how He can help you give
in support of this mission vision. Second, when the Lord brings it to your mind, lift up a prayer
for the people of Albania and this farsighted project on their behalf.
When we consider a $130,000 venture, we can be overwhelmed. If we break it down into bitesize pieces—each one of us and each church buying into the vision, we can realize how easily
achievable it will be.
During the month of May, we dedicate our offerings of $48 each to the work of God in Albania.
Youth and
On June 25, we bring our offerings to the camp meeting service. Thank you for your missions
Christian
Education Board heart and for standing with us to secure this property and make this ministry possible.
David Golden
Larry Flickner
Avril Logan
Jacques Nelson
Tony Morrison
NEW CHURCH ORGANIZED IN WASAU, WI: EASTER SUNDAY
On Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010 the Faith Christian Community Church of God in Wausau, WI
officially organized. Under the leadership of Pastor Chad Weinkauf, the church has recently
broken several tithe records and is already becoming a voice in the Wausau community.
UPDATES
Evangelism and Transition . . .
Pastor Tony Morrison (Iron Mountain, MI) is the newly appointed pastor of the Harbor
Home Missions
Lights
Church
of God in Gladstone, MI.
Board
Pastor Robert Jewett (Menominee, MI) has resigned as pastor of the Menominee
John Fease
Church of God.
Ramses Bertrand
Pastor Randy Geary (Rhinelander, WI) has resigned as pastor of the Northern Lights
Oswald Nelson
Church of God in Rhinelander.
Kimberly Thomas
Pastor James Gambill (Sauk Village, IL) has resigned as pastor of the Sauk Village
Barbara Karpouzian
Church of God after nearly 25 years of serving this congregation.
Our Deepest Sympathies to…
Pastor Christopher Lewis (Victory Worship Center) on the passing of his
grandmother.
2010 CHURCH OF GOD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Make plans now to be a part of the 2010 Church of God General Assembly in Orlando, FL.
To find our more information about the assembly and online registration, please visit:
www.churchofgod.org/assembly10
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The Life Church of God in Palos Heights, IL will host the 2010 Regional Camp
meeting, Wednesday—Sunday evening June 23-27. The evening evangelist is
Pastor Loran Livingston, of Central Church of God in Charlotte, NC.
Dr. Tim Hill, Assistant General Overseer, is the keynote speaker for the final
service, Sunday evening, June 27, 6:00 p.m.
The 2010 Camp Meeting theme is: Beyond the Call.
NOTE: Camp meeting services will be conducted Wednesday—Friday nights,
7:00 p.m., and Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m.. There is no Saturday evening
service.
FREE CAMP MEETING HOUSING
In an effort to bless the ministers traveling to the camp meeting, the Regional Council extends
the offer of FREE housing with daily continental breakfast to ministers from Wisconsin and
Upper Michigan. An information sheet is included. Lodging reservations are on a first-come,
first –serve basis. Priority given to pastors whose primary income is derived outside the church
through secular employment.
MINISTERIAL EXAMS—MAY 1, 2010
Exams will be administered for all levels of ministerial credentialing on Saturday, May 1, 2010,
at the Regional Office in Glen Ellyn, IL. Please contact the regional offices if you are planning to
test on this date.
GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER—MAY 23, 2010
On May 23, 2010 there will be a call to Christians from all nations to unite in
repentance and prayer, and to collaborate as God’s instruments for the
blessing and healing of nations. “If my people who are called by my name, will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their
land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
For more information, please visit: www.gdop-usa.com
RECORD NUMBER ATTEND MEN’S RESURRECTION BREAKFAST
The regional Men’s resurrection breakfast experienced a record number in attendance this
year. Over 350 men attended this annual gathering in Racine, WI. Pastor and professional
artist, Mitchell Tolle, shared his life experience.
NORTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN CAMP MEETING (FALL DATES)
The Faith Center Church of God in Antigo, WI invites you to join them for their fall Camp
Meeting. The dates are October 7—10, 2010.
Evangelism and Home Missions
2010 CAMP MEETING—JUNE 23—27
Youth and Christian Education
Page 4
Don R. Chavis
Regional Youth
and Christian
Education
Director
May 16—Green Bay
May 28—Evanston
May 29—Markham
A District service for the
Whole Church that is
Student led!
Hannah
Heimann
Primary Camp
May 15, 2010
Victory Worship Center
Chicago, IL
Derek Jones
Junior Camp
Jason Garner
Teen Camp
Youth Camp 2010
“Living Free!”
Primary Camp—Ages 5-8
June 14-17
Junior Camp—Ages 8-12
July 12-16
Teen Camp—Ages 13-19
July 19-23
Regional Youth
& CE Board
David Golden
Avril Logan
Larry Flickner
Tony Morrison
Jacques Nelson
G.L.Y.L.A.
Board
Daniel Ramos
Eddie Street
JonPaul Buritica
Mario Hristov
Kyle Spencer
Primary Camp—Early Bird Rate—$115
Junior Camp—Early Bird Rate—$140
Teen Camp— Early Bird Rate—$140