The Mainstream
News of Ministry and Mission
American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region
September 2007 No.1 Email: grrabc@abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org
The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.
Matthew 14:44a
We tell you the Good News … that through Jesus Christ the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed Acts 13:32-38
Beginning
Friday 8:00 p.m.
Family Night featuring "The Four Sopranos"
Saturday:
Sessions and Workshops featuring Dr. Reid Trulson, Exec.
Director, International Ministries,
Great Rivers Region Annual Meeting Friday, October 5 Sunday, October 7 Decatur, Illinois
5:00 p.m. Saturday
GRR Mission and Ministry Banquet with Victoria Goff, National Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries, Board of National Ministries, ABCUSA
During the Banquet we will celebrate the work of GRR churches in Gulf Coast hurricane relief and recovery.
Workshops on Saturday:
Cross-Cultural Evangelism in North America
-Muriel Johnson with Chris and Claudia Barbosa
Evangelism with the NeXt Generation -Dr. Robert Price (NBTS)
The Evangelistic Imperative in the 21st Century - Dr. Jerry Cain (Judson U.)
Two Area IV Churches Work Together for God’s Glory
It all started one evening at a meeting that Cheryl Arnold, Quinton Runyon, and I (David Utley) attended. We began talking about Vacation Bible School and how it looked like First Northern Baptist Church of West Frankfort was just going to have a single day event. We also realized First Baptist Church of Centralia’s Missionary Team would not have a place to work. Then all of the sudden God impressed upon our hearts that maybe we could work together. The process began that would create a great partnership.
We began to make arrangements by email and phone for the Missionary Team of First Baptist Church of Centralia, IL to come to First Northern Baptist Church of West Frankfort, IL to put on VBS. This day. Plans were to go out that evening and begin to hand out some more flyers to kids within the community.
VBS ran from Tuesday, July 31st until Thursday, Aug. 2nd with “The Incredible Race” as the theme. The scripture for the event was Hebrews 2:2, “Let’s run the race…for Jesus Christ.” During the event the kids learned about Jonah, Moses and of course Jesus. They learned about believing, obeying and following God. They also learned many songs and made some wonderful crafts.
On Wednesday the kids had a special treat. A real drag race car came to the church. The kids had a chance to ask questions and got to hear what it sounded like. WOW, was it loud!
On Thursday they had another special surprise, a Chrysler Prowler. Each child was given a Hot Wheels Prowler.
The Centralia Team stayed in a
great.
Northern ran ads in the local paper and the West Frankfort Free Press for four days before the event. We posted flyers at local businesses within the community. Flyers were also handed out to kids in the community.
When the Team arrived on Monday July 30th any unanswered questions were answered about how this would work out. The Team began decorating and preparing for the next The event was a true blessing with 25 children registering and a total of 50 plus people including children and workers each day. There were also many new friendships made between the youth at Northern and the youth of the Centralia Team. Both churches are planning on doing other things together in the near future.
David Utley Pastor of First Northern
Church News
The members of First Baptist of Sparland are so excited. After praying for an outreach program for children. God literally dropped one in their laps. Kids' Klub International, a Christian based program for kids contacted the ladies who work with the children of the church and offered to bring Kids' Klub to FBC of Sparland.
A lot of praying and planning took place. The first night - August 28 was the Kids' Klub Bash. Twenty-five kids showed up. (The usual Sunday school has never had more than 10, and never that many on any given Sunday.) After a time of singing, the children were divided into groups where they had Bible lessons, crafts, and games. They gathered together at the end of the afternoon for more songs and a hotdog dinner. Everyone is thankful for all the volunteers and looking forward to more Kids’ Klub times with great anticipation.
Connie Anderson
Praise God, First Baptist Church, Towanda, IL is moving forward! At the August business meeting there was a unanimous vote to add a bathroom and nursery to our building. A deck and new ramp will also be included as well as a new septic system. Because of the generous giving from our members and friends, God has provided the money up front to pay for the entire project. What a mighty God we serve! We believe this will send a very positive message to the village of Towanda that we are getting ready for future growth and want the village to be a part of it. This is definitely a sign of God working and His people being obedient
Cal Gowen - Pastor
Meddlin’ Kids
Jr. High Camp Weekend A Look at Teenagers in the Bible
September 21-22, 2007 Lake Springfield Baptist Camp
Cost: Students - $ 40.00 Advisors -$ 20.00
God says, “Don’t say I’m too young” For I will send you to all people and give you the words to say. Jeremiah 1:7
2007 Continuing Education Event for Professional Church Leaders
Sharing God’s Passion and Mission in the 21st Century
Friday - October 5, 2007 Preceding the Annual Meeting of the Great Rivers Region in Decatur, IL Hosted by Decatur First Baptist
8:30 AM - Registration
9:00 AM - Noon: Karen Walker-Freeburg, Associate Professor of Ministry and Spirituality at Northern Baptist Seminary “Sharing God’s Passion in the 21st Century: Developing Holistic Spirituality in Your Community of Faith”
1:00 PM -Reid Trulson, Executive Director of American Baptist International Ministries “Sharing God’s Mission in the 21st Century: The Changing Face of Mission”
GRR Calendar
2007
September
14-16 -Area I Jr. High Retreat
21-22 -GRR Jr. High Camp Weekend at Lake Springfield
October
5 - Conference on Exploring God's Call - Decatur First Baptist Church
5 - Pastor's Conference, Decatur First Baptist Church
5-7 - GRR Annual Meeting, Decatur IL - “Sharing God’s Treasure”
12-13 -Face To Face - Anderson IN
November
9-11 - ABY Gathering, "Justified Through Faith" - Romans 5: 1 - 2 Third Baptist Church, St. Louis with Muriel Johnson
2008
April 25-26 -GRR Missions Conference hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist
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: Ricks4LR@insightbb.com
Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing!
First Baptist Church, Ashland, IL Welcomes: J. R. Blair and Kathy Blair
First Baptist Church of Champaign, Savoy, IL Welcomes:
Richard Behrends, Janis Behrends, Robin McConnell, Esther Greulich, Steve Eckhoff, Donna Eckhoff, Leroy Werremeyer, Joyce Werremeyer, Jenie Inman, Matthew Eckhardt, Heidi Eckhardt, Richard Stilley, Virginia Stilley, Aimee Ward, Betty Rose, Marian Peden, Marty Joop, Pam Joop, Mackenzie Joop, Tony Banks, Nicky Banks, Ron Freeman, Michael Huckstadt, and Susan Howard
First Baptist Church, Hartford IL Welcomes: Kenneth Barnhart and Jennifer Barnhart
New Hope Baptist Church of Roxana, IL Welcomes: Kevin Doak, Cindy Doak, Stacey Burdick, and Joe Ramsey
Central Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Welcomes: Mary Jo Gaskill, Celestin Nzesse, Tom Parks, Susie Parks, Linda Vanschyndel, Sherry Masalski, Margie Coleman, Jessica Reynolds, Nikki Reynolds, and Brenna Harris
Old Stonington Baptist Church, Stonington, IL Welcomes:
Zachery Allen
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: grrabc@abc-grr.org Web: www.abc-grr.org