The Mainstream

GRR Calendar

January 18-21 -SKWIM 2008 at Greenlake for Areas II & III Youth

February 23 -Area IV Annual Meeting, Centrailia, IL FBC

Feb. 29 - March 1-Area I Annual Meeting, FBC Elgin, IL

March 8 -Area III Annual Meeting FBC Peoria, IL

Blessed Christmas! May His Story ever more be yours Your GRR Staff

The project will span three weeks-April 28 through May 16. The change from a two-week to a three-week project was based on experience. The Habitat planners in Baton Rouge discovered that trying to have contracted skilled trade workers (plumbing, HVAC, electrical) trying to integrate and coordinate schedules with volunteer labor was very complicated. Low to modest skill volunteers will be needed for the first and third weeks. The second week will be time for the skilled trades to get their work done. I think this is a good move.

As I announced at the GRR Mission and Ministry Banquet, I plan to work in Baton Rouge once again. Unfortunately, the schedule makes it impossible for me to stay continuously for the full three weeks as I had hoped. But I will be there! I hope to see some of you. We had 66 volunteers for this particular project in 2007. I see no reason that we cannot send over 100 volunteers in 2008.

Also, during the GRR Mission and Ministry Banquet, we launched a special offering for GRR Gulf Coast Projects. The proceeds from this offering are not limited to the Baton Rouge project. This offering will be used for GRR contributions to the Habitat project as well as to provide travel scholarships to assist GRR volunteers. We will be pleased to receive these special offerings at any time-just clearly mark them. Also, during the GRR Mission and Ministry Banquet I promised a GRR cap to those who gave $20 or more to GRR Gulf Coast Projects. That offer still stands. Just let us know that you want a cap when you send your offering.

The many ways that GRR churches have responded to this unprecedented natural disaster in the continental United States make me proud. Let us not grow weary in well-doing!

On December 2, 2007, Matthew Karl Weber was installed as pastor of First Baptist Church of Park Ridge, IL. Matt is the son of Harm

Weber who was a former President of Judson University. Matt also worked at Judson before deciding to return to the pastorate at Park Ridge. Joan LeValley, Moderator, and William Nyanue, Chairman of the Board of Deacons, were the congregational worship leaders. Dr. Jerry Cain, President of Judson University, was the speaker for the event. He spoke on “Pretty Feet for Dusty Roads”.” Ben Calhoun, Director of Church Relations at Judson University sang, “I Have a Peace.” Rev. Sung Kim, Pastor of Yesuville Community Church the Korean Church that meets at FBC, Park Ridge, sang the solo, “The Lord’s Prayer.” At the closing prayer of installation, each friend and member of the congregation was invited to come forward and offer a personal prayer or word of encouragement to the new pastor. It was a joyous occasion of new hope and life for the congregation.

 

 

Galesburg First Baptist Church Ordains Kelly Melvin Retired Missionaries & Ministers Offering

Kathy Pemberton (at left), moderator of Galesburg FBC presents The Reverend Kelly Melvin the Certi-ficate of Ordination on behalf of the church. The Ordination Service was held on Sunday, December 2. Children of the church sang and read Scripture. Rev. Joshua Melvin, Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church ofReynolds IL and Kelly’s husband, shared the Ordination Sermon. GRR Associate Minister Rev. Dr. Richard Ricks led Kelly and Congregation in the Ordination Vows. Kelly is Associate Pastor for Chil-dren & Youth Ministries of Galesburg FBC. She is a graduate of Northern Seminary of Lombard IL.

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 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, 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: Sharon@abc-grr.org

 

Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing!

First Baptist Church, Greenville, IL Welcomes: Dale Deverick and Connie Deverick

First Baptist Church, Mt. Carroll, IL Welcomes: Charlene Collins, Leonard Collins and Kim Mathena

Antioch Baptist Church, Reynolds, IL Welcomes: Starla Sproston, Tom Sproston, William Hawn, Karna Hawn, and Alex Sproston

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