The Mainstream
News of Ministry and Mission
American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region
November 2007 No. 2 Email: grrabc@abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org
GRR Calendar
2007
December 15 -Blackhawk Christmas Camp K - 5th Grade
2008
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
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 25-26 -GRR Missions Conference hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist
Greetings and Thanksgiving From Murrow Indian Children's Home
I was out at Murrow Home the last week in October for work and a Board meeting. When I arrived Joan Brown told me we only needed $1,500.00 to finish the project,and then we could open the other cottage. I told Joan that I would send out an e-mail to every one and try to raise the $1,500.00. In fact, I put in the e-mail that if 15 people gave $100.00 we have the funds to finish the project. I gave $100.00 myself and said in the e-mail that God was going to bless us.
Even though I had wireless I could not send out the e-mail on Tuesday. I felt a little down and tried to think what could we do to raise the money. The next day about noon Joan told me that two men from a church in Kansas City had just stopped in and had given her a check for $2,400.00. That check was more than enough to finish the project.
God did bless us. God is so good. On behalf of Joan Brown, we thank those who have contributed funds to the project of opening the other cottage that was needed for children that need a place to live.
Jack Smith American Baptist Men
Mark Keyser Installed As Pastor of Ridgeview
The Rev. Dr. Mark Keyser was installed as senior pastor of Ridgeview Baptist Church, Danville, IL on Sunday, November 11, 2007. Mark has been on the ministerial staff at Ridgeview as Associate
Pastor for Christian Nurture and Discipleship for the past twenty years.
The message was brought by the Rev. Dr. Brett Smith, Executive Pastor of University Baptist Church, Champaign, IL . A friend in ministry, Lee Flanagan read the scripture passages and shared some personal reflections. Rev. Ray Carter, a retired minister and a member of Ridgeview gave the charge to the pastor. The Rev. Dr. Richard Ricks, Regional Associate Minister serving Area III, gave the charge to the church. Shawn Owen, chairman of the search committee led in the words of installation.
A reception was held in the social hall following the service.
BLACKHAWK CHRISTMAS CAMP
Christian Day Camp Grades K-5th
Join us for games, crafts, music, making Christmas Cookies,Campfire, Bible Stories, and sledding if there is snow.
Limited to 50 children. Register by December 1.
Cost: $25.00 Lunch, snacks, and craft materials provided.
Date: December 15 9:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Age: Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
Location: Blackhawk Baptist Camp, Oregon, Illinois
A Second Blitz with Habitat
There will be a second Baptist Blitz to build at least 5 more houses. This is being planned for April 2008. Our Executive Minister, Dwight Stinnett, is already making personal plans to work on this project. More information is coming soon.
Leadership Changes New Areas of Service
Joel Lohr, Pastor, FBC Wood River, IL
Charles White, Interim, FBC Girard, IL
Danny Miller, Interim, Beech Grove Baptist Church, Alto Pass, IL
Don Ewell, Interim, FBC Carbondale, IL
Floyd Disney and Billy Bob Howard Co-Interims, Old Stonington Baptist Church, Stonington, IL
Andy Rhea, Music Minister, Central Baptist Church, Quincy, IL
Departures
Paul Militzer, Pastor, Cherry Street Baptist Church, Alton, IL
Scott Harner, Interim, Beech Grove Baptist Church, Alto Pass, IL
Steven Beasley, Pastor, FBC Tiskilwa, IL
Stephen Taylor, Pastor, FBC Girard, IL Jason Triplett, Youth, Central Baptist Church, Quincy, IL
David Dexheimer, Music Minister, Central Baptist Church, Quincy, IL
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.
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 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
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, Aledo, IL Welcomes: Jim McIntyre Jennifer McIntyre, Darian McIntyre, Dean Buttgen, Lola Buttgen, Mark Kellogg, Becky Moffitt, Malory Moffitt, Randy Deroo, Mardeana Deroo, and Jeremiah Melvin
University Baptist Church, Champaign, IL Welcomes:
Benjamin Kelly, Nicole Dworak, Chipo Sakufiwa, John Smith, and Pierce Vanne
Ridgeview Baptist Church Danville, IL Welcomes: Beveline Danner and Martha Powell
First Baptist Church, Mt. Carroll, IL Welcomes: Steven Newell and Nancy Newell
First Baptist Church ,Ottawa, IL Welcomes: Russell Marcellis, Gina Marcellis, Nancy Killian, Darrell Killian, Ellen Diederich, and Gwendolyn Bates.
New Hope Baptist Church, Roxana, IL Welcomes: Mike Booten, Rick Collison, and Ray Wolff
First Baptist Church, Wood River, IL Welcomes: Rev. Joel Lohr, Jenny Lohr, Jerry King, and Thelma King
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