GRR Calendar

June 8-10 -American Baptist Women’s Ministries Conference

18-23 - Great American Baptist Bike Ride Across Missouri

July

6-8 -American Baptist Men’s Conference at Illinois Wesleyan

August

17 -18 Baptist History and Polity Course, Dr. Adrian Lamkin

23 -Areas III & II Senior’s Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp

September

11 -Boundaries Course at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp

21, 22 -Jr. High Camp Weekend

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 FBC Anderson, IN

GRR Teams Help Build Homes On the Gulf Coast

The Great Rivers Region responded in a big way to the Baptist Blitz - the rebuilding project joining Baptists with Habitat for Humanity to build twelve homes in twelve days for those left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. Due to eight inches of rain and subcontractor delays, that lofty goal was not quite met but according to Dr. Dwight Stinnett “four or five are 95% complete and the others are in striking distance.”

Of all the regions of American Baptists, the Great Rivers Region had the most people to participate. 65 people from 14 different

Executive Minister, Dwight Stinnett (center), was joined by GRR Staff members Max Klinkenborg and Muriel Johnson.

churches in the GRR were among the 200 American Baptists to participate. Dr. Dwight Stinnett writes, “ Recently I was asked by national leaders “What did you do to make this happen?” My answer was “Nothing—this kind of ministry runs in the blood of Great Rivers Region churches.”

Central Baptist Church Mission Team To The Gulf Coast

Central Baptist Church of Springfield, IL sponsored a work team to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, April 21-28, 2007. Eight team members traveled to and stayed at Yankie Stadium, Biloxi, MS, where they worked in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity and Operation Home Delivery to build new homes for victims of hurricane Katrina. Seven team members from Central Baptist were: Jerry and Sheila Fite, Ross Hodel, George Tankersley, Angele Wandji, Faith and J. R. Heikes. Margery Wilcoxen from Cherry Hills Baptist Church was also a member of the team.

On Monday, April 23rd, all team members joined with a team from American Baptist Churches, Binghamton, NY to start construction on a "House in a Box" in Gautier, MS. A "House in a Box" is partially constructed at other sites and transported to the home site to be assembled there. On Tuesday, Faith and Margery joined the three women from the New York team and they were assigned to finish-up work on a house in D'Iberville. They experienced the excitement and joy of working with the woman who was the owner and was soon to move into her new home.

Note: If you or your church had a group who went to the Gulf Coast, please send your stories and pictures to the GRR office and to the Mainstream editor. Thank you.

Church Planting Great American Baptist Bike Ride Across Missouri

One mission of the Great Rivers Region is New Church Planting. One way of raising funds for church planting is the annual bike ride. This year, the bike ride is across the state of Missouri. The trip will be

St. Charles, MO, following the KATY Rail to Trail conversion route. The Great American Baptist Bike Ride is for anyone who enjoys biking and wants to support New Church Planting. One hundred percent of the money raised will go into planting new churches.

For more information and the brochure check the region website: www.abc-grr.org. You may also contact Max Klinkenborg at the region office, phone: (217) 726-7366 or e-mail Max@abc-grr.org or Jon Heikes, phone: (217-357-3817 or e-mail - JonHeikes@gmail.com.

Bloomington FBC To Help Build Habitat House

On Sunday, May 13, during worship,

Bloomington First Baptist Church

- represented by Robert Howard signed a covenant with McClean County's Habitat for Humanity - represented by Kim Chickering. The church will partner with Habitat and other local churches to build a house. The church then presented a check for their part of this project.

American Baptist Women’s Ministries Great Rivers Region Annual Conference

June 8-10, 2007

Take A Ride on the Wild Side ...and He Will Lift You Up

Lake Williamson Conference Center Carlinville, IL

Speakers: Bill and Ann Clemmer Missionaries from the Congo

and Rev. Muriel Johnson Regional Associate Minister Serving Area V

Projects: White Cross for the Congo and Murrow Children’s Home

American Baptist Men's Leadership Conference 2007

July 6 - 7

Illinois Wesleyan College

Theme: Teamwork

Speakers: John Stewart - ABM Pastor/Counselor

and Don Green - Vice President of Church Development Lincoln Christian College

Music: Jack and Joel Jochums

Youth Program Co-leaders: Patrick Embley and Tory Gum

Rainbow Acres Mission Trip

Have you ever wanted to do something for a long time? Carolyn Cook-Head, a member of Grace Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri, had always wanted to minister in some way at Rainbow Acres in Camp Verde, Arizona.

For two weeks in March she stepped out as a volunteer to the "Ranchers" at this non-profit, faith-based, assisted living facility for persons with developmental disabilities. Carolyn described her faith-journey in an evening PowerPoint program presented to the members of the Grace Baptist Church. She related her work in various areas including enjoying crafts, weaving, making stepping stones, creating stained glass, as well as helping in greenhouse skills. Her interaction with the "happy, loving, kind and gracious ’Ranchers’" was a blessing to her as well.

Her words were an encouragement to those present who need to envision their own personal ministry. We celebrate her courageous and faithful mission trip which fulfilled a long time desire. The best part is that she told

us she will be going back again!

First Baptist Church Ponitac Celebrates Anniversary

First Baptist Church, Pontiac, IL cel

ebrated its 150th anniversary, Sunday,

and performed a concert in the afternoon. At the close of the morning worship service, a special offering was taken to retire the debt on the sanctuary. More than enough was given to to burn the mortgage at the afternoon celebration. Special guests included former pastors and staff members. And, congratulations to Pastor James Wolfe. Just a day or two following this celebration, the now James Wolfe III, D.Min, Ph.D. successfully defended his Ph. D. dissertation that centered on American Baptist Women in Pastoral Ministry.

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

Corrections To GRR Directory

Page 46: Godfrey Baptist Church #1235 PIN: 2349, 1601 W. Delmar Ave., Godfrey, IL 62035 Ph: 618-466-2633

Lake Springfield Baptist Camp does not have a fax line.