The Mainstream

GRR Calendar

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

November

9-11 -ABY Gathering,

"Justified Through Faith"

Romans 5: 1 - 2

Third Baptist Church, St. Louis

with Muriel Johnson

GRR Annual Meeting

Friday, October 5 Sunday, October 7 Decatur, Illinois

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 to you.

Acts 13:32-38

Decatur Conference Center & Hotel

Friday Night: Family Night featuring "The Four Sopranos"

Saturday Highlights: Dr. Reid Trulson

Sessions and Workshops featuring Dr. Reid Trulson, Executive Director, Board of International Ministries, ABCUSA. Dr. Trulson will also preach during the Regional worship service on Sunday morning hosted by First Baptist Church of Decatur.

Ardys Carpenter Retires

Ardys Carpenter, Director of Music and Christian Education at First Baptist Church of Mattoon, will retire after 40 years of ministry in the church. She began as a children’s choir director while a music major at Eastern Illinois University. She has directed the Chancel Choir—now 50 members strong—since 1978. She added the Christian Education hat to her wardrobe several years ago and has also been involved in Area and Regional activities.

A special celebration in her honor will be held Sunday, August 12 during morning worship at 10:00 AM, followed by a catered dinner and a short program topped off with Ardys’ favorite—dessert. All are welcome to attend any part of the celebration.

Ardys plans to spend some quality “Grandma” time with her two small grandsons and the two granddaughters due to arrive this fall. She will continue to be involved in the FBC family. Her truly outstanding musical gifts combined with an unwavering love for the Lord have blessed countless lives during her 40 years of ministry.

American Baptist History and Polity Course

August 17-18 Central Baptist Church St. Louis, MO Dr. Adrian Lamkin

Havana Community VBS

First Baptist Church of Havana, IL was 1 of 9 Havana churches to come together in an unprecedented show of solidarity and support to celebrate the mission of serving God. This solitarity gave rise to an invigorating week of Havana coming together in a VBS to reach children of the town and community in Jesus’ name.

The theme was “Galilee by the Sea.” Most nights, there were 135 children from Havana and the outlying communities and about 100 volunteers who taught and led these children.

We are reminded from Scripture

that community is about working together. What began as an idea presented to the Havana Christian Ministerial Association in February came to be a reality because churches were willing to put aside their differences and come together based on what we share in common.

Other participating churches were Central Cristian, Church of Christ, Church of the Nazarene, First Assembly of God, First United Methodist, Havana Southern Baptist, New Life Ministry, and St. Barnabas Episcopal. Area businesses, EMT’s ambulance, Havana Public Schools, and local law enforcement personnel also contributed to this special week.

Submitted by David Byrd Pastor, FBC Havana

Leadership Changes

New Areas of Service

Andrew Fuqua, Worship Arts, Central Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Grant Wade, Youth Intern, Central Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Andrew Eads, Youth Intern, Elliott Avenue BC, Springfield, IL Ted Marrinan, Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church, Taylorville, IL Wayne Anderson, Pastor, FBC Sparland, IL Ralph Deming, Interim. FBC Marseilles, IL David DeMott, Interim, FBC Urbana, IL Larry Faulkner, From IM to Pastor FBC Atwood, IL Heather Henson, Pastor, Wilton Center BC, Manhattan, IL Steve Mechem, Pastor, FBC Decatur, IL John Peterson, Interim, FBC Moline, IL Brett Smith, Exec Director, Baptist Student Foundation - U of I Shannan Smith, Youth Director, FBC Benton, IL Hanse Walters, Pastor, Denmark Baptist, Cutler, IL Clint Wilson, AP of Housing, Baptist Student Foundation – U of I Darla Wilson, AP Dev & Alum Affairs Baptist Student Foundation – U of I

Departures

Charles White, Interim Minister, Bethel Baptist Church, Taylorville, IL

Jeff Bapst, Pastor, FBC White Hall, IL

Jeromy Connell, Associate Pastor, FBC Aledo, IL

Jason Hladik, Children’s Ministry, Marley Community Church, Mokena, I

Andrew Berryhill, Interim, Wilton Center, Manhattan, IL

Departures (Continued)

Dan Cole, Pastor, FBC Moline, IL to Central Region – Area Minister Donald Conrod, Interim, FBC Marseilles, IL David DeMott, Exec. Dir, Baptist Student Foundation, - U of I Sheryl DeMott, Admin Asst., Baptist Student Foundation – U of I Curtis McCallister, Pastor, FBC Mason City ,IL James McIntosh, Interim, FBC Decatur, IL

New Youth Director For FBC Benton

First Baptist Church of Benton, IL

welcomes a new youth director. Shannon Smith has recently felt led to pursue a career in youth ministry. This summer she is conducting a youth program for the junior high age group. The youth are having weekly lessons, participating in a few service projects, and enjoying recreational activities and church camp throughout the summer. Shannon will continue her studies at Greenville College in the fall.

Sharing God’s Passion and Mission in the 21st Centuy

Minister’s Conference Continuing Ed. Event October 5, 2007 FBC Decatur, IL

Senior Adult Day 2007

Thursday, August 23

Lake Springfield Baptist Camp Speaker: Rev. Dr. James Middleton Music led by Sandra Setser

Registration is $12.00. This fee includes lunch and all materials. You may register by downloading a brochure/registration form and sending it to: Doris Kaisner

Area III Meeting Registrar

P O Box 233

Fairbury IL 61739

Schedule:

9:00 Check in

9:30 - Morning Session

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - 3:00 Afternoon Session

Meddlin’ Kids

God says, “Don’t say I’m too young” For I will send you to all people and give you the words to say.

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

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