The Mainstream News of Ministry and Mission American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region February 2007 No. 2  Email: grrabc@abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org GRR Calendar March 2 - 3 - Area I Annual Meeting FBC Moline, IL 10 - Area V Annual Meeting Third Baptist Church, St. Louis 17 -Area III Annual Meeting FBC Fairbury, IL 18 - Area II Annual Meeting Elliott Avenue Church Springfield, IL 24 - Area IV Annual Meeting FBC Greenville, IL April 21 - Clean Up Day, Lake Springfield Baptist Camp 25 -   Boundaries Course Mt. Vernon, IL FBC May 4-5 - Clergy Spouse Retreat Lake Springfield Baptist Camp 7-9 - Ministers Council Retreat Lake Springfield Baptist Camp 15 -New PCL Rendezvous GRR Resource Center Springfield, IL Message From Our Executive Minister Celebrating their escape, the Hebrew chil- dren were soon stopped by the Red Sea.  Now they were caught between waves of chaos before them and the dust of Pharaoh's approaching chari- ots behind them.  What a choice!    Divine whirlwinds of dust and fire led them earlier.  They had grown comfortable with the reassuring sign of God's presence and protection. But where was that whirlwind now?  It moved!  It was no longer in front of them.  It was no longer "leading"  It went behind. Had God brought them into the desert only to abandon them?  Did this mean that God was no longer dependable?  Had God forgotten the way or had a change of heart?  Or were they mistaken about the whirl- winds all along-God never was really with them! True, God was no longer in the familiar place doing the familiar things that reassured them.  But God was still near.  God was in an unexpected place doing unexpected things.  God had moved-but had moved in response to the need! God went behind to protect.  It was as if a great wall had been built between the armies of Pharaoh and the flock of God.  (continued on p. 2)