The Mainstream
News of Ministry and Mission
American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region
August 2007 No. 2 Email: grrabc@abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org
Great Rivers Region Annual Meeting Friday, October 5 Sunday, October 7 Decatur, Illinois
the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed Acts 13:32-38
Friday 8:00 p.m.: Family Night featuring "The Four Sopranos"
Saturday: Sessions and Workshops featuring Dr. Reid Trulson, Exec. Director, International Ministries, ABCUSA.
Workshops:
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- Cross-Cultural Evangelism in North America - Muriel Johnson with Chris and Claudia Barbosa
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- Evangelism with the NeXt Generation - Dr. Robert Price (NBTS)
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- The Evangelistic Imperative in the 21st Century - Dr. Jerry Cain(Judson U.)
GRR Mission and Ministry Banquet with Victoria Goff, National Coordinator of Volunteer Ministries, Board of National Ministries, ABCUSA
During the Banquet we will celebrate the work of GRR
churches in Gulf Coast hurricane relief and recovery.
Sunday: Convention Worship Service at FBC Dectur with Reid Trulson
Registration Information: Cost: $30 per person ($10 Less Before September 1) Church Registration Available up to September 1)
Rooms Available for $79 per night (before Sept. 17) at Decatur Conference Center & Hotel
Miracle on Elliott Avenue
Elliott Avenue Baptist Church has spent the last several years paying monthly mortgage payments and periodically refinancing the remaining balance. In January of 2007 the congregation was made aware that the time for refinancing was fast approaching and interest rates were on the rise. They were faced with a decision – refinance or find an alternative. Pastor Roger Jackson challenged them to a “Miracle Sunday”, a one day event to receive special gifts and offerings in order to pay off the entire mortgage. The congregation voted in January to go forward and plan a “Miracle Sunday”. Subsequently, a date was set for June 24, and a financial goal of $72,000 was also established.
Soon, a team began to meet to plan and pray. This goal was huge, and the church knew they could not do it. Only God could do something this big. During these months the congregation was reminded of God’s provision in their daily lives and challenged to trust Him for a miracle. Many members gave testimonies during Sunday services and some testified through letters to the congregation. The church was encouraged through Sunday sermons about Jesus feeding the 5000+ with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. They were reminded of Matthew 9:29 – “According to your faith it will be done to you.”
June 24 arrived, and the time came for the special “Miracle” offering. It was an amazing sight to behold. The pews emptied as people brought their gifts to the altar; even little children came forward to give what they were able. The congregation celebrated with a luncheon and patiently waited for the total to be announced. Finally, it came…$87,000!
God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. Elliott paid off its mortgage and even has leftovers! The congregation has been energized, encouraged and now stands ready to move forward with whatever God has in store for them. It is truly a new day at Elliott Avenue Baptist Church.
Rev. Roger Jackson, Pastor
Warder Street Church Ministers to the Homeless
On July 20th, the pastor of Warder Street Baptist Church, Marion, IL, his wife, and 8 church members provided and served the evening meal at the Lighthouse Shelter which is the-homeless shelter in Marion. Thirty-four meals were served.
The church has a Lighthouse ministry in which each member has committed 50 cents a week. We have an automated Lighthouse bank at the front of the church. With each coin the fog horn sounds and the light turns around.
Those serving at the shelter on the 20th were Dr. John & Marcia Simpson, Paul & Lois Langan, Tom & Elsie DeVardo, Shirley Holderfield, Jenny Jones, Cathy Shelton, and Sheila Morse. Sheila Morse planned the menu and the rest of the gang helped cook and serve. It was truly a blessing to us all!
Celebration of 50 Years
Grace Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri celebrated its 50th anniversary on August 11 – 12, 2007 with the theme "A Rich Past, A Promising Future".
The weekend was filled with activities for members, friends, former pastors and community neighbors. Historical displays with photos were prepared for each 10 years of Grace's history. An outdoor fair on Saturday provided four hours of live music, games, water slide, moon walk, and a free hot dog lunch. This was our gift to the community with contacts being made with new friends. A dinner with an evening service celebrated our past history. Certificates, recognition and greetings were received from the American Baptist Historical Society, Great Rivers Region, Bethel Neighborhood Center, Rolling Hills Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Kansas City MO., and William Jewell College
The culmination of the evening was the unveiling of the Witness Wall. This wall was composed of about 100 tiles personally designed and painted by members of the church under the direction of Kansas City artist, Carolyn Payne. The tiles were then prepared and arranged by Ms Payne in a permanent display in the Narthex of the church. It is a lasting tribute to our first fifty years. On Sunday morning a Celebration Breakfast and the morning worship were held to focus on our promising future.
Meddlin’ Kids
Jr. High Camp Weekend A Look at Teenagers in the Bible
September 21-22, 2007 Lake Springfield Baptist Camp
Cost: Students - $ 40.00 Advisors -$ 20.00
God says, “Don’t say I’m too young” For I will send you to all people and give you the words to say. Jeremiah 1:7
2007 Continuing Education Event for Professional Church Leaders
Sharing God’s Passion and Mission in the 21st Century
Friday - October 5, 2007 Preceding the Annual Meeting of the Great Rivers Region in Decatur, IL Hosted by Decatur First Baptist
8:30 AM - Registration
9:00 AM - Noon: Karen Walker-Freeburg, Associate Professor of Ministry and Spirituality at Northern Baptist Seminary “Sharing God’s Passion in the 21st Century: Developing Holistic Spirituality in Your Community of Faith”
1:00 PM -Reid Trulson, Executive Director of American Baptist International Ministries “Sharing God’s Mission in the 21st Century: The Changing Face of Mission”
GRR Calendar
2007
September 7-9 - Area I Senior High Retreat
9 -Mission Expo FBC Marengo
11 -Boundaries Course at Lake Springfield Baptist Camp
14-16 -Area I Jr. High Retreat
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
2008
April 25-26 -GRR Missions Conference hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist
Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing!
Elliott Avenue Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Welcomes: Harold Monroe and Juanita Monroe.
First Baptist Church, Jerseyville, IL Welcomes: Jared Smilack, Kristi Scott, Marcus Scott, and Kirby Scott
Muncie Baptist Church,Muncie, IL Welcomes: Aaron Burke and Melinda Burke
Walnut Grove Baptist Church, New Burnside, IL Welcomes: David Hancock, Jaclyn Hancock, Dale Richerson, Michelle Richerson, Paul Richerson, Connie Richerson, Jim Richerson, and Michelle Richerson
First Baptist Church, Roseville, IL Welcomes: J. D. Lyon and Joy Lyon
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