The Mainstream

August 2007 No. 1 Email: grrabc@abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org

GRR Annual Meeting

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 Acts 13:32-38

Decatur Conference Center & Hotel Friday Night:

Family Night featuring "The Four Sopranos"

Sessions and Workshops featuring Dr. Reid Trulson, Exec. Director, International Ministries, ABCUSA.

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Cross-Cultural Evangelism in North America - Muriel Johnson & Barbosas

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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

Instead of heading straight to college, Daniel Baltz has decided to delay starting his education for one year and spend nine months helping Vital and Ketley Pierre in Bluefields Nicaragua. Daniel is a member of the First Baptist Church of Aurora and has been interested in missions for a long time. For several years he has attended the Missions Conference at Green Lake.

Bluefields is a city of 60,000 with a high unemployment rate. Very few of the residents have made a commitment to Christ. The Pierres, who are sponsored by International Ministries, have begun numerous ministries in Bluefields including a new church plant, a community center, an educational ministry, and a residential ministry for children whose parents are employed by cruise ships. To find out more, visit their website at www.missionbluefields.com.

Daniel’s work will include things like teaching English, painting, digging, laying block, teaching music, teaching Sunday School, helping lead worship, supervising children’s activities, assisting visiting work groups with construction, and anything else he is asked to do. The Pierre’s hope that Daniel can serve as a mentor for the young adults in the church. Daniel’s tentative plan is to leave on August 16th and return next May.

Since Daniel is a volunteer, he is responsible for his own expenses including plane tickets, medical insurance, inoculations, and living expenses. Daniel is using his graduation money and the money he earned this summer working on staff at Black-hawk Camp to offset his expenses.

Charlie Schmaker Donates Equipment to Judson College

Charlie Schumaker donated engraving equipment to Judson College. This will be especially helpful as Judson changes its name to Judson University. While he was at Judson, Charlie showed the department that would be using the equipment how to use it. The next morning they presented him a plaque for the American Baptist Builders. Since women and men helped in rebuilding work on the Gulf Coast, this plaque creates a name that includes all the people who helped in the Gulf Coast project.

August

11 - Area I Senior Adult Day Blackhawk Baptist Camp

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

19 -Mission Expo FBC Cordova

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

26 -Mission Expo FBC Dixon

September

9 -Mission Expo FBC Marengo

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

Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing!

Ridgeview Baptist Church, Danville, IL Welcomes: Gloria Brown, Paul Brown, Becky Figueroa, Joe Figueroa, Annette Hernandez, Brianna Hernandez, David Garriott, John Jaggers, Karen Jaggers, Jim Osborn, Gary Wyman, and Marge Wyman

Eldred Baptist Church, Eldred, IL Welcomes: Dylan Adcock and Susan Purcell

Elliott Avenue Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Welcomes: Sally Meyers, Ed Mateunas, Matthew Unglesbee, Terry Cassens, and Helen Ely

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