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 about 250 miles from Clinton, MO to St. Charles, MO, following the KATY

Speakers: Bill and Ann Clemmer Missionaries from the Congo

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

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.

Speakers: John Stewart - ABM Pastor/Counselor

Music: Jack and Joel Jochums

Youth Program Co-leaders: Patrick Embley and Tory Gum

On Sunday, April 29, First Baptist Church of Peoria welcomed, as guest speaker, Dr. Eugene Bay. Dr. Bay is President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, NY. The occasion for his visit was to celebrate the church’s long term relationship with CRCDS. Six of the past seven senior pastors of the church. have been graduates of the divinity school, comprising seventy plus years of leadership. The most recent of these pastors are the Reverends Alfred Jefferies, James Middleton and our current shepherd/leader, Thomas

G. Bayes Jr.

Pictured left to right: Dr. Eugene Bay, President CRCDS, Joan Criswell, Rev. James Middleton, David Van Brakle, Rev. Thomas G. Bayes

The congregation has been given the opportunity to express their appreciation by establishing a scholarship fund, in the name of the six pastors, and contributing to the seminary’s creation of a Life-Long Learning Program. This newly formed program will provide continuing education opportunities to clergy and laity alike. Peoria may be the site of one of these sessions. The scholarships will help to insure the continued opportunity for men and women to receive an excelent seminary education. David Van Brakle, our 2006 summer seminary lintern and current student-- soon to be a graduate of CRCDS, spoke during the Sunday school hour. David shared his experiences and feels fortunate “to study in an institution that values and incorporates the importance of serving society in its curriculum.” David’s response is much the same as a predecessor of his, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

First Baptist Church, Peoria, IL and the Great Rivers Region recognized Rev. Garland Criswell on Sunday, May 6, 2007 for ten years of service.

Rev. Criswell began his ministry serving as minister of visitation. In 2006, he was ordained and his title was changed to Pastor of Older Adult Ministries. Prior to serving in this position, Rev. Criswell served thirty-five years as Director of Frienship House of Christian Service in Peoria

Pictured left to right are Mrs. Bonna Zimmerman, Moderator, Rev. Dr. Richard Ricks, Regional Associate Minister serving Area III, and Rev. Garland Criswell.

Send your stories of mission and ministry. Please also send the names of new members (the fruit of this mission and ministry) to:

Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing!