Envisioning healthy congregations engaged in effective Christian Ministry locally AND globally.

Mission News from John Grisham,
Associate Minister for Mission and Stewardship

• Missions Conference 2008
• America For Christ Offering 2008
• Fanning the Flame
• Miracle Sunday
• Building Blitz 2008
• 2008 Area Meetings

Great Rivers Region Mission Conference
The Great Rivers Region Mission Conference will be held at Cherry Hills Baptist Church April 25-26, 2008. Speakers and workshop leaders are now being confirmed.  Duane Binkley ABC-USA Missionary to Thailand currently on assignment in the United States to work with churches that are involved in resettlement of Karen refugees will lead a pre-conference session on Friday and speak Friday evening. The Used Book Depository will again have a truck at the Mission Conference for collection of Bibles, Bible study materials, and Hymnals.  Look for Conference information on the Great Rivers Region website by January 30, 2008.

America for Christ Offering - Home Mission On Our Doorstep
America For Christ offering materials have been distributed to churches in January. Materials include a DVD with reports on the 2007 Gulf Coast Blitz and other stories of Ministry. The offering provides important support for the ministries of the Great Rivers Region and American Baptist National Ministries. Most churches participate in the offering in March or April.

Fanning The Flame- April 22-25,2008
A national pastors’ renewal conference to be held at the American Baptist Assembly, Green Lake, Wisconsin.  Sponsored by 13 Regions, the purpose of the event is to provide professional church leaders the opportunity to meet with other colleagues in ministry in a setting of worship and spiritual nourishment. For information about this continuing education event visit the GRR web site.

Miracle Sunday
The goal on Miracle Sunday is to give a large cash offering for immediate support of a project. The goal is often an amount equal to 1/3 or more of the annual church budget.  Frequently the Miracle Sunday offering makes funds available for repayment of debt, or for church facility improvements. In the year 2007, FBC Pontiac, IL., Second Baptist of St Louis, MO, and Elliott Avenue Baptist Church of  Springfield, IL each used the concept for a one time Miracle Sunday offerings of $30,000-$90,000.

Building Blitz-2008
Dates have been announced for a second Building Blitz-2008, Baton Rouge, LA - April 28-May 17, 2008.  Week One and Week Three will involve volunteers with every level of construction skill.  Week Two will be for skilled construction volunteers only.  For info visit the GRR website www.abc-grr.org or contact Victoria Goff at National Ministries Victoria.Goff@abc-usa.org.  Registration for the Build will be through National Ministries.

2008 Great Rivers Region Area Meetings
Area IV – February 23, 2008 – FBC Centralia, Illinois
Area I – February 29 – March 1, 2008 – FBC Elgin, Illinois
Area III – March 8, 2008 – FBC Peoria, Illinois
Area IV – March 8, 2008 – FBC Kansas City, Missouri
Area II – March 9, 2008 – FBC Greenfield, Illinois

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