The Mainstream

GRR Calendar

2008

GRR

GRR

Annual

Annual

Meeting

Meeting

October 3-5, 2008

Schedule For Annual Meeting

Friday: Pastor’s Conference

Friday Evening: Youth Ministry Team Christian Comedian - Charles Marshall

Saturday:

Worship with Mylinda Bates

Workshops

GRR Mission Banquet - Costa Rica

Saturday Evening: “Emerging Voices”

Sunday Morning – Worship with Mylinda Baits

Accomodations: Fifth Season Convention Center,(formerly Holiday Inn), Moline, Illinois

Important Note: The Holiday Inn Convention Center has changed ownership. The new name of the Convention Center is, “The Fifth Season.” The only change is that hotel reservations must be made directly at 309-762-8811, the hotel reservations desk. YOU MUST USE “AMERICAN BAPTIST” WHEN MAKING RESERVATIONS TO GET THE PRICE BREAK. Do not use the online Holiday Inn website or the 800 Holiday Inn number. Deadline to register for a hotel room remains September 3.

To register or for more information: www.abc-grr.org or 217-726-7366

GRR Ministers Conference

Fifth Season (formerly Holiday Inn) Convention Center

Area I Youth Fall Retreats

Blackhawk Baptist Camp 4491 W. Henry Rd Oregon, IL 61061

Senior High (Grades 9-12): September 5-7, 2008

Junior High (Grades 6-9): September 19-21, 2008

Cost: $48.00 (Leader Cost: $24.00) (Cost includes free t-shirt!) Late Registration (Less than 10 days before the event): $58

Registration begins at 8:30pm Friday Night Retreat Ends at 11:30 Sunday Morning (Lunch not provided Sunday)

Parents picking up students may join in Sunday Worship at 10:00am.

Speaker: J.P. Parrish

Cost: $40 for Youth

$20 for Adults Registration begins at 6:30 PM

– Ends at 4:00 PM

Bring bedding, toiletries and Bible For more info: pastorjon@parisfbc. org

Fees: $50 per family a $15 lodging fee if staying 1 night

Rooms Available in Carter Hall, Dining Lodge and Cabins

Tent Camping – central shower house NO RV CAMPING

FOOD: Individual families may provide their own food and are welcome to use camp kitchen facilities. They may also choose to have their meals provided at a cost of $50 per family and will assist in preparation and clean-up of meals. A potluck meal will be shared on Saturday evening with each family providing 1 dish regardless of meal option. Camping and food option are both non-refundable and is due by August 24 All rooms are first come first served basis. Randy & Marsha Marshall: 618-4986275 or rmarshal@gtec.com Greg & Tammi Cash: 618-462-0388 or my5bucks@sbcglobal.net

August 21, 2008 - Lake Springfield Baptist Camp

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost: $12.00 “Serving in Nicaragua” - Carol

Matheson Music - Roger & Dianna Strunk .

Bethel Neighborhood Center

Scripture tells us to welcome the stranger in our midst. In a recent worship service, Bethel Center Church did just that as two dozen Karen refugees were welcomed to a special worship of healing and communion. The Karen have been resettled in Kansas City, Kansas and are meeting at First Baptist Church there. During the worship, the pain of the world’s refugees and those displaced by cyclones and earthquakes were recognized.

The worship was planned by Rakmi Shaiza, staff person at BNC. A litany was read reminding us of the pains of the world. We sang together, joined together at the communion table, received prayers for healing, and listened as Lisa Harris delivered a sermon putting the pain of the world into perspective with the Good News which our Lord has for all people.

Bethel Board members Bob Southard and Ed Baxter were present and participated. The Spiritual leader of the Karen people also prayed in the Karen language.

The fellowship together after worship saw the intermingling of the two groups. We were reminded that these people from Burma were first evangelized by Adoniram Judson. One of the Karen young women is working with the summer youth program at Bethel. Several Karen children are attending the summer program.

For information about Bethel Neighborhood Center see our website: www.bethelcenter.org or call the Center at 913-371-8218.

First Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO Welcomes: Marlon A. Smith, Roberta Stevenson, Darrell

A. Robinson, Lisa F. Robinson, Alexandria Robinson and Betty Cauthon

GRR Directory Correction

Phone for Shurtleff Baptist Campus Ministry at SIU-Edwardsville, IL: 618-650-3248

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

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