The Mainstream

GRR Calendar July

5-11: National ABY Gathering Estes Park, Colorado

Regional Associate Minister Serving Area II Changes

Church Celebrates “Miracle Sunday” Results

First Baptist Church of Virden, IL took a hard look at their finances recently and decided that something needed to happen - something miraculous - for the church to continue their ministry in the way they felt that God wanted. Through the direction of the American Baptist Area II office, the church was introduced to the concept of “Miracle Sunday.”

The idea of Miracle Sunday is simple. Together the congregation decides upon an amount needed to fulfill their goals. Then through a series of letters to current and past members and friends—they begin to focus upon and pray earnestly about that goal. A Sunday is chosen upon which to celebrate “Miracle Sunday.” Invitations are sent to attend a worship service in which the offering is taken and dedicated and a meal that is served following the service after which the total of the offering is announced. The offering is a onetime gift—no pledges are solicited and no one person’s gift is singled out over another. Each person is directed to give and be blessed as God has led them.

First Baptist Church of Virden set their sights upon a lofty goal of $25,000.00. A portion would include a sizable amount to be set aside to complete a remodeling project of the Sunday School area, to be dedicated to the memory of Dorothy Oller, a lifelong member of First Baptist.

Miracle Sunday was celebrated on June 8 with over 80 people in attendance. When the total amount was announced, the church celebrated the accomplishment of the goal; but more importantly, we celebrated the the assurance that prayer and faith can strengthen a body of believers and move others to take a more active and vital part in the ministry of a church fellowship that they love.

Submitted by Debbie Kershaw FBC Virden, IL

AMERICAN BAPTIST MEN and BOYS 2008 LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Friday Evening: Time of worship, fellowship and communion

Saturday:

Reach out to the community through project works and service to others

Disaster Relief: Update on this ministry. Come and see how you can be a part of a ministry that truly strives to help others.

Mission News

Mission Volunteers

The Great Rivers Region is very proud and thankful for two individuals who have recently served as mission volunteers.

Elizabeth Landau returned from the Czeck Republic in November 2007 after serving as a volunteer for a year. She served as an assistant to Lauren Bethel. Elizabeth is a graduate of William Jewell College and a member of FBC Kansas City, Mo

Daniel Baltz served as a volunteer with Ketley and Vital Pierre in Bluefields, Nicaragua for eight months, returning home at the end of April 2008. Daniel will be a freshman at Bethel College in Minneapolis in the fall of 2008. He is a member of FBC Aurora, IL.

When Ketley Pierre spoke at the recent International Ministries Conference in Cincinnati she told of the impact that Daniel, as an 18 year old volunteer, had on several ministries related to the Bethel Church in Bluefields, Nicaragua.

Missions Conference

The April 25-26 2008 GRR Mission Conference --- hosted by Cherry Hills Baptist Church in Springfield, IL --- was a great event as 225 persons participated.

Mission Conference “breakout” presentations were current and very timely. These included the response to Children in Poverty (featuring Elliott Ave, Virden FBC and the churches of north Greene County), resettlement of Karen Refugees, Women at Risk, the Baton Rouge Baptist Blitz Build and the Great Rivers Region Costa Rica Partnership.

As is often the case with this kind of event there was anticipation fulfilled as well as the unexpected surprise. As was expected there were missionary speakers, breakout groups, exhibits, good food, and great hospitality. The offering for Murrow Indian Children’s Home exceeded $3,000 and the offering for support of the Baton Rouge Baptist Build was $2,500. 6,000 pounds of books were gathered for the Used Book Depository.

The unexpected included a presentation by the Cherry Hills Men’s Chorus, participation by Joan Brown (Murrow Indian Children’s Home), Ben Sullivan (Anadarko), and Barbara Hartnett (Peoria Friendship House), the three 2008-2010 National Ministries Special Interest Missionaries for the Great Rivers Region, and the music presentations by two Karen men from FBC Moline, IL.

Evaluations for the event were unanimous in approval of having the event at the end of April rather than in January as in past years.

GRR Ministers Conference

Harvest Time:

Self Care For the Worker

Friday October 3, 2008

Holiday Inn Convention Center

Presenter: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thome -bilingual (English/Spanish) faith-based, counseing psychologist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania.

Worship Leader: Rev. Cheri Grizzard,

Dr. Leroy Mitchell:

Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb, Il.

Dr. Terry Minchow-Proffitt:

First Baptist Church, Carbondale, IL Welcomes: Craig Holt

First Baptist Church, Champaign, Savoy, IL Welcomes: Nan Picchietti Audrey Skelton, Shawn Birt, Julie Gibson and Carol Hahn

First Baptist Church, East Alton, IL Welcomes: Paula Boone, Ricky Boone, Carrie Boone, and Brett Boone

First Baptist Church, Girard, IL Welcomes: Harold Huston and Pearl Huston

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@comcast.net