The Mainstream
News of Ministry and Mission
American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region
July 2008 Email: grrabc@abc-grr.org web: www.abc-grr.org
GRR Calendar
August
8, 9 - Baptist History & Polity class led by Dr. Adrian Lamkin. Class hosted by East Peoria First Baptist Church
9 - Area I Senior Adult Day Blackhawk Baptist Camp
21 - Area II / III Senior Adult Day Lake Springfield Baptist Camp
September
5 - 7 - Area I Senior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp
11 - Sacred Boundaries Course Creekwood Baptist Church Rockford, IL
19 - 21 - Area I Junior High Retreat Blackhawk Camp
October
3 -GRR Ministers Conference Holiday Inn Convention Center Moline, IL
3 - 5 - GRR Annual Meeting at the Holiday Inn Convention Center Moline, IL
Great Rivers Region Youth Attend National American Baptist Youth Gathering
“What were you doing at 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning, July 9?” Over 20 Great Rivers students and adults climbed a mountain to watch the sun rise in Rocky Mountain National Park. Students climbed the mountain in darkness with glow sticks and flashlights. After the long hike to the top, students led a devotion and sang worship songs.
These students were part of a group of over 100 students from Great Rivers participating in the National Gathering of American Baptist Youth at the YMCA of the Rockeis, July 5-11.
About 1,400 American Baptist Youth and Youth Sponsers attended this conference in Estes Park, Colorado.
Titled “More Than a Week,” the conference encouraged students to take what they learned home and apply it in their lives so it would truly last “More Than a Week.” Lives were changed-numerous Great Rivers youth accepted a call to ministry and rededicated their lives to Christ! Speakers (continued) for the conference included Duffy Robbins, Emmett Dunn, Yamina Apolinaris, Eboni Marshall, and Shane Claiborne.
Students also participated in small groups, workshops, and back-home devotions. Youth Leaders had the opportunity to participate in youth leader training through Bible studies, leadership sessions with Duffy Robbins and spiritual renewal sessions.
Thank you for your support to the America for Christ offering, which helps provide events like this for our students.”
Great Rivers Region Churches
Annual Gathering
Harvest Time
Date: October 3-5, 2008 Place: Holiday Inn Moline, IL Convention Center at the Airport Keynote Speaker: Mylinda Baits Missionary Partner in Costa Rica Friday Evening: Youth Ministry
Team Christian Comedian : Charles Marshall Saturday: Workshops GRR Mission Banquet - Costa Rica “Emerging Voices” To register or for more information:
www.abc-grr.org or 217-726-7366
Church News
From Winchester... The First Baptist Church of Winchester, IL sponsored a Community Patriotic Musical for our town. 5 different churches were involved: First Baptist, Methodist, Assembly of God, Grace Baptist, and St. Mark’s Catholic.
The choir presented a musical entitled, “God Bless the USA” under the direction of Rev. Sue Metcalf the pastor of First Baptist Church. This was enhanced by a large screen video presentation.
The American Legion and V.F.W. held a Posting of the Colors. Boy Scouts greeted people and gave them a program bulletin and an American Flag pin.
The Royal Neighbors of America group worked what we called the “Table of Thanks”. There were many different cards for people to sign sending words of encouragement and thanks to be sent to service men and women around the world.
Over 100 people were in attendance. We recognized and thanked all service men or women in attendance. It was a blessing to see the churches of one small town working together to thank God for our great country and thank the men and women in the military who are serving to keep our freedom in this country safe.
From Kansas City... Grace Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri recently made contact with the Karen (Burmese) refugee community that is being resettled about four miles from the church.
Five families, or about 25 people, have attended worship and other events at the church. Pictured is the youth choir singing a song for “peace in our land” and the She Sho Group choir singing about “loving our neighbors.” The Karen have been in refu
gee camps in Thailand for over 20 years. This community of Karen are recent arrivals in the U.S. -- some have come within the last several weeks. Jewish Vocational Services is the resettlement agency for them here in Kansas City. Grace Baptist Mission Committee has joined with JVS to befriend and mentor the Karen. We are learning from each other and enjoying the Spirit at work in our midst. The connection with the Karen began almost 200 years ago when missionary Adoniram Judson went to Burma and evangelized the Karen
From Sparland...
First Baptist Church, Sparland, IL is experiencing blessings flowing out from its first “share” garden - a 30’ by 50’ plot. The garden is full and growing crazy! We plan to share its fruits with the entire church first and then those in Sparland who are in need.
On Sunday, June 22, church members, Randy and JahnNelle Shofner hosted the first Children’s Fishing Derby. The 21 kids caught 142 fish. All received ribbons and some received trophies.
Several men have signed up to attend the Promise Keepers Conference in Peoria this August.
We have had many praises thanks to God and our Prayer Warriors who meet every Wednesday evening. We bring up concerns for the week and take them to the Lord. Amazing things are happening in Sparland!
Senior Adult Days Area I: August 9. 2008 Place: Blackhawk Baptist Camp Time: 9:30 a.m. Registration Speakers: Area I Youth Ministry
Team Cost: $10.00 Swimming Pool will be open
Areas II and III: August 21, 2008 Place: Lake Springfield Camp Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost: $12.00
GRR Ministers Conference
Harvest Time:
Self Care For the Worker
Friday October 3, 2008
Holiday Inn Convention Center
Moline, IL
Presenter: Dr. Yvonne Martinez Thome -bilingual (English/Spanish) faith-based, counseing psychologist practicing in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania.
Worship Leader: Rev. Cheri Grizzard,
Pastor of Worship and Community Life, First Baptist Church, Peoria, IL
Preachers:
Dr. Leroy Mitchell:
Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb, Il.
Dr. Terry Minchow-Proffitt: Pastor of Delmar Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO
Our Great Rivers Region Baptist Family Is Growing!
Elliott Avenue Baptist Church, Springfield, IL Welcomes:
Shadow Cook, LaDarius Donald, LaMarco Donald, Selena Harris, Cassidy Haynes and Dawana Stone
Park Place Baptist Church, Montgomery, IL Welcomes:
Howard Alrich, Mary Alrich, Barry Norris, Blanche Norris, Anthony Romo and Marie Romo
Central Baptist Church, Quincy, Il Welcomes: Brianny Thomas, Joanne Sigler, Susan Wilson, Russell Wilson, Dorothy Mahla, Karlie Donald, Steven Donald, Sandra Donald, Melanie Nall, Zachery Dees, Vision Ayalew, Mary Dees, Ryanna Kelley, and Sarah Wilson
Northern Baptist Church, West Frankfort, IL Welcomes: Luke Pond, Becky Sloan, Kurt Leberman, Mary Lynn Whitlow, and Bob Whitlow
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
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