FLOW
"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them."
Who We Are
American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region is a resource for challenging, empowering, assisting and representing the American Baptist faith communities in Illinois (excluding Cook, DuPage and Lake counties) and Missouri as we live out our ministry together. Mission and Ministry is our purpose and nature.
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A Brief Word from Our Executive Ministry Team
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” — Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Dear GRR Family,
As we step into a new year, our hearts overflow with gratitude for God’s abundant blessings. We have witnessed His provision, His grace, and His faithfulness time and again. Truly, God has been good to us.
Yet Scripture reminds us that God’s ability far exceeds our expectations. What lies ahead is not limited by what we have seen before. God is always at work, often in ways beyond what we can imagine or predict.
I am reminded of a small church that prayed for modest growth, only to see God expand their ministry far beyond what they expected—not through numbers alone, but through transformed lives and renewed purpose. God delights in blessing His people in ways that surprise and encourage them.
I am excited that 2026 will bring many opportunities to gather across the region and denomination. Mark your calendar now as information will be forthcoming:
April 20-23: Great Lakes Leadership Conference with ABC-MI, ABC-IN/KY, and ABC-Ohio in Cedar Lake, IN
April 21-23: Space for Grace and Spiritual Caregivers Conference, Cleveland, Ohio
June 14-18: Mountains and Prairies Youth Conference, Grand Prairie, Colorado
July 29-31: World Missions Conference, Orlando Florida
October 22: GRR Ministers’ Conference at FBC, Bloomington featuring Rev. Dr. Kathy Maxwell
**October 23-24: GRR Biennial Gathering at FBC, Bloomington with speakers Karl Vaters, Kathy Maxwell, Ryan Burge, and Carmen Weaver.**
Mission Trips are also being planned to Serbia and Costa Rica.
As we move forward, may we do so with thankful hearts and expectant spirits. Trusting God for “immeasurably more,” we step into this year confident that the best is yet to come.