Who Are American Baptists? Participate in the Baptist History and Polity course offered August 24 - 25. Learn more in the August 14 edition of The Mainstream. This experience is offered by the GRR's Alternative Ministerial Education program. It is open to all. This course is required for those who are seeking ordination.
GRR's Own Invite you and your church to Join in the GRReat Offering Follow this link to Paul Gibson's letter and links to resources composed for you and your church.
The above also on YouTube
The above also on YouTube
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Ministers’ Conference and The Rivers Growth Conference! We will be meeting at First Baptist Church of Bloomington IL on September 27 - 29 2018, hosted by our churches in Area I and III. Read more in the July 24 issue of The Mainstream.
Registration (Register - and pay securely - online)
Congratulations to GRR Administrative Assistant Debbie Naugle on 20 years of service with the ABC Great Rivers Region. Read more in upcoming issue of The Mainstream.
Click here, to give to support ministry and mission.
Coming this Summer...
Sturgis Mission: August 4 - 12
Read the newest edition of the Mainstream - including announcement of Tony Campolo and Sharon Koh joining us for our Annual Gathering
2018 Annual Gathering: Church Highlight Pages
It was so GREAT to see last years’ highlights sent by churches to be included in the Annual Gathering Program Book. Last year we asked for churches' highlights of the 50 years we celebrated as a Region. Your great response has led us to request this again this year.
If your church would like to be involved, please submit one paragraph describing a particular highlight(s) that took place along with a photo/photos depicting that highlight, keeping it to one page giving each church in the GRR the opportunity to share a specific highlight to be published in our Program Book this year.
This is a way to reach out to our other churches and let them see what has been going on in our Region.
Please submit your paragraph/photo(s) NO LATER THAN August 6th .
Send to debbie@abcgrr.org
Thank you. We look forward to your highlights.
C hurch R evitalization
I nitiative
With great excitement we introduce to the Great Rivers Region Churches the Church Revitalization Initiative (CRI).
The Church Revitization Initiative is designed to help committed Pastors and church leaders who are willing to do what it takes to revitalize their church. The Initiative is comprised of pastors and church leaders who have helped lead their churches to healthy revitalized congregations.
If you are feeling stagnant and/or undecided how to move forward, please email me (wallyholt63@gmail.com) and we can discuss your situation and determine if the team can be of service to you. We know that we are living in difficult times and that is why we want to be of assistance to you. In Proverbs 20:18, we read the following: “plans succeed through good counsel;…”.
Since we are all one family (of God), the region has put together this initiative so that all will know we are there for each other. If you think you may be interested in some counsel concerning the health/vitality of your church, please contact me.
Wally Holt, CRI Coordinator
Annual Gathering and Ministers Conference 2018
Ministers Conference - September 27 Annual Gathering - September 28 - 29, Bloomington IL. Get to know our speakers David Fitch and Shane Claiborne (GRR Online Calendar)
*Claiborne * *Campolo * *Fitch*
September 28, 29 Bloomington IL
Walter Brueggemann will headline "Space for Grace 2018: Thy Will Be Done", an initiative of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies, November 14 - 16 in Philadelphia. Registration now open.
Helping our Puerto Rico Sister Churches
American Baptist Home Mission Societies: Personnel Hired to Support ‘Rebuilding, Restoring, Renewing Puerto Rico'
Check out the Initiative Announced:
Press Release | Covenant | Registration Form
Churches, prayerfully consider this much needed mission.
Read Pastoral letter of the General Secretary of the ABC USA focuses on our response to outbreaks of violence in our country and elsewhere.
Read Paul Gibson's update of concern for Puerto Rico
See update in the February 22 edition of The Mainstream
How to help? Pray! Give to One Great Hour of Sharing! 100% of your financial gift will go to those affected. The abc-usa.org site has more information and contact information. You may make an online donation by clicking on this direct link at the American Baptist Home Mission Societies site.
Check out the America For Christ 2018 Video, "Making God Known"
For you reflection and planning browse the Parish Paper and Growth Point articles, sent to churches by e-mail and archived on this web site.
2018 Annual Gathering with Shane Claiborne
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
