American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region

Together, the members of the churches of the Great Rivers Region express their love for our Savior by reaching out to neighbors in their communities, state, nation, and throughout the world.

The ABC GRR - formed and employed by the churches - helps these members identify needs and send themselves and their financial gifts to those in need.
$10,000 in OGHS Emergency Relief Funds Provided for Victims of the Philippine Typhoon. Additional Relief Aid Urgently Needed
Washington IL devasted by F4 190 mph tornado; This and multiple other tornados killed and injured many and destroyed homes from Pekin IL to Chicago.
We have received no word of church facilities being damaged. However, we have received several reports of church families experiencing losses. ABMen Disaster Team leaders are meeting with state officials in two locations this morning for damage assessment and possible assignments. One Great Hour of Sharing funds are available for relief and rescue efforts.

Mission:

Sharing God's Love
Philippines
After Tornados:

Give Hope

Save the Dates...

Areas' Spring Gatherings

Each spring, each of the 5 Areas (geographical / administrative "areas" of the Great Rivers Region) sponsor an opportunity for the churches to gather for worship, fellowship, reunion, and learning.

Area I: March 8, Dixon First Baptist

Area II: March 9, Elliot Ave. Baptist

Area III: March 15, Second Baptist, Peoria

Area IV: March 30, Greenville First Baptist

Area V: March 8, Pleasant Grove, St. Louis

In response to the many hours of prayer, conversations, and work described in the right column of this page, Executive Minister Dwight Stinnett:

"Brian [Romanowski],

This sounds good. Thank you for all your work. If this is going to work, I see no reason that we can't ask GRR churches to contribute $$$ to the project. We may not be able to raise $80,000, but I am sure we could come up with some." Dwight

Will you and your church help out? This is an opportunity for your service and your giving.

If you have not been led by God to help others go on mission projects outside this country because there are so many needs here at home, this is your chance to make a difference here!

Mission Continues in Post-tornado, Gifford IL

Tornados hit Illinois again on February 20. 2014. Yet people from Gifford IL and several other communities are still trying to deal with the tornados of November 17, 2013.

American Baptist Men's Disaster Relief teams have been helping residents of Gifford IL clean up.

Clean up is the first step. American Baptists are actively working behind the scenes exploring ways to partner with Habitat for Humanity and area churches to help take the next step: rebuilding.

The Goal: Build 5 new homes; rehab 5 damaged homes.

The Need: $80,000 per new home. Grants are being pursued to help rehab the 5. Volunteers to help build, places for volunteers to stay during the effort, partnerships for raising the funds noting that most churches could not raise enough to sponsor a home, but several together could.

The Plan: To start in May/June.

The Response: Victoria Goff of ABC-USA and Brian Romanowski of GRR ABM's Disaster Relief and Pastor of Mahomet First Baptist Church) are praying and recruiting volunteers and dollars.

- Champaign University Baptist Church (Pastor Brett Smith) has offered housing space for the summer to volunteers for this rebuild

- Rantoul First Baptist (Pastor Ken Crawford) has hosted teams during the cleanup and will offer this again for the rebuild.

- First Baptist Church of Champaign is offering to help.

More Info: Brian Romanowski, Mahomet FBC