Church Revitalization Initiative (CRI)
About the CRI
The Church Revitalization Initiative is designed to come beside committed pastors and church leaders who are willing to do what it takes to revitalize their church. We know that we are living in difficult times; that is why we want to be of assistance to you. The regional staff and the CRI Coordinator have put together a process that we think will help you and we have also put together a team of qualified people to assist you in your area(s) of need. We don’t have all the answers, but we do have people who are willing to assist you.
The Church Revitalization Initiative (CRI) is designed to support pastors and lay leaders to use prayer, the gifts of the Spirit, written resources, and personal coaching to strengthen and revitalize churches seeking guided direction. There is no cost whatsoever to churches who choose to take part in CRI.
September 2025
This morning as I looked out my office window, I saw that fall is here. The change of the seasons is always very interesting to me, because it reminds me that our lives are in constant change. In these changes, we have the opportunity to draw closer to Him. As I continue to have the privilege of working with pastors across the Great Rivers Region, I see pastors and church leaders who are embracing the importance of change. A prime example of this is First Baptist Church of Whitehall. Pastor Gary Sheets has this to share with us about where he and his church are in the Revitalization process:
“I’m committed to CRI and thank God that the GRR had a vision years ago to help, strengthen and revitalize existing churches. I saw what it did in my last ministry for a 100-year-old church in an inner-city environment that totally changed but the church didn’t. Now God has blessed me with a rural smalltown church at White Hall, Illinois. In 2026, First Baptist will be 200 years old. The town has lost all its industry, 2/3 of Main Street and over half of its farm families. The pandemic almost became the death knell for the church. In 11 months, I’ve used CRI principles and morning worship has gone from 20s to 40-50. I’ve had church leadership read Rainer’s “Autopsy of a Deceased Church, the first CRI book, and now The Checklist. Our prayer team is forming and met once already. Our Leadership of the church officially signed on 2 months ago and that team is forming. We’re not just going to celebrate 200 Years in 2026 but with The Holy Spirit create a church desiring and looking for Jesus’ return!”
Please continue to pray for our CRI pastors and their church leaders as they move their churches through Revitalization.
Wally Holt
CRI Coordinator