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.

October 2025

Are We Thankful People

Have you ever taken a Thanksgiving inventory? If you have, it probably went like this: Turkey-check. Cranberry Sauce-check. Pumpkin pie-check. Corn check, mashed potatoes and gravy check, dressing check, Rolls check, Pepto-Bismol-check! Let me share with you a better Thanksgiving inventory: Loving family-check. Good  friends-check. A roof over our heads-check. Food to eat-check. Clothes to wear-check. A church who loves me-check. A God that loves me-check. This is the kind of Thanksgiving inventory checklist we should be producing. A list of people and things you’re glad you have in your life. Things that cause you to be thankful to God because He has blessed you. Today

I would like to ask you a powerful question ARE WE THANKFUL PEOPLE? When my grandpa and mentor would pray, he would always say he was returning thanks. How do you feel about that thought? In other words, thinking about Thanksgiving in the context of giving thanks. Today I want to challenge you to talk to someone about what you are thankful for. My point is that all the good things that God wants to bring into your life sprout in the soil of thankfulness. In my opinion, We Can’t Say Thank You Lord Enough. So how do we do that?  I believe we can say thank you to the Lord by looking up, looking around, and looking within. I found this list:

Looking up and saying thank you Lord

For your sovereign control over our circumstances For your holy character in spite of our sinfulness

For your commitment to us even when we wander astray For your Word that gives us direction

For your love, that holds us close

For your gentle compassion in our sorrows

For your consistent faithfulness through our highs and lows For your strong “no” when we need to hear it.

For your surprising “yes” when we lack the faith to believe it. For your understanding when we are confused

For your Spirit that enlightens our eyes For your grace, that removes our guilt

Thank you, Lord, for all You are, all You do, all you say. If we were unable to look up into Your face, we would have no hope of eternal life. Thank you Lord!!!!

Looking around and saying thank you Lord

For our wonderful country, so blessed and unique For close family ties, so affirming, so enjoyable

For teachers, mentors, and personal heroes who spur us on For an opportunity to be of help and encouragement to others For hug from a friend who really cares

For the joy of seeing our children and grandchildren grow and learn For an occupation that enables us to make a living

For a place to live, clothes to wear, and food to eat Thank you, Lord, for such incredible abundance.

By just looking around, we are made aware of how rich we really are.

Looking within and saying thank you Lord

For the gift of good health, a hidden treasure easily overlooked For eyes that see the beauty of Your creation.

For minds that are curious, creative, and competent for memories of past pleasures and recent accomplishments

For ears that receive the world of sounds surrounding us For the special stimulation of taste and touch

For hands to work with, legs to walk with

For heartaches that focus us to rearrange our priorities

For broken dreams and lingering afflictions that humble us For the courage to tell the truth, though it hurts

For the determination to finish a demanding task

For a sense of humor, that brings healing and hope

Thanklessness is nothing new. Jesus notices those who are ungrateful.

We Cannot Say Thank You Lord Enough. That should be our Thanksgiving Inventory.

I am so thankful for the women and men that I have privilege to work with across the Great Rivers Region.

My prayer for all of us is that we all have amazing Thanksgiving season. Wally Holt

CRI Coordinator