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.

There are presently 16 churches in the CRI ranging in size from 20 to over 100. Pastors and church leaders are working very hard to help their churches go through the process of revitalization.

If you are interested in getting involved in the CRI, contact the CRI Coordinator, Wally Holt, at 309-259-0065 or by e-mail at wallyholt63@gmail.com.

CRI Report – December 2024

What an incredible year we have had in Church Revitalization Initiative. At the end of 2024 we have 25 active churches in the Initiative. It is so exciting being a part of a Network of Pastors and Church leaders who are committed to church revitalization. When the Initiative started in 2017, I knew God had great plans, but I just didn’t know how great they were. As we look ahead to the future, I continue to see God working in so many different ways. In 2025, I am so pleased to welcome Pastor Jim Wolfe to be a partner with me in the Initiative. His zeal and expertise for ministry will be a huge asset to our pastors and church leaders who are committed to church revitalization and to me. It continues to be interesting how God is working with our pastors and church leaders. It will be a continued goal of mine to have part of article each month be committed to what CRI pastors and churches are doing. Let me share these closing thoughts with you: The Bible says in Judges 6:39-40 (NLT) ³⁹ Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” ⁴⁰ So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew. The life of Gideon makes it clear that God can turn any scaredy-cat into a mighty warrior. As the story opens, Gideon is hiding from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord taps him on the shoulder and calls him to lead God’s people, the angel ignores the sound of Gideon’s knocking knees. Instead, he sees Gideon’s future and calls him “mighty hero.” When Gideon starts piling on excuses about why he’s the wrong guy, God shows him a morning-dew miracle to make his faith strong. But one miracle wasn’t enough. Gideon needs two more. God very kindly gave Gideon his morning dew. What about you? Do you need proof that God will do what he says before you will obey him? Sometimes he gives it, and sometimes he doesn’t.

Either way, you have to decide: Are you going to obey God or not? As we enter a new year, I know that God has great things in store for us if we obey him. I am praying that we all do our parts.  

Please continue to pray for our CRI pastors and their church leaders as they move their churches through Revitalization in the year 2025.

Wally Holt , CRI Coordinator