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 309-259-0065Opens in a new window or by e-mail at wallyholt63@gmail.com.Opens in a new window

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CRI Report

March 2024

There are lots of great things going on in our CRI churches. Here is one example:  Pastor Zach Dyrda shares what is going on at Faith Connection Church (Manhattan, IL):

“Faith Connection is having a great time. We are so thankful for CRI. Just from Pentecost of 2023 to 2024, we have baptized 8 people (two youth, four children, and two adults), welcomed 3 as new members, and (because we are a Federated church of ABCUSA and UMC) confirmed two. We have had 7 new people walk through our doors since the beginning of the year. We also have 10 new active attendees this year. So, we are growing and showing interest. We have become the talk of the town this spring as we started our ecumenical Lenten services. We had such a service with fantastic music and a good message that people are still discussing it weeks later. I hold our progress, growth, and energy to the bold steps the Lord has led us with. We hired our first worship leader to elevate our services. We also had more children attending, so we hired our first-ever children’s director for our Sunday gathering time. We are just excited with the new energy we have in the congregation. We also have many upcoming events planned for the summer. Being a small church, we recognize that we have something going on, engaging the church or the community every two weeks until Christmas 2024. We know there is still room to grow, and we always try new things while seeking where God may call us. Faith Connection is thankful for the region and its support.”

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

Wally Holt

CRI Coordinator

SAVE THE DATE for the 2024 Great Rivers Region Gathering!

First Baptist Church, Peoria, IL

Many more details to come!