Thank you to all
who have served to keep this great country free!
THE
CENTRAL CONNECTION
July 2018

"We are an organization of churches that is committed
to the mission of Christ to multiply disciple-making churches
through evangelism, leadership training, and connection with
other like-minded churches."

FROM THE DIRECTOR
“Putting Our Liberty At Risk”
Pat Phinney
CB North Central Regional Director

" I remember walking through Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. and I saw these signs posted everywhere, “Freedom is not cheap!” All of us want to be free, need to be free, ought to be free. But wait, does God really say it is OK to be free? You decide."   Read More
Karen's Update

Believe it or not, we see light at the end of the tunnel. It has been 315 days since Karen’s diagnosis of Ovarian cancer and what a ride it has been. There has been a series of bad news and good news along the journey. We love the good news. 
With Love,
Pat & Karen Phinney
CLUSTER GROUP DIRECTOR
"When Things Get Hard—Should One Quit?"
Central MN Cluster Group left to right:
Brad Little, Pat McBride, David Breederland, Stephen Schoenwald seated, Larry Hegerle-layman from West Concord, & Dan Vesta-layman from Hastings. 
"I have been reading in the book of Acts for my quiet time lately. There are so many life lessons in those chapters. One of the “truths” that stood out to me in this reading is no matter who or where the church was there were challenges."  

              “We throw in the towel over trivial things. 
“I wasn’t greeted appropriately by an usher.” 
“The seats at church are too hard.” 
“Pastor’s sermons are too ….”” 


Pastor Eldon Carlson
CB North Central, Regional Cluster Group Director
2018 Henry C. Spicer Scholarship Winners

CB North Central continues to invest in future spiritual leaders by offering the Henry C. Spicer Scholarship. Graduating high school seniors from our region's churches are eligible to make application for the one-time non-renewable scholarship to help with the costs of continuing education. The proposed area of study need not be ministry related, as past recipients have declared future plans in a diversity of fields. We rejoice that our Lord may use our young people in any chosen vocation.
 
This year's scholarship committee has selected four graduating students that excelled in many areas. Selection is made based on a number of items, 1) personal testimony and church recommendations, 2) academic performance, 3) servant leadership, both church and community related, 4) extra-curricular activities, 5) future pursuits, and 6) financial need. There were many fine applicants and the committee was encouraged by reading through testimonies and future plans of each student.

The following are the 2018 Henry C. Spicer Scholarship recipients: Sarah Grover, Mackenzie Meyers, Katherine Stacy, and Schuyler Wetzig.

A special thank you to the 2018 Scholarship Committee: Pastor Art Georges, Living Hope Community Church, Bartonville, IL; Pastor Andrew Powell, Grace Church, Mahomet, IL; Pastor Gerad Hall, Wildwood Baptist Church, East Moline, IL. Thank you for your gift of time and commitment to help further the education of these fine young students.
Sarah Grover
Ganson Street Baptist Church, Jackson, MI
Attending Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
Mackenzie Meyers
Oak Park Community Church, Blaine, MN
Attending University of Northwestern
St Paul, MN
Katherine Stacy
First Baptist Church, Long Prairie, MN
Attending Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Schuyler Wetzig
Ravenna Baptist Church, Ravenna, MI
Attending Bryan College
Dayton, TN
AROUND THE REGION . . .
Interim Pastor Brian Thorstad praying for new pastor, Tyler Adams.
Left to right: Pastor Tyler Adams, Paul McNamee, Donna Thorstad, Daren Johnson, Pastor Brian Thorstad, Dave Turnide, Mike Thiesen.
Congratulations to Pastor Tyler Adams who was unanimously voted in as the new pastor for Oak Park Community Church in Blaine, MN. A 'passing the staff' service was celebrated on Sunday, July 8th as well as a 'sending forth' of Interim Pastor Brian Thorstad and his wife Donna. Please pray for our newest CBNC pastor and his family as they and Oak Park Community Church make this transition.
401 South 4th Street
Long Prairie, MN 56347
320) 732-2179
www.fbclongprairie.org
First Baptist Church, Long Prairie, MN is looking for a full time Director of Children’s Ministry and Young Adult Outreach. Follow this link to learn more. Job Opening

CBAmerica Chaplaincy
" Crisis Ministry: When a Sanctuary Becomes a Refuge "

"Within an hour, Amber posted a picture of the two individuals wanted by local authorities…. " These people are in my house someone call 911….”

-by Chaplain Brian Hargis, US Army, Hawaii
[Caption]


Rev. Andy Meverden
Director of Chaplaincy
CBAmerica.org
3686 Stagecoach Rd, Unit F
Longmont, CO 80504
6 Secrets of TURNAROUND Churches
I recently interviewed 19 pastors whose churches had moved from struggling to breakout. All of the pastors had been in the church at least four years, and all of them had reached points of frustration.

Then their churches began to reverse their decline and stagnation. Read more -by Thom Rainer, ChurchLeaders.com

Daring Preaching Engages the Culture: Does Yours?
No gospel worker who remains aloof from the culture where he goes to minister will have much effect on it. Read More -by Joe McKeever, Sermoncentral.com

Crafting a Strong Sermon: 10 Check Points
It's not "10 easy steps" to preaching, but practical help to make sure your work is sound and true. Read More -by Outreach, Inc. , Sermoncentral.com
PLEASE PRAY for the Following Churches in Transition
Noelridge Park Church - Cedar Rapids, IA
First Baptist Church - Detroit Lakes, MN
First Baptist Church - Jackson, MN
Faithbridge Church - Park Rapids, MN
Faith Baptist Church - Kenmare, ND
First Baptist Church - New Richmond, WI
CB North Central Cluster Groups

Central Minnesota
Monday, August 13, 10am to Noon
Meeting at River of Live Church, Hastings, MN
Steve Schoenwald, River of Life Church, Hastings, MN
651-437-3965 sdschoenwald@gmail.com

Southwest Minnesota
Tuesday, August 7th, 11am to 1pm
Bring a lunch
Meeting at First Baptist Church, 921 Hills Ave, Jackson, MN
Walt Moser, First Baptist Church, Luverne, MN
507-283-4091 PastorWalt.Moser@gmail.com

Wisconsin
Family picnic at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls on Friday, August 17th, 6pm.
Also plan for a men's retreat on Friday and Saturday, Sept 28-29, at Arrowhead Bible Camp in New Auburn, WI.
Eldon Carlson, Bloomer, WI
715-568-1979 ecarlson@bloomer.net
Wade Duroe, Crossroads Church, Chippewa Falls, WI
715-723-1054 Wljc12@hotmail.com

Iowa
Next Meeting to be Announced
Jay Jentink, Calvary Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
319-396-3233 office@calvarycr.org

Illinois
Next Meeting to be Announced
Art Georges, Living Hope Community Church, Bartonville, IL
309-633-0028 art@livinghopecentral.org

Michigan
Next Meeting to be Announced
Nate Wagner, Sparta Baptist Church, Sparta, MI
616-887-8813 nate@spartabaptist.org


SERVICES & INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CB NORTH CENTRAL
Below you will find a partial list of the many services provided
by CB North Central, click on any image for more information.
Placement Services
for Pastors Seeking a Position
FREE Demographic Report for Your Church & Community
Listing of All
CB North Central
Churches
Church Assessment Tool
How Healthy is Your Church?


501c3 Tax Exempt Status
for Associated Churches

Discount Software
thru Microsoft
Volume Licensing
Compensation Guidelines for Pastors & Staff

Interim Pastor Services through IPM
Henry C. Spicer
Scholarship Awards
Background Check Resources
Retirement
Information
Placement Services for Churches Seeking a Pastor
CB North Central
PO Box 490441, Blaine, MN 55449

Pat Phinney
Regional Executive Director
patp@cbnorthcentral.org
Pat's Office: 952-322-7173
Pat's Cell: 952-500-3743

Wendy Jonasen, Administrative Assistant
wendyj@cbnorthcentral.org
763-205-9330
Administrative Office Hours:
Tues. and Fri. 8am - Noon (remote office)
Weds. and Thurs. 8am - 2pm (CBNC office)

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