Together - United in Community

THE

CENTRAL CONNECTION

July 2019

"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."

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FROM THE DIRECTOR

“United in Community”

The beauty about being a disciple of Jesus Christ in this world is that God uses everyday experiences to remind us about Truth. I had such an experience on July 2. The place was floor ten (cancer level) of the Gonda Building of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Why Mayo? Karen has been invited to participate in a clinical trial for the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. As we were waiting to receive the first treatment, I had this incredibly warm sense of community come over me. As I looked over the vast room, there were at least 50 cancer patients waiting for appointments. I felt so safe. You could give eye contact to those battling the dreadful disease to say, “I don’t know you, but I understand your journey.” We were all there collectively with a unified purpose in seeking our own miracle. It was powerful. I wanted to hand out hugs and say, “It’s going to be ok. We are all in this together.” Read More

Pat Phinney

CB North Central Regional Director

Our Update

Famous western author Louis L’Amour said, “Once you have read a book you care about, some part of it is always with you.” Every one of us is living out a “book of life” that changes from chapter to chapter. In the book for Pat and Karen Phinney, there have been so many wonderful things written during our journey of forty-three years. They are things like a wonderful marriage, beautiful children and grandchildren, the best calling ever in serving the church, great friends, amazing experiences, disappointments and now the battle against cancer. You have followed us along so faithfully in seventeen monthly updates about the progress and challenges of Karen’s illness. This month, we begin a new chapter in our book of life. Read More

Pat and Karen Phinney

CLUSTER GROUP DIRECTOR

"The Value of Association"

I recently took a road trip to Windom, MN to speak at First Baptist’s worship service. My wife & I arrived on Saturday and had the privilege of staying with a lovely retired couple—the Nickels. They had been a part of the church for over 25 years and as we talked Saturday evening, we discovered many overlapping relationships—even though we had never met before.

Mary Alice told her story. She grew up in Ogallala, Nebraska and at an early age was taken to the Berean Church by folks. Her folks and 7 siblings never did attend. My interest sparked because my brother married a girl from Ogallala at the same church some 8 years after Mary Alice and Rodney were married. They hadn’t met my sister-in-law, but she too had a similar experience. A nameless person from the church had picked her up too and taken her to Sunday School. Was it worth it? In hindsight I would say a resounding yes. Two extended families were forever changed by the sacrifice of a person or persons who left early for church to pick up a small child.

An interesting follow-up: we had to leave early for Sunday School that morning because Rodney and Mary Alice were picking up a child that needed a ride to Sunday School.

Pastor Eldon Carlson

CBNC Regional Cluster Group Director

AROUND THE REGION

2019 Henry C. Spicer Scholarship Winners

It is again the privilege of CB North Central to award the Henry C. Spicer Scholarship to several of our graduating high school seniors. All g raduating high school seniors from our region's churches are eligible to make application for the one-time non-renewable scholarship. The scholarship aims 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 desires to 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. This year’s applicants were all outstanding and the committee was encouraged by reading through testimonies and future plans of each student.

A special thank you to the 2019 Scholarship Committee: Pastor Andrew Powell, Grace Church, Mahomet, IL; Pastor Gerad Hall, future church planter for CB NC; Pastor Art Georges, Living Hope Community Church, Bartonville, IL. Thank you for your gift of time and commitment to help further the education of these fine young students.

The following are the 2019 Henry C. Spicer Scholarship recipients:

Hannah Bennett

Bethany Community Church

Washington, IL

Attending University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX

Sophia Kyllo

New Life Church, Wanamingo, MN

Attending University of Northwestern, St Paul, MN

Jack Lucas

Morrison Baptist Church, Mpls, MN

Attending University of Northwestern

St Paul, MN

Alexa Schroeder

Bethany Baptist Church, Edwards, IL

Attending Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN

W ELCOME Pastor Conner McMakin, new pastor of First Baptist Church, Spring Lake, MI. Pastor McMakin began his new ministry on 6-30-19. Please pray for him and the congregation at First Baptist during this time of transition.

NEW CHURCH PLANT-

Gerad Hall is a pastor in the Quad Cities area (Iowa cities Davenport & Bettendorf; Illinois cities Rock Island, Moline & East Moline) who is planning a new church plant. For more information click here . If you would like to contact Pastor Hall you can email him at Gerad.hall@gmail.com .

Overcoming the Fear of Starting

No. 1

Have you ever climbed a mountain? Perhaps you’ve stood perched in starting blocks as a starter’s pistol raised into the air. If you have, do you remember the sensation in your gut? The one where the anticipation of what is seconds away causes life to slow down to a timeless moment. For some this moment is one where you feel most alive, because you have a drive to compete. The adrenaline and endorphins from competition followed by the satisfaction of completion at the finish line makes for a good day. Read More

Pastor Gerad Hall

theStone Church

"In a small town not more than 50 miles west of the Mississippi River sits a church. A church that is filled with folks, young and old, who love the Lord. In just a short amount of time, theStone Church has not only gone through a name change, lead pastor change, as well as a management restructuring, but they have increased in attendees by over 150 people, and that number is growing."

Read More -by SermonCentral.com

Is Your Leadership the Moses Model or the Jesus Model?

"He was the shepherd, they were the sheep—and sheep do not morph into shepherds." Read More -by Ray Hollenbach, SermonCentral.com

Should You Support Your Spouse When You Disagree With Them?

"God calls married couples to live in unity, but unity does NOT always mean uniformity. A husband and wife should be unified in their commitment to each other and their core convictions, but every couple is going to have different personalities, different perspectives, and different opinions. In those moments of disagreement, how should we respond?" Read More -by Dave Willis, ChurchLeaders.com

The Prayers of the Spirit

"According to Paul we are weak and stand in need of the help of the Spirit of God. When we don’t know how to pray, the Spirit of God helps us!" Read More

-by Dr. Josh Bruice, ChurchLeaders.com