THE MIDWEST CONNECTION

December 2023

In the spirit of giving this Christmas, would you consider giving

a year end gift to the ministry of Venture Church Network Midwest?

We are thankful for your support. Thank you.

Your Gift

Exploring More Meaningful Relationships

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.

I remember the famous quote by Neil Armstrong who was the first person to step on the moon. I was nine years old, and it was such an amazing experience to watch on TV. The quote was perfect, at least in my mind. It was an amazing first.

Exploring new relationships and networking within our region is a little like this. For some churches the idea of stepping out and helping others may seem like a giant leap. Others have developed relationships that they draw on regularly, so for them it feels a little more like a small step. Either way, we are exploring new things for the purpose of enhancing ministry and engaging in mission. Read More

Pastor Brad Little, Regional Executive Director

Venture Church Network Midwest

Exploring Ministry Expansion

I was in my early 30’s when I learned a new perspective on godly financial management. The lesson – financial management doesn’t require the answer always be “don’t spend”. I had gained a perspective that money will always be tight, there won’t ever surplus, and that good, godly people don’t spend money.

I began to see that personally we earn money to be used. Yes, managed. Yes, the future should be considered and thus savings and investing can be a wise use. And yes, spent.

I saw people that appreciated God’s provision, gained joy from going places, doing things, being generous, then going out to earn more to do the same. Read More

Pastor Rob Buhl

First Baptist Church, Whitehall, WI

Boy Was I Wrong!

Here at Creekside, we do our best to make everything we do excellent. We trust the Lord to bring whom He desires, but hopefully those who come will be so blessed they tell others, and those others will wish they’d gone, too. It regularly happens that we’ll hear someone say, “If I had known it was going to be that good, I would have tried harder to make it.”

Brothers in Ministry, November’s Pastors and Leadership Retreat in Lake Geneva was one of those events.

If you didn’t make it, you should wish you had.

I’ll confess, I went mostly because Brad Little is a dear friend, a tremendous mentor, and the leader of our region, and I felt I owed him at least my attendance at an event he poured so much into. I was asked to fill in a speaker’s slot, and that sealed the deal. I would make the time to go and hope it would be a blessing.

Boy, was it ever! Read More

Pastor James Perry

Creekside Bible Church, Marion, IA

There will be

No ENGAGE Forum in December

This is a very busy time of year with holiday preparations for ministry and family. Blessings to each of you as you prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We look forward to connecting with you via the ENGAGE Forum in the new year!

We'll re-ENGAGE in January 2024!

Watch for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Faithbridge Church of Park Rapids, MN has complete sets of Sunday School Curriculum for Pre-K - 6th grade available to any Venture Church that needs it. If interested, please contact Tracee Lindquist at traceelindquist@faithbridgepr.org

VCN is excited to offer a specialized retirement plan option through GuideStone to pastors and staff of churches in the Venture Church Network family. Read More

Logos Bible Users

Learn how to use Logos for EQUIPPING The Church to grow in grace and truth. Factbook, Guides, (Highlight: Passage Guide, Theology Guide and Topic Guide) and Courses Tool

Fed Rolls Out New Form I-9, Sunsets Key COVID-19 Deferment

All employers, including churches, are to begin using a new Form I-9, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced in late July. Form I-9 is required of employers to verify the identity and the employment authorization of their employees to work in the country. ChurchLaw&Tax