THE CENTRAL CONNECTION
December 2021
"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."
|
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.
|
|
A Light in a Very Dark World |
|
“Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.” – Matthew 4:12-16
|
|
|
|
Pastor Brad Little, Regional Executive Director
Venture Church Network Midwest (CBNC)
|
|
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 2022!
Watch for more information.
|
|
This month I want to take time to share some of the exciting things happening on the Youth Ministry side of things in our region. We are having the first Arctic Advance winter camp at the end of January! We are meeting at Camp Victory in Zumbro Falls, MN. I have been so encouraged to see God’s leading as a small group of Youth Pastors began talking about gathering our students together, and now seeing it all come together.
Our goal, as we started talking about having a winter retreat, was to host a quality retreat that would inspire students to grow closer to Christ in community. My drive in the Youth Pastor Collaboration stems from this. As believers, we are meant to exist in community. The church is built on the people who gather. I have been greatly encouraged by the conversations and meetings with fellow Youth Pastors, and I desire for our students to see the larger picture of Christ’s Kingdom.
The theme for this year’s Arctic Advance is Better Together. We are looking at how when we exist in Christian community, we can love God, love others, and make disciples better together. Registration is open to all Venture Churches and can be found at https://thestone.life/arcticadvance. You can also find more information by visiting the Arctic Advice VCN Facebook page or contacting me.
Please be praying for our network Youth Pastors as we work on final details for the weekend. Please be praying for students to come with a hunger to hear God’s Word!
|
|
|
|
In Christ,
Chuck Babbitt, Youth Pastor
Bloomer, Baptist Church, Bloomer, WI
youth@bloomerbaptistchurch.com
|
|
Youth Pastors, here's an opportunity for your students to get together
with other Christian teens. Use the QR code for information and to register.
If you have questions please contact
Youth Pastor, Chuck Babbitt at youth@bloomerbaptistchurch.com.
|
|
|
|
DelRoy Johnson, founding pastor of Oak Park Community Church in Blaine, MN passed away 11-23-21 at the age of 84. We are thankful for the many years he faithfully served VCNMidwest (CBNC) prior to his retirement. He is loved by his large family, his church family, and many colleagues, softball players & students from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul where he was a professor.
Please support DelRoy's wife Patty, and their family with your prayers.
|
|
New Year Retirement Planning |
|
|
|
In my childhood we weren’t dirt poor. We always had some food, and we always had some clothes. We usually had some gifts at Christmas and on our birthdays. But I could feel the financial pressure in my home. There were a few periods which were especially lean and those were the years that my dad pastored a small rural church. Several contributing factors lead to us leaving that church and my dad leaving the pastorate and one of them was the financial strain.
Pastor Rob Buhl, First Baptist Church, Whitehall, WI
|
|
PLEASE PRAY for the Following Churches in Transition
First Baptist church - Colfax, IA
Calvary Community Church - Lancaster, WI
|
|
YEAR END GIVING:
Gifts received by Venture Church Network Midwest postmarked on or before December 31st will be credited to the 2021 contribution records. Anything postmarked January 1st or after will go toward your 2022 giving records. Thank you for your continued support and blessings to each of you in the coming year!
VCNMidwest Offices Closed for the Holidays:
The Venture Church Network Midwest offices will be closed from December 25 thru January 2.
|
|
|
|
Venture Church Network (CBAmerica) Chaplaincy |
|
Across America, and around the world, Venture Church Network chaplains have ministered on every continent, on every ocean, and in every time zone, in a wide variety of ministries, Federal, State, and Local. Our chaplains serve in all branches of the US Military, (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, & Coast Guard) and its components (Active, Guard, Reserve & Auxiliary); plus the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Veterans Health Administration. Others serve in civilian chaplaincies; in hospital, hospice, corrections, law enforcement, fire, motorsports, Veteran, and Wounded Warrior settings. |
|
|
|
Contact Us at:
PO Box 7586
Goodyear, AZ 85338
720-283-3030
|
|
|
|
Rev. Randy L. Brandt, Chaplain, Colonel, USA Ret.
Director of Chaplaincy, Venture Church Network
Cell: 913-904-8746
|
|
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. . . |
|
|
|
Best Analogy of the Existence of the Invisible God I’ve Ever Heard
"My daughter-in-law sent me this story by Hungarian writer Útmutató a Léleknek. It is the best analogy of the existence of the invisible God that I have ever heard." Read More
-by Patrick Morley, Churchleaders.com
|
Tips for Christmas Event Safety
"Beautiful decorations can be hazards if you’re not careful." Read More
-by Jeff Hanna, Churchlawandtax.com
|
Breaking Out of the Loneliness and Discouragement Cycle in Ministry
"Loneliness and discouragement are often connected in a vicious circle. One leads to the other. They feed off each other. When compounded together, church leaders often feel trapped and hopeless." Read More
-by Sam Rainer, Churchanswers.com
|
|
Venture Church Network Midwest (CBNC) CLUSTER GROUPS |
|
Illinois
To Be Decided
Iowa
To Be Decided
Jay Jentink, Calvary Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, IA
Michigan
Wednesday, December 15, 9:30am (EST)
Zoom Meeting
Allen Grover, Ganson Street Baptist Church, Jackson, MI
517-740-8961 pastorallen@gansonstreet.org
Northern Minnesota/North Dakota
Tuesday, January 4, 1pm (Central time)
Virtual Meeting - Zoom
Josh Emmel, Faith Baptist Church, Kenmare, ND
218-368-9292 emmel.josh@gmail.com
Central Minnesota
Monday, December 20, 10am
Meeting at River of Life Church
Steve Schoenwald, River of Life Church, Hastings, MN
Southern Minnesota
To Be Decided
Walt Moser, First Baptist Church, Luverne, MN
Wisconsin
Thursday, January 20, Noon
Wade Duroe, Crossroads Church, Chippewa Falls, WI
VCNMidwest Youth Pastor Collaboration
No Meeting in December
Chuck Babbitt, Bloomer Baptist Church, Bloomer, WI
515-230-0774 youth@bloomerbaptistchurch.com
|
|
NEED DIRECTION,
NEED A RESOURCE???
has answers to many of your questions.
Not finding what you need,
contact the VCNMidwest Administrative Office or
Regional Executive Director, Brad Little.
|
|
|
Venture Church Network Midwest
(CB North Central)
PO Box 490441, Blaine, MN 55449
Dr. Brad Little
VCNMidwest (CBNC)
Regional Executive Director
763-350-4263
Administrative Office
Regular Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 8am - 1pm
Closed for the Holidays: December 25 thru January 2
Wendy Jonasen, Administrative Assistant
763-205-9330
|
|
All articles and submissions are the view of the individual writer and are not necessarily the official position of Venture Church Network Midwest. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
