When God says "No"

We are delighted to have Dr. Tim Blackburn from the NAB head office, come serve and worship with us this coming sunday.
Dr. Blackburn serves as the Senior Leader of Discipleship for the North
American Baptist Conference. His department of the NAB office is responsible for training and resourcing Regional Ministers, local pastors and church leaders throughout the US and Canada. Having pastored for 25 years in three churches ranging from a new church plant to a suburban church of over 1000, Tim brings an understanding of the unique dynamics of churches of all sizes and styles as they minister within NAB.
After serving in local churches Tim became the Regional Minister for the Great Lakes Association and resourced pastors and church leaders there for six years. Tim is a trainer for Growing a Healthy Church ministries and teaches many seminars to assist churches toward a balanced biblically healthy ministry. He is also a trained coach for Natural Church Development, and as such comes along side of church leaders as they evaluate the health of their church and then facilitates intentional strategies to develop new vision and increased ministry effectiveness. As NAB has launched a conference wide coaching initiative, Tim has been
given the responsibility to oversee the training and certification of coaches
across the conference. As a coach/trainer, Tim has also led groups of pastors
through intentional refocusing processes to facilitate personal and corporate
revitalization. His doctoral research was specifically focused on addressing discipleship and assimilation systems in a local church setting and his passion continues to be helping churches to be healthy, growing, and multiplying to build the Kingdom of God.
Dr. Blackburn has been married 32 years to his wife Jodi, and they have two adult children, Joshua and Melody. The Blackburns live in Winfield, Illinois in the Chicago area.
Come worship with us at 11am June 1 as we celebrate the Lord's Supper together.

Love God, love people, and while you are going, make disciples

Come and join us this Sunday, May 25th, at 11am, as the Rev. Phyl Putz shares God’s Word with us. His message titled, “Zach”, will be on Luke 19:1-27, the story of Zacchaeus the Tax Collector.
Pastor Phyl is a graduate of the North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD, he has served as a youth pastor, solo pastor, church planter, senior pastor, and, since 2003, as the Northern Plains Regional Minister. His task, in cooperation with the Manitoba Baptist and North Central Associations of the North American Baptist Conference, is to provide systems and resources that will enable every church in the Northern Plains Region to consistently help people become disciples and then disciple-makers of Jesus Christ at home and abroad. As a part of his responsibilities, Phyl also works closely with the twelve other NAB Regional Ministers, Dr. Gordon Harris (NAB Interim Executive Director) and Dr. Tim Blackburn (NAB Discipleship Team Leader).
Phyl is the husband of Jo, the father of Matt (married to Alison, father of Brennan, Coryn, and Eryn), Jon (married to Jill, father of Raegan and Maxwell) , Jeremy (married to Crystal, father of Nolan and Maeva), and Michelle (married to Eric Kinnison). Matt is a faculty member at Bethel University, St. Paul, MN. Jeremy is a pastor in in Edmonton, AB Canada. Jon and Michelle are employed in the Portland, Oregon area.

Sabbatical does not mean doing nothing!

Pastor Brian is in his second week of his three month Sabbatical and is adjusting to the changes in his life. He is just now beginning to slow down and start to daily tune his ear to the things of God. The difference is that the things that he is hearing are not for sermon preparation or to pass on to others in some interesting story....they are for him. When the Bible spoke about the followers of Jesus knowing his voice and hearing him....it was all true. Those who identify with Jesus are supposed to hear His voice...are supposed to be able to discern the promptings of the Holy Spirit...this is all normal. To not hear His voice is where the concern needs to come into our lives. If we are not able to listen and discern the voice of the one who is to daily direct and guide our lives..then we are not in "step with with the Spirit."
In your life today...I encourage you to take a few minutes of "sabbatical." A few moments to stop and listen. I don't mean slow down....I mean stop. It is right that we stop doing and refocus on what it is that Jesus Christ has called us to be as we travel through this life.
Enjoy the day....take time to listen...I am finding it easier and welcoming the next word.
In His Rest,
Pastor Brian