September 24-25, 2010
at Village Creek |
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Please visit the UMR website
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Check out the NEW NAB Website
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Village Creek Bible Camp
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Bike2Camp
July 16-18, 2010
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September through June Financial Statistics for UMR:
Year to date budget
$129,914
Year to date expenses
$120,779
Year to date income
$108,405
Our fiscal year ends at the end of August. We have received gifts from approximately 80% of our 42 Churches
We sent a letter to all UMR churches in July that provided more details on our current financial situation. We are faithfully continuing our ministries and with your help expecting our financial situation to improve as we serve together. |
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Dear Dan,
Please take a few minutes and find out some of what God is doing in the Upper Mississippi Region of the North American Baptist Conference.
We would encourage you to share this newsletter with those in your church. Please consider forwarding the newsletter onto your church's email list. Or if you would like to print out a copy, you can download a PDF file of the newsletter by clicking below:
UMR - Newsletter - PDF (9mg)
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Regional Minister Update
Dr. Tim Blackburn 
"I lift up my eyes to the hills---where does my help come from?
The experience of a few days in the mountains did however remind me of the power of this verse from the Psalmist. When you are climbing a mountain, you are forced to look up-and you are also reminded each step how insignificant and weak we are in our human frailties. I was reminded...
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Big White House  On th 4th of July, Genesis Church in Iowa City dedicated the Big White House. The Grand Opening had an estimated 700 guests...mostly people from the city and neighborhood.
The people of Genesis really poured themselves into this and are excited to see how the activities in the Big White House might reflect our gracious, loving God to friends and neighbors. |
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Outreach - Redeemer Style 
 On May 16, 2010 Redeemer Baptist Church hosted The Kingery Family Music Festival. Mike Kingery played professional baseball for 17 years. Traveling around the country for baseball games created many hours for their children to spend in the car, so singing passed the time well.
Over time, and after being exposed to bluegrass music from different sources and events, the Kingery's were inspired and began working on their own bluegrass music...
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Remembering Rev. Olen Arrington
Olen Arrington, Jr. was the pastor of 2nd Baptist Church in Kenosha, WI. He served in our UMR church for 30 years, before he went to be with his LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ on June 5.
Pastor Arrington had a
tremendous impact on his community and will be missed dearly. If you would like to learn more about his life and ministry, the Kenosha News published a series of articles on Rev. Arrington's life and funeral. The articles include a number of pictures and information about this servant of God. Click on the links below to read more. |
| 125 Years in Minneapolis
 This past June the membership of Faith Baptist Church in Minneapolis MN gathered together to celebrate 125 years of ministry as an NAB church. There were many stories told of God's faithfulness, and much laughter shared as memories of activities and relationships were told. One special memory shared was of a number of mothers of young children back in the 50's and 60's that began to pray together that God would raise up their kids to be pastors, missionaries, and godly leaders for His Kingdom. Those moms inspired Sunday School teachers and Youth Leaders to also pray especially for the children and young people that they were teaching each week. At the celebration a timeline was shared that highlighted many events over the past 125 years. Included in this list were more than... Read on... |
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Bike 2 Camp 
On Friday morning July 16th 73 bicycle riders departed from Apple Valley Baptist Church for a 186 mile 3-day trip to Village Creek Bible Camp in Iowa as a fundraiser. The trip included bikers from MN, IA, WI and one from CA and represented ten of our UMR churches. We had 5 Pastors along - Kerry Bender, Howard Anderson, Harry Anderson, Andrew Wright and Terry Baxter. This year the weather was very hot and humid, but we were still able to complete the ride and we enjoyed delicious food, awesome camaraderie, and favorable breezes.
On Saturday night we camped at the public pool at LaCresent, MN - we were having pizzas delivered to our campsite, but because of the heat and humidity, a lady we met at the pool invited us to use their Lutheran Church basement that could seat all 100 of us (including our support crew). This church was only 2 blocks from the pizza shop - this was a real "God sighting" since it started pouring rain about the time we arrived at the church and stormed for the two hours we were there. Just as we concluded our worship time after our meal, the rain stopped and we returned to our campsite - things were a bit wet, but we had enjoyed a cool and dry evening.
On Sunday we rode in three states - MN, WI, and IA. This year a series of devotions were presented to remind us that life is a journey (like a bike trip) and that we need to train for it and live it relying on our Christian Faith to guide us. A couple of special riders on the trip included Tom Treptau and Harry Anderson. Tom and Harry were on the first ever bike ride to camp over two decades ago. This year they both had family along. Harry was riding with a new knee and one that needs to be replaced - he was very thankful for a chance to ride the trip again and with his wife Sharon and two daughters and his twin brother Howard Anderson. Tom was riding with his son TJ. The 73 riders raised almost $45,000 for completing the new Dining Hall at VCBC. This is a great blessing to VCBC and was an uplifting experience for riders and support crew.
To See Pictures at the Bike 2 Camp Facebook page ( click here)
To See MORE pictures at Village Creek's website ( click here) |
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Summer at Village Creek  Look forward to seeing you at the Annual meeting in September, but until that time - here is a quick update of our summer at Village Creek Bible Camp so far.
We are into our 2nd week of Family Camp. A bit smaller than past years - but a great group - and a wonderful opportunity to bless 4 ministry families that normally wouldn't have been able to come. In addition we have 2 sets of staff doing Backyard Bible Clubs in town - so thankful for the opportunity to impact lives in our local community.
The camp season continues to move forward. Those staff that only committed for a ½ a summer have already completed their contract, which is always a bit of a shock as we feel like we have lost part of our team. We are thankful for God's provision in staff - a great group of young people once again. Be encouraged that God is raising up many godly young people. Tom reminds the leadership and full time staff that this is one of our ministry focus - impacting and helping train these young people. Serving in so many roles as a team, being stretched, and hearing the great teaching does make a difference in many lives... |
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Coming & Going  Shane Rothlisberger Shane has resigned his position of assitant pastor at First Baptist in Elgin, IA to continue his theological training. Please pray for Shane, Michelle and family as they make this transition and for Elgin as they seek Shane's replacement. Steve Miller
 Steve has resigned from East Side Community Church in Chicago, IL to take on a new ministry as Executive Pastor at Baltimore County Baptist Church in Westminster, MD. Please pray for Steve and his wife Vonajean during this time of transition.
Churches looking for pastors: - Solo Pastor-Buffalo Center, IA
- Solo Pastor-Norridge, IL (Polish)
- Solo Pastor-Randolph, MN
- Solo Pastor-Parkersburg, IA
- Sr Pastor-Trenton, IL
- Solo Pastor-St Bonifacious, MN
- Sr Pastor-2nd Baptist, Kenosha WI
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From Burnout to Blowout to Finishing Well  UMR Celebration
Sept 24-25
Hear the personal testimony of Ron Norman as he shares the 'the dark night of the soul' that the Lord allowed him (and his wife Sandy) to journey through which resulted in a "blowout"! From his testimony, Ron will share the barriers to finishing well and how the Lord, by His grace, allowed him to experience healing, restoration and the opportunity to finish well. Sandy will also share her testimony through this experience and there will be a Q&A time to conclude.
 UMR Pastor & Wife Retreat
Encourage your pastor and wife to take advantage of the chance to get away with other pastor's and wives. We will be gathering at the miracle lodge just outside Rochester, MN. Cost again this year will be $250/couple. The rooms are high quality hotel style rooms with private baths.
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