April 2022
Chicagoland Baptists,
Did you notice everything come bursting into bloom over the last few days around here? The spiritual lessons are innumerable. Here are just two: (1) God is faithfully sustaining this fallen world, graciously extending the opportunity for repentance (see Gen. 8:22; 2Pe. 3:9). (2) We often wait and wonder if anything is really happening in the spiritual realm, but then in God’s timing something beautiful finally comes (see Hab. 2:3). Let’s keep sowing gospel seeds and trusting our good God (see 1Cor. 3:6).
To join the weekly Prayer Call tomorrow (4/27) at 9:00 AM, just click here (or dial 331-218-1983 | Conference ID: 844 262 125#).
Here is someone to know about – Pastor Scott Nichols. In 2001, Scott planted Crossroads Community Church in the western suburbs of Chicago (now renamed Gospelife Church). Today they have two campuses, a daughter church, and a goal to multiply gospel blessings around Chicagoland. Scott and his wife Vicki have three grown children (all married), four grandchildren, and a Labrador Retriever named Lincoln. He enjoys expository preaching, evangelism, developing young leaders, starting new stuff, and desires to finish well for the Lord Jesus Christ.
On March 1 Scott also began serving as the NAMB SEND City Missionary for Chicago, helping us work together to plant multiplying churches. Over the next few months, he will give attention to:
· building a high caliber team to serve Chicagoland
· partnering with our local and state associations
· developing God-called and skilled church planters
Scott hopes to connect with you soon, either in person or at an upcoming event. You can let Scott know how to pray for you and serve you by emailing him at snichols@namb.net.
Here are some events to know about –
· Upcoming Cluster Lunches:
· WEST (4/28) at Second Baptist Wheaton | Speaker: Bryan Price (RSVP here)
· SOUTH (5/26) at Hillcrest Baptist | Speaker: Pastor Harold Parsley
· CITY – (6/23) at CMBA Building | Speaker: TBD
· Could you or a ministry leader you know use a little help moving forward with fresh vision? Come to the ReFocus Workshop with Dr. Rob Peters at Gospelife Church on 5/11. It’s free! For more info and to register go here.
Want to develop a workable, practical plan for disciple-making in your church? Bring a church leader and come to DiscipleLAB at Love Fellowship on 5/14. Check it out here.
You can still send messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim (6/14-15). Register here. There will be another hotly contested presidential election and follow up from the Sex Abuse Task Force, among other business and networking.
If you have kids who have completed grades 3-12, we are putting on a special Chicagoland Camp at Streator 7/28-30. It’s just $25 with Discount Code: Chicagoland2022. Register now by going here!
Here are some other things to know about – Are you on track for retirement? Are you looking for affordable insurance? Have you checked out Guidestone, the financial services agency for Southern Baptists? And did you know that as a cooperating church, if you open a retirement account with Guidestone you automatically qualify for a free death benefit and disability coverage? See more info on that here. It literally pays to be part this!
Treasuring Christ,
Dr. Bryan R. Price
Zone 1 Church Consultant
Leadership Development Team
Illinois Baptist State Association – Chicagoland
630-908-0853 (Cell)
Nathan Carter
Zone 1 Church Consultant
Leadership Development Team
Illinois Baptist State Association – Chicagoland
312-493-3726 (Cell)
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Prayer Calls every Wednesday from 9:00 to 9:30 AM!
First Wednesdays of the Month are discussions from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. Schedule of topics here.
Directory of churches here.