Missionaries Armagost and Bethell Are Coming to Central Region in October
		Rev. John Armagost, missionary to Japan, will be in the Central Region, Oct. 3-20, 2008. He will be speaking at the Annual Gathering in Tulsa, as well as visiting some of our Region churches. His itinerary is being arranged by his Mission Partnership Team coordinator, Rev. Carolyn Predmore. Rev. Lauran Bethell, International Ministries Global Consultant, will be speaking at Prairie Baptist Church on Friday, Oct. 17, and Grace Baptist Church (Great Rivers Region), Oct. 18-19. Members of Central Region churches are invited to attend any of these events. For information, contact Donald Fakhoury, Missions Committee Chair, Grace Baptist Church.

The Annual Gathering of the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region will be held at the Radisson Conference Center, 10918 E. 41st St., Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 10-11. Speakers include Rev. John Armagost, ABC missionary to Japan; Rev. James Callaway, Junction City, Kan.; Rev. Mary Fabin, Garden City, Kan.; Rev. Dan Cole, Collinsville, Okla.; and Rev. Janice Blackmon, director, Good Samaritan Project — a 2009 recipient of a Break the Chains grant from the AB Women's Ministries. Invitation Schedule Registration
CENTRAL REGION LIFE:104 Years of Continuous Publication

Region Restructuring
In May of 2007, a special task force on ABCCR Structure and Staffing brought their report to the ABCCR Board of Directors. Reflecting the hard work of 14 Christian leaders from across the Central Region, the report was a proposal for significant change in how we might do work and ministry as the American Baptist Churches of the Central Region while navigating the changing currents of a post-modern culture. Details

Central Seminary Receives $2.2 Million Gift —
The Largest Single Gift in the Institution's History!
The Des Peres Baptist Church in St. Louis, Mo., has made a stunningly generous gift of $2,204,400 to Central Baptist Theological Seminary. The congregation determined that the proceeds from their building and property should help sustain the seminary's work in theological education. Although they could not continue as a church, they chose to sow seeds for the future. This money will: endow a Chair in Congregational Health (a new faculty position); create a Des Peres Church Resource Center in the new library/learning resource center; and fund an initiative in ministerial preparation in the St. Louis area.

Vital Church Leaders Conference
The Vital Church Leaders Conference is scheduled for Nov. 10-12. Formerly known as the Small Church Conference, Vital Church Leaders is the conference for pastors facing the unique ministry needs inherent in today's churches. The focus for this year's conference is "Spiritual Practices for 21st Century Congregations" and will be led by Rev. Judy Albee, Executive Minister of ABC/Connecticut. The guest missionary speaker will be Bucky Sydnor, ABC Missionary to Nepal. The Vital Church Leaders conference is sponsored by the American Baptist Churches of Central Region, Dakotas, Nebraska and Mid-America. More information is available at www.mid-abc.org.
Registration form

"Judson Portraits" Available to Region Churches
Rose Mathews Christensen, author of "Judson Portraits," is sharing her work with Central Region churches. Based on the book "Bless God and Take Courage: The Judson History and Legacy" by Rosalie Hall Hunt, (copyright 2005 Judson Press, Valley Forge, Pa.), Christensen's script was first performed by members of Judson American Baptist Church, Bella Vista, Ark. Soliloquies drawn from the Judson journals depict the life, work and struggles of the Baptist missionary to Burma, Adoniram Judson, and wives — Ann, Sarah and Emily. "Judson Portraits" is a copyrighted script. The author expressly states that a maximum of seven copies may be used for each production, and no admission can be charged.

"Judson Portraits"

Bright Ideas — 2008

Relief Contributions

These stories and many more are included in the recent issue of Central Region Life. Subscription rates for 12 issues are $9.99 per year for individuals and $4.99 per year for 100% churches. For more information or to subscribe, contact: , Central Region Life, 5833 S.W. 29th St., Ste. A., Topeka, KS 66614-5505, 785-272-7622.




Page last updated on 09/04/08