The Psalmist wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”  (Psalm 133:1) Our first combined gathering of Michigan and MidAmerica churches went off spectacularly!  Over 250 pastors, their wives, staff and lay leaders joined us for a 24 hour, high impact event.  It started out with many pastors and their teams coming early for lunch to connect with other pastors and their teams.  It then moved into the workshop phase where leaders received wisdom and encouragement on a host of subjects from multi-site church planting, support for ministry wives, marriage, student leadership and how to finish a pastorate well.

The evening session began with a welcome from the Host Pastor Jason Miley, a great meal paid for by the Cornerstone Fund and inspiring worship from the Grace worship team.  Dan Harrison led us in enthusiastically celebrating five church plants that moved from missional status to full member status as self-sustaining and now self-governing churches.  Immediately after this Mark Albrecht led us in the commissioning of fourteen new church planters who are entering the harvest throughout our region.  Following this, Austin Smith  presented Rev. Lucious and Deborah Fullwood the Prevailing Pastor’s Award for their thirty years of service at Bellevue Baptist Church in Chicago as well as his leadership within and support of the ministries of Converge MidAmerica.  The evening ended with a powerful appeal from Leith Anderson to live out the gospel with integrity no matter what happens, from Philippians 1:27

The next morning we started off again with powerful worship led by the Grace worship team.  We then welcomed all the new pastoral staff that has joined Converge in the last two years along with the affirmation of five board members who will be serving a second term (Dan Harrison,  Austin Smith, Richard Wollard, Jessy Padilla and Dick Loizeaux).  This was followed by a powerful message by Pastor James Ford Jr. of Christ Bible Church on living out the gospel courageously, regardless of the opposition we face, from Philippians 1:28. 

After a short break we transitioned with an excellent report and a personal invitation from Duane Whitely the Director of Center Lake Bible Camp.  The delegates were wonderfully instructed and informed on the needed bylaw changes by Scott Gardziella and Dan Harrison all of which were unanimously approved.  Richard Wollard clearly presented the financial reports and the 2011-2012 Budget which were unanimously accepted and affirmed.  The delegates affirmed and welcomed in eight unaffiliated churches as member churches in Converge MidAmerica:

Trinity Grace Baptist Church, Lisle, IL

• The Journey Fellowship in St. Louis, MO 

• The City of God, Lafayette, IN

• Northbridge Church, Kalamazoo, MI

• Brazilian Church, Elk Grove, IL

• Redemption Bible Church, Mount Prospect, IL

• Christ Victory Assembly, Lynnwood, IL

• Glorious Light Church, Chicago, IL 

The morning finished with my President’s report, a challenge for us to strive together in unity and unflinching courage (Philippians 1:27) as we live out our shared vision of strengthening and starting churches.  I also made an appeal for us to bring the best to the support of our regional mission as we strive to top the million dollar mark in general fund support from our 187 churches in the next two years (currently receive $563,000 in support from our churches).

Dan Harrison, the chairman of the Board of Overseers, wrapped up the 153rd Gathering of Converge MidAmerica and sent everyone out with a blessing and prayer. 

Much thanks to the staff and volunteers of Grace Bible Church that served us with excellence, with special mention to Phyllis Czerniakowski, Justin Strode and Duane Boyett.  

Many thanks to the vendors who helped make this event a low cost and free event for the 175 leaders who took advantage of the early registration.

• Cornerstone Fund

• Bethel University and Seminary

• Converge Worldwide International Ministries

• Converge Worldwide Network Gatherings

• Rhino Media

• Center Lake Bible Camp

• Harvest Books

Many thanks to the Converge MidAmerica administrative team (who’d never attended or put on a gathering of this type before) and did so with excellence and a servant’s spirit.  Way to go Nate, Katie and Ray

Many thanks to all the pastors, church planters and leaders who represented the seven states we serve from Little Rock, Arkansas to Oscoda, Michigan and from Louisville, Kentucky and Moline, Illinois as well as everything in the heartland of our MidAmerica region.

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