Midwest Ministry Development will conduct two AutumnQuest pre-retirement workshops for clergy, July 16-17 in the Chicago area and July 30-31 in Columbus, OH. This is an opportunity to help clergy adapt to the many significant changes that come with retirement. It is
recommended for any clergy who are within five years of their expected date of retirement. Detailed information about the workshops and a registration form are available: click here

Gregory Community Church has called Dan Miller as full time pastor, beginning May 1. The church invites all to attend his installation service on May 20 at 3:00 pm. Please visit the church website for directions and contact information: www.gregorycc.org.

Pastor Miller previously served as Associate Pastor of Missions and Outreach at First Baptist Church of Saginaw for three years. Dan grew up in the Saginaw church and served in many different ministry roles, including youth leader. He completed the ABC-MI Certificate in Christian Ministry program and has been recognized as a Certified Lay Minister. He brings a genuine passion for ministering to the least of these which fits with GCC's Mission to the community. After he received a call to ministry, the Saginaw church placed him on staff for training and mentoring. Dan began studies for a B.A. at Liberty University in Biblical and Theological studies. Since June of 2011 Pastor Dan served as interim at Gregory. After a diligent search the Gregory congregation was led to call him as pastor. Dan is married to Lori and they have a two year old daughter Julia. We welcome Dan to our ABC-MI family and pray God's blessing on his ministry.

Mrs. Jane Gunneman has been named Office Administrator/Bookkeeper effective May 7, 2012.  In this role she will provide oversight of Region office support staff and all accounting functions. Her areas of responsibility include personnel supervision; payroll processing; accounts payable processing; general ledger through financial statements; and physical plant oversight.

“We are pleased to welcome Jane Gunneman to this task having received outstanding references on her skills and abilities,” states Dr. Williams. “She is nearing completion of her work on our 2011 audit and our auditors have been very impressed with her skills. They specifically acknowledged how quickly she has grasped the complexity of our bookkeeping and been able to respond to their myriad of questions.  This speaks highly of her abilities,” Dr. Williams noted.

Now is the time to begin thinking about initiating the Retool Pathway journey in your church beginning fall 2012.  It takes some time
to present Retool to your church leaders and to do the initial work to get
started in the fall. 

Retool is a two-year coach led process that enables a church to revitalize leaders, renew biblical community, refocus vision, and mobilize the church for effective mission and ministry.  Five of our Region churches have either completed or are now journeying along the Retool Pathway.  Your church could be one of them!  Get started now by:

• Visiting the national Retool website – www.retoolkit.org
• Visiting our Region Retool site on the Region website – www.abc-mi.org
• Contacting Ron Cary, our Region Retool Coordinator – rcary@abc-mi.org
  

Michigan Baptist Scholarship Society provides help to qualified members of ABC-MI churches who show strong evidence
of God’s call to professional church vocation.

For MBSS support to begin in the fall semester, completed applications are due June 30. For the second semester, they are due October 15. Click here for informational brochure. Click here for application form.

Preference is given to applicants from churches that have given at least some support to MBSS during the past decade.

Full-time MBSS students in seminary can receive up to approximately $2,000 (especially if they are in ABC-related schools), and full-time college students are eligible for up to $1,000 (again with preferential funding for ABC-related schools). The amount of support increases as one moves from freshman toward the senior year. Students who are carrying at least a half-time load may be eligible for partial support. MBSS does not fund doctoral programs.