The 2017 Cultivate Conference will feature a 9Marks Church Health Workshop. This six-session workshop will cover often-overlooked biblical practices such as expositional preaching, meaningful church membership and discipline as well as a committment to biblical qualifications for church leaders. Pastors will want to make sure that you bring your church leaders with you to this year's Cultivate Conference. REGISTER NOW and get special $65 "Early Bird" pricing for you and your entire leadership team. The 2017 Cultivate Conference will be held September 15-16, at Faith Baptist Fellowship, in Sioux Falls. The price includes the 9Marks Church Health Workshop, Friday dinner and conference refreshments. In addition, affiliated Converge Heartland Church participants will receive a district luncheon on Friday, following the Annual Meeting.
ZACH SCHLEGEL grew up in Nebraska where he heard the gospel and saw it lived out among family members seeking to follow Jesus. After attending the University of Nebraska to study Mechanical Engineering, he moved to Chicago to go to Moody Theological Seminary. There, he met and married his wife Katie. They have two young boys, Hudson and Gavin. Zach serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, MD. Besides pastoral work, he is a regular conference speaker and contributor to many 9Marks publications.
Biblically Responding to Diversity
In a day and age when diversity, immigration, refugees and racial tensions make daily headlines, the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course gives believers both a biblical response as well as a biblical framework for taking God-honoring action. Currently, there are 10 class options across the Heartland District; in Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota and the KC metro area. Coordinated by Converge Director of Immigrant and Refugee Outreach, Scott Paulson is seen above, leading nearly 40 people through the opening session of the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class in Sioux Falls. Completed by over 100,000 North American believers, this 15-week course is taught by 15, different, front-line instructors who equip you with the biblical, historical, cultural and strategic foundations for effective cross-cultural ministry within your community or around the world. It's not too late to register! Learn more and sign up for Perspectives class near you, today! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact Scott Paulson.
Thank You Al & Linda Nasman!
Rev. Al Nasman, pastor of Ramsey Baptist Church, in Montrose, SD, retired on Jan. 22, 2017, after a 45-year career of faithful pastoral service and church planting. He delivered his closing sermon on prayer, and powerfully encouraged his rural congregation towards continual trust and communion in Christ. During this past year, Al and Linda Nasman have trusted Christ through the death of their daughter, an arm/shoulder amputation, strokes, seizures and the advancing impact of his terminal cancer. Al has faithfully finished his vocational ministry course and will be running the remainder of his race, with his wife Linda, nearer to family in Wisconsin. We thank God for his earthly example of faith, endurance and genuine care for Christ's church. Take a moment to send a note of appreciation and encouragement to Al and Linda!
Article by Jim Capaldo, District Executive Minister
Kinsey Capaldo's Make-A-Wish Trip
Queenstown, New Zealand - Cole, Kinsey, Kari, Jim and Caiden Capaldo
From January 4-14, the South Dakota chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation sent Kinsey Capaldo and her whole family on a trip-of-a-lifetime! After much thought and prayer, Kinsey determined that she wanted to go to Queenstown, New Zealand. She chose this location because it was international, has beaches, mountains, shopping and a plethora of adrenaline pumping activities that she and her family would love! As a nearly unbelievable side note, Kinsey actually chose this location having never even seen any Lord of the Rings or Hobbit movies, which were famously filmed in New Zealand. However, to her brothers' great joy, she did take time to watch these movie classics as mandatory trip preparation! Some of the activities that Kinsey and her family enjoyed included white water rafting, mountain luging, jetboating through river canyons, gondola rides, shopping, going to the beach, kayaking, hiking and driving all around New Zealand's South Island (Watch Kinsey & Cole land their parasailing jump). On top of all this, the Make-A-Wish Foundation even transported Kinsey and her family to and from the airport in a limousine! A very special moment occurred at the Sioux Falls airport, when the Capaldos were able to meet the South Dakota couple who financially underwrote their entire trip. This couple, as so many others, had followed Kinsey's journey and prayed for her through the many Facebook and Caring Bridge updates. After a long year of recovery and physical rehab, this was an absolutely fantastic time for Kinsey and her family to completely unplug, relax and enjoy the life that God has granted them, together! Kinsey and the Capaldo family would like to thank the Converge Heartland District for their outpouring of support over this past year!
We are in need of four bus drivers who will safely deliver Converge Heartland high school students to camp and back. This year's camp is being held in the Black Hills, at Kamp Kinship, near historic Deadwood, SD from July 2-7. This is a great and rewarding volunteer opportunity for appropriately licensed drivers. If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please contact Aaron and Angela Myers, our Heartland District Camp Coordinators, either by e-mail or by calling or texting (605) 521-9596.
2017 Women's Retreat
March 31st - April 1st 2017 is the Converge Heartland Women’s Retreat at the Lied Lodge in Nebraska City, NE. Be sure to mark your church calendars and consider extending your stay through Saturday night for time with the women from your church. Please be sure to register through your church. The deadline for registering is February, 2017. Registration materials are available on the Converge Heartland website.
Our host for this year's Women's Retreat is First Baptist Church of Cairo and our guest speaker is Vickie Nielsen. Have you ever wondered what might be the back story or motivation of Christ Jesus inviting us, the body, to be His “Beloved Bride”? Vickie uncovers the heartfelt mystery of Christ’s plan for LOVE hidden (in plain view) within the ancient Jewish traditions and customs of betrothal. Bring your bibles and come away together with your sisters in Christ.
Article by Deb Weitala, Ministry Events Director
Pastors' Renewal Retreat April 21-23, 2017 REGISTER HERE
GET YOUR MOJO BACK! Held at the legendary Lied Lodge, the Pastors' Renewal Retreat is a District favorite! Pastors and their wives come to this annual refreshment and reinvigorating fellowship with one another in a beautiful and restful setting. Based on evaluations from recent years, we are simplifying this event to allow for a greater degree of true rest and relaxation. We will be sharing meaningful time in God's word and in prayer with one another, not to mention fantastic meals! We will take time for personal reflection and inspection regarding important issues facing ministers of the gospel...and we'll also be sure to laugh a lot! Even though the District budget is offsetting 25% of this year's expense, we don't want the inidividual or per-couple cost to unnecessarily prevent any pastor from participating. Therefore, we are first asking District churches to financially resource your pastors to recieve this weekend of necessary renewal. Secondly, if the need exists, District scholarships are availble upon request, to further offset the cost. Let's not let anything keep our pastors and wives from being encouraged and refreshed at the 2017 Pastors Renewal Retreat. The cost is $400 for couples and $270 for singles. REGISTER TODAY!
Article by Jim Capaldo, District Executive Minister
Camp - SAVE THE DATES!!
High School Camp @ Kamp Kinship
July 2-7, 2017
Middle School Camp @ Swan Lake Christian Camp
July 16-21
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