Are we really making a difference?



Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

               2 Corinthians 3:17-18

The great challenge in ministry is when we feel we are not making any difference at all. We labor, work, plan, organize, delegate, preach, teach, volunteer, create, and a host of other things. We can do this for years and years, and then suddenly we are told by someone they are leaving the church to go somewhere else because they are not getting fed. Read More

Pastor Brad Little, Regional Executive Director

Venture Church Network Midwest 



Welcome to VCNMidwest, First Baptist Church of Galva, IL

My fellow Venture Church ministers, I am so happy to be able to say that! Before I moved from California (exactly 2 years ago) to take the pulpit of First Baptist Church of Galva (IL) I was apprised of the Search Committee’s opinion that its denominational affiliation should be changed. Having come from a region where virtually the whole West Coast seceded from the ABC to become Transformation Ministries, I was aware of the issues, but also that there were still conservative congregations everywhere, and this current church of mine is one of those. When the deacons tasked me with the job of narrowing the options, I had already been through several candidating programs with the likes of Converge, and TM and others, had talks with NAB and more; I’ve served both Southern and American Baptist Churches with ordinations in both, but I’ve never been one to willingly jump onboard something that holds sticky little non-issues as requirements for membership, and when helping in the process here, it wasn’t difficult putting Venture up front. Read More

2023 Henry C. Spicer Scholarship

Deadline April 1st. . . APPLY TODAY!

This region has been blessed to be able to give away scholarships to graduating high school seniors for 25 years! On top of that there has been a total of $57,000 awarded to scholarship winners. Again this year Venture Church Network Midwest will be awarding the Henry C. Spicer Scholarship to a graduating high school senior planning to further their education this fall. Previous scholarships have ranged from $300 to $2,000.

The scholarship from the Henry C. Spicer Scholarship Fund is available to all qualifying high school seniors. To qualify, an applicant must be a 2023 high school graduate planning to attend college this fall. The applicant must be a committed Christian and a regular attender of a VCNMidwest affiliated church.

Applications are due by April 1, 2023.

Join Us!

Pastors Retreat

Camp Lebanon

1205 Acorn Rd, Burtrum, MN

April 23-26, 2023

Last year we enjoyed a great time of fellowship and a time away at Camp Lebanon. We want you to have an opportunity to do it again!

DESIRING GOD

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19

Who is invited to attend? Senior Pastors, Lead Pastors, Associate Pastors, Interim Pastors, Youth Pastors, Worship Pastors, Elders and Deacons.

Cost: $120 (Laser Tag and Zipline are available for $10/activity/person)

To Register: Email the Venture Church Network Midwest office at [email protected]. Let us know that you're coming, if you would like linen service, and if you have any special dietary needs. (Camp Lebanon can accommodate many of your special needs.)

If you are interested in attending this retreat and

haven't received an email with detailed information

please contact the VCNMidwest office [email protected].

Tuesday, March 28, 9:00am (CT)

with an alternative repeat session

Wednesday, March 29, 3:00pm (CT)

.

WATCH FOR YOUR ZOOM INVITE COMING SOON!

The Purpose of ENGAGE is to address gospel and missional critical issues and challenge our thinking related to pastoral ministry, leadership and the purpose of our churches.

The Goal of ENGAGE is to continue to become gospel-centered, grace driven, biblically anchored churches passionately committed to fulfill the mission of Christ. 

Venture Church Network Midwest

1410 44th Street, Marion, IA 52302

Dr. Brad Little

Regional Executive Director

[email protected]

763-350-4263

Administrative Office

Regular Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 8am - 2pm

Gina Perry, Administrative Assistant

[email protected]

319-830-6478