Mission in 5

2021 Region Expo Guests J.D. and Rhonda Reed

J.D. and Rhonda Reed are Global Servants for International Ministries to Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
They work primarily with the House of Hope. Rhonda a nurse with multiple medical certifications, leads the House of Hope a ministry that provides a variety of health and development ministries in urban contexts. JD trains and equips missionaries, pastors, and leaders in his role as a regional consultant for theological education and partners with Palmer Seminary in the United States to provide masters degrees in Latin Studies in Spanish and Portuguese
We have invited JD and Rhonda to Mission in 5 because they are doing great ministry in Bolivia and because they will serve as special guests to our “Say Yes to the Call” Region Expo on October 1 and 2, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Fremont, NE. Sadly, they will not be able to join us in person, but we will host a live zoom call with them during the expo. So, whether you join us in person or online, you will get to see them and hear about why they “Say yes to the Call”.
 
Links:
International Ministries Bio Page: https://www.internationalministries.org/author/jr-reed/
Palmer Seminary MTS Latin Ministries: https://www.palmerseminary.edu/programs/mts-latinoa-ministries
House of Hope: https://www.hohbolivia.org/  (Page updates coming soon)
2021 CHC Region Expo info and registration: http://abcnebraska.com/wp/mission-expo/

Church, Camp, and Foster Closet with Nolan and Amanda Hayes

My guests today are Nolan and Amanda Hayes of First Baptist Church, Beatrice, NE. Nolan is the senior pastor and Amanda is the director of the Foster Care Closet. While each are called individually to serve in their unique ministry roles, they are also a married couple who have found fun ways to minister together in Beatrice since 2017. Nolan and Amanda are the parents of four children. In addition to his role as pastor at FBC, Nolan serves as Camp Pastor to Junior Camp at Moses Merrill Camp and Conference Center. 
 
FBC Beatrice https://www.facebook.com/First-Baptist-Church-Beatrice-155628924578092/
Foster Care Closet of Nebraska https://fostercarecloset.org
Camp Moses Merrill http://campmerrill.com/
 
 

The Nones, the Church, and Baseball with Ryan Burge

Rev. Dr. Ryan Burge is the Assistant Professor of Political Science as well as the Graduate Coordinator at Eastern Illinois University. He is author of The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going. In the book he details a comprehensive picture of Americans who say they have no religious affiliation. I give readers a nuanced, accurate, and meaningful picture of the growing number of Americans who say that they have no religious affiliation. This book explains how this rise happened, who the nones are, and what they mean for the future of American religion.
Ryan is also the pastor of First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, IL, and ABC Congregation.
Learn more about Ryan at http://ryanburge.net/
Follow Ryan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanburge
 

Wrestling with a call with Blake Wilkes

Rev. Blake Wilkes is the Pastor of the only congregation in Arthur County, NE, the Arthur Baptist Church. Blake is loves outdoor activities like skiing, riding trails, camping, and water sports. He is also a humble and compassionate pastor who gets excited about discipleship. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Blake Wilkes.
 
LinksArthur Baptist Church: https://www.facebook.com/arthurbaptistchurch
Blake Wilkes: https://www.facebook.com/blake.wilkes.12
American Baptist Churches of Nebraska: http://abcnebraska.com/wp/
Table Life: https://table-life.org/
 

Relationships, Identity, and Kingdom with Mark De Kluyver

Rev. Mark De Kluyver is the Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church in Kearney, NE. Mark is passionate about discipleship. This is a great conversation that is helpful for anyone curious about how to engage in discipleship in the local church as we continue to work our way out of COVID restrictions. 
Links:
FBC Kearney: https://kearneyfb.org/
Mark De Kluyver staff page: http://kearneyfb.org/about/#staff
 

Grilling out with Clint Walker

Rev. Clint Walker is the pastor of FBC North Platte, NE. He shares his love of people, grilling, and local church ministry. We compare cooking skills to ministry of the future. 
Links:
FBC North Platte: https://www.fbcnorthplatte.org/
FBC NP Social: https://www.facebook.com/FirstbaptistchurchNP
ABC Nebraska: http://abcnebraska.com/
https://table-life.org/
 
 
 

Journalism and Talkin Sox with Curtis Ramsey-Lucas

Curtis Ramsey-Lucas is the editor of The Christian Citizen and commissioned missionary for the American Baptist Home Mission Society. He and I discuss journalism, art, books, and more. The Red Sox even make an appearance. 
Links:
The Christian Citizen https://christiancitizen.us/
In this Together: Ministry in Times of Crisis book: https://smile.amazon.com/InThisTogether-Ministry-Times-Crisis/dp/0817018239/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=curtis+ramsey+lucas&qid=1615415030&sr=8-1
 
Socials
https://www.facebook.com/curtis.ramseylucas
https://www.facebook.com/thechristiancitizen/
https://www.facebook.com/ministryintimesofcrisis
 

Midwest roots & Baptist heritage with Bill Prather

Bill Prather is the pastor of historic First Baptist Church in Omaha, NE. During our conversation we talk his Baptist heritage, Midwest roots, and the shifting ministry landscape for FBC Omaha and the American Church generally. 
 
Links:
http://www.omahafbc.org/wp/ First Baptist Church Omaha
http://campmerrill.com/ Moses Merrill Camp and Conference Center
https://table-life.org/ Table Life: An Invitation to Everyday Discipleship
http://abcnebraska.com/wp/ ABC Nebraska

Spiritual Direction with Jeff Savage

Rev. Dr. Jeff Savage is a Spiritual Director and Pastor Emeritus of FBC Springfield, OR. He and his wife Janet are hosts of Sacred Space Vida, a spiritual retreat center in Oregon. Their home and retreat center were lost during the west coast wild fires in 2020. They are in the process of rebuilding. During our conversation we discuss the role of a spiritual director, the benefits of spiritual direction, and what to expect in such a relationship.
 
Jeff Savage Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.savage.583
Sacred Space Vida: https://www.sacredspacevida.com/
 

Spiritual disciplines and at home worship with John Sievering

John Sievering is the pastor of Benson Baptist Church in Omaha, NE. During our conversation we talk about rec league sports, back up plans for ministry, spiritual disciplines, and how to create hands on worship engagements even from home. 
 
Links:
http://www.omahabbc.com/ Benson Baptist Church
http://campmerrill.com/ Moses Merrill Camp and Conference Center
https://table-life.org/ Table Life: An Invitation to Everyday Discipleship
http://abcnebraska.com/wp/ ABC Nebraska