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2010 Gathering
of the American Baptist Churches
of the Rocky Mountains
October 8-9, 2010
Crossroads Church
North Campus
53 East 128th Ave
Thornton, CO 80241
Pre-Gathering Workshop
October 7, 2010
Click here for more information
Today as I sit inside my office trying to get some of the necessary work that this job brings completed, I really want to be outside. It’s a beautiful day out there.
That statement exemplifies the theme of this year’s Annual Gathering, October 8 and 9th, about which I am writing you. This year our theme is Serve Like Jesus and our goal is to encourage your church to get outside its walls and enjoy the many beautiful relationships with God’s people that are possible for us.
 This year’s Gathering will be held at Crossroads American Baptist Church, at their Thornton Campus. The church has made a practice of getting outside their walls to minister to and to invite the people of the northern suburbs of Denver to a new relationship with them, with Christ and with His Church.
To be true to the theme, the whole Gathering is invited to join with Crossroads on some of their “mission” events in their community with some Externally Focused Activities. We will be featuring stories of numerous churches who are engaged in this type of mission focused ministry in their communities throughout the course of the meeting through video formats and with a time where churches will be invited to share their best efforts with others through Engaging the Community: Practices & Excellence.
 has been the Senior Minister at LifeBridge Christian Church in Longmont, CO since 1991. He is also the co-founder of the Externally Focused Network.Previously, Rick was Vice President of Cincinnati Christian University, and Associate Minister at First Christian Church in Fort Myers, Florida.
He is a graduate of Cincinnati Christian University (1980) and Cincinnati Bible Seminary (1990). Rick serves on a number of boards including Christian Network Incorporated, Milligan College, Hope International University, and various Christian and business boards. He is also an on-air host for Worship and co-author of The Externally Focused Church, Living a Life on Loan, 60 Simple Secrets, and the Windows on Worship Devotional Series.
Rick has served on committees for the North American Christian Convention, and is chairman of Outlook America. Rick lives in Longmont with his wife, Diane, and three children.
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Our keynote speaker for this years Gathering is Rev. Rick Rusaw, author of The Externally Focused Church and pastor of Lifebridge Christian Church in Longmont. Rick has been challenging congregations to get outside their doors for a number of years and he will be offering us the challenge in a powerful way. On the Thursday prior to the Gathering, Rick will be leading a workshop entitled “The Externally Focused Church: From Theory to Practice”. Participants in the seminar will be taught how to implement these life giving principles (both for the community and the church) in your setting.
I hope you already have the dates on the calendar and are planning to attend this years Gathering of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains. You will find yourself truly blessed.
In Christ,
Rev. Steven C. Van Ostran, D. Min.
Executive Minister
Click here to see proposed by-law revisions (pdf file)
 Dr. Kim Skattum, Senior Pastor of Crossroads American Baptist Church, says that Crossroads sole vision is to serve people toward Jesus. They start with those closest (family, friends), then with those around them (people they know), and then everyone else. They love Jesus, the Bible and people. With this clear vision, Crossroads has grown to a vibrant body of believers serving the North Metro Denver area from one church, two locations: the South Campus at 104th & Huron and the North Campus at 128th & I-25.
It is fitting that Crossroads is the host church for this year’s Annual Gathering. This year’s focus is “Serve Like Jesus” and that is what the members of Crossroads are doing. The church has even created a staff position, Director of GoServe, to coordinate all the many serving opportunities. Michele Gerbrandt, the Director of GoServe at Crossroads, has organized special opportunities for people attending the Gathering to experience a “GoServe” project in the community (Externally Focused Activities - see information below). This will be conducted during two hours Friday morning.
For Gathering participants who prefer to stay inside the church during this block of time, there are four sessions to participate in (choose two out of the four offered). These range from Project Management, Crisis Support, tackling the first step to becoming externally focused and pulling together special bags for various outreach opportunities.
Whether you stay inside the church or go out into the community, you will experience firsthand some opportunities to serve the community that you can take back to your church.
Gathering Schedule
Friday, October 8
7:00 - 8:45 am Ministers Council Breakfast**
8:00 – 8:45 am ABCRM Budget for 2011**
9:00 – 9:45 am Welcome & Worship
10:00 – 12:00 Externally Focused Activities
See information below
12:30—2:00 pm Luncheon—Hosted by ABWM
2:15 – 3:15 pm Business Meeting
Click here to see proposed by-law
revisions (pdf file)
3:15 – 5:30pm Afternoon Refresh
5:30 – 6:30 pm The Gathering Banquet
6:45 – 8:00 pm Worship with Rick Rusaw
8:00 pm Fellowship hour
Saturday, October 9
7:30 - 8:45 am Breakfast on Camping**
9:00 – 10:00 am Business meeting
10:00 - 11:00 am Engaging the Community:
Practices & Excellence
See information below
11:00 – 12:00 pm Closing Worship with Rick Rusaw
**Optional activities
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Cost
Before August 28
Pre-Gathering Workshop $20
Clergy Appreciation Dinner:
ABCRM Clergy & Spouse FREE
Non-clergy individual $25
Gathering Registration:
Church Delegate $40*
(voting member)
Church Member $40*
(non-voting member)
August 28 thru September 24
Pre-Gathering Workshop $40
Clergy Appreciation Dinner:
(same as early registration)
Gathering Registration:
Church Delegate $65*
(voting member)
Church Member $65*
(non-voting member)
Cancellations must be received by Sept. 30, 2010 and are subject to a $25 non-refundable processing fee. Cancellations after Oct. 1 are non-refundable.
*Cost includes snacks & refreshments, Gathering materials, and three meals—Friday lunch, dinner, & Saturday lunch.
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Externally Focused Activities
October 8 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Visit A local nursing home
 The purpose of this activity is to reach out to residents of the local nursing homes. Teams of 20 will take freshly baked goods to the residents, sing with, and visit with the residents.
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Caring Connections
David Stratton & John Turnage Leaders
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
 This workshop is designed to help individuals improve their skills and abilities to help others who are facing major life traumas, such as cancer, major illness, unemployment, or loss of a loved one. We will explore ways individuals can enter a crisis situation with openness and care; listen and explore what the person is experiencing, hear their stories; affirm the relationship and person before leaving. It is hoped that individuals will take from the workshop tools that allow them to access the situation, listen, understand dynamics of crisis, and help bring Christ's grace to the person and situation.
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Leave it to Us
 The purpose of this activity is to show care to seniors and disabled in the area. Teams of 5-6 will go to a residence of local senior or disabled person and rake leaves/spruce up their yard. Please bring a rake and work clothes appropriate for outside conditions.
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THE FIRST STEP
Michele Gerbrandt Leader
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
 Learn how to take the first step towards becoming an externally focused church from an expert. Michele will show you how to assess your church’s current involvement on all levels: within the church, in the community and in the world.
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Connect with local Firefighters and Police
 The purpose of this activity is to build rapport with the public safety officials. Each team of 10 will take baked goods to the stations and visit. Discussions of ways to support the stations and families in need will take place.
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT 101
Jenni Murphy Leader
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
 Have you ever had an idea on an awesome project but don’t know where to start or get bogged down in the middle of the implementation? Learn a great way to manage, organize and track a project from the beginning to the end.
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Park/Trail Partner
 The purpose of this activity is to build a relationship with the city. This team of 5 or more will clean up the street and leaves by Crossroads Church South Campus and park. Please bring work clothes and gloves. Trash bags will be provided.
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BAG IT!
Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
 Enjoy this hands on activity that you can bring back to your church. You will compile different types of “bags” that you can give out as part of your church’s outreach. Some ideas are grief bags – given to immediate family member during funerals, First Night Bags – given to foster kids on their first night with their new family, and Car Companion Bags – kept in your car to give to a homeless person on the corner.
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Engaging the Community: Practices & Excellence
October 9 10:00 am - 11:00 am
This year we have added a special opportunity for churches to share information on community service projects that are working in their church. We are calling this event Engaging the Community: Practices & Excellence.
Churches have been invited to set up a display on Saturday morning during the Gathering and you will have the opportunity to visit the displays and learn about real life, working examples of being an Externally Focused Church. You will go home with a folder full of ideas, plus have people to contact if you have any follow-up questions.
If your church would like to share an service idea, please contact the ABCRM office at 303-988-3900 for more information.
Printable flyers for you to share:
Poster (pdf file)
Brochure (pdf file)
Externally Focused Activities flyer (pdf file)
Pre-Gathering flyer (pdf file)
Come serve and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ!
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