IBSA has partnered with a North Carolina’ ministry to encourage a new movement of church renewal across the state. Church Renewal Journey weekends are a Bible-based approach designed to help people discover how God is working and to understand how they can joyfully live out their redemptive potential.
“We are blessed to have Bob Foy and his wife, Phyllis, along with North Carolina’s robust team of volunteers, helping us in Illinois,” said Scott Foshie, IBSA Health Team Leader. “I encourage every church to take advantage of this unique opportunity as we seek a fresh move of God in our midst.” The Foys were lay renewal coordinators with the North American Mission Board for several years before retiring and serving in a volunteer capacity through the North Carolina Baptist Convention.
Highland Avenue Baptist Church in Robinson held a Church Renewal Journey Weekend in March. Pastor Dwight McDaniel likened the experience to a revival. Leaders divided members into small groups to discover their spiritual gifts, which will help further the church’s goal of “wanting to get more people involved and plugged in, serving in the community.”
“It pulled our church family closer together. It revitalized our church,” McDaniel said.
Most events begin on Friday evening with small group sessions. Saturday includes several small group and general sessions seeking spiritual renewal, with a break provided on Saturday afternoon.
Sunday concludes the weekend with team members leading Sunday school classes and worship services. The highlight of the process is the Sunday evening worship service, where church members share, evaluate, and celebrate what the weekend meant to them, and how they will take what they learned into their homes and personal marketplaces.
To learn more about having a Church Renewal Journey team at your church, e-mail Scott Foshie, or visit www.churchrenewaljourney.org.