Converge North Central

Relationships in the first responder community deal with unique challenges. Join us for a day of working on the issues in your relationship to be able to weather those difficult seasons.

All first responders, Police, Fire and EMS are invited to this targeted conference. The guest speakers have walked through the pitfalls and complexities of being in relationships while serving.

Couples, you're invited to a workshop improving your relationship dynamic at Ridgewood Church in Minnetonka. Strengthen your relationship with practical advice and connect with others who understand the journey of life as front line workers.

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow closer together. Register today!

https://www.citiescopchurch.com/events/couples-advance-improving-your-relationship-dynamic

Congratulations Connections Church! Celebrating with you the opening of your new Ramsey campus.

Connections Church | Home Welcome To Connections - We Exist To Build Relationships As We Build God's Kingdom While Connecting In Community, Service And Worship. New Here? 

Join us for estate planning opportunities. Please contact Jonathan Wicklund at [email protected] with any questions.

Estate planning workshops lead to millions of dollars in new gifts How challenging is it to find income for your church or ministry? One Converge region has helped dozens of Christian groups raise millions of dollars.

Praise God!!

Genesis church in Coralville, IA hosted their 15th annual free BBQ for their community after the city's 4th of July parade (just down the street). This year they served 900 guests! Since they are exempt from paying property tax, they gifted the city's volunteer fire department $1,000 to thank them for their services. The mayor was very grateful!

Big White House The Big White House is home to Genesis Church and a place of peace for the community.

Addressing Economic Challenges Facing CNC Pastors

Converge North Central Awarded $1.25 Million Grant to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastors Contact: Jonathan Wicklund, 651.278.8077, [email protected] Thursday, June 20, 2024 - Converge North Central has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The purpose of the grant is: (1) provide financial education for pastors (2) provide personal financial plans through a 3rd...

Praise God!

God using church to flip script in its diverse community A movie theater has become a sanctuary as a church opens the doors to the gospel by offering practical help.

Congratulations and blessings Hope Fellowship.

Hope Fellowship’s vision for the future ministry inside and outside of the walls of a new building. After 1 year of prayer and stepping out in faith the impossible became possible. We now have a ministry tool our very own building. This is a generational op...

Let's be praying for all those affected by these storms.

Our hearts break for those affected by yesterday's storms. Lives have been upended, and families changed forever. Recovery is going to be a long road, especially for communities like Greenfield, IA (pictured here).

If you are looking for ways to help the residents of Greenfield specifically, here are a few options we found this morning:

Donate food and water — A drop-off location for food and water donations has been set up at the Iowa DOT facility at 2313 State Highway 92

Volunteer — Check in with the Iowa DOT and volunteers will be dispatched into the areas affected.

Are you interested in CHURCH PLANTING? Join us! https://mailchi.mp/convergegreatlakes/church-planting-101-june-7th-8th-2024-register-today-16943578?e=89349b75ac

🌟 Had the most uplifting experience worshiping with First Baptist today! Pastor Brian Haynes is doing an incredible job leading this church community to embody the timeless spirit of the early church while Senior Pastor Jared Bangs is on sabbatical. From devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, and prayer, it felt like experiencing faith in its purest form. Feeling grateful and blessed today to be a part of such a welcoming and faithful congregation. 🙏

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟

Today and tomorrow, twelve churches have come together to learn about creating an invitational culture. Thanks to Pastor Andy Kumpel & the incredible hosting of Oak Haven Church! Also, a big shoutout to Dr. Clark and the Damascus Road Collaborative for their insightful teachings that inspired us all. It was a truly enriching experience that will surely impact our communities positively.

🌟 Had a wonderful time speaking at New Hope Community Church in both Cambridge & Isanti! 🌟

It was truly inspiring to see Pastor Bill Burg's incredible work in transitioning the leadership to Pastor Justin Domino. The heart and dedication of this community are truly remarkable.

At New Hope Community Church, their purpose is clear: to love all people, especially the poor, broken, captive, and prisoner. Their mission is to be empowered by God to reach and disciple people for Christ.

Check out their website to learn more about the amazing work they are doing: http://www.nhccmn.org

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CNC was delighted to be part of last nights Omark Preaching Awards. Since 1968, Bethel Seminary has been recognizing outstanding communicators within the Bethel Seminary student body through the Omark Preaching Awards. This year marks the 57th anniversary of the preaching competition in honor of former seminary professor Edwin J. Omark, and will again award three students who demonstrate excellence in preaching. Additionally, Jason Strand was presented with Bethel’s Preaching Excellence Award.

https://youtu.be/kTyNcQUc8m4?si=FcF4x1b93XjpOdtM

🌟 Shoutout to Paul Johnson and Zac Bush for their outstanding leadership during the Sr. Pastor transition at Woodridge! 🙏 Their prayerful guidance, humility, authenticity, and culture of honor have truly set the standard. Special thanks to Zac for sharing their journey with Pastors at Bethel University today. 🌿

I have enjoyed being part of the Bethel Seminary Oversight Committee. We have been discussing the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, which asserts that the Bible, in its original manuscripts, is without error in everything it teaches. There are several perspectives or views regarding biblical inerrancy, but the four primary ones are:

Literal Inerrancy: This view holds that the Bible is without error in all its statements, including scientific, historical, and theological matters. It emphasizes a literal interpretation of the text, often affirming a strict adherence to the historical and scientific accuracy of biblical narratives.

Full Inerrancy: Full inerrancy (which is where Converge historically sits) extends the concept of literal inerrancy to include not only the original manuscripts' teachings but also the transmission process, translation, and interpretation of the Bible. It asserts that not only were the original manuscripts without error, but that God has also preserved the text accurately throughout history, including through translations.

Limited Inerrancy: Also known as "infallibility," this view maintains that the Bible is without error in matters of faith and practice but may contain errors or discrepancies in historical or scientific details. It suggests that the Bible's primary purpose is to communicate theological truths and principles relevant to salvation and Christian living rather than serving as a comprehensive historical or scientific textbook.

Functional Inerrancy: Functional inerrancy acknowledges that the Bible may contain errors in historical or scientific details, but it affirms that it is without error in fulfilling its ultimate purpose of revealing God's message and guiding individuals in matters of faith and practice. This view focuses on the Bible's overarching message of redemption and the transformative power it has in the lives of believers, regardless of any minor inaccuracies in peripheral details.

It’s a fantastic day to worship in Two Harbors. Pastor Scott is doing an amazing job. He has pastored here over thirty years.

Financial Stewardship Matters.
At Converge North Central and Trout Lake Camps, we recognize how financial well-being is integral to the health of church communities and camps. That is why we are passionate about launching our education initiative that sets out to reinforce this connection. In collaboration with Generations Legal Services (GLS), a reputable leader in estate planning and legal and financial education, and paid for by the Lilly Endowment, we are providing free workshops in the area of estate planning.

GLS aims to provide comprehensive education to individuals, families, and church leaders on the fundamentals of estate planning. They can deliver the knowledge and financial tools necessary for making informed and strategic choices so that we create enduring legacies.

To date CNC/TLC/GLS have provided 16 workshops and another 24 complimentary educational workshops are scheduled — aptly titled "Who Will Inherit the Mess?" Almost 1,000 CNC church goers have attended these workshops and over 18 million in new, documented charitable giving has happened. These are current and future gifts that advance kingdom building work. There is nothing better than that.

So, here is your call to action:
1 - Contact GLS to "learn more about hosting a free Who Will Inherit The Mess workshop" ([email protected]).

2 - Visit https://bit.ly/3PZDNC5 (yes, that is short for Who Will Inherit The Mess) to learn more about the program.

3 - Consider setting up a free 1-hour consultation to see if a will or trust would help you (contact Wick for details about scheduling the consultation jWicklund@https://bit.ly/3PZDNC5).

4 - Some church goers want to give a "final tithe" (10% of their estate) to the local church but don't because they're concerned with how the local church will handle it. Make sure you articulate your vision for estate gifts to the church body once a year. If you need assistance in this area, contact us for more information about resources that CNC can provide.

🌟 Wonderful time with Randy Berg and our retired missionaries and ministers! 🙏 We gathered to worship, learn about Converge North Central, The Timothy Initiative, and the Bethel Archive Center. The atmosphere was filled with great food, tremendous fellowship, and a sweet spirit that enveloped the room. Grateful for such uplifting moments together!
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Reflecting on the impactful "Who Will Inherit the Mess" seminar at Westwood Church, to promote estate planning for families. Shared goals of peace of mind and lasting legacies inspired attendees, emphasizing community collaboration for a brighter future.

Committing to proactive planning post-event, we aim to cultivate a legacy of security for generations. Let's continue supporting each other in creating a peaceful inheritance. Thank you to all participants for making a difference. Here's to a future of peace, security, and a meaningful legacy.

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🌷✝️🌼 Excited to share the joy of Easter with Pastor Joel Ramirez and the wonderful community at Iglesia Centro Cristiano de Minneapolis! 🌷✝️🌼

As we come together to prepare our hearts and minds to remember the resurrection of Christ, let's rejoice in the hope and love that this season brings. May this Easter be a time of reflection, renewal, and celebration for all of us. Wishing you a blessed and joyous Easter season! 🙏🌟

🌟 Grateful beyond words! 🌟

A huge thank you to Matty Towse and the Red River Valley regional leadership team for the warm invitation to discuss unity and theology. I always love talking about Pietism and our irenic spirit in Converge North Central! It was truly an honor to share my heart and delve into the rich history of the Converge movement with such an engaged and inspiring group. 🙏✨

The opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together is what fuels our journey towards greater understanding and unity. Thank you all for your open minds and thoughtful questions. Let's continue to build bridges and foster meaningful conversations that bring us closer together. 💬💫

🌟 Had an amazing weekend at the marriage retreat in Iowa with Elizabeth! 🌺 We were blessed to teach the Song of Solomon and help couples deepen their connection and love. 💑 Thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey of growth and discovery. Here's to stronger, more vibrant marriages! ❤️ 🌿

🌱🙏 Let's Prepare for the Harvest Through Prayer! 🙏🌱

As Easter approaches, a time of new beginnings, let's come together in prayer and reflection. Just as the changing seasons offer opportunities for growth, our lives are ripe for transformation.

In James 5:16, we are reminded that "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." Let's seek guidance and blessings as we sow seeds in our communities.

Through prayer and reflection, we can find clarity, peace, and purpose. Let's center ourselves, set intentions for the season ahead, and embrace new possibilities with gratitude and openness.

May our hearts be open to growth and connection. Let's make this season a time of renewal and transformation through the power of prayer.

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🌟 Had a great dinner with Converge North Central pastors & leaders at BJ’s Restaurant discussing church planting and unity. Psalm 133:1 reminds us how good and pleasant it is when we dwell in unity! Grateful for the fellowship and inspiring conversations that propel mission. Looking forward to more gatherings like this! Huge shout out to Chemistry Staffing for cosponsoring our time around the table. 🙏❤️

Fantastic discussion on discipleship led by Michael Grose with the CNC Lakes Regional Team today! Feeling inspired and grateful for the insights shared.

Having an amazing time at Trout Lake Camps for our pastor prayer retreat with 22 incredible pastors! The fellowship, prayers, and discussions have been truly enriching and inspiring. Grateful for this time of renewal and spiritual growth.