On Saturday, April 21, pastors and leaders gathered from numerous churches to learn how to conduct block parties.   Since August 2007 many block parties have been conducted for new church plants and churches across the association.   For all the contents, protocol, training videos, and more see www.wisconsinbaptist.org and go to our resources link to find all the information you need about the block party trailer.

Our churches are encouraged to go ahead and schedule their dates for the summer.   You can find the schedule online and make your reservation.   The cost of using the trailer is $150 with a refundable $50 deposit.   Please note the block party trailer is rented out on a first come, first serve basis so please make efforts to send in your application and fee soon.

Testimonies were also given by Paul Fries and Bob Turner who have used block parties for several years.  Both shared how God has used block parties in their communities over the past few years.   Blue River Valley Church and Heartland Church in Muscoda have used block parties at the Morel Mushroom Festival and Family Day at a nursing home.    River of Life Church in Portage has used block parties for their Harvest Party and as a way to serve the community with no strings attached.

Bob and Paul both noted that block parties actually have many benefits.   Church members work as a team to serve at a block party.   Many church members get to know each other  for the first time.    Many contacts are made in the community as the church goes beyond their walls.   Our prayer as an association this year  in 2012 is that our churches will take advantage of this tool to share the gospel and Jesus’ love through the ministry of block parties.

Over the past fiver years we have seen God work in many ways through the ministry of our block parties.    Our April 21 meeting will feature an update on church planting across the association.    We will also be sharing testimonies how God has used block parties to reach people.

We are excited to be offering to the churches basic training for use of the Association Block Party Trailer. We have not had an association wide training since we received the trailer in 2007. This training will cover the contents of the trailer; insurance/permits for use of the trailer and hosting a block party; protocols and how to apply for use of the trailer, including on-line reservations; block party trailer instructions; and hands on training for set up and tear down. Which means you will get to eat popcorn, have an icee, and play games. You won’t want to miss out! Those who attend the training will get preference over those who do not for scheduling purposes. We strongly encourage each church to send someone to attend this training.

Please let us know you are coming by e-mailing us at amanda@wisconsinbaptist.org or calling the office at 608-244-5928.

Here is the schedule for the day:

8:00 a.m. – Refreshments and Registration
9:00 a.m.  - Executive Team Meeting
1030 a.m. – Break
11:00 a.m. – Block Party Training and Testimonies
12:30 p.m. – Lunch

Over the past year our association has been working with Pastor Julius Brent and his wife, Kula, picture to the right.   Julius and Kula moved to the United States in the Fall of 2010 and moved to Madison in November 2010.   Julius had been a successful pastor and missionary in Monrovia, Liberia and the interior of Liberia.

Our credentials team met with Julius and Kula a number of times as they made application into the Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association.     We were introduced to Julius through Pastor Francis Tabla, Pastor of Ebeneezer Community Church in the Twin Cities.   Julius had served as the Evangelism Pastor on staff for Francis back in Monrovia.

After a thorough doctrinal examination with our credentials team this church plant was brought to our Executive Team at our January 21 meeting in Sparta.    Our Executive Team voted unanimously to have them become part of the Southern Wisconsin Baptist Association.   We are excited to have them become part of our mission team here in Wisconsin.

Please be in prayer for this church plant.   They are currently searching for a new location to meet.    Pray the Lord will open many doors of opportunity to them in the months to come as they plan outreach events and begin to gear up for the summer.     Many of our partnership mission teams will be giving them assistance in 2012.

We praise the Lord for this new church plant reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ!!!