Chicagoland: Hope Can Be Yours

We are underway with our city-wide evangelistic meetings in Chicagoland. The first series began on April 16 at the Gurnee Church with evangelist Emmanuel Baek. This past weekend meetings began in several places including Crystal Lake, Burbank, Joliet and Southwest.
Mark Finley is preaching in two locations: North Shore and Hinsdale. Between those two sites about 2000 people were in attendance on opening night. At North Shore there were almost 200 people in the overflow space in the gym watching on a projection screen. At Hinsdale the sanctuary, the youth chapel and the fellowship hall were all filled. About half of those in attendance at these two locations are visitors.
This weekend 40+ seminarians will be arriving at a number of sites around Chicagoland. Some of them will be speakers for meetings being held in churches around the city. Others will be assisting Dr. Ron Clouzet in the series he is preaching at the North Aurora Church beginning on May 7.
Meetings will be held in several Hispanic churches including Central Hispanic Church where the speaker will be Elder Armando Miranda, general vice-president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. That meeting will begin May 15.
Yesterday at our Illinois Conference Executive Committee we heard exciting stories of what the Lord is doing in and through the members of this conference.
Tuesday I finally had an evening off. I chose to spend it attending the meeting at Burbank and hearing evangelist Charles Bursma. I almost didn’t go, but I was so glad that I did. I heard a faith affirming sermon and I had the opportunity to fellowship with others.
I encourage you to attend one of these 32 series. Join in and help out where needed, hear a good biblical message. Your heart will be warmed by the message and your presence may be a real inspiration to someone else, too.

Upcoming Events

Broadview Academy Alumni Weekend

BVA ANNUAL REUNION will be Friday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m. and Sabbath May 1st at 9:30 a.m. at the North Aurora S.D.A. Church, 950 Mooseheart Road, (corner of Randall and Mooseheart Roads), in North Aurora. Speaker is: Pastor Ron Kelly (’82). There will be a potluck lunch immediately following the Church Services. Please bring a dish to pass at the luncheon. At 3:00 p.m. there is a musical program. If you would like to contribute to the Musical Program, please call. This is open to all classes. Any questions, call Julie or Ed Gutierrez: 630-232-9034.

Chicagoland Convocation

Plan to attend the Chicagoland Convocation on May 22. It will be a celebration of the evangelism going on throughout our conference. Mark Finley will be our featured speaker. We will be meeting once again at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.
Meal tickets for the Illinois Convocation, are going fast. Remember that meal tickets will not be sold on Sabbath. Deadline is May 3. Please contact the meal coordinator of your church for tickets. Adults $6.00 Children 3-7 half price $3.00.
We are looking for volunteers in all areas for the Chicagoland Convocation: children’s program, security, and event staff. If you would like to get involved and give a hand, please contact Shona Cross at the conference office (630) 856-2880 or email adminsecretary@illinoisadventist.org

Akita Campmeeting

This week long event at Camp Akita is the perfect event for the family looking for an inexpensive vacation that incorporates spiritual growth and family fun. The dates for Akita Campmeeting are June 13 – 19. Visit the conference website for more information: www.illinoisadventist.org.

Survivor Day Camp

Survivor Summer Day Camp is an 8 week program (June 7 – July 30) that Hinsdale Adventist Academy runs for young people ages 3 – 12 yrs. Every two weeks, campers will enjoy a different SURVIVOR theme. For more information check out the website: www.haalittlelambs.org or contact Cherie Jackson at 630-323-9220, email: cjackson@illinoisadventist.org. Registration is due by May 10.
Cruise With A Mission
Cruise With A Mission will sail December 12-19, 2010. This will be a vacation with a purpose: a mission trip, a spiritual retreat, a meaningful adventure on a Caribbean cruise, all wrapped up in one. Book now to hold your place. The mission starts at $849 + taxes. www.cruisewithamission.org or phone 1-800-YOUTH2U or 269-471-8380 at the Center for Youth Evangelism.

Youth Challenge

If you are High School or College age and are praying for God to guide you into work for Him this summer. Please contact Ron Clark (314) 422-4096, rh_iyc@yahoo.com, or visit www.lightamericayouthchallenge.com. Illinois Youth Challenge magabook canvassing offers life-changing experience, and matching scholarships for Adventist schools.

SEEDS Plus 2010

Last year I encouraged my brother-in-law to attend the SEEDS conference. He came back passionate about church growth and church planting. That has been the experience of several thousand people who have attended a SEEDS conference since its inception. This year SEEDS will be on the campus of Southern Adventist University on June 21 – 23. For more information visit www.nadei.org or call 800-255-7568

ASI International Convention

This year the ASI Convention will be held in Orlando, Florida on August 4 – 7. If you are a business person or a professional that wants to be more intentional about how to be a follower of Christ in the marketplace, there is no better place for you to be than at this convention. For more information and to register please visit www.asiministries.org.