Dear CNC Pastors and Influential Leaders,
I want to express my appreciation for your amazing partnership with Converge North Central. As I serve in this temporary role as interim regional president, I get the privilege to hear stories from pastors on how Jesus is transforming lives. There is nothing more important than that.
Also, God is moving within our region so I thought I would highlight a couple items.
- At Trout, 263 campers have made a 1st time decision to follow Jesus.
- In our churches, over 1,600 people were baptized during the month of July.
- Over 26,500 bible verses have been memorized by Trout staff and campers.
- Our regional team leaders are Godly pastors who have a passion to lead small teams.
- The regional president search team is doing a fantastic job processing candidates.
- More churches and individuals are expressing interest in funding the CNC general operating fund.
I believe CNC is on the verge of something special moving forward and I’m thrilled to be serving in this role at this time.
May Jesus continue to watch over His ministry at CNC.
In Christ,
Wick
Interim Regional President
Summer is in full swing and we’re loving it.
- Campers speak up: We asked campers what they learned about God. Here’s what they had to say: “God wants us to be bold.” “God doesn’t leave you, even when you make mistakes.” “God always loves us and will never stop loving us.” Watch the video for more.
- Still room at camp: We’ve got more kids at Trout this summer than ever before, but there’s always room for more! If you’ve got last-minute families, encourage them to register now.
- Fall retreats: It’s hard to think about fall, but now is the time to book fall retreat weekends and share events with your families. We’ve got upcoming retreats for youth and families, plus our annual women’s retreat.
Thank You
We’re always grateful for your partnership. Join us in prayer as we share the life changing message of Jesus with our campers.
Though the pace of the summer months impacts our ministry calendar in different ways, things are quite active in Converge North Central’s church planting landscape.
Church’s Launching-
Hope Fellowship Church in Zimmerman, MN began meeting as a small group in 2024 and has been building momentum ever since.
Harvest City Church in Carver, MN has also been taking steps to build a team and find ways to serve their growing community. Their public launch is scheduled for this fall.
Harvest Church in Big Lake, MN is also working hard towards public services this fall. They are actively spreading the word in the community and building a team.
Destination Church in East Bethel, MN is yet another church planning for a Fall launch. As with our other churches preparing for public service, they are raising awareness, sharing their vision, and building a team to birth a church to serve the community.
The Pipe Line is Growing
In addition to these new churches, CNC will be sending six candidate couples to Converge’s Church Planter Assessment Center—either later this month or in October. What is especially encouraging is these candidates represent Iowa and Minnesota, as well as suburban, middle size towns, and rural communities. Four of the couples are coming out of church planting residencies in their CNC church.
Takeaways and Opportunities
1. There’s plenty of opportunities to pray! Pray for the planters who are building teams, casting vision, and ramping up to their public launch. Pray for those attending the assessment center as they are seeking guidance, discernment, and clarity.
2. There’s also plenty of opportunity to get involved. Do you know someone in Zimmerman, Carver, Big Lake, or East Bethel that might want know more about a new church in their community? Take a minute and send them a quick note with the church’s website. Do you feel led to send a note of encouragement or offer financial help? That would mean to the world to these planters.
3. Want to learn more about Church Planting Residencies for your church? Alongside Converge resources, CNC has several churches that have brought on staff specifically to prepare them to be sent out as church planters. Their experiences are available to help churches exploring this pathway.
For more information about anything mentioned here—or to learn more about church planting in CNC—contact Joel Nelson at jNelson@ConvergeNorthCentral.org.
Converge North Central desires to further engage with Converge President John Jenkins’s vision to build/rebuild a culture of Evangelism and Discipleship throughout Converge.
Pastors, this is not for us; it’s for you! Consider engaging in a two-year church culture change process led by our own CNC Pastor(s). New cohorts are available this fall (beginning September/October). Flowing from training and a great partnership with the Wheaton College: Billy Graham Center’s Church Evangelism Institute (CEI).
Want more information? Register and attend a free one-hour Cohort Preview Event.Upcoming previews: Thursday, August 7, or Wednesday, September 10 (1 pm – 2 pm).
A moderate cost is involved, so we encourage you to consider the evangelistic impact and value this could bring to your church over the next two years, starting this fall. Process with your Board and consider networking with other CNC Pastors.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss potential scholarships, don’t hesitate to contact (text or call) the Converge Director of Evangelism & Discipleship: Jonathan Dahl (612) 505-7510.
August 14, 2025 CNC – Under The Hood Webinar Meeting ID: 899 0789 1733
Passcode: 261908
September 16-18, 2025 Retired Pastors & Missionaries Retreat Trout Lake Camps
October 11, 2025 Converge in the Valley Roseau, MN
October 23-24, 2025 Fix The Finances 2.0 St. Paul, MN
October 29, 2025 Retired Pastors and Missionaries Event at Bethel (save the date)
April 16-17, 2026 Eagle Brook Association Training Session Apple Valley, MN
Lake Sarah Baptist Church Director of Family Life Ministries Slayton, MN (job opening)
Calvary Baptist Church Lead Pastor Madison MN (job opening)
Community of Nations Lead Pastor Roseville MN (job opening)
Jesus,
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
The Regional President Search Team has been working diligently since April. Your prayers are highly valued as they seek wisdom and discernment from God throughout the search process and interaction with candidates.
Join the Search Team and candidates in asking God to generously give his wisdom during this season!