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Generate custom solutions with the possibility to create synergy. Amplify outside the box thinking yet be on brand.
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Demonstrating sprints in order to innovate. Build innovation to innovate. Drive outside the box thinking and try to think outside the box.
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Leverage cloud computing but funnel users. Repurposing stakeholder management yet think outside the box. Grow core competencies with a goal to re-target key demographics.
Sub Heading 7
Generate custom solutions with the possibility to create synergy. Amplify outside the box thinking yet be on brand.
Sub Heading 8
Demonstrating sprints in order to innovate. Build innovation to innovate. Drive outside the box thinking and try to think outside the box.
Sub Heading 9
Leverage cloud computing but funnel users. Repurposing stakeholder management yet think outside the box. Grow core competencies with a goal to re-target key demographics.
Love with Courage
We are delighted to invite you to the upcoming American Baptist Churches of Nebraska State Convention, themed “Love with Courage.” This exciting event will occur at First Baptist Church, Scottsbluff, NE, October 10-11, 2025.
The convention welcomed a dynamic gathering of pastors, church leaders, and members across Nebraska. This year’s theme, “Love with Courage” calls us to focus on Jesus’ call to love one another as he has loved us.
Schedule
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Clergy and Spouse retreat:
Keynote Speaker Rev. Bryan Marvel
Friday, October 10, 2025
8:00 AM Clergy and Spouse Breakfast
9:00AM-12:00 PM Clergy and Spouse Retreat Activities
12:00 PM Pre-Event Lunches
2:00 PM Pre-event meetings
5:30 PM Roast Beef Dinner
7:00 PM Opening Session (Sanctuary)
9:00 PM Celebration Café
Saturday, October 11, 2025
9:00 AM Morning Session (Sanctuary)
9:45AM –Break–
10:00 AM Business Session (Sanctuary)
11:00 AM Workshops Round 1
Noon Pulled Pork Lunch Break (Fellowship Hall)
1:00 PM Workshops Round 2
2:00 PM Closing Worship (Sanctuary)
3:00 PM Dismiss
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
Keynote Speakers
Our lineup of keynote speakers will encourage and challenge us to love with courage in all aspects of our lives and ministries.
Rev. Dr. Christine Rousch, Director of American Baptist Foundation
Rev. Dr. Pam Durso, President, Central Seminary
Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of Nebraska
Robert Vivar, The Border Church along the Tijuana-San Diego border.
Potters Wheel Ministries, Scottsbluff, NE.
Rev. Dr. Christine Rousch
Christine is passionate about American Baptist ministry and mission. Because of her vast experience, she has seen first-hand the incredible work American Baptists do locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. She states: “From disaster relief, evangelism, discipleship, and social justice to agricultural education, medical services, and training of pastors-American Baptists lead the way in serving as Christ in the world!”
Rev. Dr. Pam Durso
President Pamela R. Durso became the 11th president of Central Seminary in 2020. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a Ph.D. in Church History from Baylor University, as well as a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Prior to her presidency, she served as the Associate Executive Director-Treasurer of the Baptist History and Heritage Society from 2003 to 2009 and was an Assistant Professor at Campbell University Divinity School from 1999 to 2003. She also taught as an adjunct faculty member at McAfee School of Theology for ten years.
Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula
Greg has served in the ABCNE region since 2012 in various roles. He aims to model unity and promote fellowship for the kingdom of God. “Jesus’ command to love God and love others requires courage. Especially in uncertain and difficult times, our willingness to love one another truly reveals to the world that we are disci
The Border Church is an interdenominational Christian ministry at the Tijuana-San Diego border. From November 2011 to February 2020, we gathered at Friendship Park for communion, open to everyone. Since being locked out of the U.S. side in February 2020, we have operated as a migrating congregation on the Tijuana side, while our friends in Mexico continue to worship and support displaced persons there. Despite our separation, we remain committed to unity and resist the dividing forces at our border.
Potters Wheel
“Transforming Our Community… One Life at a Time!” Potter’s Wheel Ministries offers a food pantry to support community members in meeting their basic nutritional needs. Since 1989, Potter’s Wheel Ministries has been dedicated to serving our community, reaching out to those in need with love, compassion, hope, and practical assistance!”
Rev. Bryan Marvel
With seventeen years of speaking experience, Bryan has met thousands of people struggling with a condition he calls spiritual amnesia – a condition where people forget who God has created them to be and, therefore, find themselves drifting through life without a strong sense of purpose and calling.
He’s spoken at camps, retreats, and conferences in different parts of the country, all while serving as a pastor of a local church. Currently, he serves as the Lead Pastor of Meadowbrook Church, where he has been since 2016.
Since 1985, the mission of the American Baptist Foundation (ABF) is to support and strengthen the Christian witness fulfilled by our partners in ministry and mission.
The Foundation encourages individuals to support the endeavours of these partners through what is known as”planned giving” – establishing wills and other charitable estate plans.
ABF supports the stewardship of all American Baptist individuals, churches, and organizations by providing gift planning, gift management, endowment fund management, and educational resources in harmony with the mission of our faith family.
Our gift planning and financial services offer a convenient resource aimed at reducing duplication of efforts while enhancing the effectiveness in increasing the financial resources for the American Baptist witness for Christ in the future.
American Baptist Churches USA
American Baptist Churches USA are missional congregations that nurture devoted disciples of Jesus Christ who live their lives in mission and ministry for the healing of the world through the love of God.
International Ministries
International Ministries, works cross-culturally to invite people to become disciples of Jesus Christ and to proclaim, through both word and deed, God’s reign of justice, peace and abundant life for all creation. Founded in 1814 IM is the oldest international mission sending agency in North America.
For more than 150 years, American Baptist Home Mission Societies has answered God’s call to meet the needs of those living on the margins. Their ministries transform and heal communities dealing with poverty, disaster and crisis. Our network of volunteers, donors, churches and Christian leaders bring hope to children and families struggling with addiction, incarceration, mental illness and societal injustice. They develop programs, publications and resources that encourage, educate, develop and strengthen Christian leaders to make an impact in people’s lives.
The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board helps to bridge the gap between faith and finance. MMBB provides financial wellness education and resources for local churches and clergy. They are the primary resource for retirement planning, tax-advice, and financial security
The Burma Advocacy Group is a joint effort coordinated by Burmese American Community Institute, Burmese Christian Association of N. America, Chin Association of Maryland, Chin Baptist Association of North America, Chin Baptist Churches USA, Chin Community of Indiana, Chin National Unity Organization, Grassroots Movement for Burma, Kachin Baptist Churches USA, Kachin Alliance USA/Kachin American Baptist Association, Karen Baptist Churches USA, Karen Organization of America, Karenni Baptist Convention of America, Milwaukee Burmese Christian Church, US Campaign for Burma/US Chin Coalition, Zo Chin Ministers Union of USA (ZOMU)American Baptist Churches, Office of General Secretary, International Ministries, American Baptist Home Mission Societies, American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, Baptist World Alliance, and 21Wilberforce.
This group advocates on behalf of the Burma diaspora. It raises funds, provides resources, and lobbies the US government, the United Nations, and other global partners for justice and humanitarian aid.
Partner Organizations
ABCUSA partners allow us to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus together.
American Baptist Home Mission Society
Ministers and Missionary Benefit Board
First Baptist Church of Scottsbluff is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska. As a historical church in the area, we continue to grow our membership with strong believers by actions of faith based upon scripture. Centrally located in a farming community and accompanied by a vast area of open range and bluffs carving the horizon, our rural area caters to a population of just under 36,000. FBC of Scottsbluff seeks to capitalize on the potential growth of our rural area and become a home to those seeking a relationship with Christ.
3009 Avenue I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Lodging Options
Holiday Inn Express and Suites
Registration and Meals
Online and paper registrations available beginning May 27, 2025
Registration is $35 per person
Friday October 10, Roast Beef Dinner $18 per person
Saturday October 11, Pulled Pork Lunch $12 person