MBC Colson Fellows 2025

THE COLSON FELLOWSHIP AT

Millington Baptist Church

Do you want to know more before registering?

Sign up for one of our Information sessions with Pastor Bob Erbig:

LIVE: Sunday, March 23 in Fellowship Hall, 12:30pm-1pm
OR
ONLINE: Monday, April 7, at 7pm. A link to the session will be provided shortly.

Most of our Bible study throughout our Christian lives focuses on understanding God and learning how to live in right relationship to Him, ourselves and each other-and this is certainly vital to our spiritual growth. However, the Bible also teaches us how to live in right relationship to every aspect of God’s creation, which includes society, culture, art, economics, education and politics just to name a few. Furthermore, the Bible helps us understand how to properly order (or re-order) the fallen world as we join Christ in his work of restoring all things. This is where a “Christian worldview” proves vital.

Ours is a world where the “powers and principalities” are actively working to dis-order God’s good creation in areas such as marriage, family, human sexuality, and personhood. As disciples of Christ, we cannot truly love our neighbors and remain indifferent to ideas and actions that do harm to people and God’s creation. The fact is “ideas have consequences and bad ideas have victims.” Because we care about the victims of “bad ideas,” we are pleased to partner with the Colson Center for Christian Worldview in bringing the Colson Fellows Program to MBC.

The Colson Fellows Program is a transformational course that compresses a lifetime of Christian wisdom…into nine months. This program will establish a solid foundation for those who are new to the study of Christian worldview, and for those who are well-versed in worldview and apologetics; you will gain new insights into today ‘s rapidly changing culture. Colson Fellows-in-Training go beyond understanding worldview as mere arguments and facts, and develop instead, the critical thinking skills or wisdom to discern what is or is not true, good, and beautiful in every issue that assails us today so they can understand the times and engage others thoughtfully and with grace.

Program Overview

Beginning each August, Colson Fellows-in-Training follow a carefully curated curriculum that helps them understand and identify worldviews and how they manifest in today’s ideas, philosophies, policies and practice. You will learn how to analyze and understand culture and its influence. Additionally, we will examine current cultural flashpoints such as race relations, progressive sexuality, religious liberty, the role of government, economics, and sanctity of life. Finally, Colson Fellows-in-Training will examine the concept of “calling” and develop a “Personal Ministry Plan” that will help them discover their calling, identify their unique gifts and sphere of influence.

Other features of the Program include:

24/7 /365 access to the Colson Fellows Online Learning Platform;
Monthly Meetings facilitated by Bob Erbig, Leader Pastor for Preaching, Family Life and Mission, a commissioned Colson Fellow.
Twice-Monthly Video Webinars in which you are able to interact with authors from the reading list
and other leading worldview scholars;
Interactive daily devotionals that weave together all course components;
Assistance developing a teaching practicum in which you will teach on a topic you’ve learned;
Strengths Finder assessment;
Lifetime access to Colson Center resources and ongoing worldview education;
Inclusion into a network of over 2000 Colson Fellows working across the globe in various spheres of Christian ministry.

Costs:

Typically, participants in the Colson Fellows Program pay $900.
Through an exclusive Licensing Agreement with the Colson Center, MBC members only pay $550 in tuition. Estimated book costs are an additional $200.
Participants will need to purchase books from a source of their choice such as Amazon.

Shedule:

Registration closes July 1, 2025
Online access to the Course opens July 1, 2025
Monthly sessions begin August 10th, 2025 and continue on the 2nd Saturday of each month through May 2026. Room and location TBD. Coffee and refreshments will be available.
Students completing the Program will be commissioned in May 2026.

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Lead Pastor: Preaching, Family Life & Mission

Contact Bob with any questions

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Lead Pastor: Preaching, Family Life & Mission

Contact Bob with any questions

World Venture

Training for women in Côte d’Ivoire

Girl Empowerment Curriculum: Trafficking and Domestic abuse

Project Cost: $6,000.00

The Project
Provide a training to women in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa to facilitate the Girl Empowerment Curriculum with their young girls to prevent sex trafficking and domestic abuse.

The Problem
According to the Trafficking In Person report on Cote d’Ivoire, traffickers exploit Ivoirian women and girls in sex trafficking, especially in Abidjan. Traffickers are increasingly using technology to fraudulently recruit victims for jobs and subsequently exploit them in sex trafficking. They bring girls from rural Cote d’Ivoire and other West African countries to Abidjan ostensibly to go to school or receive professional training but subsequently exploit them in domestic servitude; these girls are also vulnerable to sexual exploitation. Children living in Cote d’Ivoire without identity documents cannot enroll in school past the elementary level, increasing their vulnerability to trafficking.
According to the 2023 Trafficking In Person report on Cote d’Ivoire, the government maintained insufficient efforts to prevent trafficking. They have increased their efforts, but more is needed.

Ultimate Goal
To prevent girls and women from being trafficked. Through their engagement with the Girl Empowerment training, girls and women will learn to recognize if someone is trying to groom and recruit them, practice using their voices and asserting their boundaries, recognize signs of someone who is being trafficked and exploited, identify a list of safe people to address difficult situations, and be able to identify and avoid or thwart abusive or unhealthy relationship patterns.

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Lead Pastor: Preaching, Family Life & Mission

Contact Bob with any questions

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Lead Pastor: Preaching, Family Life & Mission

Contact Bob with any questions

Hot Meals Ministry

The CARE Leadership Team Needs Your Help.

Hot Meals Ministry

The Care Leadership Team is looking for volunteers who are willing to cook or deliver a hot meal to those in need from our church family. We are organizing volunteers by area so travel will be minimal.

If you or someone you know needs a meal or would like to provide a meal to a church family in need please complete the Caregiver Sign-Up sheet in the foyer and submit it to the church office or go to our webpage

Shepherd’s Freezer

A special thank you to all those who provide meals for the Shepherd’s Freezer. If you take a container, please take the time to make a meal and return it to the freezer as soon as possible so that we may continue to bless those in our congregation. Contact the Care Leadership Team with any questions.

Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

Sometimes health and other difficult circumstances make it hard to keep up with life’s demands. If you are able please contribute to the Shepherd’s Freezer in the basement kitchen. If this is a time of life when you need a little help please help yourself to meals from the freezer. If you have any questions please reach out to Jacquelyne Wright.

The CARE Leadership Team Needs Your Help.
The Shepherd’s Freezer provides complete frozen meals to families in times of need | The Care Leadership Team is looking for volunteers who are willing to cook or deliver a hot meal to those in need in our church family. In addition to Hot Meals, Shepherd’s Freezer will be stocked with frozen meals to meet the needs of our church family. If you are unable to cook but would like to bless someone in this way, Costco has several pre-made meals that can be frozen and left in the kitchen in the freezer labeled “Shepherd’s Freezer. After the service, containers with instructions and cookbooks will be available in the narthex.

Contributions to this ministry ensure that our freezer is always stocked. Please consider serving this ministry by donating a meal. Many in our body are blessed, served and encouraged through this ministry so If you or someone you know needs a meal or has questions about the program, please contact us at care@millingtonbaptist.org.

The Shepherd’s Freezer is located in the Kitchen of the main campus building. Contributors can deliver their prepared meals to the freezer themselves on Sundays or during office hours throughout the week.

Meal containers are available in the church kitchen.
You can also pick up a container before or after Sunday morning service or during office hours

The Shepherd’s Freezer accepts the following frozen meals/items: Frozen turkey breasts or roasting chicken, Frozen family-size prepared meals from BJs or Costco, Homemade casseroles, meatloaf, macaroni & cheese, chicken or pasta entrees,Homemade soups, Homemade breads, cookies, or pound cakes.
Grocery Store Gift Cards: The Shepherd’s Freezer & Pantry welcomes donations of grocery store gift cards. Gift cards from Shop Right or Stop & Shop are recommended. Gift cards should be hand delivered to the church office designated for the Shepherd’s Freezer Ministry.
Donations: Monetary donations toward the purchase of ziploc containers for distribution to those preparing meals are welcome!

Care

CARE Initiatives

Caring for each other | We are privileged to love one another. It is in this spirit that we have formed the Care Leadership Team (CLT). The goal of the CLT is to learn the needs of our congregation and coordinate assistance. To do this, we will draw upon the natural strengths of our church family to develop a network of caregivers. As a caregiver, people will have the option to serve when a need arises. We are seeking volunteers in the following areas:

Encouragement Ministries

Encouragement Ministry (i.e. Cards, Prayer, Visitation)

Support and comfort is given through a handwritten note, a prayer, a gift card or a personal visit. Have a desire to share God’s heart, a gift for words of encouragement, or enjoy visiting people? If so, lift others up by serving in this ministry.

Cards – Send cards to those going through a difficult situation, experiencing a health issue or celebrating a life event.
Prayer – Come alongside your fellow congregants in prayer to strengthen, equip and encourage them in life’s journey.
Visitation – Visit those who are ill, homebound, elderly or in need of a listening ear and make a personal connection with another member of our church family.
The Encouragement Fund – Provide a little extra support or uplift one’s spirit through gift cards. Support this ministry financially when a collection is taken during a Sunday service.

Household Ministries

Household Ministry (i.e. House Work, Yard Work, Household Repairs, Packing & Moving)

Practical help, such as housework, maintenance and yard work, is provided for those experiencing short-term or chronic difficult circumstances. Do you like lending a hand around the house? If so, provide some extra support by joining this ministry.

Light Housework – Provide an extra hand for light housework, such as cleaning, laundry, reorganizing, etc.
Light Yard Work – Provide an extra hand for light yard work, such as lawn mowing, bush trimming, leaf pickup, etc.
Household Repairs – Provide minor household maintenance or repairs, such as painting, repairs, etc.
Moving – Provide assistance during the moving process.
- Packing – Provide extra hands to pack or unpack during the moving process.
- Loading – Provide strong hands and backs to help with loading boxes and furniture.

Family Support Ministries

Family Support Ministry (i.e. Childcare, Tutoring, Mentoring, School Pick-up/Drop-off)

Provide support to families in need in areas such as childcare, tutoring, driving, or parenting support. Do you have a passion for our children and their families? If so, encourage families in our congregation by serving in this ministry.

Childcare – Provide a respite for parents in need by taking care of their children for an afternoon, evening, etc.
Tutoring – Provide some extra help with a child’s schoolwork.
Mentoring – Provide support by mentoring a child.
Driving Support – Provide rides for the family members, including transportation to school, sporting events, doctors, etc.

Transportation Ministries

Transportation Ministry (i.e. Rides to doctors, stores, appointments, etc.)

Transportation is provided to those who cannot drive themselves, for example to and from work/school, doctor’s offices, shopping centers, and other appointments. Are you willing to drive once a week/month or as a need arises? If so, then consider serving in this ministry. [top]

Hospitality Ministry

Hospitality is shown through provisions of meals or just having coffee with someone in our church family, Do you enjoy interacting and getting to know others? If so, reach out to the congregation by serving in this ministry.

Meals Ministry – Provide hot or frozen meals to those experiencing immediate need. That could be for someone coming home from the hospital, a family with a new baby or someone in the midst of short-term difficult circumstances. Do you enjoy cooking? If so, bless others with your talent by serving in this ministry.
- Hot Meals – Make and deliver homemade hot meals to those in need, such as new moms, individuals in crisis, etc.
- Shepherd’s Freezer – Make or purchase meals to be frozen and made available as needed.
Hosting – Provide congregants with a connection to our church family such as having a meal together, meeting for coffee, serving together, or inviting them to join a small group.

Hospitality Ministries

Hospitality Ministry (i.e. Hot Meals, Shepherd’s Freezer, Hosting)

Meals Ministry – Provide hot or frozen meals to those experiencing immediate need. That could be for someone coming home from the hospital, a family with a new baby or someone in the midst of short-term difficult circumstances. Do you enjoy cooking? If so, bless others with your talent by serving in this ministry.
- Hot Meals – Make and deliver homemade hot meals to those in need, such as new moms, individuals in crisis, etc.
- Shepherd’s Freezer – Make or purchase meals to be frozen and made available as needed. Download the recipe book for meal instructions and ideas or click here for ministry details.
Hosting – Provide congregants with a connection to our church family such as having a meal together, meeting for coffee, serving together, or inviting them to join a small group.

Our ministry is intended to encourage Renewal, Growth, Connection & Action within community.

Please let us know which of the ministries match your gifts by filling out the form below. Further questions can be addressed by emailing us at CARE Leadership Team. We look forward to serving with you!

Caregiver Response Form

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Questions or need help?

Craig McLaughlin

CARE Ministry Coordinators