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

Stephen Ministry

Our next training will take place:
TBD

Build a Team of Lay Caregivers to Transform Lives in Your Congregation

Imagine how much ministry could happen if your congregation had a team of well-trained lay caregivers equipped to provide one-on-one Christian care to people who need it.

Ever thought about becoming a Stephen Minister? Stephen Ministers work alongside pastors to care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support for people going through difficult times such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness. If you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening, please prayerfully consider being a part of this exciting ministry. Our next training will take place in January of 2024.

Questions about cost, time commitment, or something else? Interested in taking the next step and attending our next workshop?

Contact Stephen Ministry Team

Meet The Team: Pastor Dave Hentschel, Jim Romaine, Bruce Corke, Drew Huber, Cecil Ruth, Carol Lynn, Christine Wenslau, Michelle Klemme, Carrie Isler, Izzy Siegel, Judy Torgimsen, Yvonne Lai, Not seen: KaWing Kam and Grace Kam

Register now

If you regularly attend MBC register here.

What is Stephen Ministry?

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way will fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:2, NRSV).

In Stephen Ministry congregations, lay caregivers (called Stephen Ministers) provide one-to-one Christian care to those in need of care. These may include people who are bereaved, hospitalized, terminally ill, separated, divorced, unemployed, relocated, facing a crisis, or just experiencing difficult times. Stephen Ministry helps pastors and congregations provide quality caring ministry for as long as people need it. For more information on Stephen Ministry.

Source: Stephen Ministries

Who can be a care receiver?

Care Receivers are people going through tough times who are being cared for by Stephen Ministers. Care receivers are people—congregation members and others in the community—who receive care from a Stephen Minister. These are people struggling through a difficult time in life—experiencing grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, or some other life crisis. Some important guidelines for this caring relationship protect both the care receiver and the Stephen Minister: The relationship between a care receiver and a Stephen Minister is confidential. Men are matched with men; women with women. When a care receiver’s needs exceed what a Stephen Minister can provide, the Stephen Ministry team makes a referral to an appropriate mental health professional or other community resource.

Are you interested in becoming a Stephen Minister?

Apply now – Return this form to Carrie Isler

Questions?

Bruce Corke

Stephen Leader

Contact Bruce with any questions

Questions?

Dave Hentschel

Lead Pastor: Preaching, Spiritual Formation & Care

Contact Dave with any questions

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

THE COLSON FELLOWSHIP AT

Millington Baptist Church

Do you want to know more before registering?

Program Overview

Other features of the Program include:

Costs:

Shedule:

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Training for women in Côte d’Ivoire

Project Cost: $6,000.00

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Questions?

Bob Erbig

Build a Team of Lay Caregivers to Transform Lives in Your Congregation

Imagine how much ministry could happen if your congregation had a team of well-trained lay caregivers equipped to provide one-on-one Christian care to people who need it.

Questions?

Bruce Corke

Questions?

Dave Hentschel

Questions or need help?

Craig McLaughlin

Questions or need help?

Craig McLaughlin

Shepherd’s Freezer

Hot Meals Ministry