Member
Benefits

Converge Great Lakes has a whole host of resources it provides to all of its member churches. We are deeply committed to helping each church become healthy, impactful and reproducing. We aim to start and strengthen churches together. The following is a simple summary of what services we provide. We are here to serve you.

Ken Nabi
Regional President 

Strengthening Ministries

  • LEAD Teams equipping pastors for impact 

  • Leadership Development 

  • Church health assessment coaching 

  • Church Leadership Consultation 

  • Pastoral transition guidance

  • Conflict resolution and mediation services

  • Antioch School for degreed education and Advanced Discipleship 

  • Occasional pulpit fill 

Financial Services 

  • Accounting and consultation on clergy accounting questions 

  • Do It Right seminars 

  • Incorporation Guidance 

  • Payroll Service 

Business Partners 

  • Insurance services and advisors 

  • Church audio and video producers 

  • Building and construction

  • Financial principles and solutions 

  • Copiers and printers 

  • Amazon and Christian Book Distributors 

Pastoral Information 

  • Ordination and licensing of clergy 

  • Affiliation for churches wishing to join

  • Pastoral placement for incoming and outgoing pastoral staff 

Events 

  • Regional prayer gatherings for pastors

  • Annual meeting 

  • Pastor - Board training 

  • Church Planter Retreats 

Starting Ministries / Church Planting 

  • Recruiting info for prospective planters 

  • Support for church planting wives 

  • Connecting with current planters

  • Pre-assessment processes

  • Assessment center to assess readiness 

  • Resources and Expertise in church planting

  • Planting event for support and equipping  

Sending 

  • Compassion ministries 

  • Ethnic and Urban ministries

  • Short term ministry opportunities 

Church Affiliation

Who is Converge Great Lakes 

We start and strengthen churches together worldwide. 

Converge Great Lakes is made up of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We are a regional expression of Converge - an international movement of transformational churches. 

Our Values

Spiritually Dynamic 

We glorify God in all we do, trusting in the authority of his Word, the sufficiency of his Son, the power of the Holy Spirit and this delight in prevailing prayer.

Missionally Driven 

We multiply transformational churches, reproducing the life of Christ in disciples, leaders and congregations worldwide.  

Relationally Devoted 

We display Christ’s love in our relationships and ministry partnerships, expressing his compassion, generosity and irenic spirit. 

Culturally Diverse 

We advance Christ’s destiny for his church - a church that reflects the beauty and synergy of worshippers from all people and cultures. 

Affiliation: How to Join Converge Great Lakes

Affiliation Process

Detailed Overview 

Your regional affiliation will be with Converge Great Lakes and national/international affiliation with Converge. Converge Great Lakes is Baptistic in our heritage and biblical in our understanding. 

Affiliation Agreements

Church are eligible for affiliation in Converge Great Lakes upon the following conditions: 

  1. The church shall subscribe, without reservation, to the Converge Affirmation of Faith 

  2. The church shall affirm Converge Great Lake’s mission, mission and values 

  3. The church shall practice Baptistic polity, having some form of congregational government 

  4. The church shall practice believers baptism by immersion. 

  5. The church shall actively participate in the mission and ministries of Converge Great Lakes and Converge through regular financial investment (1% - 3% of its annual budget), participation in the life of the district and with regular prayer. 

  6. The church shall include Converge Great Lakes or another ministry in the dissolution clause of its Constitution and By-Laws.

Admission into Converge Great Lakes 

Your church will need to hold a vote according to its by-laws, whether as a congregation or leadership board, in order to join Converge Great Lakes. After the vote, your church must submit a letter to Converge Great Lakes on official letterhead stating that the church has approved by vote its intention to join in membership.

The Board of Overseers will review all documents and make a recommendation to the delegates at the Converge Great Lakes Annual Meeting in the fall. Once accepted into full inclusion as a CGL affiliated church, each church will be assigned a LEAD Team to participate with for connection, encouragement, and working together. LEAD Teams are regional gatherings of pastors who work together on mission.

The Converge Great Lakes Application will provide us with information and documentation about your church, history, beliefs and vision. It will assist Converge Great Lakes leaders in getting to know your congregation as well as affirm our common desire to partner together to reach the world for Christ.