In Sympathy: Mr. Vi Tran
Mr. Vi Tran, spouse of Rev. Brian Gilbert of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the age of 37.
The Northern Illinois Conference appreciates the churches that went the second mile as Mission Links churches. To become a Mission Links 100% Supporter, a church needs to pay its conference and general church apportionments in full and donate to at least one Mission Links project in each of the giving areas.
In addition to their apportionment giving, Mission Links 100% Supporters gave almost $451,500 in second-mile gifts and over $89,500 in Special Sunday offerings.
“Our Missions Committee uses the Mission Links materials each year to select our monthly mission focus,” said Rev. Lynn Mikels, pastor of discipleship at First UMC in Arlington Heights. “We appreciate that the materials highlight the diversity of missional needs. By working with others from across the connection, we can be part of a global mission effort.”
“As the saying goes, ‘many hands make light work,’” said Rev. Caleb Hong, pastor of Grace UMC in Rockford. “As part of a connectional system, our support of apportionments and Mission Links allows us to do far more together than alone.”
Find a detailed listing of the missionaries supported by our conference and choose projects to support in from the NIC Mission Links booklet here.
Mr. Vi Tran, spouse of Rev. Brian Gilbert of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the age of 37.
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