Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Highligts From some Mission Congregations

o    The Lord has answered our prayers for a new location that is cost effective and close to our evangelistic activities
§  On the first Sunday at the new location there were 11 visitors!


Renew Church (Ft. Myers, FL)-Steve Reynolds
o    We are seeing God open doors with our friends and deepening the connection we have with them…We are also seeing clarity about the shape of the church we are planting.


o    A woman in her 30’s who works with someone in our congregations has accepted the Lord.


o    Had first official leadership meeting with 8 in attendance for a Friday night and Saturday morning meeting.
o    Started a few new events: Monthly bowling, Outdoor/Walk-In movies, & Couples Cook-Outs.

o    Sunday June 17th we recognized and congratulated the participants that completed the first Discipline Training program (a three year long discipleship program!)

Global Vision ARP Church (Flushing, NY)-Peter Lee
o    We baptized an adult one week and baptized an infant the next Lord’s Day worship.


Tapestry ARP Church (Charlotte, NC)-Jarvis Ross
o    Tapestry has developed an internship with New Life Theological Seminary.


Compass Church (North Port, FL)-Tom Schneider
o    Four months ago I began two Life Groups at the same time; one in North Port and one in Osprey. During that time we grew from a total of 12 people to a total of 38. Those who started with me four months ago are now asking questions how they can be more involved and give to the work.


o    “We started a 12 week discipleship training bible study at the end of May. Three men and four women are studying discipleship with the hope that this fall we will begin to disciple others at Christ Community Church.”


o    One recent development is a men’s book study we’re doing during the summer. This is providing a good place to connect as men in the church.


o    The launch team more and more grasps the importance of evangelism and discipleship making. We’re continuing to model evangelism and hospitality to our launch team members. They’re beginning to exhibit some of the same behavior we’ve modeled.
o    A couple will arrive in July that are in their 50’s with grown children. This is an answer to prayer since we’ve been looking for older people to join us to give us balance and insight.


o    About 80-90% of those committed to the church are involved in regular ongoing one-on-one discipleship relationships. This has been a great encouragement. Our membership classes and interviews have gone well and we recently welcomed our first members into the church.


o    Our outreach to lower social economic families is developing well. We are still in the pilot phase but we are starting to move toward incorporating a bible study for some elementary and middle school girls.


o     Encouraged as I see new faces at Riverside. God has also recently brought an encouraging older couple into our membership.


o    The Hill City Prayer Corps Bi-Weekly Guide debuted on May 15. We have a team of folks committing to pray for a different item every day in a guide we send out every two weeks. People pray for the mission developer and his family, staff, our worship services, specific petitions of concern, individuals within our church, mission opportunities, etc. Also, we have hosted a breakfast and prayer gathering on Sunday mornings with several people in the church.