2010 Plan Update #16: February 2002

Key Developments Since Last Update:

1. CABINET.

   Ed met with the Cabinet to discuss the 2010 Plan's progress and what changes need to be made. The group also discussed Kevin Mannoia's book, Church Planting: The Next Generation, which focuses on creating a church planting system.

   The group also met with David Owen, responsible for the South Indiana Conference's church planting effort, to discuss their recruitment and training process for church planters.

2. NATIONAL UM ACTIVITY.

   Ed met with both the National UM Church Developers Fellowship and the North Central Jurisdictional Church Development Network (which he chairs) to continue to learn what's happening nationally. He compiled a report that outlines how each conference is funding its church development effort.

3. CONFERENCE ACTIVITY.
   • With the help of Oscar Ramos, South Bend First has officially launched a new Hispanic faith community called La Tierre Prometida (The Promised Land). The church is funding the ministry's pastor Rev. Jose Aldo Navarrete.
   • Elkhart Trinity's "Somos Uno" continues with a weekly average of about 15 people.
   • Fort Wayne Good Shepherd's "Open Arms" has experienced growth and is continuing to develop its strategy.
   • Angola First is planning to do a feasibility study to indicate whether or not a new church is needed in the area.
   • Lapel Trinity continues to do basic development at its new site.
   • Valparaiso First UMC is proceeding with its plans to help establish a new congregation to the north on SR49; it also continues to develop a ministry to the south.
   • Other churches including Middlebury and Hanfield UMCs have indicated that they are exploring options that include multi-site ministry.

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for the churches that are establishing new congregations, especially Angola UMC, Valparaiso First UMC, Lapel Trinity UMC, Fort Wayne Good Shepherd's Open Arms, Elkhart Trinity's Los Somos Unos, DeMotte & South Bend First's Hispanic efforts.
2. Pray for additional people to surface who feel called to plant a church and additional churches that feel called to assist in establishing new congregations.
3. Pray for two district gathers--Fort Wayne and Michiana--that will discuss the 2010 Plan and possibilities.
4. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!