2010 Plan Update #18: April 2002
2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.
Key Developments Since Last Update:
- CHURCH PLANTERS.
Rev. Kurt Nichols went through a new-church planter screening process with Dr. Charles Ridley. Rev. Kevin Buckley attended a multi-housing ministry conference; he has a dream to help establish a new congregation in an apartment complex.
- COMMITTEE ON CHURCH DEVELOPMENT.
A task force met to formulate specific ways the Committee on Church Development can become more proactive in supporting the 2010 Plan effort. Recommendations will be brought to the group's June meeting for action.
- TRAINING EVENT.
The Cabinet identified 16 pastors and their churches to invite to the upcoming School of Congregational Development in Houston, Texas, August 1-6th. Each is eligible for a $500 scholarship.
- GENERAL CHURCH RESOURCES.
Oscar Ramos and Ed Fenstermacher were the guests of the General Board of Global Ministries' Evangelization and Church Growth Section. They met with the section's staff in New York City to better understand the resources available for church development and revitalization.
Prayer Concerns:
- Pray for the churches that are considering establishing new congregations, especially Angola UMC, Valparaiso First UMC, and Lapel Trinity UMC.
- Pray for those considering multi-site options (e.g. second campuses) including Hanfield, Huntertown, Middlebury and Wabash First UMC's.
- Pray for these fledgling new faith communities: Fort Wayne Good Shepherd's Open Arms, Elkhart Trinity's Los Somos Unos, South Bend First's La Tierre Prometida, and Hispanic efforts in Calumet, Fort Wayne and Lafayette.
- Pray for the Cabinet and Church Development as they consider ways to become more proactive.
- Pray for Kurt Nichols and Kevin Buckley that God's will becomes clear and happens.
- Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!
