2010 Plan Update #27: May/June 2003

2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.

Key Developments Since Last Update:

1. VALPO PROJECT.

   The team working under the leadership of Revs. Dave Byrum and Kurt Nichols visited the Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas, to study a model of church planting that fits perfectly Valpo’s ministry objectives. They are now beginning its implementation.

2. PLANTERS CONSECRATED.

   Revs. Kevin Buckley and Kurt Nichols were consecrated at Annual Conference. Their DS’s and members from their churches laid hands on them while the Bishop consecrated them. Keep them in your prayers!

3. REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS.

   A team of eight conference leaders has been established to launch a new redevelopment process for local churches in concert with the Cabinet. The process will initially be led by its designer Dr. Colon Brown, who is from the Detroit Conference. He will take a group of clergy-laity teams through nine sessions over three years. At the same time he will be training a team that will lead the process with other NIC churches in the future.

   Each district superintendent is presently inviting specific churches to participate. There is an upfront cost to the church of $1,000. An additional $9,000 has been made available for the effort by two CCOM committees.

4. CABINET.

   Ed Fenstermacher shared with the Cabinet key learnings from his trip to the Philippines last fall where he studied the UMC’s church planting movement there. The discussion sparked new ideas for utilizing and deploying in particular local pastors.

5. HISPANIC PLAN.

   Three informational sessions will be held this summer for local churches interested in learning more about ministry with NIC’s growing Hispanic population. Dates for the training of “Lay Missioners” and “Pastor Mentors” have been set as well for this fall and next year. Contact Rev. Oscar Ramos for details.

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for Rev. Kevin Buckley, Rev. Kurt Nichols, and Rev. Tim Prowse and the South Bend, Valparaiso, and Merrillville/Schererville projects respectively.
2. Pray for the Gary UMC’s as they explore how they might minister better together.
3. Pray for the DS’s as they recruit churches for the new redevelopment process.
4. Pray for Rev. Oscar Ramos and this summer’s Hispanic meetings.
5. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!