2010 Plan Update #42: November/December 2005
2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.
Key Developments Since Last Update:
- SENDING OF SEVENTY.
The Church Development Ministry Team embraced Bishop Coyner’s vision to send out 35 pairs of people from NIC churches to start new faith communities. The idea is still in the conception stage. A plan is being developed.
- NEW PROJECT AT INGALLS.
Pendleton First UMC, pastored by Rev. Tim Wilbur, has been granted $33,333 from Church Development to establish a new congregation in the community of Ingals (near Indianapolis). In November, a team attended training in multi-site ministry. It is now implementing its outreach strategy using the building of the former Ingalls UMC.
- WARSAW FIRST PURCHASES SCHOOL.
First UMC, pastored by Rev. David Heim, voted to purchase a school building in Warsaw to use as the home of a new off-site congregation of First UMC. The church’s associate pastor, Rev. Steve Austin, is involved in developing the new congregation.
- HISPANIC FAITH COMMUNITIES STARTING.
Rev. Juan Martinez, pastor of Frankfort El Mesias, begins working part time at the Dayton UMC to help the church establish a new Hispanic/Latino faith community.
Hope UMC, pastored by Rev. John Randall, voted to support the development of a new Hispanic/Latino faith community called Iglesia La Esperanza. The faith community, led by Crecendio Barahona, has begun holding regular Bible studies at the church.
- HISPANIC LEADERS TRAINED.
Crecendio Barahona and ten other lay persons completed Module 1 Lay Missioner training and two UM pastors completed Module 1 Pastor-Mentor training. The training was held at the Open Arms campus of the Good Shepherd UMC in Fort Wayne. Another Module 1 training will be offered Feb. 23-26 at Hammond First UMC. A follow-up Module 2 training will be held this summer.
- RENEWAL GIFTS MADE.
Revs. Gary Hall (Hartford City Grace) and Reginald Lee (Anderson New Hope) were selected by Bishop Coyner to receive Church Developer Renewal gifts to help them and their families take a vacation for R&R. These two individuals have been working hard for several years in leading their congregations to develop a new off-site congregation and to relocate to a new building respectively. Congratulations!
Prayer Concerns:
- Pray for the Bishop’s dream to send seventy out to start new faith communities.
- Pray for the projects mentioned above and the churches and leaders working on them.
- Pray that God would continue to raise up leaders and churches to start new congregations.
- Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!
