2010 Plan Update #51: May/June 2007

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

Key Developments Since Last Update:

1. SENDING OF THE SAINTS.

   The Annual Conference approved the Sending of the Saints proposal, which states: "In 2008, each NIC church—alone or in cooperation with another church or churches—is expected to help start at least one faith community or congregation in order to reach, disciple, and serve persons outside their existing congregations.”

   A packet of information has been distributed to NIC churches, which includes a guide churches can use to pray for their communities, another to help them discern God’s will, and there is a listing of workshop opportunities and additional resources. These also can be found on the conference’s website (www.nicumc.org/cd/sos/). District Superintendents have also begun touching bases with pastors about the Sending of the Saints effort through their summer interviews.

2. NEWEST NIC CHURCH.

   On May 27, Fort Wayne Iglesia Cristiana Getsemani UM, pastored by Sergio and Janie Reyes, became Indiana’s first chartered Hispanic United Methodist church. Averaging over 150 in weekly worship, this fast-growing church had been a part of Ft. Wayne Christ UMC since January of 2005. It continues to share Christ UMC’s facility.

3. CHURCH PLANTING.

   Bishop Coyner convened a special meeting in June that included the NIC’s Church Development Minsitry Team, its ethnic resource teams, and a number of district superintendents to discuss church planting and in particular ethnic church planting. Mark Gough was asked to put together a team to draft an aggressive church-planting strategy for the conference.

4. REGIONAL CHURCH REVITALIZATION.

   Dean Fager, Cindy Reynolds (Warsaw District), Craig LaSuer (Marion District), and Ed Fenstermacher met to discuss the development of a regional approach to church revitalization. With the help of others, they will begin to flesh out what such an approach might look like.

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for NIC churches as they discern how they will participate in the Sending of the Saints effort.
2. Pray for new faith communities and congregations that churches have already started.
3. Pray for Sergio and Janie Reyes and their congregation, as well as the development of other Hispanic faith communities.
4. Pray for those working on the development of an outreach effort in Gary.
5. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!