2010 Plan Update #53: September/October 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.

   About 60 NIC churches, of 140 reporting, indicated that they have determined who outside their churches they are striving to reach and disciple. These range from reaching people living in mobile home parks to motorcycle riders, elementary children to adults in assisted living residences, those in recovery groups to those imprisoned, Hispanics and Africans. They range from starting Kid’s clubs to small groups, worship services, off-site congregations, and even a potential new-church plant.

   Over 125 people from over two-dozen churches attended training workshops. Sixteen churches reported that they are actively discerning who God is calling them to reach and/or are actively praying for their communities.

2. NEW CONGREGATION LAUNCHES.

   Pendleton First UMC launched its South Madison Community Church’s weekly worship services on October 6th, with 80 in attendance. The new congregation, with is a part of First Church, is located in the town of Ingalls and is meeting in a former UMC that was closed in 2005.

3. CHURCH DEVELOPMENT GRANT.

   The Church Development Ministry Team awarded a $50,000 one-year grant to Getsemani UMC, a newly-chartered Hispanic congregation located in Fort Wayne. The grant is primarily to help the church, which is averaging over 150 each week in worship, add some additional key ministry staff.

4. AREA CHURCH DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

   A task force, made up of three individuals from both the North and South Indiana conferences, completed an Area-wide church development plan that could serve as a plan for an Indiana-wide UM conference. It is to be shared with the Imagine Indiana Design Team.

5. REGIONAL CHURCH REVITALIZATION.

   The DS’s from the Huntington, Marion, and Warsaw districts, along with revitalization coaches, Rev. Dean Fager and Ed Fenstermacher, developed a regional church revitalization plan that is complementary to both the Sending of the Saints effort and the Area church development plan. The plan will be shared in January with pastors of churches in the three districts, and then be further perfected and implemented.

6. HISPANIC TRAINING.

   Eleven lay people from the NIC, representing five churches, completed Module 1 training as a part of the National Hispanic Plan. They each will be involved in a specific ministry back in their local churches, and will be eligible to attend Module 2 training this fall to become UM Lay Missioners.

7. SERVICE HELD AT GARY CHURCH.

   Over 150 people gathered at the remains of former City UMC in the heart of Gary for a service of repentance, reconciliation, and appreciation, led by Rev. Michelle Cobb, Calumet District Superintendent, and Bishop Michael Coyner. It is hoped that the service will help spark continued renewal and vitality of the church in the city of Gary.

Prayer Concerns:

1. Pray for NIC churches as they reach out through the Sending of the Saints effort.
2. Pray for Pendleton First’s new Ingalls’s congregation.
3. Pray for those who completed the training for Hispanic lay ministry.
4. Pray that we will be free from fear, racism, and other sins that prevent us from being effective witnesses of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
5. Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!