2010 Plan Update #36: November/December 2004
2010 Plan's Objective: Enlisting the conference and its churches to reach new population groups for Jesus Christ.
Key Developments Since Last Update:
- NEWEST CONGREGATIONS.
God’s Grace Ministry is the name of a new church in Marion. The church is the merger of Grace, New Hope, Swayzee St., and Trinity UMCs. Since Nov. 28th the new church has been worshiping at the Indiana Wesleyan chapel and has averaged 145.
Open Arms, an off-site multi-ethnic congregation of Fort Wayne Good Shepherd UMC, has launched a Spanish-language worship service on Saturdays that is averaging 20. Open Arms’ Sunday morning service averages over 100 and is made up of blacks, whites, Hispanics, Jamaicans, Africans, and bi-racial families.
- CHURCH PLANTING NETWORK.
Fourteen people, representing nine churches, met at Fort Wayne Sonrise. Its pastor, Rev. Stan Buck, shared the results of his doctoral dissertation, which was on NIC's church plants the past twenty years. He also shared about the development of Sonrise UMC, which he founded in 1987.
- REDVELOPMENT.
The eighteen churches involved in the Redevelopment Venture Process (RVP) held two more sessions. Several new RVP coaches have been recruited and at least one other is exploring the possibility of becoming a coach.
- SECOND-CAMPUS LAND PURCHASES.
Lapel Trinity has nearly completed the purchase of a 25-acre site where it is developing a second campus. Huntertown has completed the purchase of a 33-acre site where it will be developing a second campus. South Bend Clay is in middle of purchasing a 20-acre site for its second campus. Fort Wayne Covenant now has control over a 36-acre site it plans to develop. And Fort Wayne St. Joseph has raised over a half-million dollars for the purchase of a 30-acre site for its second campus.
- CHURCH DEVELOPMENT CONSULTATION.
In coordination with Bishop Coyner, the CCOM, and new Church Development Ministry Team, Ed Fenstermacher has arranged to have Jim Griffith, a nationally-known consultant, come to meet with these groups as well as pastors of churches developing new congregations and RVP coaches. The consultation will be held Jan. 7th and 8th at Epworth Forest.
Prayer Concerns:
- Pray for the Jim Griffith consultation.
- Pray for the Church Development area as it transitions to a new structure with new leadership.
- Pray for the churches mentioned above as they reach out to others.
- Pray that God would make our hearts--ache for the lost!
