In addition, the number of pre-existing congregations connecting with the CGGC today is also nothing short of amazing. Eight years ago this was basically a non-existent trend. In this same period we launched Latino Ministries; watched our overseas work grow on every field; and added new works in the Dominican Republic, Kenya, Mexico, and Venezuela. My ongoing prayer is that the CGGC may continue to grow until all the USA churches get what it means to be on one mission with Jesus and every cynic and critic is dumbfounded by God’s good work in our midst. Okay, let me tell you about our visits to the Mt Holly Springs and Eberly’s Mill churches in the Eastern Region. |
Three weeks ago Linda and I visited Mt Holly Springs Church. Dick Reese invited me to preach at both morning services for their 30th anniversary as a congregation. As I’ve reported before in the eNews when we served the Plainfield Church they birthed the Mt Holly congregation. Both these churches are quite dear to our heart. Like our children we’ve watched them learn and grow into the on-one-mission churches they are today. We stopped by Plainfield the Sunday before Eastern Regional Conference and heard about changed lives in the trailer park where the church regularly ministers. They understand missional ministry and make the commitment of people and resources to Git-R-Dun. |
At Mt Holly I preached from Acts 16 about having a Gospel vision. “Come over and help us!” is the plea of so many people, and often we Christ followers can’t see or hear them. Mt Holly Church began when one family opened their home for a Bible study and several others joined them in support. The congregation grew from there to what it is today, a story of one miracle after another. Last year the congregation erected an outdoor pavilion for community and church use. |
In my conclusion I challenged the church to pray about who might open up their home or help with starting new congregations in the area. Dick and I have often talked about the possibilities. I told the assembly when we return to PA we want to agitate for new church starts, but we will need many partners to see it happen and lots of prayer. They seemed very open to becoming part of such a venture. If people in established churches get involved in multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches, the mission shifts from the efforts of a few to the many and the possibility of exponential growth opens up. |
Then last Sunday Linda and I visited another CGGC church that gets it. Like so many congregations not on the mega-church list, our fellowship at Eberly’s Mill in the Eastern Region receives little media notice. Nevertheless they are committed to transforming their community in Jesus’ name one life at a time. I remember when Jim and Darlene Moss, Jr. went there twenty years ago church attendance hovered at about 30-35. Today the active congregation stands somewhere around 165 on any given Sunday. It took twenty years, but how did this happen? |
Jim and the leadership reached out to their neighborhood going door to door to find out what the community needed. Then, over the years they ministered to those needs. Because of this growth and plans for future growth the church expanded staff two years ago by hiring Matt and Stephanie Eding. In the next year they also expect to make a major addition to their church facility. Check the church out at http://www.eberlysmillcog.com/ for more information. The stated purpose on their website is “Our church exists to serve God and you,” and they do. In fact that could/should be the raison d'être for all churches that get it! |
Ed
Soli Deo Gloria!
WTS Presidential Interviews to be Held
Morning:
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Presentation
10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Questions and Answers
11:15 -11:30 p.m. Break
11:30 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch (Only for Presidential Search Committee and Board of Trustees)
Afternoon:
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Presentation
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. Questions and Answers
4:45 – 5:00 p.m. Break
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Dinner (Only for Presidential Search Committee and Board of Trustees)
Presentation Topic:
From your perspective, what are some of the current challenges in theological education today and how would you address those challenges at WTS?