Harvest Partners The Bible tell us that "the fields are ripe unto harvest". If ever that statement were true, it is for South Coastal District. Our three state mission field encompasses Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. This mission field has a population in excess of 16 million people. Presently we have 42 churches ministering to that population center.
Every year we have numerous qualified pastoral candidates who desire to plant a church on our district but, funds are limited. What could we do if we could simply plant "one more" church each year over the next ten years? Based upon our present planting rate, that would mean 20 extra churches on our district reaching thousands of more people for Christ and His Kingdom.
Will you join with us in becoming a Harvest Partner? Your prayers are vital to reaching a lost world for Christ. Jesus said, "pray the Lord of the harvest" that He would send out laborers into His harvest field.
Potential New Sites
ALABAMA:
Montgomery, Florence, Dothan, Huntsville, Birmingham, Mobile, Columbus
GEORGIA:
Valdosta, Brunswick, Rome, Cordele, Warner Robins, St. Mary's, Albany, Macon, Tifton, Douglasville
Hinesville, Dublin, Augusta, Athens, Waycross, Dalton, Cartersville, Savannah, Atlanta, Ft. Stewart
Milledgeville, Kinsgland
MISSISSIPPI:
Hattiesburg, Columbus, Brandon, Gulfport, Meridian, Biloxi, Tupelo, Jackson
*We have found that churches that are mothered by a single church or a cluster of churches have a greater success rate, quicker growth and move at a faster pace toward becoming fully established as a healthy congregation.
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A Word from the District Superintendent About the Process
Thanks for your interest in church planting on the South Coastal District of The Wesleyan Church. Our district has had a passion for over one decade for the planting of NewStart churches in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, and God has been so good. You might check out our district webpage. The district website has church planting resources as well.
We are recommending the following steps toward district church planting.
- Start praying for God to give you direction as to the place geographically on the district.
- Go to the Evangelism and Church Growth page on www.churchplanterprofiles.com and check out the self assessment.
· How well do you match the church planter personality?
· What other assessments might you engage?
· Do you have affirmation from other leaders you are a potential church planter?
- Are you willing to go bi-vocational?
· We recommend you find a job in the target town and start with that approach the first year.
· Church planting at its heart is always community focused and grass roots identified.
· Bi-vocational will help you catch the heartbeat of the community quickly!
- Have you read Nelson Searcy’s book on “Launch”?
· It is one of the finest approaches to getting your church up and strong as soon as possible. We have used the Launch approach with good results.
- Put together a strategic church plant proposal in written form and send to the DS.
- Do you have a sponsoring mother church that will sponsor you the first year?
- Establish a time to do a telephone interview with the DS/E&CG Director/Assistant DS.
- Visit with our E&CG Board and share your proposal and vision for planting a church.
- Get E&CG approval
- Visit with the DBA and obtain DBA approval
- Gather 120 prayer partners and raise funds for church planting. Our district will usually match whatever monies you raise for the first year Launch by your supporters.
Hope this is helpful in knowing steps you can take to begin thinking realistic about church planting on the South Coastal District.
Dan A. Berry, DS
***Warning-- This process not for the faint of heart. |
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