There is nothing more exciting, eternally profitable and close to the heart of God than the birthing of a new local church. Fifteen years ago God gave Kathleen and I the wonderful privilege of planting Southside Bible Church in Greenwood, Indiana. Before that we had the opportunity to plant churches in Illinois, Arizona and Colorado. After researching several different areas in the last few months, we have concluded that God is inviting us to take part in the birth of “one more church”, this time in an area south of Rt. 465 and near Emerson Ave. in Indianapolis.
The area is surrounded by new housing and offers easy access from all four directions. There are already some great churches in the area, but the number of families who are still un-churched is staggering. Our research shows us that there are many buildings for lease in the area and that as the church grows there should be ample opportunity to move into larger spaces. I have already talked to some of the owners.
God gives His people different spiritual gifts. We believe that ours is in the pioneer work of planting new churches. In the past we have learned that God also gives wonderful volunteers the same heart for being pioneers. Beginning on Thursday, April 19th, we are going to start meeting at our home in Greenwood, Indiana, with individuals who would like to learn more about our vision and to consider being part of a Launch Team for the new church.
We will be meeting every Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. for prayer, sharing the vision, planning for the launch worship service and a study time in the book of Acts. For now we plan to meet like this through the month of June. If the Thursday night group is too large, we will schedule other similar launch team meetings at other times. We are already considering another team meeting on Sunday evenings. We can comfortably host 30 people in our bonus room.
During July and August we will pull together the launch teams for combined weekly meetings and for the purpose of making preparations for an official launch worship service sometime in September.
During this time Kathleen and I will also be meeting with launch team members and other individuals in order to invite both to take part in the initial financial needs. We will be inviting people to consider helping with both ongoing gifts to cover expenses for the first 12 months and also one-time gifts for start-up needs. Kathleen and I have decided to give full-time to the new ministry and will be trusting the Lord to provide for our personal financial needs.
The Church is incorporated as Faith Bible Church. All financial gifts are tax deductible. We have enlisted someone other than ourselves to oversee all of the bookkeeping, paying of bills and financial reporting. Gifts can be sent to Faith Bible Church, P.O. Box 427, Greenwood, Indiana 46142.
If you are interested in attending the Launch Team meetings, could you please let us know as soon as possible by either email: kendalton3119@gmail.com, or phone: 317-414-9477 (Ken) or 317 414-9470 (Kathleen).
We live at 955 Monteray Rd. in Greenwood. Feel free to call for directions.
We will do our best to track the entire journey for this new church right here on our http://www.onemorechurch.com blog.
Prayer is our greatest need! Please pray that each step along the way will be determined by the Lord. Pray especially that we will be able to reach many families from this area who are un-churched. We believe the harvest for new believers can be huge!
Awesome news, we will be praying of course
I will be praying fervently that God will bless this new endeavor and that many, many unchurched
will come to the Lord. That is what it is all about, expecially in the climate we live in now.
Prayers from our family to the church plant efforts. We will be checking in on the progress and are excited about the direction the Lord has lead you.
God bless you.
The Scotts.