Hello Church Planters
It is summer holiday season in Europe – and so the news from church planters has been a little slow in coming. However, you will be encouraged by these snippets of news – and, we look forward to seeing 350 of you at the ‘Church Planters X-Change’ in Finland in just under 2 weeks time.
Christian regards
Peter Roennfeldt
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CHURCH PLANTING NEWS – 22 July 03
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In this NEWS –
# ‘CHAT-ROOM’ CONTACT BAPTISED AT FISHPOOL # LIVING WATERS – INTEREST INCREASING # GOODNEWS! There will be a Gateway CONNECTING 2004!
# NEW ‘HOUSE OF PRAYER’ IN REHOVOT, ISRAEL # ENGLISH COURSE – LEADS TO WORSHIP SERVICE # BREAKING ATTENDANCE BARRIERS (from Ron Gladden)
‘CHAT-ROOM’ CONTACT BAPTISED AT FISHPOOL
Bert Davies has come from a completely unchurched background and has recently come to the Lord. “The initial contact came when he met Leslie in a Bob Dylan chat-room,” says planter Peter Jeynes. “Leslie lives in New York while Bert lives in Heywood, just outside Bury (where Fishpool Community Church has been planted). He now worships with Leslie on the telephone each evening.” Bert has been baptised at Fishpool.
LIVING WATERS – INTEREST INCREASING
“At present we have the greatest number of interested people at Living Waters that we have ever had,” reports church planter & pastor of Living Waters, Glenn Townend. “We have just had 17 friends attend worship and receive certificates from a 12 week Prophecy Seminar I wrote and conducted. Most of these are continuing the next course which is ‘Considering A New Spiritual Life’ – Bible studies on practical and distinctive Adventist teaching. God is good!”
GOODNEWS! There will be a Gateway CONNECTING 2004!
The Gateway Family Church CONNECTING Conference 2003 proved to be a tremendous experience – envisioning church planters and leaders. Gateway senior pastor, Rick Paynter reports that plans are well in place for CONNECTING 2004. Here are some facts – # Dates: Tues 30 March to Friday 2 April 2004 at Nepean Country Club, Rosebud (Victoria, Australia).
# Confirmed speakers include Peter Corney (St Hilarys Kew and Arrow Leadership Network), Peter McHugh (Christian City Church Whitehorse), Olivia Moffat (Anglican gen-X church planter) – and the Gateway Family Church ‘crew’ including Rick & Marcy Paynter.
# For more details – Contact: Melissa Berry <INTERNET:[email protected]>
NEW ‘HOUSE OF PRAYER’ IN REHOVOT, ISRAEL
“This last week we have worked very hard to prepare a new building we have rented in Rehovot for the first Jewish Ethiopian Adventist community in Israel,” reports the leader of Adventist work in Israel, Richard Elofer. “It has been a pleasure to welcome the first baptisms from this community and this Shabbat (19 July) we will have the dedication of their own house of prayer.”
ENGLISH COURSE – LEADS TO WORSHIP SERVICE
In Fushe Mezes, an area of Muslim families in the rapidly growing Albanian capital city of Tirana, an English language programme has led to worship services. “For about six months we have conducted an English language course – while building relationships,” reports church planter Ermira Kollarja. “We have spent a lot of time with the members of a ‘family of peace’ who invited us to their home. Now, as a result of some spiritual questions, we have started a Bible study with the English language group. This has also led to a worship program – with children involved as well.”
BREAKING ATTENDANCE BARRIERS (from Ron Gladden)
If you haven’t already, you’ll want to read Rick Warren’s article, “Eight Steps to Breaking Through an Attendance Barrier.” Go to www.pastors.com <http://www.pastors.com/> . Then in the search box in the upper left, choose “Only Ministry Toolbox” and type in “Eight Steps.”