Music, testimonials tell story of church growth, evangelism

"Come, now is the time to worship," sang the praise band on the stage of Indiana University Auditorium June 9, as the church growth and evangelism event began during the South Indiana Annual Conference in Bloomington.

"Come, just as you are before your God. Come," sang and played the St. Paul Faithlink Praise Band of Bloomington as they led congregational singing.

Scripture was read from Act 4:13-21, 5:12 about the signs of the early church in Jerusalem when the church was ordered by civil authorities not to speak in the name of Jesus. Peter and John said, they couldn't keep from speaking about what they had seen and done.

Strategic Planning helps provide churches by obtaining loans. The Screening and Strategy committee information is available on the new SIC Web site at www.sicumc.org.

Several congregations testified to ways they had grown. Bartlett Chapel was losing youth. The conference gave them a three-year $50,000 grant to hire a youth pastor. They are now in their fourth year and flying.

Hanover Church chose the 12 Keys program with two priorities - children and youth. They have experienced a seven-percent growth.

Barnes Church in Indianapolis wanted to change the image of its congregation. Members created a visual picture for African-Americans through a TV and door-to-door campaign.

At Sandy Hook, they used connectional funds for block parties, VBS and an Easter egg hunt. Since 2000, worship has increased 28 percent.

The Hispanic ministry report was given in Spanish. Presenters said the Hispanic population is growing rapidly. In Indianapolis, Vida Nueva has made us realize that our mission field is here at home. The church is located in the midst of an Hispanic population offers Hispanic culture awareness training. Old Bethel UMC is now offering Spanish Bible studies. Irvington UMC is offering ESL classes. In Bloomington St. Mark's offers a Spanish ministry. Knox County has a food pantry available to Hispanics.

New Communities of Faith being developed in the South Conference include: The Promise in Fishers (3 out of 4 adults were not churchgoers), Faithpoint in Floyds Knob, Faithlink alternative in Bloomington out of St. Paul UMC.

A new missional church also was established in Congo known as the Kamina Project. Taylor Walters was sent to the Project from Indiana.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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