What's New for 2008?

I have been thinking and praying a lot about 2008. A lot of 2008 will be the same. No huge transitions like last year. However, we are making some changes and looking forward to some growth in many ways. I have been thinking of a theme for 2008, "The Mission."

The primary thing we need to do in 2008 is reach the un-churched and the de-churched. The un-churched are those who have had no contact with Jesus in their lives. The de-churched are those who have left church or Christianity because of hurt, frustration, or just being drawn away by the Devil. Perhaps a de-churched person you know went to church as a youth, but now is far from God. They have some vague general assumptions about Jesus Christ and his Church, and may not like what they think they see.

The second part of "The Mission" is to reach the world for Jesus through missionary work. We are planning two missions trips, one for youth, one for adults. We are also changing the way we have missionaries visit our church so that we will go from having 5-6 per year to 12-13 next year! We will do this without giving up any extra Sunday morning services to guest speakers! It will require a slight change in our missions budget, but will not effect the tradition we have established of every cent of your missions faith promise money going directly to missionaries.

Another part of "The Mission" is to plant new Small Groups in our area. I am praying that the Lord will help us plant a Small Group that meets on the campus of ECC maybe even in January. That Small Group will have unbelievable potential and can even receive support from Chi Alpha missionaries like Bob Marks. Our church has supported Bob Marks for over 20 years of campus ministry.

The last part of "The Mission" is to keep up and enhance the outreach ministries we have already built and have in place. The City Wide Easter Egg Hunt, Hallelujah Night, and Angel Food Ministries, which we are in the process of starting right now!

Please be in earnest prayer about the ways in which we can minister for Jesus. Please be in earnest prayer about the help that Jesus wants you to give in his Kingdom.