Midwest Church-Planting Update

From Ted Powers
Midwest Regional Coordinator
Mission to North America

There are good things happening in the region. A synopsis of current church planting efforts by state is attached, but here are a few things that are especially encouraging:

• A new plant in suburban Detroit has gotten off to a great start. Ryan McVicar laid a solid foundation prior to beginning worship in the winter of this year by sponsoring community events and networking contacts. New City is now actively pursuing the planting of another work, this time a city work in Detroit, in the near future with Dan Millward as the planter. You can read more about New City’s ministry here:  www.newcitypc.org
• The continuing development of Nueva Esperanza, a Spanish speaking plant in suburban Chicago. Meeting just off the campus of Wheaton College, Nueva Esperanza is reaching the growing Hispanic population of the western suburbs and has seen many conversions; one Sunday this spring saw 40 baptisms. There is a desire to start an English speaking service in the near future.  Al Guerra, an experienced planter and recognized leader in Hispanic ministries, is the planter.
• Redeemer Indianapolis is launching another congregation in the Fountain Square neighborhood this fall. Pat Hickman will be the planter there; he was assisted this summer by Ryan Sparks, a CTS student and MNA Summer Intern Scholarship recipient.
• Marc Champagne, Josh Reitano, and Chad Grindstaff are planting three churches with a goal of reaching the wide variety of people groups in the Cincinnati area. Marc, planting Redeemer Church says “Suburban Mason, Ohio, has the look of the United Nations at times: burqas, sarees, and turbans visible on walking paths and in Wal-Mart; Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu places of worship readily accessible; multi-generational families living together in larger homes. This once monocultural city has turned into a gathering place for the world, and most observably for South and East Asians, dramatically shifting the demographics such that over 1 in 4 public school attendees is non-White - a trend that will continue rising in years to come.  Pray with us that a new work can be established that creates ready avenues for this increasing population to hear the good news of Christ.  We rejoice that our core team is a mix of ethnicities, but recognize the ongoing need for multi-ethnic leadership.  Our team is praying we would be united in vision and purpose, and that the Lord would grant us the joy of seeing conversions.”  Josh is planting New City Presbyterian in Oakley, Chad is planting Living Hope Church in Fairfield Township. All are daughter churches of North Cincinnati Community Church, where Walter Wood, Jr. is the Senior Pastor.
• The Midwest Connection, a gathering for training and support for planters, pastors, and lay leaders, was held in April in Chicago. Over 70 people attended the three day event with multiple training modules, worship led by James and Kirk Ward and Nikki Ellis of New City Church in Chattanooga and New City Church in St. Louis. Philip Ryken, President of Wheaton College and former pastor of Tenth Presbyterian in Philadelphia, gave the Keynote Address. The theme of the event was “Compelled by Love” as the church moves forward in mission.

Work moves forward to extend the Kingdom through church planting in the Midwest. There are multiple places which would benefit from the presence of a PCA congregation. Would you please pray with us for a few of them:

• Council Bluffs IA is a strategic regional target area for West Iowa. There is a core group of 7 families meeting and currently searching for a planter. Please pray that God would provide the right person and the necessary resources.
• Milwaukee and Cleveland are the two largest Midwest cities without a PCA presence within their city limits. Regional leaders in both places are actively seeking a church planter.

If you haven’t already seen it, I encourage you to check out this short video we’ve done to spotlight church planting in the Midwest. It’s easy to download for use in small groups, Sunday School classes, or leadership meetings. I can also get you a DVD if you prefer – just let me know. http://pcamna.org/church-planting/church-planting-ministries/midwest/midwest-church-planting-ministry-video/

Again, I thank you for contributing financially and with your prayers to this vital ministry to the Heartland of America. Your support allows me the means to resource, train, recruit, and support the work of church planting in the region. I am grateful for your partnership.