A mosaic of churches in many different communities committed to the mission of sharing the Good News with lost and hurting people.
HISTORY
‘Mission Friends’ were what the earliest Covenanters called themselves in Sweden. Because of their personal support for the mission of reaching their neighbors for Christ and their support of missionaries who went to foreign lands, our founding families demonstrated that they were truly ‘Mission Friends.’
THE NEED
Mission and Ministry opportunities are greater than our current ability to fund.
We are fulfilling our mission by increasing our planting rate from one new church every two years to a rate of two new churches every year
We are also finding new ways to resource our existing churches in development, health, and outreach
Therefore, while we are asking all our churches to support our conference mission, we are also asking individuals to become Mission Friends in support of our expanding ministry opportunities.
OUR REGION DESPERATELY NEEDS MORE CHURCHES
Our region sees only 20% of the population in church on any given Sunday
The youngest generations are the least evangelized:
Percentage of Christians By Age Group
Age 60 and over.................65%
Age 40-59.........................35%
Age 20-39.........................15%
Under 20 years of age...........6%
New churches are more effective at reaching the younger generations
Our region needs more effective, missional churches. Each of our existing churches started off as a church plant. We are working to help them reconnect with the missional vitality of their heritage through Church Development and Church Outreach Resources—to reach their communities for Christ and to grow people deeper in Christ.
GLC GROWTH
WHY WE PLANT CHURCHES
The majority of Americans don’t attend church
They are more effective at conversion growth
Effective at reaching the growing ethnic population
Needed to stem the tide of moral erosion
Best method of reaching emerging generations
They grow faster than established churches
They are test ‘laboratories’ for new leadership
Provide excellent on-the-job training for energetic young pastors
They are the R&D ‘unit’ of God’s kingdom
THE IMPACT OF PLANTING AND ADOPTING CHURCHES HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS
While many denominations are declining, the Evangelical Covenant Church is grew by 6% last year alone–and the GLC grew by 9.5 percent!
The GLC saw over 1,800 people attending our new churches
Last year over 900 people made commitments to Christ in our new churches
Twelve new churches have been or are in the process of being planted
There have been seven new church adoptions
There’s a growing number of existing churches that are beginning revitalization
All this adds strength and health to our growing family and expanding mission.
UPDATE
Through August 2009, $125,000 has been given to the general fund by “Mission Friends” of the GLC supporting all three mission priorities.
In addition, $46,000 has been given to church planting by “Mission Friends” of the GLC and this money will go specifically to help us plant new churches in our conference, for a total of $171,000. This is a significant base of funds that has allowed the GLC to move forward “for such a time as this.”
“Church planting is the nearest thing to a guaranteed method of evangelism known to man.”
- Lyle Schaller, church consultant
OUR VISION: By the year 2020, to multiply to 100 missional,
Christ-magnifying congregations in an increasing mosaic of
communities.
PLANTING: We help churches replicate in many ways–enabling more people to hear the Gospel, more communities can be transformed. “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known...” [Romans 15:20]
DEVELOPMENT: We help churches become healthy by pursuing Christ. Scripture states, “Blessed is the person...who is like a tree planted by streams of water...whole leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers.” [Psalm 1:1-3]
OUTREACH: We help churches to send their members into their community, and take the love of God to people in tangible ways. Jesus said, “Father, as You have sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” [John 17:18]
Jesus wants Christians and churches to bear much fruit...fruit that will last [John 15:1-16]. When we see a tree with lots of leaves, we see it as healthy.
But Jesus looks for more than leaves. He looks for fruit. Fruit is not just good to eat, it’s the way the tree reproduces more trees.
In the Great Lakes Conference, we want to help each church become
healthy, with lots of signs of life. We want to help each church to bear fruit, help Christians grow in Christ and Christlikeness, and help churches reproduce by helping plant new churches. When there are more healthy churches, then communities can be transformed.
7001 N. Haggerty Rd., Canton, MI 48187
Office: 734-451-4670 Fax: 734-451-4672
Our Conference
The Great Lakes Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church covers lower Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, western New York, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia and is committed to church planting, church development, church outreach and christian camping.
Our Passion
To Lift Up Jesus Christ. John 12:32 We are a movement that emphasizes “new life in Christ.” We are continually open to the fresh movements of the Spirit that lift up Jesus Christ and bring people to Him.
Our Vision
Great Lakes 2020 Vision: By the year 2020, to multiply to 100 missional, Christ-magnifying congregations in an increasing mosaic of communities.
Church Planting
We begin with the right church planter. This is a person called by God and gifted for church planting leadership...
