Evangelism Ministries Newsletter August 2016Evangelism Ministries Newsletter, August 2016 Edition with Bill Wiesman of The Global Church of the Nazarene's Evangelism Ministry in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday, 12 August 2016TABLE OF CONTENTS
- #FirstSaved, but Not the Last
- National Back to Church Sunday
- NACP Launches Online Forum
- How Do I Get Involved?
- Lingo Legend
Bill Wiesman– Director
bwiesman@nazarene.org
Thea Ardrey– Coordinator
tardrey@nazarene.org
Assistant to Director- April Kerbyson
akerbyson@nazarene.org
Joy Wilson– Special Events Assistant
jwilson@nazarene.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
CPE/CPC/CPM/CT
West Virginia South District
August 22-26, 2016
Church Planter Assessment
Southwestern Ohio District
August 24-26, 2016
CPE (Two-Weekend Format)
Louisiana District
April 26-27 & September 2-3, 2016
CPE/CT
Alabama South District
September 1-3, 2016
CPE/CPC
Philadelphia District
September 13-15, 2016
Church Planter Assessment
Kansas City District
September 13-15, 2016
National Back to Church Sunday
September 18, 2016
CPE/CPC/CT
Kentucky District
September 19-23, 2016
CPE/CPC
Virginia District
September 26-28, 2016
CPE/CPC/MCP (Two-Weekend Format)
Kansas City District
October 14-15 & October 21-22, 2016
CPE/CPC
Maine District
October 20-22, 2016
NexGen Challenge
Joplin District
October 22, 2016
CPE
El Paso, Texas
October 26-28, 2016
CPE/CPC/CT
Northwestern Illinois District
October 31-November 4, 2016
CPE/CPC/NCD/CT
Missouri District
November 1-3, 2016
CPC/NCD/CT
Iowa District
November 8-12, 2016
CPE/CPC/NCD/CT
Joplin District
December 5-9, 2016
NCD
Alabama South District
January 19-21, 2017
Church Planter Assessment Center
Oregon Pacific District
February 5-7, 2017
CPE/NCD
Kansas District
February 7-9, 2017
View our complete church planting event schedule on our events page.
#FirstSaved, But Not the Last
Malcolm is quick to tell you he was the first saved at Hoops Church in Florida, but if he has anything to say about it, he won't be the last! Read the story of how basketball is opening the door for the Gospel to be planted throughout Apopka.
#FirstSaved, But Not the LastRonda almost didn't go. And if she hadn't, many people's stories would likely have looked a lot different.
If you ask Malcolm, he’s proud to be the first person saved through the ministry of Hoops Church, but he almost wasn’t.
Malcolm’s story and favorite hashtag (#firstsaved) might have been much different had it not been for Rev. Ronda Rieves’ decision to attend Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) training in December 2014. After all, she nearly didn’t go.
When Ronda faced the question of what church she was going to plant, she found herself prayerfully seeking God’s vision. He provided the insight to “redefine what the church is” and cast a vision for Hoops Church—“In His Name, We Play the Game.” Yet the way in which Hoops Church, a Parent Affiliated Congregation of Apopka Calvary, and its team of leaders minister is no game. God had already been preparing leaders such as Jesse and Veronica Lugo to obediently follow God’s call along with Ronda. Pictured at the left are Jesse Lugo, Ronda Rieves, Frank Rieves, and Veronica Lugo. More than eighty men, ages 16-45 come to participate in the basketball game on Tuesdays; another 20 plus women and children participate in activities designed for them. At halftime, the church gathers for music, speakers, and sometimes practical skills such as interviewing or creating a résumé.
Since beginning to meet in April 2015, Hoops Church has witnessed more than 50 people making the decision to follow Christ and 13 have been baptized. Ronda says, “The change in the guys is incredible. They are being trained, mentored, and discipled.” The growth God has brought on and off the court was celebrated at Florida’s District Assembly in April 2016 when the men entered while bouncing basketballs.
The change in Malcolm was particularly profound and influential.
According to Ronda, Malcolm's "future after high school was uncertain...no scholarships in sight for an exceptional basketball player. But he wanted very much to attend college anyway. Before he did, though, he wanted to make sure his life was right with God. He had an idea of the challenges and temptations he would face, and he knew he needed God at the center of his life if he was going to make it."
After this young leader decided to follow Jesus, Ronda says that now "Malcolm is a team leader, small group leader, and gives his testimony in boxing gyms, churches, and neighborhoods."
People have not only watched the growth with interest, but have taken action. Orlando Magic provided $1000 for numerous Hoops Church members to attend a game. Over 400 people attended a prayer breakfast. A local gym owner asked how he could replicate this at his facility. One person from the congregation has started a biker church and another feels called to start a congregation at an indoor soccer facility. To date, there are more than twelve churches throughout the country which have already started, or are planning to start, a Hoops Church by interacting with, being inspired by, or partnering with the congregation in Apopka.By the grace of God, Ronda did follow God’s lead toward church planting. Because of that, Malcolm celebrates the fact he is the #firstsaved, but he’s glad that, because of the Gospel being proclaimed by Hoops Church of the Nazarene, he won’t be the last.
Written By: Thea Ardrey, Evangelism Coordinator for the USA/Canada Region based on Interview with Rev. Ronda Rieves.
To learn more about the Hoops Church through videos and photos,
please visit their Facebook page or website.
National Back to Church Sunday
Join more than 30,00 churches worldwide for National Back to Church Sunday, on September 18, 2016! Learn more about how you can get involved.
NACP Launches Online Forum
The Nazarene Association of Church Planting (NACP) is launching an online forum to encourage people who are involved with church planting, in various roles, to interact with others about some of the joys, challenges, and best practices of church planting. Be one of the first to start the online conversation by creating an account. It also includes information about how to share the story of how God is already at work through the new church with which you're involved.
How Do I Get Involved?
PRAY for God to bring growth to the seeds we plant & water!
- Church Planting Training
- Church Planting Essentials
- Churches Planting Churches
- New Church Dynamics
- Become Certified to Train Others to Plant Churches
- Become a Church Planting Mentor
- Become a Member of the Nazarene Association of Church Planting (NACP)
- Utilize Church Renewal Resources
- Learn about the Different Models of New Churches
Confused by any of the acronymns you've read? Perhaps this will help!
- CCU: Cowboy Church University
- CP: Church Planting
- CPC: Churches Planting Churches
- CPE: Church Planting Essentials
- CT: Certified Trainer
- DCPI: Dynamic Church Planting International
- MCP: Mentoring Church Planters (Formerly BAM- Becoming a Mentor)
- NACP: Nazarene Association of Church Planting
- NCD: New Church Dynamics
- NOCN: Nazarene Organic Church Network
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