Meet a Church Planter | Jeremy Carr of The WELL
Mars Hill West Seattle tithes off of the tithes it receives to support church planting around the globe because we firmly believe that church planting is God’s primary ordained means of establishing the kingdom of God on earth and seeing lives changed in, through and for Jesus Christ. MHC WS has the privilege of directly supporting four church planters. The intent of the article below is to introduce you to one of them. You can get more information on each of them here. Please keep these men, their families and the churches that Jesus has called them to plan in your prayers.
The WELL
Lead Planter: Jeremy Carr
Location: Augusta, GA
Mission: The WELL exists to provide an environment for people at all stages of faith (non-believers, long-time Christians, and seekers/doubters) to encounter the living God through worship gatherings, the teaching of Scripture, community groups, and relationships. The WELL exists to empower believers in the faith both by theological teaching and practical missional living. Realizing all Christians are commanded to participate in the advancement of the Gospel (Great Commission, Matt. 28:16-20), The WELL exists to bless the city and seek its well-being (Jeremiah 29:7); to engage the downtown community in relationships for God’s glory, our joy, and the advancement of the Kingdom.
Jeremy and Melody Carr and daughter Emaline
Q: Tell us about yourself, your family and your work.
Melody and I were married January 1, 2005 and recently celebrated the first birthday of our daughter Emaline. Augusta is my home town (Melody grew up in the Atlanta area). Melody is in pursuit of a M.Ed. in Counseling and I am working on a Th.M. in New Testament. As you can imagine, family, school, and ministry keeps us quite busy!
Q: How did you discern Jesus’ call to plant a church?
I’ve always been heavily involved with the creative arts community and was the guitarist of a locally and regionally successful band. When I was completing my MDiv in seminary, I was waiting tables at a locally owned restaurant and considering overseas ministry opportunities. During that time (2003-2004) a burden for Augusta began to grow more and more. In a season of prayer and counsel, I literally made a list of people who I personally know who do not (to my knowledge) have a relationship with Christ nor are being invested in by believers. The list exceeded 200, and I began to understand the call of planting my roots deep in my hometown for the sake of the Gospel. Through the influence of Ed Stetzer (who was teaching at the seminary during my final year) as well as other factors, it was clear that church planting was the most effective means of gospel ministry in Augusta.
Q: What’s the significance of the name – The Well?
It comes from John 4. Jesus meets a marginalized woman who, after encountering the Christ, returns to her town and influences people to come to Christ. Our mission statement of “Explore-Empower-Engage” stems from this passage and it’s our heartbeat for the WELL to be a community of faith where people can explore Christ through Scripture, worship gatherings, and the community of faith, empower believers to engage the community, city, and culture.
Q: Why plant in Augusta, GA?
Hometown church planting brings more challenges than benefits. Augusta is on the river that separates GA and SC. Augusta is a town of 200,000, and with the neighboring town and counties there are half a million people in the area. The Medical College of Georgia brings in hundreds of students and has over 70 nationalities represented. Being the birthplace of the Southern Baptist Convention, Augusta is extremely over-churched but extremely under-gospeled. There is a solid creative arts community as well as young couples, families, and entrepreneurs who seem to be falling through the cracks of other ministries in town. These are “my people,” and I love them. For half my life I’ve been the unofficial “chaplain” to downtown, and now I strive to be their pastor.
Q: What are your current needs and prayer requests?
- Wisdom and protection for myself as a husband, father, and pastor and for my family (as my wife and I both complete grad school in 2009).
- Continued ownership and rallying of the troops.
- Continued favorable response from the unchurched and post-churched community.
- Protection from constant “friendly fire” and unbiblically informed “competition” from other churches.
- Augusta is 51% African-American, yet our church body does not reflect this. We’re striving to build relationships and even partner with other churches, however the racial wounds from southern history run deep.
- In general, everything moves slower in the south, including church planting. We are in a strategic location with some key leaders in the community (local celebs, business owners, etc.). Downtown Augusta is going through a major “re-building” over the next few years, and at the moment we are one of a few solid churches in the area- very exciting times ahead!
- We’re in constant search of other building options for the WELL. Our current location is maxed out, so we’re preparing to have two services in the new year if need be (our building fits 80 folks comfortably). We’d prefer a bigger space, but if one is not available, we’ll have to have two services.
Q: What are you currently reading?
“Love That Lasts” (Gary and Betsy Ricucci)
“The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Period” (by Norman Russell)
Schreiner’s “New Testament Theology.”
Q: Favorite quote?
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – Ferris Bueller.
Q: Last movie watched?
Once.
Q: What’s on your top 10 list on your iPod?
Athlete, Band of Horses, Hum, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, Markus Schulz, Soundtrack to “Once,” Carey Murdock (local guy), Shaun Piazza (also a local), Libera, Traveler 01
Q: How else can MHC West Seattle support you?
Continued prayer and insight.
More from The WELL
Read an article about The Well on Metro Spirit.com, website of a free weekly newspaper in Augusta, Georgia.
The WELL’s worship band recently recorded two songs – the familiar hymn “All Creatures Of Our God And King” and an original song “You Became.” They can be heard or downloaded here.
Below is a sample excerpt of The Well’s newsletter, “The Drop.”
The DROP
Community Groups
New men’s group meeting at New Moon
Wednesdays at 7:00. Bible study, prayer and accountability. Please contact Robert Mullis at 706-664-1642 or rmullis@bellsouth.net .Interested in a community group?
For a complete list of the groups available see: www.thewellaugusta.org/connect/groups or contact community group coordinator Robert Mullis (rmullis@bellsouth.net) with any questions.
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Jacob Johnson – This Week at Friday Night Live
Every First and Third Friday, join The Well for a night of great live regional and local music in a smoke free, family friendly environment. Shows are open to ages 0-102, run from 7 to 9pm and have a standing $3 donation. Seating is limited and is on a first come first serve basis. October 3rd – Jacob Johnson
October 17th – The Eleventh Hour
November 7th – Cellonious Funk
November 21st – John Krueger
December 5th – No Star
December 19th – Andy Lehman
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To all MOMS who might be interested
To all MOMS who might be interested in a weekly/every other week gathering during the day to encourage us in our most important work at home, this is an official invitation!Goals for MOMS meetings are:
1) get out of the house and fellowship without necessarily spending money
2) be encouraged in our roles as wives and moms
3) accountability in our relationships with GodIf interested please email melody.j.carr@gmail.com or call (706)399-9121 and let me know what days are most convenient for you (I CAN ONLY MEET MON, TUES, OR WED).
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Service opportunities
Children’s Art Walk:
The WELL is partnering with Children’s Art Walk to serve the children of Augusta through art. Volunteers are needed to make this happen. Check out their website: www.childrensartwalk.comWELLcome Team
The Well needs volunteers for set up and welcome duty on Sunday mornings. Responsibility will rotate around so that each volunteer only has one task per Sunday. See Sarah Childers or email sarah@thewellaugusta.org to help out.
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