As a church we believe that giving doesn’t stop at the campus, so we give 10% of our money to support church plants and missionaries through The Acts 29 Network and Vision Nationals.

The WELL, planted in Augusta, Georgia by Pastor Jeremy Carr, is one such church. Below we share the most recent newsletter from The WELL:

Jeremy and Melody Carr visiting Colorado

The Latest

The journey of the WELL has been so exciting and God has proven so faithful. When I was assessed in 2006, we were just 4 couples with the vision to plant. In 2007, we had 50 covenant members. 2008 was a time of growth and sifting as we had some turnover in membership and attendance, but 2009 has been a great year for the WELL. Since Easter this year, we’ve been running 100 consistently. We’ve seen the WELL go from “the hip college church” to a more established, family-oriented church (we actually only have 4 college students!) there has been a great increase in ownership of the mission and we’re seeing the gospel change lives, marriages, and the community. The summer has been good so far–running 7 community groups with at least 2 more set to begin in September. We’re planning a baptism service toward the end of the summer as well.

New Location

Our home for the past 2 years has been a 2300 sq ft storefront building that legally accommodates 99 folks. Having outgrown this (and doing 2 services for a while), God has provided a new location. The new location is 5 blocks from our current spot, is 4700 sq. ft., and can accommodate 230 attendees. It’s also in an excellent location: across the street from “Artists Row” (local art galleries) and is between a latin dance club and Planned Parenthood. Next year an adjacent storefront will be moving, thus providing us with an additional 2000 sq. ft. The rent is only $600/mo more than our current rent, plus there’s plenty of parking! The irony is that this location was the home of a bar 7 years ago that was the center of a controversial debate between local baptists and bar owners…long story. But that, along with the neighboring Planned Parenthood, is evidence to us as God strategically planting us in a location for redemption.

Paying it Forward

We currently have 10% of our giving going toward church planting. We have that divided up to sponsor Kevin Layne (A29 candidate) and Ridge Church in Knoxville, TN. We’re also budgeting to sponsor a strategic plant in Savannah, GA in the near future. This is in conjunction with other GA churches, but we’re prayerful awaiting God to raise up the man to do it! Also, we are in the early stages of working with an African-American church in Augusta who is planning to plant in a neighborhood much in need of the gospel in Augusta.

Personal stuff with the Carrs

Our daughter Emaline will be 2 in September, and our son Jude will arrive in October! Our quaint 2 bedroom, 1 bath house is still on the market as we hope to move before our son’s birth. In the Fall I will attend my final Th.M. seminar at Erskine Seminary after which I will spend the next year writing my thesis. I need to come up with funds for this semester and have some meetings with sponsors scheduled, so be in prayer with me.

As you can see, things are very busy, but going quite well in Augusta. Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers and blessings to you, your families, and your churches.

Jeremy Carr
lead pastor
www.thewellaugusta.org
Twitter: @thewelljeremy ; @thewellaugusta

(You can learn more about the churches and ministries we support at the Who We Support page.