Church Planting – Andy Stills from mhcwestseattle on Vimeo.

Below is Andy’s blog post from Sunday, copied from his website, NEPortlandchurch.com, expanding on what he shared in the video.

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.

Wellspring Church Lead Planter: Dwayne Bond Location: Charlotte, NC Mission: God is calling us to relentlessly saturate the hearts of thirsty people with God’s truth and love in community to transform the city. We will accomplish our mission as we create, engage, introduce, teach, surrender and scatter.

Q: Tell us about yourself, your family and your work.
I’m 41 years old, African American transplant from MD. I came to Charlotte for the sole purpose of planting Wellspring. I love Jesus, my wife, theology, gardening and helping people maximize their effectiveness for the kingdom. I’ve been married for almost 19 years to my queen, Leslie. I have 3 kids (Jarami – 15, Imani – 11, Kamin – 7).

Q: How did you discern Jesus’ call to plant a church?
He opened up my heart to shepherding God’s people and placed within me a vision for a diverse, gospel-driven evangelical church. I had no idea where to plant but prayed and begged God to show me a place where I wouldn’t be building on another man’s foundation. He led me to Charlotte, NC. I knew 1 person and had only been here once for a wedding. Upon being here for the past 2 years, I see why God sent me to this city. It’s not urban, it’s suburban. It’s not all Black like the county I came from… it’s 86% White and 4% Black – go figure. What’s up with that? God has been using us in the midst of an area that doesn’t look like me – that’s the gospel.

Q: What’s the significance of the name – Wellspring?
God gave me the name from John 4:13. “The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” We want to relentlessly saturate the heart of the people in this city with God’s truth and love in community.

Q: Why plant in Charlotte?
From God’s perspective, there’s a need for a church that has at its center Jesus Christ. I humbly believe that we are one of those churches.

Q: What are your current needs and prayer requests?
- We are praying that God will break our people from many of the idols of the suburbs (image, kids, work, busyness, me-centeredness, etc.)
- We are also in need for all of our people to tithe out of worship to God. We desire to staff up but need all of those who are benefited from the Word to give.
- We’ve just hired a part-time worship leader. Pray that he’ll transition well and grow theologically.
- We are experiencing growth which means change management. Pray that we will develop processes that allow for further growth and leadership development.

Q: What are you currently reading?
- Cross of Christ – Stott
- Vintage Jesus – Driscoll
- Systematic Theology – Grudem

Q: Favorite quote?
“Make your vision your lifestyle.” – Jerry Falwell

Q: Last movie watched?
Bourne Ultimatum

Q: What’s on your top 10 list on your iPod?
- Fred Hammond
- Deluge
- Mary Alessi
- Chris Tomlin
- Kirk Whalum
- Ben Tankard
- Israel Houghton
- Red Sea
- Flame
- Everyday Process

Q: How else can MHC West Seattle support you?
- Keep us in prayer and consider supporting us next year!!!

Thank you for your love for Wellspring and Charlotte.

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?

1. 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).
2. Continued ownership and rallying of the troops.
3. Continued favorable response from the unchurched and post-churched community.
4. Protection from constant “friendly fire” and unbiblically informed “competition” from other churches.
5. 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.
6. 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!
7. 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.
________________________________
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
________________________________
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 God

If 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).
________________________________
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.com

WELLcome 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.

The Crowded House

Lead Planter: Steve Timmis
Location: Sheffield UK
Mission: The Crowded House is a group of church planting networks in Sheffield and Loughborough. Most of our churches meet in homes. We want to offer a place of belonging. We are committed to:
mission through community – we believe that the life of the Christian family is a powerful apologetic for the gospel
communities in mission – we want to be congregations focused on the gospel and church planting

Q: Tell us about yourself, your family and your work.
I’ve been married to Janet for 28 years. In the last five years all four of our children have got married and we have two gorgeous grandchildren. We have lived in Sheffield for 18 years and have been church planting in this city for 12 years. Most of my work involves leading a local church and facilitating other church plants.

Steve and his wife, Janet, at their daughter’s wedding.

Q: How did you discern Jesus’ call to plant a church?
It was in obedience to God’s Word. I have a passion to get the gospel out to people and it seems to be the most effective means of doing that. I seem to be ‘wired’ as a bit of an entrepreneur and pioneer, which has helped!

Q: What’s the significance of the name – Crowded House?
We want to litter cities with communities of light. We want to see houses of hope and grace that spread the light of the gospel. The name seemed to encapsulate our vision.

Q: Why plant in Sheffield?
It was where we lived, so the most natural place to start.

Q: What else are you working on?
My other main commitment is The Porterbrook Network – www.theporterbrooknetwork.org – that provides training for mission and leadership in the context of a person’s ministry. We currently have about 40 students involved in our different programmes of study. We have just launched our Distance Learning course so the set up of that has kept us quite busy.

Q: What are your current needs and prayer requests?
That I would love God and others more and that I might trust God more.

Q: What are you currently reading?
The King of Torts by John Grisham

Q: Favorite quote?
At the moment (though it does change often!) it’s the following by Matthew Henry:
“We ought to devise all means possible for the preservation of true friendship where it exists and the reparation and retrieval of it where it is withering and ready to die… We should desire to associate ourselves with those who will edify us and be edified by us, who we may either do good to, or get good from, or both.”

Q: Last movie watched?
Gone Baby Gone

Q: What’s on your top 10 list on your iPod?
Aretha Franklin
Sovereign Grace
James Brown
Bob Dylan
The Temptations
Eric Clapton
Coldplay
Shai Linne
Tim Keller
Stevie Wonder

Q: How else can MHC West Seattle support you?
We would love to see a meaningful, ongoing gospel partnership develop between us and that we may be a means of real blessing and tangible encouragement to each other.

Epiphany Fellowship Lead Planter: Eric Mason Location: North Philly, PA Mission: We want to develop disciples that are able to minister in the culture and help new disciples to grow in God’s word in every area of their lives and shining the truth of the person of Jesus Christ to the glory of the Triune God. We cannot stress enough the realization that this Church will not be a “Hip Hop Church,” but a CHURCH.

Q: Tell us about yourself, your family and your work.
My name is Eric Mason. I play the role of our elder team’s lead pastor. I am originally from the other Washington (DC). I am married to Yvette and have one son (Immanuel and a kid on the way). Almost 6 years ago my wife had a liver transplant. She also suffered through 2 bouts with cancer and liver rejections. So for us to be able to have another child is a blessing because we thought it was a wrap.

Q: How did you discern Jesus’ call to plant a church?
I was actually challenged by some Baptists in Houston TX while I was an elder (assistant pastor) at a church there and teaching at a bible college. Their philosophy of the need for church plants that would reach those who were not being engaged with the gospel burned my heart. I began reading Acts and got jolted into the idea by Jesus. Ever since then I was looking to come back to the East Coast. Some Hip-hoppas from Philly were being asked to start a Hip-Hop church. They were interested in starting a church, but not a Hip-Hop church. The leader was to be Duce a.k.a. the ambassador from the crossmovement. He saw himself as more of an elder in a supporting role. Having a relationship with him for several years, he asked me to lead the plant. The group brought my wife and me on a site visit to Philly. She and I prayed Numbers 13. I began to sense Acts 16:6-10 speaking to me like an audible voice.

Q: What’s the significance of the name – Epiphany Fellowship?
Epiphany is a Greek word which means to show forth, to appear, to become visible, or to clearly show. In Titus 2:11-13:

11) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
12) instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
13) looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus…

Paul gives the basis for right (godly) living in the current time period which is based on the first and second comings (advents) of Jesus Christ. Paul uses this word to describe the two most strategic times that Christ appeared and will appear.

The first Epiphany describes Christ birth into the world and the second Epiphany refers to Christ conquering the world while displaying his Glory. In this present age, those who have been changed by his first coming are to be “Living Epiphanies or Glory Reflectors” which affirm the reality of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Q: Why plant in Philly?

• 80-85% unchurched population (200,000 out of 1.5 million churched)

• High Crime Rate (www.city-data.com)

• The need for missional churches to plant in major urban cities

• Philly is strategic in reaching the culture we are seeking to reach

• Those influenced by Nation of Islam, Al-Islam, 5% Nation of Islam, Pan Africanists, Black conscious, Hebrew Israelites, and those with bias’ towards traditional expressions Christianity (ignorant, overly judgmental, immoral, hypocritical, greedy, elitists) are on the increase.

• Philly is the 6th largest city in America

• Hopelessness and disenfranchisement

• An overall dissatisfaction with Church

Q: What are your current needs and prayer requests?

• That People would stick (1 Thes 3:1-5)

• That the Lord will help us to be a giving, not just receiving inner-city church (2 Cor 8:1-5)

• That the Lord would raise up qualified men to elder (Titus 1:5)

• That the old would partner with the younger (Haggai 2:1-3; Titus 2:1-6)

• Family health (Neh 4:14)

Q: What are you currently reading?
Jeremiah, Dave Ramsey “Total Money Makeover”, and multiple commentaries on 1st Peter.

Q: Favorite quote?
“People are willing to be God-centered as long as they feel that God is man-centered.” – John Piper

Q: Last movie watched?
Babylon

Q: What’s on your top 10 list on your iPod?
Don’t have an ipod yet. I know I am technologically pathetic.

Q: How else can MHC West Seattle support you?
Pray and connect with us about getting the new facility we purchased rehabbed

P.S. Thanks for all the support. The Lord allowed us to engage hundreds of people with the gospel. We are now at 450+ in attendance on Sundays. Please continue to partner with us in this effort to live the light of Christ as we proclaim Him (Col 4:2-6).

Also, check out our online sermons…

MORE:

At Text & Context 2008, Lead Pastor of the Journey Church in St. Louis Darrin Patrick sat down for an interview with Eric Mason.
See the Video | Hear the Audio

1. Thanking God for a wonderful Pastors conference in July. Our pastors and Bible students had new understanding in knowing how God prepares when He calls people to the ministry-it is done from the life of Abraham. We had some new planters attended from Hyderabad region and hoping to grow our Church planting network over that region.
2. We were able to support more widows now from July., and hopefully in God’s timing we will soon have a leader to further develop and lead this ministry. Pray for these widows and two of them Neelammma and veeramma are not in good health and also have
3. Clinic work is to begin this month and we do not know exact date yet because we could not find a doctor. We had one committed to work but decided she could not join at the last hour. We feel God has a different plan to send a Christian doctor instead. We are talking with a Christian doctors family and said they will make their decision next week. We request your prayers because God answers to our needs and challenges.
4. Pray for Jessica who is coming from the Dallas to work in medical clinic for 3weeks from Aug 18th. This will be a good beginning of the clinic.
5. All the women of 4 VN Churches in Vizag are meeting together on Sat 16th for a day’s retreat on “Beauty of Esther.” It is first time all these women are getting together like this for a meeting. Pray that this will be a blessing for our Churches.
6. We are greatly in need of a School bus for transporting kids to School. We have smaller van which is going 3 times to the same place to bring kids. We are in need of a bus of 41 seater for transporting about 200 kids. We appreciate your prayers and support towards this.
7. We are in need of a Maths teacher to our School. Please pray we will have one soon this month.

In the ministry that counts,
Arjuna & Raji Chiguluri
Vision Nationals August Prayer Requests

Dear Pastors and Friends at the Mars Hill West Seattle Campus,

“Is the Church open?” a young girl standing on the corner asked me excitedly. The group of a half dozen or so children who had been hanging around on the corner were suddenly all ears. “I think they’re pray…” before I had a chance to finish “praying” the entire group of children rushed to the basement doors shouting excitedly.

It was fifth Sunday, and Epiphany was running an outreach to the neighborhood children called “Worshipping the Son.” A group of children and adults from Epiphany canvassed the block earlier that weekend inviting children to come, and the turnout was amazing! Forty-four children attended and all were told about Jesus and the need to worship him. Please pray for these children as we follow up with them in the expectation that the Holy Spirit will work, and continue to work, in their hearts.

God continues to use the Epiphany community here in Philadelphia for the work of His kingdom. There were a number of exciting events this past June including:

• Epiphany purchased the building by the grace of God!!
• A revamped 31:30 meeting (our women’s fellowship) which included food, fellowship and bible study
• A Man2Man (men’s Fellowship) trip to Great Adventure theme park
• The children’s outreach
• This continuation of First Friday Fundamentals (an outreach of Epiphany Fellowship)

Your continued financial and prayerful support of Epiphany Fellowship is an encouragement to us. Thank you for your willingness to partner with us as we seek to effectively minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ locally and globally. Please keep us in your prayers.
Grace and Peace,

Ruth Burke

Administrator
Epiphany Fellowship Church

To keep everyone updated on who we serve, we have created a page on our website dedicated to keeping you informed.  You can find it up and to the right along with other information about the West Seattle Campus.  As the groups we support send updates, we will post them on the blog and keep all the updates on our page.  Here’s an example from The Well in Augusta, GA:  The Well Summer Newsletter 2008.

The page is under development, as are most things in Mars Hill, so expect to see constant changes when you visit.

Occasionally we receive updates from the ministries that the West Seattle Campus supports and want to share them with you.  For more information on all the ministries Mars Hill | West Seattle Campus supports, check out our Who We Support page. 

9 July 2008 Prayer Requests

1. Praise God

• We praise God for many answered prayers and His faithfulness.
• We praise God for the new children home began in Kathmandu, Nepal in June.
• All 12 Students (11 from our children home) who had appeared in high school exams passed in I class. Praise God.
• All *Joel and Sue Garrisons are in Kathmandu, Nepal and indeed it was an answer to prayer.
• A new temporary building is built for the extension of the school recently. In spite of some land difficulties over there God had helped us to complete the building.

2. The School had become a challenge now with about 150 new admissions this year which total the strength of the School to 350 kids. We had built a temporary new class rooms place. We also had started an English medium. Pray for God’s hand in the life of these kids and God to bless further so it will bring additional support to the ministry.

• Pray for all teachers and especially new teachers.
• We are in need of a school bus.

3. The new children home had began in Kathmandu from June this year- Please pray for the kids and all our needs there.
4. Pray for the 20 new kids that have joined in Vizag children home.
5. There will be a Pastors Conference this month from 21-25. Pray that the conference will be a great encouragement to all Pastors and leaders. Some are planting new Churches; a few of them have been constructing Church buildings and some of them are going through difficult times.
6. We have some new faculty for the Bible College and new teachers and new staff. Pray for a wonderful unity and ministry together.

In the ministry that counts,
Arjuna & Raji Chiguluri.