| That all should come to repentance |
The apostles followed God's leading by helping others come to repentance. Peter, a Jew, visited Cornelius in another city because the Spirit directed him, even though Cornelius was a Gentile. Paul also traveled about, preaching the gospel, establishing and encouraging churches. "The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." II Peter 3:9
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Sent by Samuel Froehlich, Benedict Weyeneth came to America from Europe. In the first 21 years (1847-1868) he helped establish 24 churches in 8 states. Everywhere he went, the seeds of the Gospel were planted. When people responded to the Lord, he nurtured and baptized new believers. Elders were ordained, churches flourished and the Word continued to be spread.
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Our Opportunities in the Harvest
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 The apostle Paul wrote,
"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave
the increase." I Cor. 3:6
In Ephesians 4, we read that some are evangelists and apostles (setting up churches and reaching out to the lost) and some are pastors and teachers (counseling and nurturing spiritual growth). Which of these opportunities align with the gifts God has given you for the furtherance of His Kingdom?
- Build relationships with friends and neighbors in your community and seek to meet their needs.
- Pray for those in new and small congregations when you hear of their requests and needs.
- Reach out and encourage those in new and small churches as the Spirit directs.
- Remember to include those from small churches as events are hosted (single invites, invite-a-friend, etc.).
- Develop a personal interest in the welfare of the brethren in one or two smaller churches.
- Travel to these churches on a regular basis to provide fellowship and encouragement. Include your families, as children love coming to church and seeing a visiting young friend.
- Stay current with the schedules posted on the Mission Committee website. Broaden the support of the minister rotations to include a Sunday school class, a song leader, brethren with a heart to listen, a local work project on a Saturday, etc.
- Pray about relocating to a smaller church. Move to another location if the Spirit directs. In any decision involving relocation or being sent, believers are encouraged to first counsel with their local elder.
- Assist small churches with physical labor, materials or monetary gifts, supporting their mission to further the gospel.
- Participate in a disaster work team when scheduled in the area of a small church.
- Assist others who are called to go if you are unable to travel or move to support a small church.
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Benefits of Attending a Smaller Congregation
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- Opportunity to share
 the gospel in a new geographical area. - Get to know the local church family on a heart level, with substantial one-on-one time.
- Practice hospitality with visitors, building relationships with brethren throughout the national/international church body.
- Benefit from active mentoring opportunities between older and younger, reinforced by activities and fellowship for all ages.
- Bond closely to the local church through the necessity of a fewer number fulfilling needed roles.More fully utilize talents and spiritual gifts and exercise different responsibilities in the small group setting.
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Establishing Sustainable Healthy Churches
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New and small churches should grow and transition from needing sustenance from others, to having sufficient capacity and strength to support all aspects of the local body of Christ.
We invite you to share this vision. Click here.
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