Become a New Generations Builder
It is exciting to bring this request for the New Generation Builders. This proposal can effectively increase the participation and the connection throughout East Ohio Conference as individuals become New Generation Builders.
Every church in our East Ohio Conference began as a new church start. Starting new churches is part of our DNA as United Methodists and basic to our Wesleyan beliefs. Starting new churches also indicates the health of our Conference. Healthy churches reach out as Christians pass along the gospel throughout our neighborhoods and communities. A new ministry in East Ohio will provide financial support for starting new churches, redeveloping existing churches, and funding land acquisition and new building construction for new or existing churches. The New Generation Builders is an exciting ministry opportunity in which all members of East Ohio are invited to participate.
In my experience of working in North Indiana, South Indiana, and Minnesota, church builders programs have worked well. Our New Generation Builders program and other programs like it provide the financial resources needed for vital new ministries in our communities. More importantly, this kind of program invites everyone who believes in loving our neighbors and making new disciples to participate.
We often think of the Great Commission as geographical, that we need to go away to evangelize or that we need to start new mission work. However, the Great Commission is also generational as we reach new generations with the gospel. New Christians are attracted to new work, and many kinds of new work are springing up throughout East Ohio. These new ministries are responding to the many needs and cultures in our communities.
From my experience in East Ohio, I can say that whenever there is a challenge people have responded. People are willing to participate in new life when it tugs at our heart. I have often said, in East Ohio we are one church with more than 800 outposts. Our call is to love our neighbors as we “equip local churches to make and mature disciples of Jesus Christ.”
- Bishop John L Hopkins |
