Church name starts with:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Anchor of Hope CRC – Silverdale, WA
Grant Awarded: June 2007 Photo
Coordinator: Pastor Dave Snapper
Church Phone Number: (360) 698-9487
Project Name: Newspaper Advertising
Focus: advertising for community outreach
Project Description:
Work with local newspaper to create an advertising identity in the central region of the county to attract at least 200 non-attending community members to the church. The hope is that 10% of new visitors will become worships and members of the church.
Outcomes:
The church increased its presence in the community and saw some increase in worship attendance, but not the numbers they had hoped for. They learned that display advertising was not as successful (or cost-effective) as other forms of advertising, which led them to focus on creating a church website and updating their street sign. As the church reconsidered its outreach strategies in light of the cultural changes taking place around them, they also began moving from a “blended” worship service to a more contemporary one. As a result of the project, Pastor Dave Snapper wrote, “We started taking actions that led us in new directions. In that sense the project was a huge success.”
Ann Arbor Hope CRC – Ann Arbor, MI
Grant Awarded: June 2007 Photo
Coordinator: Pastor Joseph Hun-Suk Bae
Church Phone Number: (734) 274-5991
Project Name: Servant Leader Training
Focus: servant-leadership training
Project Description:
Develop a Servant-Leader Training (SLT) program that involves three stages: disciple training, ministry/leadership training, and continuing education training. The goal is that the church will raise up disciples who will then make more disciples, especially for those church members who leave and return home to Korea.
Outcomes:
Participation in cell groups and the number of cell group leaders increased significantly, and the church experienced an increased focus on both mission and prayer ministry. They identified a need for a continuing training program for other ministries such as one-to-one discipleship and utilizing spiritual gifts. Upon completion of the project, Pastor Joseph Hun-Suk Bae said, “More than 50 people went through mission training. Since they could taste the goodness of having spiritual training and serving people, they want to serve people more.”
Bethel CRC – Sun Valley, CA
Grant Awarded: December 2007 Photo
Coordinator: Katie Venhuizen
Church Phone Number: (818) 767-4488
Project Name: Multiethnic Visioning
Focus: reflection & visioning to becoming a multicultural church
Project Description:
Complete a vision process that allows the church to reflect and discover how to be a multicultural church in the community. The goal of the process is to identify areas where change is needed and make steps towards positive change. This will be accomplished by a series of racial reconciliation trainings and congregational meetings facilitated by visioning consultants.
Outcomes:
Through the visioning sessions the congregation grew in self-awareness as they identified strengths and weaknesses while gaining critical communication tools. The growth in multicultural understanding helped them to begin taking steps toward transforming “unhealthy patterns” and becoming a more multicultural church. When asked how the project impacted their community, coordinator Katie Venhuizen said, “The process we have been through has made us more ready and able to engage, welcome, and enfold the community surrounding our church campus.”
CenterPointe Church – Plainfield, IL
Grant Awarded: December 2012
Coordinator: Julie Hancokck
Church Phone Number: (630) 334-3014
Project Name: Block Party To-Go
Focus: building relationships in the community
Project Description:
Create a portable “Block Party To-Go” trailer that provides supplies for neighborhood gatherings which church members will host in their communities. This project will provide a means by which CenterPointe members will build relationships in their neighborhoods that foster the development of community and create natural bridges to sharing faith.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Centrepointe Community CRC – Sherwood Park, AB
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Pastor Ron Klok
Church Phone Number: (780) 476-2812
Project Name: Relocation Ministry Launch
Focus: connecting with a new community through new ministry opportunities
Project Description:
To celebrate the church’s move to a new community and building and hosting several celebration and connection events including special holiday events/services, VBS and day camps, and a building dedication. The purpose of the events is to celebrate God’s faithfulness in the church’s journey while at the same time establishing their presence in the new community and reaching out to their neighbors.
Outcomes:
The church saw nearly a 50% increase in attendance with growing ethnic diversity of new visitors. Reflecting on the project, Pastor Ron Klok shared, “The most outstanding impact that this project has had is that it has simply raised the bar in terms of how we do ministry.” With the increase in technological and space capacities, the worship and youth ministries experienced significant growth in a very short period of time. The busyness of the project did lead to some weariness among leaders and members, but they realized this and allowed time to “catch their breath and simply enjoy their new life.”
Chelwood CRC – Albuquerque, NM
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Joe Kamphuis
Church Phone Number: (505) 298-7359
Project Name: Kingdom Change
Focus: leadership development
Project Description:
To develop new leaders through two specific training programs: Ascending Leaders and Timothy Leadership Training. The goal is to equip, empower, and release God’s people for kingdom change by developing leaders at all levels and spurring them toward missional action.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Christ Community Church – Portland, OR
Grant Awarded: December 2012
Coordinator: Malori Lintner
Church Phone Number: (503) 885-8839
Project Name: Godspeaks
Focus: prayer
Project Description:
Re-invigorate and re-focus Christ Community by applying time and resources toward reaching up to God in prayer. This process will begin with a “Love to Pray” seminar followed by a summer prayer retreat, along with prayer vigils in between.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Comunidad de Cristo – Doral, FL (church closed in December 2009)
Grant Awarded: December 2007 Photo
Coordinator: Cimelitza Portillo
Project Name: Becoming Incarnate in the Doral Community
Focus: evangelism and discipleship for the church community
Project Description:
The project is grouped into three branches: dependence on God, promotion and dissemination, and plan of activities. The church commits to prayer, personal growth and leadership development as it makes its ministry known to those in the surrounding community. A variety of events will be held that center on pre-evangelistic activities, such as a community festival, VBS, special holiday events, etc. The underlining goal is to reach the members of the community and to enfold them into the congregational life of the church.
Outcomes:
Through the project the congregation learned that successfully reaching any goal of the church requires spiritual unity and dependency on God. They realized the need to “keep immersing [themselves] in evangelism through tools and systematic methods such as Evangelism Explosion and Small Groups.” The project provided them the opportunity to connect with those in the community, but they realized they have a ways to go yet. As coordinator Cimelitza Portillo said in their year-end report, “This is a process that still does not finish…we have put the bases and a big push to direct us in these goals, but we must keep on working joined to reach this community and to carry out our evangelistic mission.”
Cornerstone CRC – Salmon Arm, BC
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Peter Stellingwerff
Church Phone Number: (250) 832-8452
Project Name: Engaging Our Neighbours
Focus: engaging in Christ’s love through neighborhood events
Project Description:
Plan ten neighborhood social events to get to know their neighbors and build relationships in the community. The congregation will study the book, Don’t Invite Them to Church: Moving from a Come and See to a Go and Be Church and then conduct a training event with the author, Karen Wilk. Care groups in the church will host the events and mobilize efforts to help those neighbors in need.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Corsica CRC – Corsica, SD
Grant Awarded: December 2007
Coordinator: Dick Bordewyk
Church Phone Number: (605) 946-5239
Project Name: Body Builders
Focus: creating a vision for enhancing ministry in the church and community
Project Description:
To sponsor a conference that will help create a new vision for the church and other CRC and RCA churches the area. The conference will focus on challenges and outreach opportunities for churches and provide insights into how to work together for discipleship and evangelism.
Outcomes:
Although the conference did not result in a new vision for the church, it did give depth to their previous vision and it resulted in greater cooperation between churches in the community (such as a collaborative meal for the homeless). They identified the issue of building trust between congregations, but nonetheless they are “more positive about themselves” and learned that they can do whatever they try to do. Upon completing the project, coordinator Dick Bordewyk stated, “We are very thankful that we received this grant, which made our conference possible. It has had nothing but positive effects on our churches and community.”
CrossPoint Chinese Church – Chino, CA
Grant Awarded: December 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Yi-Ming Kao
Church Phone Number: (951) 479-6222
Project Name: College Park Outreach for CrossPoint Chinese Ministry
Focus: outreach
Project Description:
Reach out to the surrounding community by hosting an Easter Event and traditional Chinese New Moon festival, through which they hope to attract new people to the church. The project also involves developing after school programming for local children that will include a variety of activities such as sports, tutoring, and creative art enrichment classes.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Crossroads Community CRC – Flanders, NJ
Grant Awarded: December 2007
Coordinator: Pastor Paul Ingeneri
Church Phone Number: (973) 584-7149
Project Name: Disciple Making
Focus: raising up church leaders for ministry
Project Description:
Conduct a focused living retreat for present and potential leaders along with a series of leadership summits with the assistance of Dave Lyle (consultant and church coach in Northeast region). The events will help train new leaders to become more committed to the church’s vision/purpose and use their gifts to become more involved in ministry.
Outcomes:
The focused living retreat provided an opportunity for members to give feedback on a variety of church issues, including how they viewed the church and its vision for the future. This contributed the creation of a new vision and the congregation’s “buy in” as they were involved in the process. As Pastor Paul Ingeneri said, “The greatest reward…is those new members who’ve learned about our 12 year history so they feel more a part of Crossroads and have come forward to lead.” Some new leaders were developed, particularly for their youth, and the church began a new children’s ministry to attract young families to the church. Through this they realized the need to show concern for the community in more specific ways that were more visible to visitors.
Discovery Church – Bowmanville, ON
Grant Awarded: June 2012 Photo
Coordinator: Kara Spoelstra
Church Phone Number: (905) 697-4237
Project Name: Children’s Ministry Outreach
Focus: children’s ministry outreach
Project Description:
Partner with Big Brothers and Big Sisters (BBBS) to host two, one-week long day camps to build relationships with BBBS and the children who attend. The church will also launch a “Tea and Tots” playgroup to foster relationships with moms/caregivers in the community. The goal is that through these connections, church members would get involved in missional activities while enfolding new families into the church.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Faith Community Fellowship – Mount Vernon, WA
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Tom Buser
Church Phone Number: (360) 428-4661
Project Name: Stephen Ministries
Focus: initiation of Stephen Ministries for ministering to the congregation and community
Project Description:
To train 5-8 Stephen ministers for the ministry of presence, listening and prayer in the congregation.
Outcomes:
Those members involved in the training experienced significant personal growth and confidence in leading more effectively, with a greater sense of calling and fulfillment. The program was well-received by the congregation, and there were many requests for Stephen Ministry care from members.
Fellowship CRC – Albuquerque, NM
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: David Gill
Church Phone Number: (505) 268-3700
Project Name: Creating a Transformational, Missionary Community
Focus: enhancing worship, Sunday school, leadership training, and small group ministries
Project Description:
Provide curriculum for faith nurture and ministry equipping for the congregation, which will be implemented through the formation of new small groups and improved adult Sunday school programming.
Outcomes:
In addition to the growth of both the small groups and Sunday school participation, the church started an informal worship service – “The Gathering” – on Sunday evenings which has positive impacted many members of the congregation. The church also began hosting “Simple Suppers” on Wednesday evenings for fellowship and outreach to those in the community. The project revealed a need for small groups that “attract and minister to ‘fringe’ attendees,” as those involved in the small groups were regular attenders/church members. Likewise, they recognized opportunities to share these programs with other churches in the classis who expressed interest in them after hearing of Fellowship CRC’s spiritual growth.
Fellowship CRC – Edmonton, AB
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Wenda Salomons
Church Phone Number: (780) 937-8833
Project Name: Member Care Through Small Groups
Focus: evaluation and restructuring of small groups
Project Description:
To plan a fall pastoral committee retreat focusing specifically on the evaluation of small groups and their effectiveness in the church. The committee will also explore ways to encourage small group participation and determine if a new structure for groups is needed.
Outcomes:
The evaluation of the small groups in the church revealed a need to clarify the purpose of the groups and to “shape their purpose intentionally to focus on spiritual growth.” The church began publishing small group meetings in their bulletin, encouraging members to attend any group that interested them. This resulted in more regular, frequent small group meetings and ultimately, more interaction among church members.
First CRC – Vancouver, BC
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Trevor Vanderveen
Church Phone Number: (604) 872-2818
Project Name: Life as Worship
Focus: life as worship
Project Description:
Encouraging the congregation to explore new expressions of worship both in the church and in their daily lives. They hope to accomplish this through worship workshops and lunch meetings in regions across the city. Likewise, leaders in the congregation will engaged in focused book studies on worship and the church will host a worship series to explore how God reveals himself to his world and his people.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Friendship Community Church – Fontana, CA
Grant Awarded: December 2012
Coordinator: Shelley Norman
Church Phone Number: (909) 854-0558
Project Name: Renewing Friendship, Inside and Out
Focus: renewing Friendship: inside and out
Project Description:
Complete a professional redesign of the church website and conduct a church assessment with coaching. Through these projects the church hopes to make better use of Friendship’s current tools, resources, and leaders to be more effective in their ministry.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Friendship CRC – Gaylord, MI
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Pastor Steven Datema
Church Phone Number: (989) 732-3621
Project Name: Friendship Church in Focus
Focus: developing church identity and community outreach
Project Description:
Work with a church planner to develop a clear focus for the church, to form a vision and mission statement, as well as identify a project or local mission that will become a permanent function in the community. Once the vision is set, the church will design a logo and update its material to reflect the new vision. Lastly, the church members will be equipped with information needed to tell others about the church, its vision and purpose, with the hope of drawing them to the church and getting involved in the programs.
Outcomes:
Many members got “on board” with the new focus/vision of the church, and experienced a sense of unity in working towards the same goal. The church developed their “Friendship Ministry” for the cognitively impaired in the community, which they foresee having a positive impact on many more people in the years to come. As Pastor Steven Datema wrote, “We have experienced a pulling together of the people in a united cause. This ministry is still in its very early stages – but the people are excited and eager to be involved. This ministry deeply enhances the health of an entire congregation as well as that of the entire community.”
Grace Valley CRC – German Valley, IL
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Jake Ritzema
Church Phone Number: (815) 362-6601
Project Name: Enfolding, Educating, and Empowering for Service
Focus: integration of visitors/prompting spiritual growth
Project Description:
Conduct a congregation-wide spiritual gifts assessment and connect members with areas of ministry in which they are gifted to serve. The assessment will also provide opportunities for members to connect and fellowship with new visitors. The church will provided training for leaders to help develop discipleship groups that are more focused and intentional, with the hope that the groups will provide a means for people to grow in their relationships with God and each other.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Harbor Church – Seattle, WA
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Jana Koh
Church Phone Number: (206) 851-7080
Project Name: Preschool at the Harbor
Focus: outreach through preschool
Project Description:
The church will open a new preschool as an outreach to the neighborhood, which will meet a need of the community while at the same time provide new opportunities to connect members with families in the local area. The preschool will provide a means for members to utilize their gifts as many of them have experience in education, childcare, and other youth-related activities.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Harvest Community CRC – Lake Odessa, MI
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Bob DeJong
Church Phone Number: (616) 374-8697
Project Name: Men With Tools
Focus: connecting with the community through service in practical ways
Project Description:
Men With Tools is a group of men who do home repair, car maintenance, and “anything else that requires a guy(s) with a tool.” Through repair projects, the group hopes to foster mentoring relationships both within the church and with those in the surrounding community, while meeting needs in a very tangible way.
Outcomes:
The project gave several men in the church a ministry “to call their own.” The ministry grew to where there were times when more men were available to do projects than there were projects to be done! As coordinator Bob DeJong, said, “It has brought the men of the church closer together, and made them more active in their fellowship. It has also allowed a place for men of our congregation to utilize their skills, and mentor the young male generation while teaching them how to use a hammer and shine their light for Jesus.” The group has done follow-up with each person they have served and they continue to build those relationships with people in the community.
Heartland Church – Tracy, CA
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Pastor Mark Humphreys
Church Phone Number: (209) 830-7275
Project Name: Project Impact
Focus: creating a unified vision and purpose for the church
Project Description:
Create a unified vision for the church through church pastor coaching, church health assessment, and team-building retreat. The goal of the project is to “develop systems that impact people and bring out change [that] will result in giving people purpose and seeing them make efforts to impact the lives of people around them.”
Outcomes:
The assessment process identified both the strengths and areas for growth needed in the church. The congregation was encouraged to hear about the positive things they’re doing, such as learning that 64% of members are volunteering in some capacity. At the same time, focus groups were formed to discuss the areas for growth and the leadership used that information to establish their focus on three key areas: vision, church membership, and improving Sunday worship, connecting in groups, and opportunities to serve. In the final project report, Pastor Mark Humphreys reflected, “Our goal to gather information and assess our condition was achieved. We walked away with a clear sense of what we need to do.”
Hope in Christ CRC – Bellingham, WA
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Scott Roberts
Church Phone Number: (360) 733-6177
Project Name: Prayer Foundations
Focus: prayer
Project Description:
To nurture and grow the congregation’s personal and corporate prayer life through a collective reading of a book on corporate prayer followed by small group discussions among members. At the same time the church’s worship team will participate in a training on Spirit-led, worship-fed, Scripture-based, Corporate prayer led by Dennis Fuqua of International Renewal Ministries. The church also plans to host two conferences with guest speakers on discerning prayer that will provide both teaching and experience in discerning God’s voice through corporate prayer.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Iglesia Cristiana El Sembrador – Fontana, CA
Grant Awarded: June 2012 Photo Video
Coordinator: Adriana Tresierra
Church Phone Number: (909) 434-2867
Project Name: Reaching our Hispanic community
Focus: reaching out to Hispanic community
Project Description:
Research the needs of the surrounding Hispanic community and create a directory of resources that lists local businesses and organizations that can help meet those needs. The church will make personal contact with those in the community and introduce the church/directory of resources to them via flyers, newsletters, and other forms of advertisement. Church members will help to coordinate the matching of needs to the appropriate resources (the church will also meet needs as it is able) and develop a donor program for on-going support of this project.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Imagine Fellowship – Holland, MI
Grant Awarded: December 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Wayne Coleman
Church Phone Number: (616) 392-2919
Project Name: My Brother’s Keeper Man’s Ministry
Focus: empower and motivate at-risk young men
Project Description:
Provide a weekly series of “Life Strategies” presentations that will empower and motivate at-risk young men through skill training and leadership development. Each student will meet regularly with a mentor both during the weekly program and outside the program as well. The church will also host a “Man Up” conference focusing on male youth ages 12-21.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Immanuel CRC – Fort Collins, CO
Grant Awarded: June 2012 Photo
Coordinator: John Withrow
Church Phone Number: (970) 484-3583
Project Name: The Immanuel Community Garden
Focus: community garden
Project Description:
Develop a community garden to provide a bridge between the congregation and those in the community to be cared for, utilized, and enjoyed by both.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Lord’s Grace Church in Tracy – Tracy, CA
Grant Awarded: December 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Boosik Kong
Church Phone Number: (510) 468-4341
Project Name: To Enhance Small Groups
Focus: small groups
Project Description:
Enhance small groups (seniors, families, and children) and provide some retreats for these groups to build up the church body in reaching their community.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Mission Hills Community Church – Mission, BC
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Theresa Schmitt
Church Phone Number: (604) 820-2980
Project Name: Youth Leaders Leadership Training
Focus: equipping youth leaders with tools and skills for ministry
Project Description:
Attend a youth workers conference to improve the church’s leadership skills and ultimately create a “vibrant” youth ministry program in the church.
Outcomes:
The conference was a great learning experience for leaders taught them the importance of networking with other youth leaders while developing new ones in the church. It also provided the opportunity to purchase some new youth resources for the church and affirmed their commitment to “growing the next generation of Christ followers.”
New Heart Church – Longwood, FL
Grant Awarded: June 2012 Photo
Coordinator: Pastor Felix Fernandez
Church Phone Number: (407) 803-1659
Project Name: Operation Re-newed Heart
Focus: taking church to next level
Project Description:
To take the church to the next level through a three-dimensional project: reaching up, reaching in, and reaching out. They plan to purchase a new church sign to welcome new visitors, host several guest speakers, develop a new Sunday school program, develop Gospel tracts, and host a Spiritual Life Conference at a local Christian camp. The goal in these activities is to foster growth among church members and strengthen the church’s identity, while at the same time helping unbelievers come to know the Lord.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Ocean View CRC – Norfolk, VA
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Joyce Kirby
Church Phone Number: (757) 588-2077
Project Name: The BRIDE Project
Focus: building up the worship team for enhanced ministry through learning opportunities and training
Project Description:
To Build up, Renew, Inspire, Develop, and Encourage the church’s worship team through workshops and conferences specifically focused on worship. The goal of having worship team members attend these events was to equip them with new ideas that would improve and enhance the worship service, such as more effective planning, getting youth involved, and using technology to increase worship effectiveness.
Outcomes:
Worship team members attended a variety of conferences and pursue ways to actively incorporate the information/resources into the worship services. They are seeking ways to involve several members of the congregation in leading worship as well as making technical improvements. At the end of the project, coordinator Joyce Kirby said, “There was so much learned this past year and so much to be learned as we continue to evaluate all the knowledge and resources received…we have to be prayerful and discerning about what and how this is done. In the process of doing this, we are learning to work together as a team.”
Prairie Lane CRC – Omaha, NE
Grant Awarded: June 2012 Photo
Coordinator: Pastor Dan Steen
Church Phone Number: (402) 333-7173
Project Name: Building on Our Strength - Caring Community
Focus: strengthening our caring community
Project Description:
Helping the congregation develop more meaningful, Spirit-filled relationships with one another through more intentional small groups and a re-start of their youth adult group. A new group coordinator will help oversee the small group leaders, while a coach will work with the church to help guide them through the process of developing a mentoring program at the church.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
RedArrow Ministries – Paw Paw, MI
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Ben Bowater
Church Phone Number: (269) 657-5679
Project Name: Paw Paw Youth Center of RedArrow Ministries
Focus: providing safe and encouraging space for local youth
Project Description:
Create a youth center for students in the community that offers after-school programming in a safe, encouraging environment. The space will be rented locally (at a “neutral site” rather than at the church) and will be staffed by trained volunteers. The center will provide activities such as basketball, ping pong, and other games along with quiet space for students to do homework. The goal is to build relationships with the youth while providing a much needed, positive place for them to spend time after school.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Rehoboth CRC – Rehoboth, NM
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Bob Ippel
Church Phone Number: (505) 726-9710
Project Name: Living Expressions Framework and Assessment Tool
Focus: create/implement discipleship framework & assessment tool
Project Description:
To create and implement a discipleship framework and assessment tool to help church members grow as living expressions of Jesus Chris. They hope to revise their mission statement which will assist them in developing a customized self-assessment to be used twice each year. The assessment will challenge everyone in the church, including youth, to think about the vision of being a living expression of Christ and identify areas where growth is needed. They’ll work with Pastor Andy Sytsma at New Life CRC in Houston, TX to develop the assessment and do some follow up throughout the project.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Searchlight Ministries – Hudsonville, MI
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: John Snippe
Church Phone Number: (616) 896-6800
Project Name: Becoming an Emotionally Health Congregation
Focus: enhancing the emotional health of the congregation
Project Description:
Promote growth in the congregation through a Steering Committee retreat followed by a series of congregational meetings based on the book, The Emotionally Health Church by Peter Scazzero. The goal of the retreat and meetings was for members to evaluate their own discipleship level and be encouraged to improve in areas that need growth, thereby increasing the overall emotional health of the congregation and witness to their community.
Outcomes:
It was a good time of learning how members relate to one another and how to resolve differences. They realized that differences were often exaggerated by a failure to communicate with each other, which made them more determined to “renew and focus” their original vision at Searchlight. The church did achieve the ultimate goal of the project, which was to strengthen relationships in the congregation. As coordinator John Snippe said, “[We are] more aware of the issues that can divide us and have begun to practice the steps that will bring communication and reconciliation when conflicts do arise.”
Square Inch Church – Lacey, WA
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Jason De Vries
Church Phone Number: (360) 561-2152
Project Name: Love:Lacey
Focus: develop and deepen relationships with neighbors
Project Description:
To development and deepen relationships with neighbors and to serve them through community events, such as a community oil change, BBQ, teacher appreciation lunch, and community day. Their hope is to missionally serve their community in tangible ways while allowing church members to build meaningful relationships with non-believers.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Sunrise Church – McMinnville, OR
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Pastor Bill Wilton
Church Phone Number: (503) 472-7272
Project Name: Renewal or Restart Study
Focus: church assessment
Project Description:
Form a “Church Renewal Team” (CRT) that will guide the church through a season of assessment and discovery. The goal is that, through the assessment process, they’ll identify areas in need of renewal and use those findings to make changes that will enhance their effectiveness in ministry and disciple making.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Trinity CRC – Broomall, PA
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Ken Tanis
Church Phone Number: (610) 356-4389
Project Name: Third Thursdays at Trinity
Focus: community building and outreach
Project Description:
On the third Thursday of each month, the church will provide a meal for members and those in the community to enjoy and fellowship with one another. After the meal, a presentation will be given on a topic of interest, such as the NASA space shuttle, family relationships, an introduction to Narnia films, etc. People will be welcome to stay and visit with each other after the presentations.
Outcomes:
Through the meals and presentations the church learned helpful insights into its marketing of programs and the minimal effectiveness of advertisements and direct mailers. While the response was much lower than they had hoped for, they felt satisfaction in the quality of the programs and felt the meals and presentations went very well. Many topics were very helpful to the congregation, but overall the project caused the church to evaluate more effective ways it could connect with the community and encourage its members to do the same.
WestCoast Community Church – Delta, BC
Grant Awarded: June 2007
Coordinator: Pastor Jim Berry
Church Phone Number: (604) 948-4816
Project Name: Anosos Kainosis (Greek for “Healthy and Renewed”)
Focus: outreach to youth within the church and larger community
Project Description:
To host two youth events each month: one event will be an “entry point” activity in which the church youth will be encouraged to invite their non-Christian friends, while the second event will focus on mentoring, discipleship, and learning. A Youth Leadership Team (YLT) will be formed to oversee the program and meet quarterly to discuss what’s working well and identify areas for growth and improvement.
Outcomes:
The church learned the importance of building community “as a community,” wherein they experienced a strong sense of team work as they saw many members getting directly involved with the youth in a variety of ways. Intergenerational relationships were strengthened, and some of the events attracted nearly 20 non-church youth from the community. Reflecting on the project, Pastor Jim Berry said, “This past year has been, for the most part, a year of ‘gathering a group’…building trust…establishing relationships…ensuring the group was a safe place for persons to come and be authentic. A lot of that took time and effort but has paid off and led us to a point of now, in the coming year, doing ‘deeper’ spiritually.”
Westside Fellowship CRC – Kingston, ON
Grant Awarded: June 2012
Coordinator: Julia Kooy
Church Phone Number: (613) 384-7306
Project Name: Outreach and Worship Transformation 2012/2013
Focus: expand outreach/grow in worship
Project Description:
To expand the church’s outreach to the community by developing a grief share support group, enhancing their DivorceCare ministry, and offering Alpha Parenting courses to people both in and outside the church. They’ll work with a coach to conduct a workshop on “Participating in Vibrant Worship” to help grow the worship life of the congregation.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Word of Truth International Ministries – Tukwila, WA
Grant Awarded: December 2012
Coordinator: Lakesha Gates
Church Phone Number: (206) 762-2925
Project Name: Operation L.E.A.D. (Leadership Equipping and Development)
Focus: leadership training
Project Description:
Develop and expand the leadership capacity in existing and future leaders in the congregation through a weekly training series from Equipping Ministries International, geared to cultivate leadership skills and enhance one’s ability to share the Gospel. The church will also host a 3-day “Building Stronger Relationship” Conference geared toward “discovering and building healthy intimate relationship with God and others.”
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
Zion CRC – Oshawa, ON
Grant Awarded: December 2012
Coordinator: Cathy Schenk
Church Phone Number: (905) 436-3255
Project Name: 50 Years of Faithfulness: A Collection of Stories about God’s Love to the People of Zion CRC
Focus: connecting youth and seniors
Project Description:
As part of their 50th Anniversary celebration, the project will involve publishing a book that compiles stories of God’s faithfulness to the seniors of Zion CRC and an accompanying DVD which contains interviews of the seniors and historic photographs. One key goal is to foster mutual respect and greater connectedness between generations in the church as they appreciate what God has done in the church over the past 50 years.
Outcomes:
Grant project still in process.
