Giving Fresh Hope: Converge Heartland’s Church Revitalization Fund
Twelve. That is the number of attendees in one Heartland church before it recently leveraged all of its material and volunteer assets towards revitalization. This was not always the case, though. During the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s this church ran near 100, which was very strong for the region. However, gradual decline, aging, and thirty years of increasing fatigue had pushed this church to the brink of dissolution. After very hard discussions, sincere conviction, and going through Converge Heartland’s pastoral search process, this church now has a full-time revitalization pastor and fresh hope as they begin to engage their region with the gospel in a relational manner once again.
Your church’s number may not be twelve, but many Converge Heartland churches testify that they experienced their greatest growth and strength decades ago. At the same time, these churches express their desire to revitalize. In many cases, these churches simply don’t know how to revitalize or are lacking in resources. We recognize that each Converge Heartland church is autonomous, and so the District Office cannot simply impose revitalization efforts onto a church without conversation, trust, and church agreement. We have discovered that many churches know they must change and are seeking District assistance. Revitalization is serious heart work! It is challenging! Sometimes it requires a pastoral placement effort, while other times it requires extended energies towards crafting and executing a fresh vision and gospel-centered ministry plan. Among all that revitalization requires of a church, it demands all-in commitment from the church and the movement of God in the lives of its members.
With over 50% of Converge Heartland churches in a stagnated or declining posture, we have much more revitalizing work to do. Last year churches and individuals donated just over $20,000 for church revitalization assistance. These funds have helped us off-set costs and even fully fund ten church revitalization efforts, since last January. As 2017 ends, we invite you to make a year end gift to Converge Heartland’s Church Revitalization Fund. In doing so, you are truly giving the gift of hope to a local church. Thank you for joining us in this important work!
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Mail your designated financial gift to:
Converge Heartland
601 W. 57th St.
Sioux Falls, SD 57108
