New Work NEWS
The churches of Savannah River Baptist Association determined several years ago that new congregations must be started if we were to be effective in reaching the large numbers of people moving into Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Check out this update on:
Crosspoint
The Link
VIDA
Biker Church
Crosspoint Church launched in September 2008 at Bluffton’s Sea Turtle Cinema. Although the church had had a good summer in gathering a crowd of people who did not normally go to church, the start was not successful and Crosspoint lost three of its staff leaders. Several local Baptists joined the effort, however, and the congregation relaunched in early 2009.
As the hub church for SRBA’s ARMS around the Triangle strategy, Crosspoint has steadily moved forward from that uncertain start to experience God’s power among His people. Three other congregations have been launched out of Crosspoint (one local, one in Greenville, SC, and one in California) and two are planned to launch in our area this year.
Last year, 10 people were baptized. This year, the church hit a milestone already by topping 100 in worship last Sunday!
Keep up to date at Crosspoint’s website: Crosspointbluffton.com.
The Link launched last January, meeting in Beaufort’s Holiday Inn. The congregation has had quite an exciting first year, steadily growing and making a positive difference in the area. Six people were baptized at The Link in 2009 and they almost topped 100 in weekly attendance, reaching 98 one Sunday in December.
Their missional efforts in the oil change ministry to single moms and wives with deployed husbands, the rebuilding of the Port Royal skateboard park and their Burgers and Bibles ministry there, and the congregation’s active involvement in local festivals and meeting human needs have made this congregation and important part of the Beaufort area. They will have a special service celebrating their first anniversary on January 31.
Check out The Link online: http://www.thelinkbeaufort.com/.
Vida is the newest congregation to form in our area. Ruben DeJesus moved here from New Jersey to start a new church that will reach Spanish-speaking people with the Gospel, equip them to live like missionaries, and start a leadership development and church planting congregation among Spanish speakers. Already, a core group of 14-18 people has begun meeting for Bible study in the Dejesus’ home with hopes of launching a formal group this year.
DeJesus will also be working with local Spanish-speaking church leaders to help strengthen and mentor them. One example is the group started by Mario Vargas at the Baptist Church of Beaufort. With Vargas’ recent retirement, DeJesus will work with the leaders of the congregation, especially mentoring a potential pastor to lead the group.
Biker church is spreading in South Carolina (see the Courier article). Patrick Lengel moved from Columbia to Bluffton for his job, but God has laid upon his heart the vision of starting a church focused on reaching motorcycle enthusiasts.
Traditionally, churches reach people based upon a certain neighborhood, ethnicity, or language spoken. Affinity-based church plants seek to gather people based upon a common interest or hobby and share the Gospel through the common link found there. In an American society wrapped up with pursuing affinity with like-minded people, this is proving to be an effective avenue for building a new church. SRBA leaders are exploring and praying about this opportunity with Lengel.
Pray for this opportunity, each of the new churches, and all of our churches. It is estimated that nearly 150,000 people in our two-county area have no personally relationship with God through Christ. It will take all of us actively pursuing the mission of Christ to make a difference for His Kingdom!
