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Partners In The Mission:
New Salem and Nortonville Baptist Churches
Two Churches/Incredible Growth
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| Release Date: 02/19/2008 |
| a message from Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director |
Recently, my wife, Kay, and I had the opportunity to visit in two Nortonville churches that have experienced incredible growth – New Salem Baptist and Nortonville Baptist.
The pastors began their ministries at their respective churches within a month of each other in 2000 and have become great friends. The churches are located within two miles of each other. Both pastors were successful in management before following God’s call to preach.
Steve Rutherford, pastor of New Salem Baptist Church, has given strong leadership in Sunday school growth and has seen average attendance grow from 71 to 122. I was impressed by the number of children, youth and young adults in attendance and enrolled in Sunday school.
Average worship attendance has increased from 123 to 180 in six years. Resident membership has increased from 305 to 400.
The church reported 29 baptisms in 2006 and has built three churches through international missions.
Giving has also increased. Undesignated gifts have increased from $102,122 to $181,523, and Cooperative Program giving has increased from $6,260 to $18,543 (2006-2007).
Of the $253,567 the church has given to support missions through CP since 1929, 48 percent of that has been given since Steve came as pastor. New Salem gives 10 percent through the Cooperative Program.
Nortonville Baptist Church, located on Highway 41, also has a caring pastor who is focused on growth.
Under the leadership of Bobby Reno, the resident membership has increased from 197 to 484 and the Sunday school average attendance has increased from 56 to 166. Worship attendance has increased from 96 to 260 while baptisms have increased from six to 55 since Reno became pastor.
This church has also seen its giving increase dramatically. Undesignated gifts have increased from $67,505 to $248,808, and CP giving has increased from $5,755 to $22,710 (2006-2007).
The church has given $266,655 to CP since 1934 with 43 percent of the total having been given since Reno became pastor. The congregation is also strong in missions offerings and has participated in partnership missions.
It was obvious that these two churches love their pastors and are excited to greet new people. Church members participate in “inviting” evangelism in their work places and relational contacts. Both churches are attracting members from outside their communities and are seeking new ways to make a Kingdom impact.
These churches expect to experience something “out of the ordinary” each Sunday as they gather. May that be true for all of the KBC churches!
Please pray for your church staff and church members. Prayer makes a big difference!
Dr. Mackey's column appears weekly in the Western Recorder. To subscribe to the Western Recorder, call (502) 489-3535. |
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