I'm amazed at the response that Riverstone Church has gotten in our community. It has been great. People are genuinely excited about our church and want to be a part of it. I know there is a contingent of people who are watching us and waiting to see how we fare. I know of several church plants that have tried and failed in Claremont. People were excited about them too. I'm sure they did great things also. But they didn't last for one reason or another.
The people who have been part of those over the years thought they could get a new start and then had their hopes dashed with the closing of those churches. Now they are a bit reluctant to be a part of any new church because of the history of the others. I completely understand that and would be gun shy too if that happened to me. I know these people are waiting to see if we are going to last in Claremont.
I can tell you several things. But first, I must say that I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet. It is my hope and dream that not only will Riverstone Church survive but thrive in this community. I personally believe it will as long as we stick to our mission. There are some determining factors for our survival. I think we have many good traits to help us along.
First, we have the call of God on our lives to do this thing. When I first started telling people about what I wanted to do they thought I was nuts. They thought it would never happen. But I know down to my bones this is the will of God and we are going to follow His lead. So we have security because of our faith in God.
Second, we have the full support of the Northern New England District of the AG. They are both praying for us and financially helping us. They want to see us succeed and they are behind us 100%. So we have authority because of our accountability with them.
Third, I am not straight out of seminary nor a novice. I have years of pastoral experience behind me to help me navigate the waters of planting a church. There are many parallels to what I have done in my past ministry and what I am doing now. I'm not flying by the seat of my pants. So we have experience on our side.
Fourth, we are an Assemblies of God church. There used to be one in town and people are familiar with them. There isn't an AG church within at least a 25 mile radius. I know for a fact there is not one in all of Sullivan County, except now. ;) We are filling a need not only with our fellowship but with our strategy. We are also the only church in at least a 50 mile radius that meets in a movie theater. That's novelty. People are interested in something new that speaks to them in their cultural language. We are filling a niche. So we have uniqueness on our side.
Lastly, I am a son of Claremont. Although I was not born here, I spent most of my life here growing up. I know the culture, the people and the needs. I am a product of the system here in Claremont. We spent most of our time here living in apartments filled with roaches. I have lived and experienced what many in Claremont are going through. So we have authenticity because I have been where many are and God has lifted me out of it and brought me back to help others find a new life in God.
Besides all these factors, knowing that we can make our plans but it is God who makes them succeed, I am in this for the long haul. As a matter of fact I plan on being here the rest of my life as the Lord will's it. I am a fighter. I stick with it and see things through. I have no plans on going anywhere. This is my physical home, my spiritual home and my calling. So if you are waiting on the sidelines to see what is going to happen, you will be amazed. God is up to something new in Claremont and I encourage you not to wait too long to get involved.
The people who have been part of those over the years thought they could get a new start and then had their hopes dashed with the closing of those churches. Now they are a bit reluctant to be a part of any new church because of the history of the others. I completely understand that and would be gun shy too if that happened to me. I know these people are waiting to see if we are going to last in Claremont.
I can tell you several things. But first, I must say that I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet. It is my hope and dream that not only will Riverstone Church survive but thrive in this community. I personally believe it will as long as we stick to our mission. There are some determining factors for our survival. I think we have many good traits to help us along.
First, we have the call of God on our lives to do this thing. When I first started telling people about what I wanted to do they thought I was nuts. They thought it would never happen. But I know down to my bones this is the will of God and we are going to follow His lead. So we have security because of our faith in God.
Second, we have the full support of the Northern New England District of the AG. They are both praying for us and financially helping us. They want to see us succeed and they are behind us 100%. So we have authority because of our accountability with them.
Third, I am not straight out of seminary nor a novice. I have years of pastoral experience behind me to help me navigate the waters of planting a church. There are many parallels to what I have done in my past ministry and what I am doing now. I'm not flying by the seat of my pants. So we have experience on our side.
Fourth, we are an Assemblies of God church. There used to be one in town and people are familiar with them. There isn't an AG church within at least a 25 mile radius. I know for a fact there is not one in all of Sullivan County, except now. ;) We are filling a need not only with our fellowship but with our strategy. We are also the only church in at least a 50 mile radius that meets in a movie theater. That's novelty. People are interested in something new that speaks to them in their cultural language. We are filling a niche. So we have uniqueness on our side.
Lastly, I am a son of Claremont. Although I was not born here, I spent most of my life here growing up. I know the culture, the people and the needs. I am a product of the system here in Claremont. We spent most of our time here living in apartments filled with roaches. I have lived and experienced what many in Claremont are going through. So we have authenticity because I have been where many are and God has lifted me out of it and brought me back to help others find a new life in God.
Besides all these factors, knowing that we can make our plans but it is God who makes them succeed, I am in this for the long haul. As a matter of fact I plan on being here the rest of my life as the Lord will's it. I am a fighter. I stick with it and see things through. I have no plans on going anywhere. This is my physical home, my spiritual home and my calling. So if you are waiting on the sidelines to see what is going to happen, you will be amazed. God is up to something new in Claremont and I encourage you not to wait too long to get involved.
Comments