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Epic Faith
Erie First Epic Faith, Satellite Church of Erie First Alliance, Erie, PA, is a church where you come as you are, no strings attached. Their casual gatherings, eclectic use of media, diversity in music, or conversations relevant to life are focused on loving God and loving others. They are people from all walks of life who want authentic relationships and are open to discussing the hard questions about faith and life.
WPA Church Plants and Satellite Churches
Rev. Joseph Toomey, Director
The passion of Jesus Christ was to take the gospel far and wide. He did not want the town down the road to be left without the Good News. He pushed on from town to town, from village to village, modeling how His followers are to reach out to neighboring communities. As established churches plant new churches or forge other outposts of ministry in nearby communities they follow the example of the Master. The office of Church Planting functions as a catalyst to help extend the kingdom of God in western Pennsylvania.
If you feel God is calling you to be a church planter in the Western Pennsylvania District, please contact Rev. Joseph Toomey at 724-929-6516.
WHY START NEW CHURCHES?
History shows that Christianity has always expanded through the multiplication of new churches.
Consider:
- New Churches are needed because of the growing number of unchurched persons. There are approximately four million persons living in the geographical area comprising the Western Pennsylvania District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Half to three quarters of this population is unchurched.
- Cultural diversity requires a diversity of churches. It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people.
- Many people are open to spiritual things. They need to experience meaningful relationships and see the love of Christ in a local church. Church growth specialist, Peter Wagner says, "Church planting is the most effective means of evangelism under heaven."
- More churches are closing than new ones are being started. Among all churches across America, nearly three times as many churches close each year as new ones start.
God loves people and wants them to be in His family. Healthy churches will effectively reach their community with the gospel of God's grace by multiplying ministry among various segments of the population both locally and in nearby communities.
Exciting things are taking place in Church Planting and Redevelopment.
Updates on Church Plants:
Saltsburg Faith Alliance Church: The church is doing well and slowly picking up some new families.
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East Freedom New Life Alliance: The church plant is doing well. They are going through a transition time as they figure out who they are going to be as a church and the direction the ministry is going to take.
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California College and Community Alliance Church: The church still hover at around 30-40 in attendance. They are looking at the possibility of having a service in West Brownsville as well.
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Pittsburgh Lighthouse Community Fellowship: Pastor Virgil Pinkston is excited about a new fresh vision he has for the church. They are also getting more ministries that are community oriented.
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Vandergrift Abundant Life Alliance Church: They seem to have broken through the stalled barrier and now have about six families coming. There is close to 30 in attendance now. They are in the process of looking for a new place to meet. They are considering an old school that is being remodeled. Things are looking much brighter.
- Erie Epic Faith: On September 9th 2007, Epic Faith (partner in ministry and daughter church to Erie First Alliance Church [FAC]) launched publicly to a great crowd (approx. 130 adults). There was energy and excitement as Epic celebrated its first steps. Teaming up with FAC, the Sunday evening children's ministry AWANA set records with 120 kids pre-school through 6th grade in attendance. The Lord is clearly moving in the Erie area, as they reach out in a new way to the every changing culture.
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Derry Alliance: The church plant has started to meet weekly. Bill Connolly has about 15 coming to his Sunday services.
REDEVELOPMENT: Six churches are in redevelopment status.
Joe Toomey
Director of Church Planting
HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED?
Planting churches requires a partnership of many people. You can be a partner in one of several ways:
- Praying Partner: Intercessors are needed to pray that churches will catch a vision to multiply their ministry and be involved in church planting in some way. Prayer covering for new church plants is needed. Prayer that the Lord of the harvest will raise up workers (church planters and team members) to lead new churches is essential for multiplication to take place. If you are interested in becoming a "prayer partner," please email us at office@cmawpa.org
- Giving Partner: Adequate funding is always a challenge for new churches. The contributions of giving partners from far and wide helps meet the expenses of starting a new church. If you would like to become a "giving partner," please send your check to the Western PA District of The C&MA, Attn: Church Planting at 341 Chestnut St., Punxsutawney, PA 15767. You can either designate your giving for a specific church plant or church planting in general, but please indicate this on your check so we can credit the proper account.
- Going Partner: Individuals are needed who feel God is leading them to go out from their church and be part of a core group to form a new church. Others are needed to assist in various ministry projects of church plants. If you are interested in becoming a "going partner" please email us at office@cmawpa.org