Peine Ridge is gaining momentum at Wentzville

August 4th, 2010 | Author: admin

Momentum can be defined as the quantity of motion of a moving body. If we were to sum up the experiences of this past month at Peine Ridge Church, it would be in these two words: gaining momentum. God has truly been gracious to us, providing abundantly more than what we’ve deserved. He has brought people, resources, favor with the community, and time to accomplish the work. We stand in awe of Him today, recognizing that He is opening the doors and holding our hands through it all. (Isaiah 45:1)

Though our history is short, we’ve had some exciting times in the life of our church. I still remember that first night our core team sat huddled in our living room crying out to God to plant a gospel-centered Church. Another unforgettable moment was the launch of our plant team. We met in a pink dance studio under the sparkle of a disco ball. To help keep people from unnecessary distraction, our set-up team would cover the studio mirrors each week. It didn’t bother our people though. There was an excitement…a growing expectation that God was up to something great. When the launch finally came, the dream took shape. As I stood in the back of the school gym, witnessing God’s church worship with the community of north Wentzville for the first time, I would have never imagined myself saying these words…

But the most memorable, epic day in the early history of our church was yet to come.

On June 27, 2010, 11 new followers of Christ gave a public profession of faith by being baptized in front of the Peine Ridge Elementary School. As the church stood gathered around a large Rubbermaid feeding trough loaded on the back of a wooden trailer, new believers came one by one to follow Christ in the obedience of baptism. Every day has been important, and every day has been special, but no other day more clearly embodies our mission in north Wentzville. Why? Simply put, we want to exalt Christ by making disciples. Baptism symbolizes death to the old life and birth to the new (Romans 6:1-14). It’s an outward display to an inward change. On that memorable day, we publically witnessed God’s work of both engaging and equipping people for the purpose of the exaltation of Jesus Christ. It will never be forgotten.

And that’s not all that happened on the 27th of June. Over 50 devoted followers of Christ publically covenanted to join with the local body of believers at Peine Ridge. After completing an intensive six-week class on the biblical foundation and purpose of Church membership, this special group became the charter members of Peine Ridge Church. They have covenanted to help fulfill the vision; use their spiritual gifts; pursue holiness & purity; seek accountability; practice humility; submit to leadership; follow procedures for Biblical church discipline; and yield to the authority of Scripture. By God’s grace and for His glory, these fellow Christians will be the servants upon which Christ grows this local church.

We’re excited…we’re expectant…and we’re convinced that the best days are yet to come!

Part of the MMO focus this year is “STARTING more Missouri churches.” New church plants will receive $95,000 of the MMO budget in 2011. This money provides funds for salary support, rental assistance, and start-up costs for new church starts.

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What do you think…should we be starting more churches? Please leave a comment below.