GUEST EDITORIAL


WINTER 2013 Volume 16 | Number 1


On Mission highlights the work of missionaries and on mission Christians throughout North America who are impacting their world for Christ.


PRESIDENT Kevin Ezell


INTERIM EDITOR Mike Ebert


MANAGING EDITOR Joe Conway


ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sara Shelton


ONLINE EDITOR Tobin Perry


CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Adam Miller


DESIGN EDITOR Steve Beaver | beaverdesigngroup.com


VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS Mike Ebert


TECHNICAL SUPPORT/WEBSITE James Dotson, Peter Ward


CONTRIBUTORS David Bowman, Kim Feldner, Mickey Noah, John Swain, Susan Whitley


TOGETHER FOR KINGDOM GROWTH The North American Mission Board exists to work with churches, associations and state conventions in mobilizing Southern Baptists as a missional force to impact North America with the gospel of Jesus Christ through evangelism and church planting.


NAMB is a Southern Baptist Convention entity supported by the Cooperative Program and the An- nie Armstrong Easter Offering.® strong Easter Offering®


The Annie Arm- is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union.®


Postmaster: Send address changes to: On Mission P.O. Box 3068 Langhorne, PA 19047-9855


Because of your valued support of the Cooperative Program, we are able to offer you a free copy of On Mission magazine.To subscribe call toll free 888- 239-3990 or visit onmission.com.


On Mission grants permission for any original article to be photocopied (up to 100 copies) for educational or church use. Include the following credit: “Used by permission of On Mission, North American Mission Board, ©2012. For special requests email us at onmission@namb.net or call 770-410-6394.


What will be the legacy of your church?


A


few years ago the leadership of New Hope Church in Mableton, Ga., came to us looking for help. The once vibrant church was now struggling to grow beyond the 17 members that had stuck around through tough times. The church had a capacity to hold 250 people and 3.5 acres of


land but no longer had the ability to reach its community. The decisions New Hope had to make weren’t easy. Some of the people


in the church had been baptized, discipled, married and raised their children in that church. No one wanted to see the church close its doors. First Baptist Woodstock wanted to help. When they asked us to come alongside of them, we met with the 17 members and decided upon a com- plete makeover for the church. We brought in a new pastor and installed blended worship in the church. We began to tell the community about a brand new church plant that would be more culturally connected to it. Today, six years later, Vinings Lake Church—what the church is now


called—is running 600 most weekends. Most important, the church is reaching its community. Young families in the community are coming to know Christ.


When those 17 people came to meet us at First Baptist Woodstock, they saw what they were doing as a part of their legacy. They gave us the land and great buildings. They joined with us in this journey. Now they’re seeing these great days of ministry with the resources they provided. Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of buildings and land could be-


come available in the near future for kingdom work. Many buildings around North America house evangelical churches that are facing the same chal- lenges New Hope faced. I am excited about what the North American Mission Board is doing


in church revitalization through Send North America Church Growth and Revitalization Conferences. I’m glad to be a part of it because I’ve seen the difference revitalization can make in a church and community. Maybe you’re facing the same uncertainty in your church. You might


not be ready to close the doors, but you’re not growing and impacting your community like you want—and you dream of doing so. Regardless, the questions are the same. What will your church’s legacy be? If you’re asking yourself this question, join me at a conference near you. Visit namb.net/revitalization.


ACTION ITEM


View a video of Johnny Hunt share his passion for church revitalization at namb.net/church- revitalization- video.


Johnny Hunt Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Ga.


ON MISSION • Winter 2013 2


©2012 On Mission


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