New Around the Mission

October 23, 2009

Mission Network News October 2009

Mission Network News from Heart of North America

Regional Retreat Renews Hearts and Sets Course for 2010

Forty leaders gathered for worship, powerful teaching and fellowship October 22-24 at the Heart of North America region's (HONA) annual retreat held at Pokagon Park in northeast Indiana. Bishop Doc Loomis and other Anglican Mission leaders spoke on "Renewing Our Hearts," addressing the various challenges of ministry including the importance of balancing and guarding personal and family life, the need for discipline in the church and the value of sharpening preaching skills.

Andy Piercy, Director of Worship Development for the Anglican Mission, led worship and offered two teaching sessions in which he described worship as a key tool in successful church planting and growth. Andy was joined by his wife Judy who shared her ALPHA testimony and encouraged HONA leaders to put this proven discipleship and evangelism program into practice.

Special guest Sayward Elliott, the Anglican Mission's Interim Coordinator of the Student Ministry Initiative,
joined the retreat to share ministry news and to field questions about beginning youth ministries in smaller church plants like those that make up most of the HONA region.

Casting a vision for next year, Bishop Loomis outlined plans to plant and nurture 20 new congregations. HONA will also focus on four initiatives for 2010: discipleship, mentoring new church planters, worship arts and regional fundraising.

City Ministry Blossoms

Retaking our downtowns is something very much in the heart of the Anglican Mission's church planting efforts. But this difficult calling requires strong faith and tireless determination. New works in cities usually begin quite small, sometimes with just a husband and his wife.

Increasingly over the last year, young pastors are joining HONA with a passion for picking up and moving to a new place to set up "Kingdom shop" in city centers. HONA leaders have settled in urban areas of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky as part of a vibrant movement that is carrying Christ back into the inner-cities.

HONA Lay Pastor Dean Simmer and his wife Giles spent the summer months getting to know their neighbors and spending time getting their hands dirty in Corktown, a gang-laden community of inner-city Detroit.

HONA News
St. Barnabas
New Way Corktown

Roanoke church dedicates new sanctuary

Bishop Terrell Glenn was on hand last month when Church of the Holy Spirit, Roanoke, Virginia, celebrated the dedication of their new 1000-seat church.

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Recent News