The American Commonwealth Region of U.S. churches (ACR) have unified not only as a region of churches in fellowship, but in our vision of planting churches to spread the gospel in region of the world! The Akron-Canton Church of Christ is the first cooperative church planting in which all of the entire ACR is financially supporting the church for three years.
This united effort to plant the church as a region was not limited to financial support, but extended to their sincere willingness to send some of their most valued and mature disciples to be on the mission team and set it up for success in every way!
When my wife and I were asked to lead the mission team to start the church in Akron, I had no idea how much I would see God move in such a short period of time. With only four months before the start of the church I went on a tour of our ACR churches, putting out the call for spiritually mature disciples to come with us to start the church.
Little did I know that 30 strong disciples would heed that call! I have been inspired to see God use us in the way he is already reaching people and family members here. Our team, including our older married couples, are out sharing their faith daily.
Our first Sunday park service, with only 20 disciples, had 60 people in attendance. In search of a place to meet and worship, God opened the door for us to lease our own building with unlimited access. This is far less expensive than renting a school or community center!
The momentum of reaching open people has continued right into our inaugural service this past Sunday, in which we had 159 people in attendance, with more than 60 visitors, and lots of Bible studies already set up and happening. Thanks to the Cleveland Church of Christ for sending some brothers and sisters to serve in our service, which allowed our entire team to focus on bringing and meeting all the visitors.
Please continue to pray for the disciples here working the open harvest fields. We are not just planting a church in the community here, but we are starting campus ministries at University of Akron and Kent State. As such, the Ohio churches raised money for the Akron church to hire a part-time intern for the year, and is currently still looking to fill this campus intern position (email interest and resume to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The harvest is overwhelmingly plentiful. Thanks for your support and encouragement, family!