Inspired by Operation Saturation of the 1980's, a recent meeting of Midwest church leaders submitted plans to God for future growth.
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one just as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:22-23
In this prayer of Jesus, uttered on the final night of his earthly life, we see one of the most profound wishes of the Father: that disciples would be known for unity and mutual love, and that this love would be so blatantly apparent that it would serve as a stimulus to faith in Jesus. It was so encouraging to see this kind of unity at the latest meeting of Midwest Church Leaders, which occurred recently here in Chicago.
We opened with a time of worship, after which Roger Lamb reminded us all of "Operation Saturation: A History of the Midwest." Drawing from his family history (his great-grandfather was the preacher for the Charleston Church in the 1890's), he shared about the beginnings of the campus ministry in Charleston and the later plantings in Chicago, Champaign, and other key cities. From those early congregations, fueled by impressive growth in campus ministries throughout Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, came other plantings, which in turn have produced a third and fourth generation of plantings. (Archived image below)
Recent Leadership Changes
In a series of meetings with the leadership group of the Detroit church, it became apparent that there was a need for fresh leadership in that vital city. Tomm & Laurie Wilson, who are loved throughout the Midwest, made the decision to move from Milwaukee to take the helm of the Detroit church. Tim & Christine Brudnicki, who have ably served as the Youth and Family Leaders in Milwaukee, have been asked to serve there as the lead ministry couple. They are joined by Randy & Patsy Harris, our beloved elder and Women's Ministry Leader in the Metro Ministry Center, who have moved to Milwaukee at great personal sacrifice to build an eldership and shepherd the congregation there. With the departure of John Price from the ministry in Springfield, Damon & Ivy Brog, non-staff leaders in the Milwaukee church, have accepted the opportunity to serve full-time in Springfield. Jeff & Lori Mannel, who planted and have built the congregation in Madison, Wisconsin, have accepted an offer to lead the St. Louis church, and Kirk & Amy Stephens, who have served as the campus leaders in Madison, will be taking over there.
Each of these changes and others (the Kwasniewski's move to Indianapolis, Steve Heinichen's move to lead the Purdue campus) exemplifies the spirit of unity and cooperation that Jesus speaks of in John 17. The Chicago Church has been exceptionally generous with their leadership in the past year, sending out an evangelist, an elder, three campus ministers, two women's ministry leaders, and four youth leaders to serve churches in Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Florida. The Milwaukee church is also to be commended in giving up not only the Wilsons, but also the Brogs to serve churches in Michigan and Illinois.
Discussion Topics
In the healthy and productive meeting last week, numerous topics of vital concern were discussed in detail:
- How do we measure success in the ministry
- Cooperation between churches
- Seeking and saving the lost in the Midwest
Churches are taking a holistic approach to church growth, focusing on the health of the church and fostering a deeper spirit of love, commitment and shepherding, all of which are leading to positive growth in many of the congregations. Each church is committed to building with ‘precious stones' and striving to continue to stoke the fires of evangelism in their individual cities.
Multiplied Churches
From our modest beginnings in the early 1980's, we now see, within our family of churches, 16 congregations in 7 states, all committed to the mission, to unity, and to glorifying God in their individual mission fields.
Wisconsin:
- Milwaukee: Tim & Christine Brudnicki, Randy & Patsy Harris, Mark & Ruth Kang
- Appleton: Michael & MyCresha Burns
- Eau Claire: Joel & Christie Peed
- Madison: Kirk & Amy Stevens
Michigan:
- Detroit: Tomm & Laurie Wilson
- Lansing: Joel Nagle
- Grand Rapids: Phil & Pat Moor
Indiana:
- Indianapolis: Mike & Lori Kwasniewski, Steve & Tresanay Cannon, Steve Heinichen, Eric & Megan Testa
- Ft. Wayne: Tim & Wendy Sherill
Minnesota:
- Minneapolis: Steve & Kelli Saindon, Dustin Wood
Ohio
- Cincinnati: Jim & Lyn Fulcher, John & Shannon Cleghorn, Michael DeAquino
Illinois / Iowa
- Chicago: AT & Marci Arneson, Darren & Sharon Gauthier, Jeff & Roberta Balsom, and a host of others
- Champaign: Tracy & Phyllis Larr
- Bloomington: Nick & Dee Neargarder
- Quad Cities: John & Linda Sullivan
- Springfield: Damon & Ivy Brog
Let's commit to pray for these congregations, for their health and growth, that in each city we would see God glorified through our unity, our worship, and our numerical growth!
Posted by Jerry Maday