Congrats to Risen Church on its recent launch
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Risen Church, Minneapolis, held its first public worship service October 1. A daughter church of Hiawatha Church, Minneapolis, Risen Church’s vision is to be a multiethnic body of believers uniquely equipped to take the good news of Jesus Christ to all peoples, especially to the unreached and least-reached peoples in the Twin Cities and around the world. Congratulations to pastor Paul Reichman and the Risen Church and Hiawatha Church teams.
Do you have news about people trusting in the Lord, baptisms, church growth or anything that shows God at work? Share your story.
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“You are wonderfully made”: One by One Haiti team distributes shoes, health and nutritional supplies; shares message of hope
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A Converge One by One Haiti missions team served alongside Haitian national pastors and partners October 25-November 1 to provide much-needed health services in Haiti. Nutrition screening, wellness exams, parasite treatment and hosting a community health program were among the services. They also distributed dental care packs and gently-used tennis shoes at schools in three separate communities.
Converge churches had collected and donated gently-used tennis shoes, which the missions team distributed in Haiti. The team fit the children with shoes and taught them the importance of wearing them. Approximately one-third of all the children the team met received a pair of shoes. Local school directors identified the children who were to receive the shoes, based on need.
 “Kids in Haiti will always need fluoride and will have to have a parasite pill every 3-4 months,” said Selena Gabriel, Converge One by One Haiti director. “Otherwise, these children will die of unnecessary disease.”
Along with meeting nutritional and medical needs and taking part in youth activities, the team also tied its mission with the overaching theme of the trip that, which from Psalm 139: “You are wonderfully made.”
Gabriel explained, “We made sure the children heard, ‘You’re taking care of your teeth today, or taking care of your feet because God made you wonderful. Since you’re made in his image, it’s important to him that you take good care of yourself so that you can reflect him and shine for him. It’s important to take care of his creation, which he loves so much.’”
Gabriel led the team, which included members from Iron Ridge Church, Waukon, Iowa; Living Faith Church, Circle Pines, Minnesota; and New Covenant Church, Fresno, California.
Contact Selena Gabriel for information on how you can serve on the next Converge One by One Haiti missions trip.
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How your congregation can make a greater impact in your community
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 In this Whiteboard Leadership training video, John Jenkins, pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Landover, Maryland, discusses how your entire congregation can take on the responsibility of ministry in order to make a greater impact in your community.
Every Thursday we’ll post a new Whiteboard Leadership training video on our Facebook page.
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National, Southeast offices team up to help churches refuel, retool and re-engage
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In Miami on October 25, Bruce Hopler, Converge national director of Church Strengthening, joined Converge Southeast’s district executive minister Ernie Cabrera and director of missions John Wright in leading a workshop focusing on helping pastors retool, refuel and re-engage.
“John focused on the ‘refuel’ portion of the workshop, pouring into pastors and stressing spiritual health,’ Hopler said. “I led the ‘retool’ portion, giving pastors something they could take back to their church leaders to help them grow in their leadership. Ernie led the ‘re-engage’ portion, where he spoke about what it would be like for us to be better together.”
Learn more about how Converge can help you develop in your leadership role and how to raise up new leaders.
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Three opportunities to connect and grow
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Over the next 14 months, Converge will offer multiple opportunities for you to connect with other leaders who desire to reach their communities and the world for Jesus.
- Exponential East + Converge Pre-Con (February 26 – March 1, 2018; Orlando) will provide valuable tools as you seek vision, strategy and networking opportunities in the church planting process.
- The Converge Reach Conference (June 27 – 29, 2018; Fishers/Indianapolis, Indiana) will help you learn effective strategies to extend your church’s reach across the street and around the world.
- At Converge 2019 (January 29 – 31, 2019; Orlando), you will meet other church leaders who will help you navigate the challenges of church planting and building and maintaining a healthy church.
The Transform Conference, which usually occurs in January, will no longer be held, but will now be the Converge 2019 conference.
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Church planters, potential missionaries participate in training, vision opportunities
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Start. Strengthen. Send. The Converge mission was on display last week as current church planters and potential missionaries traveled to Converge’s Orlando office for separate training and vision opportunities. Fourteen church planters took part in Church Planting 201, a two-day training designed for churches that are 1-2 years of age. The participants learned how to implement proven systems to help increase their church plant’s long-term success. Topics included how to recruit and equip leaders, stay healthy in the midst of the ministry push, develop a strong leadership board and multiply vision and mission carriers within their church.
Five potential missionaries participated in the Missionary Assessment Center (MAC). The MAC helps missionaries discern their calling and understand their spiritual gifts while ensuring they’re mentally and cross-culturally fit for long-term ministry success. Three Missionary Assessment Centers are scheduled for 2018 (March 27-30, July 17-20, November 13-16). Email Jessica Pentz for more information about Converge’s Missionary Assessment Center.
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Bridge Network: a place for women in ministry to connect
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Ladies, there are other women who can walk alongside you to encourage and help you develop healthy life rhythms to fulfill God's purpose in your life. The Converge Bridge Network is a way for women in ministry to connect with other women who understand their role within family, professional and ministry life. Through support and guidance, the network can help you maintain spiritual, emotional and physical health, which are vital to ministry longevity. The Converge Bridge Network provides e-learning courses, coaching, events and retreats to help you hone leadership skills and connect with other women in ministry.
Connect with the Converge Bridge Network:
website // Facebook // email // prayer line: 407.563.6097
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Start 2018 by leading your church through 21 Days of Prayer
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Jesus commissioned us to reach the world with the gospel (Mt. 28:18-20). Our power to be used by him to effect change in this world begins with prayer. That power is not our own – it comes from God. Using our own wisdom and power, we accomplish nothing. We must be completely dependent on God.
This January, Converge will embark on a movement-wide 21 Days of Prayer. Across the globe, Converge churches, congregations, leaders and missionaries will pray for God’s leading in our lives, our churches, our movement and our mission fields. As we fully submit to God in prayer together, he will display his person and his power in unprecedented ways. And the gospel will be advanced so that more can meet, know and follow Jesus.
We invite you, your church leaders, pastors, staff and congregation to join us this January in 21 Days of Prayer.
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TO KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS
Pam Nelsen, longtime graphic designer for Converge, following the death of her mother, Pat Leander, November 1.
Gary Rohrmayer, Converge MidAmerica president and executive minister, following the death of his mother, Judith Ann Rohrmayer, October 12.
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