Update from the Connect Region | January ’24
Kevin BeasleyI’m excited to update you on the progress of our 15-month strategic plan.
We spent a lot of time the past couple of months communicating with as many people across the region as possible. The Regional Leadership Team has clarified our lists of churches and ministers. We now have a clear picture of where we are as a region and who is on the team. This gives us a starting point to measure growth and engagement in the coming years.
We are busy credentialing new ministers too! New ministers means new disciples being made! That’s what we are all about – MULTIPLYING DISCIPLES! We are adopting a tagline for our region – “Connect and Multiply.” I hope that reflects your heart as it does the vision of the region!
Our Regional Leadership Team has voted to consolidate any remaining churches or networks from the Table Network to other districts. We combined those with other churches into two new networks called Connect Midwest and Connect Mid-Atlantic. That clarified our geographic districts, which will lead to better relationships and resourcing as we move forward.
Our New List of Districts and Networks:
- Connect Florida
- Connect Mid-Atlantic
- Connect Midwest
- Georgia/Alabama
- Kentucky/Tennessee
- North/South Carolinas
Georgia/Alabama had its annual holiday party and shared updates from 2023 and visions for 2024. We had a blast getting to hear each other’s stories and celebrating the good work of Dan Palmer in developing that region for the past many years. Dan will turn over the leadership to Randy Kennedy as we move into the new year.
THANK YOU, Dan Palmer, for your years of service to the GA/AL District!
Oh! And by the way – CONGRATULATIONS to Connect City Church Summerville, Georgia for the amazing progress on their beautiful new sanctuary! I stopped by the Sunday service and was able to tour the new digs!
I remain super excited about our shared future! I will share resources and outreach ideas in the coming months as we begin to think together about how we can both CONNECT AND MULTIPLY.
Kevin Beasley
Regional Director
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT
CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CHURCH | Auburndale, FL | Pastor Mark Nelson
100 TABLES PROJECT
One of our goals with the Regional Communication is to share with you project or movement ideas to help you mulitply more disciples for the Kingdom! Today, we will introduce you to “100 Tables” an initiative that Crossroads Community Church was part of last year. You can shoot your questions to Mark Nelson at mark@thexroads.org.
Mark: “Our “100 Table” initiative was in conjunction with a 4-month teaching series on 1 Corinthians with the theme, “Life Together.” The goal was to help people understand the importance of Christian community and developing deep, meaningful relationships within the church family. My wife stumbled across another church that did something similar and so we borrowed the idea from them. The instructions were simple. The church was challenged to invite others to:
1) share a meal
2) share life stories
3) share prayer requests
4) take a picture of your table (and send picture to church office)
We had a goal of 100 tables during the teaching series and we went well beyond that number. The pictures of all the tables were compiled into a video shown on the final Sunday. After the worship service that day we had a huge meal at the church to celebrate what God had done. We thought the idea was very successful. It was simple, yet meaningful. And many new relationships were formed in the church.”
We would love to hear your stories and encourage others to be more missional in their communities. You can send us yours by replying to this email.
WATCH THE VIDEO
REGIONAL RESOURCE SECTION
PROMOTING PURITY IN THE MISSIONARY CHURCH
As a region, we support a ministry called “Before it Begins” and encourage our minsters to utilize this important resource. Before it Begins equips leaders to protect and restore the church from pornography before it begins to destroy the ones we love. Please utilize this resource in your church and in your personal life. It is 100% confidential! No strings attached.
