Ministry Update- Southern Region

The following are new ministry opportunities in North and South Carolina.

Point of Grace Mission, Huntersville NC
Rev. Phil Talley has gathered a core group for this new circuit 15 mission. He has rented office space in Huntersville and has also made arrangements to use a local movie theater for worship services. He is presently engaged in raising $50,000 to purchase a mobile worship center. His vision is to plant at least two additional satellite missions.

Mountain Ministry at Camp Linn Haven
Rev. Dennis Quackenboss is continuing work forming a new congregation on the grounds of Camp Linn Haven in Linville, NC. This is the first year for this growing mission. Even with many summer attendees leaving the area for the winter, average weekly attendance remains above forty. There is strong support for this mission in the congregations of circuits 16 and 17.

Abundant Life Lutheran Church, Charlotte NC
This mission was received as a congregation of the Synod at our District convention this spring. They are in the process of extending a call to Rev. Wally Shifflett. This is a unique mission in that it has a strong focus on the handicapped and disabled members of the community who are often forgotten and neglected. There is potential for significant growth in this
area of Charlotte.

Emmanuel Lutheran School, Asheville
The new additional for Emmanuel Lutheran School is nearing completion after being plagued with weather-related delays all through the winter. This addition will provide additional classroom space as well as a large band room and storage area. This will make possible expansion of the school and the possibility of reaching additional students with a Christ-centered
education.

Abundant Life Open Arms Child Care center, Charlotte NC
Enrollment was low through some of the beginning months of Open Arms; however, the center is operating at near capacity and all signs point to success. The Center is well staffed with qualified teachers and personnel and serves as a model for inner city early child care.

Hmong Ministry, Hickory
Deacon David Vang continues to evangelize the Hmong people of Catawba County and surrounding areas. Due to the economic downturn and the loss of jobs by many of the Hmong community, there was an exodus from the area
resulting in a loss of members of the congregation. There is still strong support for this mission among the local congregations of circuits 16 and 17.

Hmong Ministry, Mt. Airy
Deacon Vang has trained lay leaders who work among the members of this mission. As a result we anticipate that he will be able to begin work five days each month among the Hmong community in the Atlanta, GA area.

Summerville Mission
Approximately a year ago members of Grace Lutheran Church, Summerville, SC had a vision to plant at least three new LCMS congregations in their area. They began a small group Bible study, which has grown to become the nucleus of a new mission. It is anticipated that next spring Vicar Tim Sandeno will be assigned to carry on this work and begin work in at least one other area that has been identified as a potential mission.

Sumter, SC
Rev. Ron Briggs, a retired LCMS pastor, living in Summerton, SC has been instrumental in gathering together a group to form the nucleus of a new mission in Sumter. They currently meet in the local YMCA and are self-supporting. They are presently organized as a satellite of Incarnate

Word Lutheran Church, Florence, SC.
Apex Mission
A mission committee has been formed that has been at work for nearly a year. A mission strategy has been developed for the area of Apex/Holly Springs, NC. It is anticipated that a mission planter could be called by July 2004.

Weddington Mission
A mission site is owned by the District in Weddington, NC. A mission committee has been formed and a preliminary mission strategy has been developed. It is anticipated that this mission could begin with an early childhood ministry.

Greensboro AIM
A large African Immigrant population has been identified in Greensboro, NC. We are in the process of forming a partnership to support a mission here. Facilities, lay volunteers, and a potential worker have been identified. We are in the process of soliciting prayer support from the congregations of circuit 14.

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