by Wayne Parker
DETROIT, MI – We are praising God that churches are being planted in Detroit despite being one of the hardest hit cities in the country by the COVID 19 virus. In the last year we saw 3 new churches launch: Rhiza Church in Ann Arbor (Pastor Tito Diaz) People’s Fresh Start Church, Detroit (Pastor Robert Lodge, Jr.), and Trials Church, Farmington Hills (Pastor Phil Box). We are looking forward to new church launches this fall including: Heart & Soul West Bloomfield (Pastor Cornelius Roberson), Reformation Church, Detroit (Pastor Malcolm Griswold), and Reaching Out Church, Windsor (Pastor Sameer Kabul*).
* name changed for security
Mission Partnership Opportunities
As summer approaches we want to let you know of just some ways that you and your church could partner with church platers and their new churches as they serve Christ in Send Detroit. Several of our church planting missionaries have projects that can use your support. See the different ways that you can help by sending a team to assist with needed work.
Heart and Soul Community Church, West Bloomfield
Pastor Cornelius Roberson shares a blessing from the Lord that Heart and Soul has recently acquired property in West Bloomfield. It is their desire to begin an additional church location and get this property ready to facilitate Sunday worship services, church gatherings and other activities in order to bring the gospel to this community. There are needs to help with a new roof, interior renovations and exterior clean up. Select the picture above to watch a video from Pastor Corn and hear more!
The House Church, Detroit
Roland Caldwell Jr serves as pastor of this East Detroit church who just celebrated 4 years of public ministry. This is a church passionate about bringing the gospel of Christ to their community and meeting tangible needs. They are in need of help with replacing exterior windows, painting through out the building and replacing and securing ceiling tiles in the sanctuary.
The Church at Clawson
Pastor Bob Morrissey leads this church who has just celebrated 5 years of ministry in the Clawson community. As they seek to move forward following Christ they have endeavored on a renovation project of the former VFW hall location where the church meets. Some needed renovations include:
Replacing of exterior windows and refacing the exterior walls
Demolishing and relocating some interior walls, carpeting and painting to make a new and usable space for a teen gathering area.
Stripping an existing bathroom to renovate and update.
On Mission Church, Inkster
Pastor Antonio Wimberly is preparing for a summer of community engagement and One Mission Church will be out in the neighborhoods to make Christ known. They could use assistance with outreach in Lemal Gardens Park in several ways: • Park clean up • Painting the corridor walls • Gospel outreach to people present One Mission is also planning Vacation Bible School June 24-26 and a Block Party later in August that teams could easily jump in to help with.
Send Network Gathering Report
March 17, we were able to host a local gathering of church planters, wives, pastors and church leaders to encourage and equip gospel work through church planting in Send Detroit. Mile City Church was a gracious host to nearly 200 guests. These were greatly encouraging times through the preaching of Ken Nether, Shea Prisk and Brian Bloye. Three break-out session discussion panels that were lead including restorative ministries, soul care for planter wives and evangelism in a COVID era. We are excited about how this event will further catalyze church planting in Michigan and beyond.
Heading to Nashville?
If you will be in Nashville during the Send Conference and the Annual Meeting (June 13-16) and would like to connect with myself or perhaps some Send Detroit church planters, please reach out to me. You can contact me at wparker@namb.net.
Yours in Christ, Wayne Parker Send Detroit Missionary