The Evangelical Association is lending a helping hand in launching a new church start in Spencerville, OH called Living Faith Christian Community.
The new "pioneer" church is led by Rev. Ron Shifley. The church start launched public worship on June 1, 2008. On June 8 the launch celebration continued when Rev. Gary Bowman, National Minister, joined the congregation, delivering the message during worship and then sharing in a fellowship dinner afterwards.
On June 28 the infant church engaged in it's first community outreach event by taking part in Spencerville's Summer Fest parade. The church sponsored a float with the theme"Dare to Be Different: Live Outside of the Box" based on Matthew 14:29.
Teens from Living Faith Christian Community pose for a photo during the Summer Fest parade.
The new church intends "to be an authentic Christian community for people who just don't think they fit into traditional church settings. If you've ever felt out of place in church because you don't like to dress up, have tattoos or other body art, felt judged because of your past or have been turned off by the institutional church and yet yearn to fully experience Jesus, then Living Faith Christian Community might well be a place for you," Shifley is quoted in Spencerville's Journal-News.
The infant congregation is renting a small church building in rural Spencerville built in the 1880's as their Worship Center in which they utilize multimedia technology for preaching and leading praise and worship. The church already has a website:
www.livingfaithchristian.org.A couple EA churches assisting in launching the Spencerville congregation include Jerusalem Church in New Philadelphia, OH, pastored by Rev. Dr. Terry Downin and Whetstone Christian Church in Anderson, IN pastored by Rev. Steve Gettinger.
A pioneer church with only a dozen members cannot launch successfully without the prayers and support of sister churches. Rev. Shifley notes that the congregation is seeking Ministry Partner Churches from across the country to help provide much needed prayer and financial support for the church's first two years. EA churches seeking to find ways to offer support to this new church start are invited to contact Rev. Shifley at pastorron@livingfaithchristian.org or via mail at 304 S. Pearl Street, Spencerville, OH 45887.