New Life Midway has experienced some dramatic growth over the last few years. After years of renting we finally purchased a building and had our Grand Opening on Mother’s Day, 2004. In 4 ½ years we have almost tripled in Sunday attendance and gone from 1 service to 4 services, including 1 in Spanish. Over the next few years I really believe God has called us to:
1) Grow the Sunday services to a weekend attendance of 2,000 people
2) Develop the Small Group Ministry to 100 groups
3) Send people out in teams to start other New Life locations around the SW side of Chicago. This month a new location begins in the New Life Tri-Taylor area. The Midway team has taken the main responsibility to get this location up and running. We are also helping with two other works in progress in Brighton Park and Berwyn.

 

1) Small Groups. Why? Because I’ve seen over and over again that the people who get connected to a group are able to grow, persevere, and influence others for Christ far more than those who don’t join a group. Alcoholics Anonymous tells newcomers to ‘Go to 40 groups in 40 days’. They understand the power of fellowship. In a larger church like Midway it’s even more important to find a Small Group. Not only do you develop great friendships with people who help you grow but you also get a chance to minister to others. Small Group Leaders are doing the Pastoral work of shepherding, encouraging, teaching, and evangelizing.

2) Guest Services. Our Sunday services are the big open door. I used to think I didn’t have a major role since I wasn’t preaching or in the worship team. Then I learned the importance of the ‘behind the scenes’ ministries. Many new people decide whether or not they will return based on First Impressions from the parking lot, ushers, and greeters. I’m blessed to work with a great team that helps prepare the way for the Lord to work in lives at our Sunday services.

3) Follow Up. It’s one thing to invite people to church and see them actually show up. It’s another thing to give them the guidance and encouragement they need to take the steps to become an ‘Apprentice of Jesus Christ’. It kills me to think of people who are so close to receiving Christ and yet might miss out because we don’t go the extra mile. We work to contact and connect with new people and get them started on the path of spiritual life and growth. Hours of Phone Calls, Newcomer Classes, and networking with Small Group leaders help some people take the ‘next step’.

September marked 20 years for me at New Life Community Church and there definitely is never a dull moment. The first day I visited our church I met my future wife, Debbie (I can’t guarantee that will happen to others). We were married in 1992 and are enjoying the adventure of raising 3 pre-teen children.
We have been blessed to see God at work in so many ways throughout the years and He continues to change lives and open new doors for us to serve. Pastor Mark has often said, “If God is in something then we want to be there, but if God isn’t in it then we don’t want to be involved.” My greatest confidence in the ministry is that Jesus is building the Church (Matthew 16:18) and that He is with us (Matthew 18:20).