Springfield Church Plant
NEU staff have been meeting with Springfield pastors and leaders who have a love for this city and care about its neighborhoods.
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City of Firsts, City of Needs
Springfield has nurtured innovation, being known as the city of firsts, including the first gas-powered automobile, and the birthplace of basketball. However, Springfield has struggled in recent decades to nurture sustained, gospel preaching churches in its inner city neighborhoods.
48% of Springfield residents identify as Hispanic.
The city’s poverty rate is 25%
NEU’s Church Planting Process
Explore
Current
NEU begins a church plant by identifying a location. This involves many conversations with local pastors, ministry leaders, civic leaders and looking at data.
Prepare
Current
The preparation phase begins when a church planter has joined our staff, begins raising support, and starts his church planting residency with NEU and a partner church.
Plant
Current
The planting phase is marked by bringing a group of believers to a point of covenanting together as a church. This may involve months of teaching on the nature of a church, church membership, baptism, communion and church discipline.
Sustain
Current
This final phase begins when a church covenants together and it has no end. NEU Church Planting works to sustain the church and its leadership through fundraising, care, and recruiting.
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The Story So Far
Our story of church planting in Springfield is just beginning. A church planting friend of NEU advises that “when you plant a new church in an inner city, be aware that you are disturbing the spiritual landscape.” This means that a foundation of earnest and sustained prayer is necessary.
Individuals, churches, and organizations are key to sustaining church plants. These organizations have partnered with NEU to help with this church plant.
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How you can help
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Our Church Planting Team
We Are Building the Team
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Our Current Needs
The current needs for planting in Springfield include a church plant team and prayer supporters for the preparation phase.
How you can help
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