We see a day when every life has been saturated and transformed buy the hope of the gospel. James Nugent, Church Planting Team JamesNugent@scbaptist.org

Nehemiah 1 “Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire” (Nehemiah 1:2-3, ESV)

Nehemiah 1 People in trouble and ashamed Wall is broken down Gates are destroyed by fire God had placed Nehemiah in the right location at the right time to show the nations the greatness of God.

Nehemiah 6 “15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.”

310,000+ Residents New Housing Developments New Employers Increasing Ethnic Diversity God has placed His people in the right location at the right time to show the nations the greatness of God.

How Did Nehemiah Respond? Wept and mourned Fasted and prayed Prepared a plan Went to the king with his plan “If it pleases the king….”

What is our plan for reaching 310,000+ residents with the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Identify the greatest needs in your community Evaluate options for meeting needs Mobilizing members to meet needs Evangelism is essential Are our members trained? Are our leaders sharing Jesus? New discipleship group New churches New locations or new strategies Making disciples as a way of life Partnership locally and globally Developing leaders, missionaries and pastors http://www.scbcadvance.org/

Reoccurring story in many of our communities Established congregation and facilities in strategic locations Plateaued and declining in influence FT -> PT Pastor or No Pastor Limited laborers for ministry Aging congregations

Two Common Paths for Congregations Revitalization ReSTARTing

Revitalization 3-5+ year gradual process Assessment Adopt a new vision Align to the vision Implement vision Church Strategies Team of SCBC Revitalization

Slater Baptist Church, Slater, SC Revitalizing a whole Community Slater Baptist Church, Slater, SC

ReSTARTing (Replanting) Start everything over New vision, leadership, by-laws, ministries, decision process etc. Name may change Shepherd what remains Results in a new church worshipping in an established location 1-3 years Church Planting Team ReSTARTing (Replanting)

Sans Souci Church, Greenville, SC ReSTARTing to Transform the Community Sans Souci Church, Greenville, SC

Other Paths? Merger Share space with a church plant ReInvest ?

What is our Next Step? Pray Serve your neighbors & build new relationships Share the gospel Contact SCBC or local association

Questions? James Nugent, Church Planting Team JamesNugent@scbaptist.org