VITAL Initiative Announces Events
The VITAL Initiative continues to make a significant impact across the Church of God in 2017 with a mission to help the Church of God realize and utilize the place and power of small churches in 21st century Kingdom work.
The VITAL Initiative is supported by the Executive Committee of the Church of God and has become a strategic partner with Church of God USA Missions with an emphasis on church revitalization. Founding director Michael Nations is also part of the USA Missions Church Planting Coaching Team for the eastern USA and Canada.
The VITAL Initiative currently has a presence in 17 states and regions in the Church of God. Active State Facilitators are: Pastor Ron Hawkins (Western North Carolina), Pastor Robert Meredith (Virginia), Pastor Mike Alley (Indiana), Pastor Gary Boor (Pennsylvania), Pastor Don Chavis (Kentucky), and Pastor Luke Luzier (West Virginia). Many other state facilitators are still in the planning and preparation process. VI is working to have a presence and be active in every state and region impacting the over 5,000 pastors serving small congregations in the Church of God.
Everyone is invited to connect with The VITAL Initiative this September and October at the following special gatherings:
* Saturday, September 16 the Virginia State Executive Offices and Bishop Joe Mirkovich in conjunction with The VITAL Initiative will host a Vital Pastors Conference at Valley Church in Roanoke, Virginia from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This conference will feature one of today’s leading authorities on small church ministry: Pastor Karl Vaters, author of The Grasshopper Myth and he also writes for Christianity Today magazine as their small church specialist. He lives in Fountain Valley, California where he has pastored Cornerstone Christian Fellowship (Assembly of God) for over 20 years. You can check out Pastor Vaters’ writings at www.newsmallchurch.com. For more information about this conference contact Pastor Robert Meredith at [email protected].
* Tuesday, September 19 the WNC Church of God State Executive Offices and Administrative Bishop Ken Bell along with The VITAL Initiative offers an evening of dialogue with Pastor Karl Vaters concerning “The Future of the Small Church.” The event begins at 6:30 at the WNC State Executive Offices complex in Charlotte, North Carolina. Contact Pastor Ron Hawkins at [email protected] for the details.
* Monday, October 23 – Saturday, October 28 former General Overseer Dr. G. Dennis McGuire will travel with The VITAL Initiative to five different locations throughout Western North Carolina meeting with pastors and sharing “Advice from a Spiritual Father.” For specific times and locations contact Pastor Ron Hawkins at [email protected].
“If the Church of God is going to fulfill the FINISH Commitment that has been set forth by General Overseer Tim Hill our effort must include small churches,” Nations stated. “The VITAL Initiative is ardently focused on ensuring that the critical importance of these churches is not overlooked.”
If you would like to provide financial support for The VITAL Initiative, send your gift to Church of God World Missions and note World Missions Project #102-9304. Please keep this initiative in your daily prayers and visit the website, www.thevitalinitiative.com.
