Sunday, February 22, 2009 Five Different Ways To "Dive In" With Encounter Church

In all our communications, I don't think we've ever listed in one place all the different ways you can "dive in" and help us reach this generation.

So here goes. Here are five ways you can be a part of what God is doing in Helena.

#1 PRAY: BE A PRAYER PARTNER

We have people all over the world as part of our intercessory prayer team praying for Encounter Church. We feel that prayer is indispensable in planting a new church and we would love to have you as a prayer partner, to receive our Encounter Prayer Update, and commit to pray for us regularly. Our goals is to gather at least 200 prayer partners before we launch. To find out how to become an Encounter Prayer Partner, click here.

#2 SPONSOR: BE A SPONSOR CHURCH

Perhaps God is leading your church to get involved in supporting a church plant through monthly support, a one-time gift, ministry resources, or organized prayer support. Truth is, when existing churches sponsor other church plants they get blessed. Many sponsor churches experience a positive, re-energizing transformation. Contact me personally to talk more about the possibilities of sponsoring Encounter Church.

#3 SHARE: SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY

Starting a church is never a small endeavor, but we believe God is calling us to this task. In particular, it will take significant funds to create the types of environments we believe will impact this technological, media-driven generation. Will you dare to dream with us how your monthly support or one-time gift could impact the lives of many people who are far from God? Check out more about how to give financially here.

#4 JOIN: BE A PART OF OUR CHURCH PLANTING TEAM

Much needs to be done in the months before our public launch and we need people to join with us in Helena as part of our Church Planting Team. Your involvement as part of this team will involve four essential expectations...

• ENCOUNTER | To serve strategically in launch team meetings to publicly launch the Encounter worship gatherings

• EXPERIENCE | To participate in an Encounter LifeGroup (small group) or Discussions

• ENGAGE | To invest your life into those far from God, both personally and through Encounter community impact and awareness events

• +EXTEND | To extend yourself relationally and financially during your commitment with Encounter

If you have a passion to see those of this generation experience a life changing relationship with Jesus – God may be calling you to join with us in planting Encounter Church and changing the spiritual landscape of Helena. Let's talk about some of the short-term and long-term commitment options.

#5 TELL: TELL EVERYONE ABOUT ENCOUNTER CHURCH

We know that while some of you live near us, others live half-way across the country. All of you, regardless of your involvement are part of our Extended Launch Team. As you read our blog and prayer updates, you are still part of what we're doing here.

We ask that you tell everyone you know of these crazy people you know who are starting a church for this generation in Helena – for those 20s and 30s who haven't found church to be relevant and essential to their lives. Direct others to our website, pass them our cell phone number, or even contact us and we'll get you some of our new Encounter Church awareness cards.

These are the “early moments” of a movement within Helena to lead a generation into a growing relationship with Christ. If you haven't already thought about it, we challenge you to seriously consider "diving in" to this church planting journey with us. If you feel that God is calling you to getting involved with Encounter Church, please let us know by contacting us today.

Read the updated "Four Ways to Get Involved" here.