Four new church developments will receive Mission Program Grants from the Evangelism and Church Growth ministry area of the General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC).

The new grant recipients (listed by synod) selected by the Mission Development Resources Committee of the GAMC, are as follows:

Second-Level New Church Grant ($25,000 each)

  • New Faith, Greenwood, S.C., Synod of South Atlantic, Trinity Presbytery, will continue to grow an anticipated 300–500 member African American Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregation. A year into launch, New Faith averages 125 worshipers. In its community New Faith is already known as a Christ-centered, grace-oriented, biblically based, culturally relevant church that impacts individual lives. Recently a 71-year-old, who was invited to worship by his spouse, made a first-time profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

First-Level New Church Grant ($25,000 each)  

  • El Nazareno, Hapeville, Ga., Synod of South Atlantic, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, will minister to a community of great diversity that is in transition. The majority population (66%) is African American, but the Hispanic/Latino-a population (16%) is the fastest growing in the area, followed by the Asian population (2%). El Nazareno will create a multicultural ministry that reaches out to all people to worship God as one. Out of weekly worship, prayer, and Bible study, this new church development will start home fellowship groups in the community as part of its evangelism outreach.
  • The Fellowship, Charlotte, N.C., Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, Presbytery of Charlotte, will serve a neighborhood in Camp Greene, a declining area with a population of 69,000. In a recent poll, nearly 50 percent of current residents categorized themselves as “just getting by.” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools statistics indicate the graduation rate for children in this area is below city average. To build hope in the neighborhood, the Fellowship’s ministry will offer support and opportunities to elementary and middle-age school children, families, and seniors.
  • Hispanic NCD, Nashville, Tenn., Synod of Living Waters, Presbytery of Middle Tennessee, will develop disciples and a food/feeding ministry in an area south of downtown whose population is more than 40 percent Hispanic/Latino-a. About 36,000 Hispanics/Latinos live between two Presbyterian churches, Glencliff and LaVergne, which together started this new NCD. After closing in November 2011, LaVergne gave its assets to the ministry, which is located at Glencliff Presbyterian Church. Upon completing a New Beginnings assessment offered by Church Growth ministries, Glencliff offered its manse and office space to the congregation.

The General Assembly Mission Council also has approved an additional $25,000 grant to 2012 Sam and Helen R. Walton Award winner New Hope Presbyterian Church.

After reviewing its policies, the Mission Development Resources Committee recommended that New Hope, which has become a place of hope and fellowship for a mosaic of peoples from cities throughout Southern California, receive the maximum $50,000 award.

Mission Program Grants is a ministry of Evangelism and Church Growth in the General Assembly Mission Council of the PC(USA). Please continue to support these ministries expanding the reach of Presbyterian mission through evangelism, discipleship, and transformation efforts.