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grace harbor mission renewing people • building community • expanding the kingdom
grace harbor missionrenewing people • building community • expanding the kingdom
why plant churches?It’s obvious. Practical wisdom demonstrates a huge need for new churches in the United States. The US is the third largest mission fi eld in the English-speaking world and the fi fth largest globally with 195 million unchurched people. According to Hunter and Logan (www.efca.org/planting/why/index.html), statistically 70 percent of org/planting/why/index.html), statistically 70 percent of the people in the U.S. have no meaningful relationship the people in the U.S. have no meaningful relationship with the church. Researchers agree that church planting with the church. Researchers agree that church planting has proven that 1 new churches best renew and new churches best renew and revive existing churches; revive existing churches; 2 new churches best reach the unchurched; and 3 new churches best reach new new churches best reach new residents, new generations and new people groups. residents, new generations and new people groups.
“Nothing else! Not crusades, outreach programs, para-church ministries, growing mega-churches, congregational consulting, or renewal processes-will have the consistent impact of dynamic, extensive, church planting.”
Tim Keller,Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York
The bottom line, God’s Word calls us to plant churches. The bottom line, God’s Word calls us to plant churches. The most effective and permanent way to infl uence a The most effective and permanent way to infl uence a country is through its major cities; and the best way to country is through its major cities; and the best way to infl uence any city is to plant a church in it. We have a infl uence any city is to plant a church in it. We have a clear biblical mandate to plant churches. (1) Jesus calls clear biblical mandate to plant churches. (1) Jesus calls us to establish worship communities. (Matt.28:18-20; us to establish worship communities. (Matt.28:18-20; Acts 2:41-47). And, (2) the Apostle Paul’s strategy was Acts 2:41-47). And, (2) the Apostle Paul’s strategy was to plant churches in major cities (Acts 16:9-12). to plant churches in major cities (Acts 16:9-12).
why long beach?The people of Long Beach need the gospel. There are 10 million people in Los Angeles County. Long Beach is the second largest city in Los Angeles County. It is oriented along the coast of the Pacifi c Ocean, and is the gateway to Orange County toward the south with another 3 million people. According to the U.S. Census, Long Beach is the most ethnically diverse large city in the United States with large Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Middle Eastern people groups. Unfortunately along with the diversity come religious and social tensions.
“If the Gospel is to be taken to the whole world, then there is no more urgent location than Los Angeles to plant vibrant gospel-centered churches. East meets west and south meets north in this crossroads of the postmodern world. The whole world is literally within reach in the confines of this culturally diverse city.”
Rick Lints,Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary
God has given us a deep desire to share the gospel in Word and deed with the people of Long Beach. We know the statistics to be true from our own personal experience interacting with the people of Long Beach. 50% of the population is highly educated and claim more interest in personal philosophy than in religious faith. A quarter of the people in Long Beach say they have reduced their church involvement recently and view religion and faith as irrelevant to their lives. Three-quarters of the people of Long Beach claim they have no or marginal faith involvement. Much of the remaining 25% are divided among other religions and liberal Christianity. Added to all that, Long Beach has 39% more single parents than the national average. And the level of children living below the poverty line is 32% higher than the national average. The people of Long Beach desperately need the good news of the gospel both in word and deed.
grace harbor mission exists to ignite and support a gospel-movement that brings personal
transformation, community development, and cultural renewal to the city of long beach and the
surrounding region of los angeles county.
2006 proposal
grace harbor missionrenewing people • building community • expanding the kingdom
90% of the population is our target audience
*www.melissadata.com
long beach isthe most
ethnically diverselarge city in the united states.
*www.city-data.com/city/long-beach-california.html
Roman Catholic40%
Non-Religious42%
Protestant10%
Jewish6%
Mormon 1%Islamic 1%
Hispanic35.8%
White Non-Hispanic33.1%
Black14.9%
Other Asian4.8%
Filipino 4.0%
Other 1.9% American Indian 1.7%
Pacifi c Islander 1.2% Vietnamese 1.1% Chinese 0.8%
Japanese 0.7%
Other 1.9%
our valuesWe are passionate about the fact that the gospel is the power of God that renews people, builds community, and expands the Kingdom of God. We also recognize how unique the people and culture of Long Beach are. Our values refl ect both our commitment to the Spirit and truth of God’s Word and the human diversity of Long Beach.
gospel-centered: the gospel renews everything. The gospel is the heart and life of our ministry. It alone has the power to change the human heart, providing the salvation, transformation and renewal that all people need, and to build deep genuine community. Only the gospel has the unique and powerful ability to transcend all ethnic, economic and social barriers and to renew culture by transforming the way we live in and think about the world.
movement minded: the gospel keeps breaking out. We are resolved to take the gospel where it is not and to begin works where none exist. In addition, we intend to connect with what God is already doing in the city. The more the city is saturated with the presence of the Kingdom the more the city will rejoice. In pursuit of this we will advance the infl uence of the gospel and plant churches.
team-based: the gospel compels us to serve together. We are convinced that team ministry is not only the New Testament model for planting churches, but that it gives us the ability to do more ministry, more effectively. As the work of ministry reveals our shortcomings and weaknesses as well as our gifts and strengths, teams cultivate a heart of dependence and humility while providing support and encouragement.
momentum building: the gospel builds a community in mission. The gospel builds spiritual momentum by deeply connecting people and then by moving them in purposeful mission. When spiritual momentum is built, the church begins to exert infl uence in the city. On the one hand, community that lacks mission suffers from entropy. On the other hand mission that lacks gospel-centered community becomes mere activity. But communities of faith, hope and love exert infl uence.
mercy giving: the gospel frees us to give what we’ve received. The gospel motivates us to bring mercy, justice and compassion to the brokenness of the city because we have received the same from God. When Christians learn to humbly live and serve people who are different than they are then the power of the gospel begins to have a radical healing affect on the city spiritually, socially and culturally.
world touching: the gospel gives us a heart for the world. God is on mission taking the gospel to the nations. We will join him by seeking to close the gap between missions and local ministry. Everyone is called to missions. It is only a question of here or there and how we will go about it.
modern liberalism 32%independent evangelical 21%spirit-led holiness 16%counterfeit gospels 15%historic religion 13%traditional reformed 3%evangelical reformed 0%
there are zero evangelical reformed churches within our target area.
*collected fi eld research
long beach population 476,564population change +4%/yearmedian age 31median household 2.25% married 32%married with children 12% median income $37, 270
long beach is the second largest city in los angeles county.
*www.melissadata.com
“The great need today is for culturally relevant churches to be planted in our nation’s great cities, launching powerful gospel movements deep into the very souls of those cities. I can think of no more significant a place than Los Angeles to dedicate resources to that end.”
Leo SchusterChrist the King Presbyterian Church, Texas
with whom will we plant these churches?Grace Harbor Mission is a work of the Pacifi c Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of America assisted by the local and national committees of Mission to North America and Vision LA. In addition to our denominational commitments, we are also very committed to partnering with Hope for Long Beach and other Kingdom minded ministries within the city.
churches monthly 36 monthor individuals giving total 2 $1,500 $108,000 4 $750 $108,000 6 $500 $108,000 8 $175 $50,400
Total $374,400
36 month budgetyear amount2006 (6 mo.) $74,4002007 (12 mo.) $120,0002008 (12 mo.) $120,0002009 (6 mo.) $60,000
total (36 mo.) $374,400
Team plants are four times more successful than solo church plants. Team plants cost more initially, but they are more cost effective than solo plants. They move beyond the “struggle stage” much more quickly to a larger size and strength where they can be a resource for the denomination and for other new church plants.
http://www.growinghealthychurches.org/art/art_257.shtml
what kind of team are we putting together?PRAYER TEAM: We whole-heartedly believe that prayer is not just support ministry, prayer is ‘real ministry.’ We already have a team of highly committed Christians who are praying for this project. And we intend to nurture our relationships and keep them informed through our monthly newsletters and as time permits periodic visits.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM: It was William Carey the great missionary to India who encouraged the church to, ‘expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.’ It is with this kind of missionary faith that we approach the Grace Harbor Mission. We cannot do this project unless we raise adequate fi nancial support. Yet we expect that God will provide adequately. According to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association, Los Angeles County (Long Beach) is the fi fth most expensive place to live in the nation behind Honolulu, San Jose, San Francisco and Manhattan in that order. The Grace Harbor Mission will be a costly work. A good basis of support is coming together, but a signifi cant amount is still needed. We seek sending churches and individuals who share a like-minded missionary faith to partner with us. As with our prayer partners, we intend to nurture our relationships with our fi nancial partners by keeping them informed through our monthly newsletters and as time permits periodic visits.keeping them informed through our monthly newsletters and as time permits periodic visits.
PLANTING TEAM: Team ministry is one of our core values. That’s why we are approaching the city of Long Team ministry is one of our core values. That’s why we are approaching the city of Long Beach with a church planting team of two pastors and their families. Beach with a church planting team of two pastors and their families.
Rick Schaeffer the planting pastor will be complemented by David Martinez the co-pastor. Rick has been in Rick Schaeffer the planting pastor will be complemented by David Martinez the co-pastor. Rick has been in ministry since 1991 and has been on staff in multiple church plants. He has been married to Katie his wife ministry since 1991 and has been on staff in multiple church plants. He has been married to Katie his wife for 15 years; they have two sets of twin boys 13 years and 11 years old. In the past four years David has for 15 years; they have two sets of twin boys 13 years and 11 years old. In the past four years David has made the transition from a career in commercial building to pastoral ministry. He and Rick have previously made the transition from a career in commercial building to pastoral ministry. He and Rick have previously ministered together for two years at Grace Fallbrook, a church plant of the PCA. David has been married to ministered together for two years at Grace Fallbrook, a church plant of the PCA. David has been married to Linda his wife for 17 years; they have two girls 15 and 10, one boy 13, and a set of twin boys 8 years old. Linda his wife for 17 years; they have two girls 15 and 10, one boy 13, and a set of twin boys 8 years old. Rick and David have a proven history of working with one other, and together offer a good blend of pastoral Rick and David have a proven history of working with one other, and together offer a good blend of pastoral gifts and cultural diversitygifts and cultural diversity
CORE TEAM: The Schaeffer’s are already living in Long Beach, networking and connecting with people in The Schaeffer’s are already living in Long Beach, networking and connecting with people in the city. Already they have found people who are interested in the Grace Harbor Mission and are catching the city. Already they have found people who are interested in the Grace Harbor Mission and are catching our vision.
how will we infl uence the people of long beach with the gospel?By reaching out to people in the city and nurturing people within the community:By reaching out to people in the city and nurturing people within the community:
• Practicing biblical neighborhood hospitality.• Practicing biblical neighborhood hospitality.• Extending mercy, compassion and justice in our specifi c areas of infl uence.• Extending mercy, compassion and justice in our specifi c areas of infl uence.• Engaging in intentional relational evangelism.• Engaging in intentional relational evangelism.• Building communities that value people, live missionally and think in terms of the Kingdom.• Building communities that value people, live missionally and think in terms of the Kingdom.• Building “environments” that allow people to discover the gospel in a context • Building “environments” that allow people to discover the gospel in a context
that demonstrates the power of God’s grace.• Recognizing and nurturing gospel leaders.• Launch a growing network of three strongly connected churches.
primary objective 1Assemble and mobilize a team
of two church planters.
primary objective 2Initiate and advance the influence
of the Gospel in Long Beach.
what is the timing and how will we launch grace harbor mission?
YEAR ONE July 2006 through June 2007
• Mobilize Schaeffer’s in Long Beach
• Begin fund raising / Call on prayer partners
• Network within the city• Launch Grace Harbor
Mission at Belmont Shore• Relocate
Martinez’ to Long Beach
• Clarify vision and ministry design
• City Outreach and Community Nurture
• Establish the fi rst “Grace Environment” meetings
• Establish the fi rst “Gospel Journey” meetings
YEAR TWO July 2007 through June 2008
• Network within the city• ‘Grace Environment’
meetings multiplied• ‘Gospel Journey’
meetings deepened• Target worship at Belmont
Shore (at least 75 people)• Leadership development• Vision parties• Evaluate and revise
ministry design• Expand and focus
community nurture• First worship/Collective
worship gatherings
YEAR THREEJuly 2008 through June 2009
• Launch Grace Harbor Mission at the Pike
• Worship Services• City Outreach and
Community Nurture• Small groups &
training of leaders• Ministry team
development
YEAR FOUR July 2009 through June 2010
• Launch another mission site in the city
• City outreach and community nurture
• Expand outreach
how much will it cost?Our total estimated cost for the Grace Harbor Mission is $662,400 over a 36 month period of time. So far we have commitments of $216,000 from personal sources and hope to raise an additional $72,000 from local sources. This leaves a balance of $374,400 which we sources. This leaves a balance of $374,400 which we hope to secure through other presbyteries throughout hope to secure through other presbyteries throughout the denomination.
We seek sending churches and individuals to partner We seek sending churches and individuals to partner with us to move forward with this project:with us to move forward with this project:
how can you help?JOIN OUR PRAYER TEAM. We whole-heartedly believe We whole-heartedly believe that your prayers for Grace Harbor Mission are not that your prayers for Grace Harbor Mission are not simply support ministry for what we are attempting for simply support ministry for what we are attempting for God. When you pray for the success of Grace Harbor God. When you pray for the success of Grace Harbor Mission we recognize that you are a real part of our Mission we recognize that you are a real part of our ministry. Please consider making a commitment to join ministry. Please consider making a commitment to join our prayer team. We ask for your prayers for our leaders our prayer team. We ask for your prayers for our leaders and their families; and we ask for your prayers that our and their families; and we ask for your prayers that our efforts would advance the infl uence of the gospel of efforts would advance the infl uence of the gospel of Jesus Christ by renewing people, building community, Jesus Christ by renewing people, building community, and expanding the Kingdom in and through Long Beach. and expanding the Kingdom in and through Long Beach. Please check the appropriate box on your pledge card if Please check the appropriate box on your pledge card if you’d like to be included on our newsletter list.you’d like to be included on our newsletter list.
SEND US YOUR LOCAL CONTACTS AND REFERRALS.If you have family and friends in Long Beach or in the surrounding region, feel free to pass along our contact information; or pass on their information and we would be glad to contact them on your behalf.
FINANCIALLY SUPPORT GRACE HARBOR MISSION. We are confi dent that God will provide the fi nancial resources necessary for this work through people like you. Just as we see your prayer contributions as ‘real ministry’ we also see your fi nancial contributions as ‘real ministry.’ Please prayerfully consider how God may be calling you to partner with us as a ‘sender’ (Romans 10:15) for this work.
MAKE A CONTRIBUTION. Please keep in mind that your support may be given as a one time contribution or a pledge over a three year period and that 100% of your contribution goes directly to this work. Your tax deductible contributions may be sent to:
Our vision for Grace Harbor Mission cannot be expressed without properly acknowledging
the infl uence of Pastors Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Manhattan, New
York and Dick Kauffman of Harbor Presbyterian Church, San Diego, California
grace harbor missionrenewing people • building community • expanding the kingdom
grace harbor mission long beachc/o: mission to north america
1700 north brown road, suite 101lawrenceville, ga 30043-8122
primary objective 3Launch a growing network
of three strongly connected churches by the end of 2010.
grace harbor missionrenewing people • building community • expanding the kingdom
grace harbor mission long beachc/o: mission to north america
1700 north brown road, suite 101lawrenceville, ga 30043-8122
