Planting Seeds
Well, we concluded our first community canvass of the West Wing Mountain area in north Peoria. There were about 20 of us, volunteers from neighboring churches, who joined with me in distributing doorhangers to approx. 1500 homes. I was surprised that 10% of all the homes I visited were either for sale or empty. I heard this from others as well. It seems the housing downturn has affected the West Wing area as it has other neighborhoods around the country. Many people have been affected by this, from the real estate agents and construction workers whose livelihoods depend on home sales to those who have been forced out of their homes by foreclosure or are struggling to make rising mortgage payments. It’s a tough situation and my prayers are with them.
When I started New Song back in 1996 the housing boom was just beginning. Our new church plant benefited from the many housing developments that seemed to spring up overnight. In ten years the population of Surprise went from 15,000 to nearly 100,000. At the same time New Song grew from a few dozen people to over 600 members and active constituents. I have a feeling that we’re not going to experience that kind of growth here in this area. Although north Peoria is slated for major growth, I have a feeling it’s going to be spread out over a number of years. And Spirit Song will also probably have a longer and slower growth curve.
But people are out there. As a result of our canvass I’ve seen the number of visitors to our church website double in the past week. People are obviously interested in our church (or at least a little curious), although as of yet I still don’t have any actual names and addresses. But that will come as people get to know us (and me) and we begin some ministries here in our community.
Our first canvass was about planting seeds. As the Bible says, “the fields are ripe for the harvest.” As we are faithful in our work, I know that God will bring forth the harvest and grow God’s church. I hope you’ll be a part of it!
Blessings,
Steve