New England greatly needs more Bible-preaching churches. We have been given a great miracle recently! Though religious, this historic part of our country is the least evangelical of all the states. Town after town has no Gospel witness. Several fundamental churches have been planted over the last fifty years, but some have closed, some have become contemporary, and many others are struggling to survive. Many towns need new churches, and laborers are required to replace retiring pastors. Finding young men to fill the empty pulpits or start new churches has become difficult. The opportunity is great, but there are few laborers.
Church planting is an exciting faith adventure, and every church plant is a miracle that requires the intervention of God. The amazing part of church planting is building something where nothing exists. Starting a church where there is no building, no people, no pastor, and no light of the Gospel seems impossible. Yet God blesses those who step out by faith. Getting people to attend is only the first step, followed by building financial support and developing leaders. Obtaining a powerful church requires years of hard work and faithfulness. A strong church does not happen overnight.
Finding a meeting place is one of the most difficult aspects of starting a church in New England. Buying property and building a church is an even greater challenge. Recently, our church received a church building accompanied by a three-bedroom parsonage on nearly three acres of property in Hamden, Connecticut. This is an amazing opportunity to start a church. Hamden is the first town north of New Haven, which hosts Yale University and Yale Hospital. This is something church planters would not even dream about. Our church and Bible college are responsible for starting a church on this property ASAP.
The church and parsonage were built in the 1960s. Today, the church requires updating and repair. Additional help is needed. Raising the needed renovation funds and canvassing the area are ways churches can help. Strategically located in a suburban community, the opportunity to build a successful ministry can be realized quickly. A young family on our church staff feels called to pastor this new plant. They are graduates of New England Baptist College.
The parsonage is a three-bedroom ranch with one and one-half baths. The house is being painted, and the floors need to be refinished. The electrical is being updated as I write this article. The church is a solid building, seating about 125, but the auditorium needs painting and new flooring. We could fix the water issues in the basement by updating the outside drainage. Single-pane windows in the church need to be replaced, and new flooring in the basement needs to be installed. The biggest expense is the parking lot, which is in rough shape. Money is being raised, and I am optimistic that all of these issues will be resolved quickly. The first service is planned for Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. Imagine starting services in your own church building and living in a parsonage with no mortgage; the only expenses are utilities. Amazing!
There is a plan to reach into the local colleges, particularly Yale. Many graduate students come from around the world to prepare for a prominent job when they return home. Pray for us in this great endeavor.
Laborers are needed to help with repairs, but especially canvassing. If you can come anytime in March or April, we will begin canvassing on March 24 and continue until April 19. If you can bring people to help canvass, please get in touch with our church @ 860-621-6701.
I have helped start several churches, but nothing has come together like this. God’s power and presence are needed to see this be a success, and your prayers are greatly appreciated. With all of the advantages this church plant has, the power of God is needed as much as ever.
People in the community are noticing the activity at the church property, and recently, a Vietnamese couple stopped by and wanted to know when the church would be open. They want to attend as soon as the doors open. Several prospective names have been given to us, but we haven’t even started visiting yet.
This truly is the miracle of church planting!