A Place for Help and Healing
Living Water Women and Children’s Shelter opened in early September, birthed by a vision and many years’ experience in inner-city Seattle and surrounding areas. Its director and her husband (unnamed here to protect the safety of those to whom they minister) founded the faith-based residential home focusing on the spiritual, personal and economic development of every individual. Full Story...

A Place for Love
“This is a wonderful church filled with wonderful people,” effuses Paul McGraw of Harbor Fellowship FMC (Ft. Collins, CO). “It’s fun to pastor here.”

Once in a tailspin following a shooting at its back door — literally — and a series of unfortunate events that seemed to strike the church from every angle, Harbor Fellowship is once again back on its feet, healthy and growing.Full Story...

Pretty in Pink
Tea was served … to 75 guests (50 of them 12 and under) dressed in their best finery (bonnets welcome) at Wesley FMC (Anderson, IN) on a festive Tuesday morning in August. A professional tea-party planner hosted the outreach event that included a talk about mother/daughter relationships, “mini” foods, party favors and a boutique where the girls could select outfits with accessories to wear for the occasion.

On Target for God
Good stewardship and a strong sense of obedience to God are undergirding individual and church growth at Titusville FMC (PA). An outreach ministry to sportsmen has brought new believers into the fold; about half the congregation is attending one of 14 cell groups; and a long tradition of social programs — from clothing giveaways to blood drives to a breast-feeding support group — continues to connect the folks at Titusville FMC with the neighborhood. Full Story...

Expect a Miracle
“The leadership in this church is God’s greatest gift to me as a pastor,” says Larry Light of New Hope FMC (Walton, NY). “Each of them repeatedly demonstrates a willingness to change and experiment, to think and step outside the box,” he adds. “To God be the glory!”

The New Hope story has a lot to do with faithfulness, patience and trust. Full Story...

New Life on Campus
Living Streams Fellowship is a new Free Methodist church in Augusta, ME, that meets in a student-center conference room at the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA). Pastors Jeff and Susan Wynn hail from nearby Gardiner FMC.

In an article about the new church in the Kennebec Journal’s online edition, writer Dan McGillvray tells us that Sue Wynn was cured of multiple sclerosis through God's Full Story...

Behold, A New Thing!
In Isaiah 43:18-19, the Lord calls His people to look ahead and not back, as He is doing something new. Countless hours of round-the-clock prayer and a very intentional focus on what lies ahead have undergirded renewal and growth at Lamb’s Fellowship (Murrieta, CA). Pastor John Hansen’s enthusiasm about the future is distinctly contagious.
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Redemptive Growth
In the world of church growth (and weight loss!), being on a plateau is a bad thing. Stagnation can set in and health deteriorate. Willow Vale Community FMC (San Jose, CA) was once on a plateau, but is a fine example today of the robust, redemptive growth that is possible for those who persevere.
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IYC '05
July 30-Aug. 4, Colorado State University (Ft. Collins) hosted the denomination’s biennial International Youth Conference (IYC), drawing thousands of teens from around the U.S. and abroad. The theme for IYC ’05 was “Further,” based on Ephesians 4:11-12. Coordinators included National Student Ministries Team pastors/leaders Brian Kono and Rick Morgan of Spring Arbor FMC (MI) and J.R. Rushik of Storehouse (Plymouth Meeting, PA). IYC ’07 is set for July 16-21 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Twice As Nice
Ministering from two buildings — an older facility and a brand-new building where a September launch drew 750 — is keeping the body vibrant and growing at Northgate FMC (Batavia, NY).

The church has a long history of health and growth, its most recent spurt coming on the heels of a transition from traditional to contemporary worship services, the purchase Full Story...