OMS Grant Reinvigorates Monacrest

Monacrest's morning worship team performs at a Katrina Relief concert.

Not so long ago, Monacrest FMC (Monaca, PA) completed a Natural Church Development (NCD) survey and discovered that it wasn’t very “healthy.” Among the “patient’s” weaknesses: evangelism and outreach. Now, undergirded by a grant from the One More Soul (OMS) initiative, Monacrest’s vital signs are steadily improving and opportunities to impact the lost are expanding exponentially.

A Work in Progress (WIP) team lends a hand in Hurley, VA.

The church has launched into sev-eral new areas of ministry, and members have enthusiastically responded to God’s call to various min-istries and projects.

“Our movement up the growth and evangelism curve has definitely been spurred by our increasing involvement in missions,” says Pastor Doug Rabe. Last year the church donated $25,000 to missions (up from $1,800 just a few years ago). Short-term teams have ministered in China, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela, in the Appalachians, the Gulf Coast and New York City. In fact, over the past four years, Monacrest has sent 48 different people on 11 mission trips.

Back at home, Monacrest has three worship bands that rotate among services Sunday mornings and evenings, and a once-a-month worship/drama program aimed at high school and college students. YNO (Youth Night Out) for junior- and senior-highers is a newly popular outreach, and a van ministry transports local kids (including the unchurched) to Monacrest’s Wednesday night Kid’s Kingdom and Sunday morning FaithWeaver Friends programs. The church also runs VBS and backyard Bible clubs and has a Bible quizzing team.

Ministries to adults are intentionally designed to reach out and touch lives, one more soul at a time. WIP (Work in Progress) aids low-income families and seniors; some of the 100 small groups are geared to people with specific needs.

The OMS grant has allowed Monacrest to hire Sam Shreffler (Heritage Group chaplain, former church planter and NCD consultant) several days a month to help reorganize church and staff for continued growth, and optimize every ministry for effective outreach. The number of small groups is expected to double; plans for planting one or more churches are on the radar.

“Having Sam help us just moves up our timetable,” says Rabe. “He’s challenging us in a number of areas.” As for the One More Soul initiative, “We’ve had a tremendous response,” says Rabe. “Our delegates were super excited after annual conference, and we hope that the grant will just continue to add to the momentum.”

Hale, hearty and growing. Worshiping, interacting and reaching out to change destiny — one more soul at a time. That’s Monacrest.

VBS outreach team at Sarver FMC (PA)