How long ago was your church planted? In what areas have you had success in as well as challenges?

[Pastor Gerar Pope]

I was hoping to hear about the experiences of others. God allowed my family and I to plant Blessed Fellowship Ministries back in 08. We started as a Bible Study during the first 6 months until we found a permanent place for worship. At first it was just 4 of us (my family and I), now its 25. My greatest joy has been baptizing 11 of those 25 members. My challenge thus far is pushing members to go to the next level of service. Honestly, at times I have to remind myself not to let my ambition get ahead of God's agenda and stay patient.

[Pastor Gerar Pope]

Believe me when I say witnessing and evangelism is how we got to where we are at right now and every suggestion you mentioned we do. I'm not worried about the numerical growth. God has already taken care of that. I'm really concerned about our spiritual growth. Still, I'm confident that with God leading us, we shall continue to get to where he wants us to be.

[Johnnie R. Peterson, III]

What's going on Pastor Pope? You know we started around the same time and it has been a blessing watching your ministry grow. Since my family and I started Abundant Life Worship Center, we have seen tremendous spiritual growth in the people that God specifically hand chose to be a part of the ministry. My greatest joy thus far has been watching a number of people who have experienced church hurt, go from being bitter and angry, release all their pain and frustrations and becoming true worshippers. We have seen our physical numbers grow from 4 members to 25. My biggest challenge has been time management. How do you balance God, family, work(outside of the church), church, study and preparation time. Not to mention bible study and time for self.

[Pastor Gerar Pope]

Pastor Peterson, I started to call you Sunday Night. Always good hear from you. Yesterday I had to minister to a family that was connected to one of our members. It was a very tragic situation. The member acted as someone being strong for the family. To make the long story short, as I listened to the member share and encourage, it made me feel so so so good. She was sharing with the family things that have been emphasized within the ministry in the Preaching, Teaching, and Praying. As I continued to watch her, it was as if God was telling me, keep doing what you doing. The people that I trusted you to feed are really growing. To God Be the Glory!

[MW Couch]

Hey Pastor Pope,

Likewise, I started in my house with my family. Now we are at a hotel. What has help me is pushing vision, vision, vision...paint the vision any make it plain. I have cell groups going now. Also, getting people involved to do ministry. I shall continue to pray for your ministry brother and keep us in prayer also. Peace & Progress, God Bless

[Apostle David E. Alston]

Man of God, I was there and I would suggest having "Vision sessions" this is not Bible class or new members class where you teach them about the ministry. You want to have sessions where you teach them how to follow you, because some of them could be emotionally following other leaders or a concept of what a leader should be.You will become frustrated because they are going in a different direction but YOU must show them how to become your babies (so to speak)
Bishop Alston