Rural Church Experiences Growth

One might expect to hear stories of vibrant and growing churches from a more urban setting. The truth is that God is moving and growth is being experienced in churches of all sizes and settings. Here’s a story from Central Norton Baptist (NB):

Over the last 3 years, God has changed the culture in our little church! Pastor John Tremblett and His wife Shari came to Central Norton over 3 years ago. In that short time the church has almost tripled in attendance and doubled its budget.

We have stepped out in faith and have brought on two full time youth pastor’s (Brad Silliker and Nick Dunfield) which oversee Middle School, High School, Young Adults, outreach and worship ministries. We are becoming more and more involved in the community and want to be a church that ministers to all people.

The high school group started in September 2010. We started with two teens at our first meeting and discussed what our youth program would look like. Now we average between 25-35/night, and have 60+ kids on a calling list. We have had close to 2 dozen kids saved this year and many that are close. Middle School has been active now for about a year and a half. There have been up to 70 kids out to one event and over 130 kids total. Both groups combined, Central Norton has had 190 youth through our doors this year.

In Habakkuk 1:1 we read “The burden which the prophet Habakkuk did see.” Habakkuk was burdened (had a heart for the people of his day) because he was aware of what was happening in his day. As a church we are striving to have a heart for the communities that God has placed us in. We are striving to meet people where they are, and want to tear down the walls that have been built up unnecessarily by the church.

On June 3rd, we had 100% Sunday where we encouraged all members and people who are excited about what is going on here to ALL show up. We didn’t take attendance but we were easily pushing 250. Hard to believe this church recorded a Sunday morning with 34 just 3 1/2 years ago. After our morning service (where Pastor John talked about how we all have a purpose) we had a BBQ and celebrated the change here.

We continue to seek God’s provision as we just desire to be about His Kingdom work. We have seen the church grow by more than 100% over the last couple of years and trust to see God do even greater things. As the church has grown in numbers, the most exciting thing is to see God at work in individual peoples’ lives as well as families. We just want to Exalt Jesus in all that we do!!