THURSday, MAY 9, 2024
Board of Trustees
New Ministry Initiatives
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The Board of Trustees continue to actively and effectively manage church property, equipment
and investments in capital improvements. There are no new large projects scheduled at this
time other than the approved elevator modernization project.
Recently Completed Events and Stats
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As related to the Disaffiliation Agreement of the United Methodist Church, Mount Pisgah has met all obligations and transitioned all records to the new entity, MP Church, Inc
General Ministry Progress Update
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The modernization of the Church's two elevators are currently under construction at the
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manufacturer, TKE. The elevators are over 23 years old and require updated supporting controls
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and new technology to operate faster, more efficient, and safer. Installation is anticipated in May
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and June 2024.
Caring Ministry
• We celebrated a great National Day of Prayer Service as we collaborated with Alpharetta
Methodist and St. James Churches at Brook St. Park in downtown Alpharetta. It was a
beautiful evening with about 100 people in attendance. The best turnout for NDP ever. And
was beautiful working with the Body of Christ beyond the walls of MP.
• Our Stephen Ministry Training class is about to wrap up. We have a couple of classes left
and then we’ll commission our first group since Covid on May 19 in both services.
• Our staff group that has been doing a modified version of Stephen Ministry training will finish
up the end of this month. It’s been a great group of staff learning how to minister to their
areas in a deeper and more meaningful way.
• We had a beautiful Day Apart at Camp Lighthouse on April 20. We had 20 people come to
invest in their relationship with Jesus for the Day. Ricky Brown did a great job of leading us
through some corporate time which led us into some time of silence on the gorgeous
property of Camp Lighthouse. Had very favorable comments about the day.
Children’s Ministry
• MP Kids & MP Kids Jr staff got to attend the Orange Conference at the end of April. We left
the conference feeling very encouraged, full of new knowledge on how to continue
discipleship with our kids, and excited for the summer and upcoming year to partner with our
families and the community.
• Rachel Campbell, who was formerly working under Parenting and Pisgah Fosters is now a
part of the MP Kids staff and her role is MP Kids Program Support.
• We are excited for Summer Serve, our family style VBS happening Wednesday nights in
June from 6-7:30 to kick off June 5th!
Community Engagement
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Community Engagement Course
We have now taught 3 course sessions of the Equipping Class for Community
Engagement. 1 for the staff, 1 on Thursday night and recently one for the Thursday
Men’s Breakfast fellowship. As more people are trained, the number of capable people
to serve in Community Engagement continues to grow out of the number of people who
have taken the course. We recently connected with 40 families at the MPCS 5k and we
were slated to be sponsors of the Johns Creek International festival to do outreach there
but it was cancelled due to rain. The next round of classes will be announced soon!
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Johns Creek Police Department Chaplaincy
Pastor Ricky Brown will begin shortly as a volunteer with the Johns Creek Police
Department Chaplains service. Roughly 50% of the people they serve experiencing a
crisis say they do not have a church or a pastor. Because of this the current chaplains
say they end of ministering to families far beyond the crisis event that initially connected
them. This gives Mount Pisgah an incredible opportunity. As you know, crisis effects all
demographics and socio-economic statuses. We will partner with our Stephens Ministers
to provide a first line of support to those who desire it. It should prove to be an excellent
on-ramp to discipleship.
Engagement Calendar
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We are in the process of creating a robust Community Engagement Calendar so that we
can plan far ahead to participate in Community Engagement Events.
DiscipleLife
• Currently we have about 20 closed Discipleship Groups, 3 Connect classes ongoing, 9
Sunday school classes, 12 Wednesday night classes and almost 20 weekday fellowships and
groups that meet throughout the week.
• We have met twice now with our Women’s leaders and Men’s leaders. We included all
leaders (not just the Discipleship group leaders) and had a great turnout at these gatherings.
It’s been a great opportunity for leaders to come together, get to know each other better and
discuss curriculum, challenges and triumphs in leading groups and classes at MP. We will
continue to meet quarterly.
• As part of our leadership trainings, Pat Thomas and I have met several times with our
RightNow Media (RNM) representative to develop and curate a RNM resource page
representative of the curriculum and materials our leaders have requested and would
recommend to others. On our RNM Mount Pisgah page we now feature resources from the
4:19 website as well as the Connect Series classes. The 4:19 website is still available to all
our leaders, but in combining some of its resources with RNM we’re able to offer lots of
curriculum ideas in one location. We are also looking at including resources from the
NarrowGate website. In the near future, our goal is to come up with a more streamlined
curriculum for Discipleship groups for those leaders seeking more direction in leadership.
• Connect Series Update:
o We had 13 people register for Connect to MP on Sunday mornings at 9:30 and we
have just completed it with about 10 attending. This is the best response we’ve had in
quite some time! Tony and Beverly Johnson, MJ and Ricky and Mike Broome helped
facilitate the 3 week course. Vicki Watts and Chip Hall will facilitate Connect to God
starting on May 19th at 9:30. We’ve had a good group and many will continue to the
next class!
o Cameron and Kristy Pierce are continuing their Connect classes at 11am on Sunday
mornings and have just started Connect to the Mission.
o Pat Thomas continues her Connect class on Sunday evenings at 5 pm. She is currently
in Connect to the Bible.
o Michael Jordan will begin another Connect Series class with the new staff when the
timing is right. Right now several of the staff are completing the Stephen Minister
training.
• Emmaus Update: Mount Pisgah continues to be very supportive of the Emmaus mission. The
NGWTE Summer season kicks off May 22nd with Face to Face at Acworth UMC. The Girls
Chrysalis Flight is July 11 and the Boys is July 18th. The Emmaus board meetings take place
at MP the first Tuesday of every month. And the Fall Emmaus Gathering will be 10/4 at MP.
• Members of our Discipleship Council finished up meetings with representatives from:
MPCS, Summit, Emmaus, Narrow Gate, Beacon of Hope, Pisgah Fosters, Camp Lighthouse,
Champions Place and Sunday Supper just to name a few. The goal in connecting with these
ministries is to foster closer relationships between ministries and our council in which we
hope to have more conversations around discipleship and how others are being discipled
within these ministries. We are also very close to finishing “the book” as we’re referring to it
which is a compilation of all the ministry reports comparing each ministry area to the 5 Keys
of Discipleship. This will be a great resource for MP Discipleship moving forward and
especially for Pastor Matt as he begins to wrap his head around all things MP!
• BTCL (Bible Training for Church Leaders): This women-only class is seminary level
teaching that covers the following courses: Bible Study Methods, Old Testament Survey,
New Testament Survey, Bible Doctrine Survey, Personal Spiritual Life and Church Ministry.
BTCL has been meeting on Thursday mornings at Mount Pisgah since August 2021. The
first community-wide class (including 7 women from MP) graduated on May 2nd! We will be
launching a new 3-year offering at MP this August and again we have several ladies from
MP that will be taking this offering. This 5 course curriculum is part of a 10 course, worldwide
course that is used to training pastors in 92 countries in 41 languages.
• Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) at MP: BSF is an international bible study for men, women,
young adults and children. Since August of 2023, MP has partnered with BSF International
to host women’s and children’s groups here on Tuesday Nights. The groups have been wellattended
by members of the JC community and our own MP community. BSF finished up
their first offering at MP (The Gospel of John) last night with a night of sharing and
testimony. It has been wonderful to see about 200 women and children engaged in
discipleship every Tuesday evening. They are gearing up for the new Fall study of
Revelation here at MP to launch in September 2024 and are anticipating a serious uptick in
the number of participants.
Finance Committee
New Ministry Initiatives:
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The 2024-2025 budget timeline has been established and the ministry leaders have begun compiling
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their budget requests. The Leadership Team has been proactively working with the ministry leaders
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to discuss staffing and ministry needs.
General Ministry Progress Update:
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Our giving initiative, Vision Forward is underway for 2024 with 190 families who have submitted
their "estimate of giving for over $1.8 million. Please join us and others in responding to God's call
for our Church and the Vision Forward.
Hospitality
• Partnered with Marketing to update and revamp several key Hospitality and Sanctuary
marketing/promotion materials. Cleaned out all previous UMC items form the Sanctuary
pews and restocked with newly branded QR welcome cards, offering envelopes and
message notes. Added “invitations to worship” cards at all entrances/exits to the Sanctuary.
• Coordinated and helped manage several staff celebrations, including Pastor Steve’s
retirement, Pastor Jorge’s ordainment celebration and the retirement or last day for several
beloved staff employees.
• Continue to engage with mission partners in the community for our monthly Outreach of the
Month. For March/April we collected books for the prison ministry. For May/June we are
collecting four different items for Children’s Summer Serve. This will include the annual
collection of backpack items for Mount Pisgah in Spanish.
• Continue to assist in coordinating Mount Pisgah in Spanish Lunch de Traje Sundays.
• Worked with fellow staff member and artist, Lea Taylor, to design a set of notecards as a
Mother’s Day gift and new gift for welcome bags.
• Coordinated Mother’s Day Sunday with a student take over to volunteer for all Hospitality
positions. Offering specialty teas and a gift for all women in attendance.
Marketing/Communications Update
• Worked on a variety of projects to design and produce graphics, printables, videos, web
pages, and social media posts to support our church ministries: Holy Week, new Connect
class logo and materials, Mother’s Day, 316, Day Apart, Summer Serve, Funny How Faith
Works sermon series, Splash Sundays, Musical Theater Camp, Monthly Outreach, Joint
National Day of Prayer, Cookie Decorating Class, BTCL, and Bible Study Fellowship.
• Designed New QR code cards for pews that link to a newly designed mobile-responsive
webpage that promotes real-time engagement by offering online worship service “check-in”
functionality, as well as three choices: Connect (to capture contact info for visitors), Online
Bulletin (promotes programs and upcoming events), and Give.
• Promoted “next steps” vote and announced results.
• Worked with members of SPRC to develop communication plan, messaging, and video to
announce new senior pastor.
• Continue to work with Pastor Ricky in Community Engagement to provide materials,
signage, and strategic support for initiatives, including the Patriot Run, Johns Creek
International Festival, and scholarships we are promoting at local school Baccalaureate
services as a lead capture strategy.
Membership & Baptisms
• Year to Date 2024, we have celebrated 12 Baptisms and welcomed 49 New
Members.
Men’s Ministry
• A group of Mount Pisgah Men and friends (between 30 and 50 men) continue meeting every
Thursday morning at Uptown Café for fellowship. We share food, fellowship, prayers, and a
message (and we give each other a hard time). All men are welcome to join, young and
old!
• The Bridging the Gap Men’s Fellowship Group participated in a “Movie Night” on April 18th in
the Underground to learn more about some of the social injustice issues surrounding native
Americans and on Saturday, May 4th, we served over 200 meals to the homeless in
downtown Atlanta and those in need and offered prayer to all.
Missions/Community Outreach
• Sunday Supper – We continue to serve around 150 meals and 40 -50 families on the
1st Sunday of every month. We also have 3 families make 250 PB&J sandwiches and give
oatmeal and snacks, so there will be food on Monday. Each family and person receiving a
meal is prayed over. We are blessed to often experience people giving their lives to Christ
during the prayers and several of the families we have served have begun coming to Mount
Pisgah in Spanish for worship services. This is more than a meal being provided, this is an
evangelism event lead we are blessed to serve alongside MPIS. Praise God for those
serving and those being served! We have become a part of this community.
• Discipleship Training (Everywhere) – Over the summer months, Hernando
Montana will provide discipleship training in Ukraine on 2 different trips.
• We celebrate the opportunity we had to connect and engage with Hillside Elementary in this
school year and the last day on May 2nd there was a celebration of, completed projects and
year end party. Thank you to Ashlyn Cuthcin, Phil Sain, Blake McBurney, Mark Bundy,
Micky Lyons, Jim Wilson, and Mike Broome for stepping into this 8-month commitment to
nurture a relationship with one of our local schools. This was coordinated through an
organization called Young Apprentice Construction Club and the goals are to build
confidence, build pride, and self-esteem, all through building with your hands. We plan on
participating in this is community engagement activity again next year, beginning in
September. Please let Michael Jordan know if you are interested in being involved in this
community engagement.
• Habitat for Humanity – Mount Pisgah’s 31st home was completed and dedicated in
April. Jim Wilson continues to lead this effort and we hopeful one of our MPIS families may
become recipients of a build.
Mount Pisgah in Spanish
New Ministry Initiatives
• We started again the Bible studies in the homes. We have two homes.
• A liturgical dance group was formed for girls under 10 years of age.
• We want to give basic musical instrument classes (piano, guitar) to children, youth, and
adults.
• We want to continue with English and Spanish classes.
• We are starting the second level of discipleship. The teacher will be Hernando Montana
• We will be studying the book of Acts on Wednesdays.
Recent church events that we complete with attendance numbers:
• In the Art with Jesus program for youth (ages 16 and up) "PisgArt". We had an attendance
of 11 young people.
• Basic piano lessons were held. The teacher was Omar Neri and about 8 people finished.
• Café con Jesus has an attendance of more than 12 young people every 15 days (Saturdays
from 4 to 6 pm).
• In the English classes we have an attendance of more than 15 people and in the Spanish
classes we have an attendance of 10 people.
• The theater group of our church, directed by Milena, performed a play on resurrection day
and they are preparing to have different plays on special days such as Mother's Day,
Father's Day, etc.
• The second level of discipleship (on Mondays at 7:00 pm) is being done by 10 people and
we started the first level with 12 people (on Thursdays). Both groups are being taught by
Hernando montana
• In the third level of discipleship by Zoom we have 4 people and in the second level by Zoom
we have 1 person.
• The Men's group meets every month with an attendance of 15 people.
• The women's ministry has met and had an attendance of more than 28 women.
• We conducted an information training about student scholarships and about the duties and
rights of parents in their children's schools. Attendance of 13 people
• Friday prayer services are attended by more than 23 people in person and broadcast on
Facebook (18 people online).
• The three-day retreat with Christ was attended by 7 couples.
• On Wednesdays at the 7:30 p.m. service an average of 25 people attend and we have
classes for children (7 children) and youth (8).
• We have the Friday of Glory (last Friday of each month), with an attendance of more than 60
people.
• Weekly we have more than 2 new people arriving and we are giving them a bag with a Bible
and information about the services of our church.
• The average attendance to the Sunday services in person is 210 and online is 100 people.
Counting the different activities that we do every week, the attendance in person is 400
people and online is 150 people.
• We are accompanying 3 marriages and 4 personal cases in counseling and advice.
• Luz Marina coordinates the Sunday classes for children from 9 to 13 years old. The
attendance is 18 to 20 children per Sunday.
• We have Zoom prayer at 10:00 pm, Monday through Thursday of each week. With an
attendance of 24 people per day
• We continue with the One Invites One campaign. It is to pray for a family member or friend
and model the testimony of what Christ is doing in each one of us and invite them to church
so that they learn to have a relationship with God.
• I have periodic meetings with the directors of each ministry, where I follow up on the plans,
objectives and support each director of the different ministries of our church.
Updates on the progress of the general ministry in the future:
• We continue with our mission and vision to make disciples here, there and everywhere,
passionate and in love with Jesus Christ. To be a Church of life where Jesus heals, restores
people, families and we expand the Kingdom of God.
• We continue to motivate, encourage and empower people to follow the model of Jesus
(Discipleship). For people to connect with God through prayer, fasting and have a new
lifestyle that reflects the life of Christ.
• We continue to focus on giving spiritual nourishment to the members of Mount Pisgah in
Spanish, so that they mature and develop a good and solid relationship with God.
• We continue to provide counseling and spiritual guidance to couples, adults, married
couples and the younger members of our church.
• Thank you to the Mount Pisgah family for supporting us with all the food, donations and
most of all thank you for your love and support to our community.
Thank you and God bless you all!
German Betancourt
Jorge Henao
Music Ministry
Recently Completed
• Choir participated in the Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Easter services.
• The youth led worship in both services on 4/21.
• MP Kids Choirs have their spring concert on Wednesday, May 1.
New Ministry Initiatives
• Hymn Sing Off: Due to the resounding success of the first one, the choir is gearing up for
another hymn sing-off in July.
• Travel time! The choir is busy planning a mission trip for October, where we'll come together
to make a difference.
• Choir Dinner together is planned for May 8th.
• Day of Prayer service with St. James and Alpharetta.
• Choir performance scheduled for Sunday afternoon, May 19th, at Riverside Park.
• We're excited to announce a musical theater camp this summer for rising 3rd grade through
rising 8th grade students. More info to come soon.
• Choir will be on a break during the month of July and will resume in August.
Parent Ministry
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Worked with parents on how to manage screen time and technology in Wednesday night
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parenting class.
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Concluded Mom’s Fellowship for the spring as we all practiced everyday faith through the study
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of our book Liturgy of the Ordinary
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Met with 5 parents in crisis and prayer for their families.
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Hosting a parent/child hiking event in June for faith engagement and connection with other
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families at Pisgah
Pisgah Fosters
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Through the generosity of our congregation, Pisgah Fosters gifted ALL of Bald Ridge group home teenage boys with Easter baskets and provided an outdoor sound system for praise music while they play sports.
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Using our partnership with Promise 686 and Careportal. Congregants were able to directly meet the needs of parents and kept 4 families from entering the foster system.
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We continue to grow in relationship with our foster families who have added two more children into their homes. Members and volunteers in the church and community have provided diapers, meals, tutoring, and clothing for the foster children.
Student Life Ministry
Ongoing Programming
• Student Life programming continues weekly heading into the summer with The Summer
House on Wednesday nights and Bible Study at 9:30 AM on Sunday mornings.
• Small Groups had a final wrap up on May 5, 2024 with each group celebrating the end of the
school year and Student Life Staff hosting a celebratory dinner for Seniors as well as their
parents and small group leaders. Small Groups will return in August with the launch of
school.
Special Events
• On April 21, students that regularly serve on the worship team led worship for both the 9:30
and 11 AM services, with a student hosting the services as well. This was a great
culmination of their hard work as student leaders and a wonderful opportunity to collaborate
with the Music Ministry as a whole to develop young worship leaders and musicians.
Staffing Updates
• After an interview process of nine months in partnership with Ministry Architects, Student
Life has hired their final member of the team, Christian Hall. He will serve as the Student Life
Teaching Pastor, taking the leadership role in facilitating student speakers and Bible Study
Leaders.
• In addition, Audrey Goodwin has stepped into the primary leadership role of the Student Life
team. She will retain her duties as Student Life Worship Pastor but has also taken on the
position of lead pastor in which she will guide the overall ministry.
Student Leadership
• In addition to the traditional Senior Interns, the Student Life team has launched a leadership
program that invites all high schoolers to apply to assist in leading the ministry. They are
able to choose an area of focus (worship, speaking, tech, hospitality) and will help to
facilitate weekly programming as well as learn more in-depth about what leadership in that
capacity looks like. Applications went out in March and interviews are being held in May for
a leadership launch in August.
TOGETHER Events
• Our next TOGETHER Worship and Fellowship will be held on July 28th in our sanctuary.
Plans are to return to Newtown Park for TOGETHER in October.
• MPIS invites everyone to join for food and fellowship in the gathering area for Lunch de
Traje. It is the last Sunday of every month. Please bring a dish to share and join in this
fellowship.
Collaboration with Alpharetta Methodist and St. James
• The National Day of Prayer in downtown Alpharetta on May 2nd was well attended and it was
a wonderful evening of worship and prayer out in the community. Plans will begin for a
2nd community prayer and worship event as we get closer to Election Day in November. This
was our first collaboration together as we looked for ways to provide greater impact to our
communities by coming together as 3 bodies of faith serving our community, instead of one.
Being the Body of Christ together out in our community offering prayer. It was a success!
Women’s Ministry
• At our monthly Women’s Ministry Council dinner we talked in more detail about the launch
of our new vision-casting initiative. While we would like to continue to offer larger scale
events we’d also like to make a concerted effort in combining those events with deeper
discipleship relationships. This idea flowed out of a desire to see how much awareness there
is within our MP community concerning the Women’s Ministry and what it has to offer. We
also want to be sure that women at MP are being served in meaningful ways by this ministry.
The need for our vision casting was validated in effect when last month we had to cancel our
2nd annual cookie decorating party for April 21st due to low registration.
• In the meantime, our service chairs, Lisa Randel and Kim Cooper, are working closely with
The Drake House to provide monthly meals for their girls’ mentoring program.
• Lunch Bunch meets the last Wednesday of the month at Marlow’s on Old Alabama and we
typically have around 15+ or so ladies who enjoy lunch and fellowship. This continues to be
a valuable way to bring ladies together for prayer, fellowship and encouragement from each
other whose paths may not cross otherwise.
THURSday, FEBRUARY 29, 2024
Board of Trustees
New Ministry Initiatives
he Board of Trustees continue to manage church property, equipment and investments actively and effectively in capital improvements. There are no new large projects scheduled at this time other than the approved elevator modernization project.
Recently Completed Events and Stats
As related to the Disaffiliation Agreement of the United Methodist Church, Mount Pisgah has met all obligations and transitioned all records to the new entity, MP Church, Inc.
General Ministry Progress Update
The modernization of the Church's two elevators are currently under construction at the manufacturer, TKE. The elevators are over 23 years old and require updated supporting controls and new technology to operate faster, more efficient, and safer. Installation is anticipated in May and June 2024.
Caring Ministry
Caring Ministry is offering hope and help:
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GriefShare is currently running a group made up of Mount Pisgah family members as well as folks from our community. This ministry often pulls people in from outside the church.
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Our Prison Ministry team continues to offer Bible study at Atlanta Transitional Center in downtown Atlanta on Friday nights as well as every 2nd and 4th Wednesday afternoon. We also have a worship service the last Sunday evening every other month where worship and refreshments are offered.
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We coordinated prayer for each confirmand and leaders. Each person is being prayed for as they continue through their confirmation experience.
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Our Stephen Ministry training class continues to move forward. We should commission this class the end of April or beginning of May.
Children’s Ministry
The new indoor playground opened late November and is a huge hit with preschoolers and their families.
The Christmas Family Edition event was a huge success with record breaking attendance; using the Touchpoint system to send a reminder text to families the night before was very effective. Texting also led to a bigger than usual crowd February 11 for the Super Cereal Bowl party.
Wednesday night attendance is up this year and continues to be a successful entry point for families.
Big changes are coming to VBS this summer, and the reveal video was posted to social media February 11. Summer Serve will be 6-7:30 on Wednesday nights in June; families will have dinner, learn about a charity helping our local community, work on a service project and have family discipleship time.
Community Engagement
Mount Pisgah will be a launching a special class called: Equipping Class for Community Engagement on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm, in S305 on March 7, 14, 21st, and 28th leading up to Resurrection Sunday! Studies show that 80% of Christians do not engage their community with Gospel, but only 20% say they feel equipped to do so. This class goes into practical Biblical training for evangelism and engaging the community we are in with the Gospel. On on-demand online version will launch simultaneously. Our prayer is that this reinvigorates evangelism in our church not just for the Easter Season, but for the months and years to come.
DiscipleLife
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We have met twice now with our Women’s leaders and once with the Men’s leaders. (Our second Men’s leadership dinner will be on March 11th). We included all leaders and had a great turnout at these gatherings. It’s been a great opportunity for leaders to come together, get to know each other better and discuss curriculum, challenges and triumphs in leading groups and classes at MP. We will continue to meet quarterly.
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As part of our leadership trainings, Pat Thomas and I have met several times with our RightNow Media (RNM) representative to develop and curate a RNM resource page representative of the curriculum and materials our leaders have requested and would recommend to others. On our RNM Mount Pisgah page we will also feature resources from the 4:19 website as well as the Connect Series classes. The 4:19 website is still available to all our leaders, but in combining some of its resources with RNM we’re able to offer lots of curriculum ideas in one location.
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Connect Series Update:
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Cameron and Kristy Pierce are continuing their Connect classes at 11am on Sunday mornings.
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Chris Henderson has completed the Connect Series with his second group and this group (2 married couples) has decided to continue to meet! Connect truly is a “runway for discipleship” – as MJ loves to call it.
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Michael Jordan finished up the staff Connect class and he is waiting to start another round with staff when the time is right.
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Connect to MP on Sunday evenings continues this month with Pat Thomas facilitating Connect with Your Faith.
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We will be offering Connect to MP starting in mid-April for Confirmation Parents (and anyone else who would like to join). We are going to check with the parents regarding whether we should continue to offer the class at 9:30 or following the 11 am service.
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Emmaus Update: Mount Pisgah continues to be very supportive of the Emmaus mission. The NGWTE Spring season kicks off next week (March 7) with men’s and women’s walks in March and April, Face to Face in May and Chrysalis Flights in July. The Emmaus board meetings take place at MP the first Tuesday of every month.
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Members of our Discipleship Council have been making progress as we continue to meet with different ministry areas that are beautiful examples of the impact MP has had on our community over the past several decades. For example, members are meeting with representatives from: MPCS, Summit, Emmaus, Narrow Gate, Beacon of Hope, Pisgah Fosters, Camp Lighthouse, Champions Place and Sunday Supper just to name a few. The goal in connecting with these ministries is to foster closer relationships between ministries and our council in which we hope to have more conversations around discipleship and how others are being discipled within these ministries. Over the next couple of months we hope to come along side each ministry and provide help and support in whatever way they need. We are also very close to finishing “the book” as we’re referring to it which is a compilation of all the ministry reports comparing each to the 5 Keys of Discipleship. We are hoping this will be a discipleship resource for the church and especially the new head pastor.
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BTCL (Bible Training for Church Leaders) has been meeting on Thursday mornings at Mount Pisgah since August 2021 and will be launching a new 3-year offering at MP this August. This 5-course curriculum is part of a 10 course, world-wide course that is used to training pastors in 92 countries in 41 languages. This women-only class is seminary level teaching that covers the following courses: Bible Study Methods, Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Bible Doctrine Survey, Personal Spiritual Life and Church Ministry. The current class will be graduating on May 2nd, 2024, including 7 women from Mount Pisgah. There will be an orientation for prospective students on March 28th, 2024.
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Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) at MP: BSF continues to thrive here at MP! It is wonderful to see about 200 women and children engaged in discipleship every Tuesday evening. They are gearing up for the new Fall study of Revelation here at MP to launch in September 2024 and are anticipating a serious uptick in the number of participants.
Finance Committee
New Ministry Initiatives
The 2024-2025 budget timeline has been established and the ministry leaders will begin compiling their budget requests on April 2, 2024. The Leadership Team will proactively work with the ministry leaders to discuss their staffing and ministry needs.
Recently Completed Events and Stats
The Finance Committee will have their quarterly meeting Monday, February 26, 2024 to review the current financials and December 31 calendar year-results.
General Ministry Progress Update
Our giving initiative, Vision Forward is underway for 2024 with 190 families who have submitted their "estimate of giving for over $1.8 million. Please join us and others in responding to God's call for our Church and the Vision Forward.
Hospitality
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Managed the Christmas Celebration on December 10th in partnership with the Choir performance. We pared down the event and combined with the Choir Concert to make one inclusive event for our church and the community. The event included the Choir concert and performance, food trucks, MPIS activity tables, photo booth, games, student mission marketplace and an area for gathering and relaxing. Even with the rain and cold, we had over 700 people in attendance.
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We continue to see 2+ first time guests each week and update our welcome bags consistently with new materials and gifts.
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Continue to engage with mission partners in the community for our monthly Outreach of the Month. For October we collected coats for North Fulton Community Charities; November/December we had an “angel tree” for our Mount Pisgah in Spanish congregation, collecting gifts that included pajamas, jackets, toys, books and games for more than 160 children and students; January/February collection is for Camp Lighthouse summer camp supplies.
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Decorated the church for Christmas with a team of student volunteers for all inside decorations and outside with a lighting company. The outside church lighting was updated this year and was a beautiful site for our community to see as people drove by during the week and for all other events happening during the month of December.
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Updated countertop displays in the restrooms to include fake flowers, tissue and a rotating sign highlighting different ministry areas and events.
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Continue to assist in coordinating Mount Pisgah in Spanish Lunch de Traje Sundays.
Marketing/Communications Update
Have been engaged in various initiatives aimed at enhancing communication, outreach, and engagement within our community:
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Collaborated with ministries and organizers to promote the following events through development of printed materials, videos, social media posts, signage, apparel, displays, and website posts: Knowing Jesus sermon series, Musical Theater Camp, “Honoring Pastor Steve” Retirement Celebration, Lunch de Traje, Women’s Ministry Chocolate Fondue Night, Cookie Decorating Party, Pisgah Fosters Day Out, Mistletoe, Christmas Celebration, MLK Day Observance, New Community Engagement and Connect Classes, StudentLife Winter Weekend Retreat, Monthly Outreach, Summer Serve, Together Service, Sisters in Christ Conference, Spanish-English and English-Spanish Classes, Pancake Dinner Fundraiser for Mission Trips, GLOW, and more.
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Joined our pastors to meet with representatives from St. James and Alpharetta Methodist to explore opportunities to join together in events and initiatives to serve our community. Participated in St. James MLK observance and Unity Walk.
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Distributed more than 250 Love God Love People bags during Christmas Celebration, along with printed materials promoting Christmas worship services.
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Redesigned the Top Three to align with new branding and to promote opportunity to view online videos of worship services. More than 2,200 people are subscribed to and receive the Top Three email each week.
Ongoing
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Participating in regular creative team meetings with the worship, music ministry, and technology teams to brainstorm ideas and strategies for worship services.
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Continuing to work with Beth Barnwell and Task Forces to communicate updates on congregation-wide educational meetings, as well as the search for the new senior pastor.
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Producing more materials in Spanish to support engagement and collaboration with Mount Pisgah in Spanish.
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Have been adding more video to our social media to enhance engagement.
Looking Ahead
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Reviewing new app option from Touchpoint that would provide opportunities for more engagement with our community, as well as a new texting option from Powered by Text that would enable us to take advantage of short code advantages for interaction.
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Developing communication and promotion plans for Holy Week.
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Participating in 360 Assessment.
Membership & Baptisms
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Year to Date 2024, we have celebrated 3 Baptisms and welcomed 15 New Members.
Men’s Ministry
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A group of Mount Pisgah Men and friends (between 30 and 50 men) continue meeting every Thursday morning at Uptown Café for fellowship. We share food, fellowship, prayers, and a message (and we give each other a hard time). All men are welcome to join, young and old!
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The Bridging the Gap Men’s Fellowship Group joined with the 7 Bridges to Recovery ministry and served in the west side of Atlanta on Saturday, November 18th. We served over 250 meals to the homeless and those in need and offered prayer to all.
Missions/Community Outreach
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Sunday Supper – We continue to serve around 150 meals and 40 - 50 families on the 1st Sunday of every month. We also have 3 families make 250 PB&J sandwiches and give oatmeal and snacks, so there will be food on Monday. Each family and person receiving a meal is prayed over. We are blessed to often experience people giving their lives to Christ during the prayers and several of the families we have served have begun coming to Mount Pisgah in Spanish for worship services. This is more than a meal being provided, this is an evangelism event and we are blessed to serve alongside MPIS. Praise God for those serving and those being served! We have become a part of this community.
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Discipleship Training (Everywhere) – Over the Christmas holidays, Hernando Montana provided discipleship training in Columbia. Hernando also returned to Venezuela in November and Ukraine in December for discipleship training.
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Global Missions – A group of men lead by Ed Pease went to San Jose, Costa Rica in early February to work on several projects at the La Carpio Methodist Church and the Plantanares Methodist Church. In December, Pastor Steve Wood and Michael Jordan visited most of our past ministry partners in Costa Rica and learned how they collectively made it through the pandemic and learned of their initiative to roll out discipleship to the entire Costa Rica Methodist Church in the next 2 years.
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The opportunity to connect and engage with Hillside Elementary in this school year (2023-24) is underway. It is through an organization called Young Apprentice Construction Club and the goals are to build confidence, build pride, and self-esteem, all through building with your hands. Ashlyn DeCarlo is leading this effort and is being helped by Mark Bundy, Blake McBurney, Jim Wilson, Mike Broome, Mickey Lyons and Phil Sain. Classes are held at the school from 2:30 - 4:00 PM on Thursday’s. 15 students are engaged in this initial event, and we hope to continue this partnership next school year. Please let Michael Jordan know if you are interested in being involved in this community engagement.
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Habitat for Humanity – Mount Pisgah’s 31st home build began in December/January, and all are invited to the dedication ceremony for the Smith and El Abdi families on April 13th. Jim Wilson continues to lead this effort and we hopeful one of our MPIS families may become recipients of a build.
Mount Pisgah in Spanish
Initiatives of new ministries
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We started Art with Jesus for youth (16 years and older) "PisgArt". On Saturdays every 15 days they will meet at the church.
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Coffee with Jesus (Meeting of young people from 18 years old and up). They will continue to meet on Saturdays every 15 days. They will have topics on the books of the Bible and the Celebrate Recovery program.
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We will begin English and Spanish classes on Monday, March 4th. We will have two classes per week for 8 weeks. Classes will be held on Mondays and Fridays. Spanish class is from 5:30 to 7:00 pm and English class is from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. The teachers will be Vernon Harris, Mercedes Harris and Luz Helena Romero.
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We are forming the theater group of our church. It is directed by Milena, Hever, Angelo and Shirly.
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Recent Events
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More than 14 people finished the first level of face-to-face discipleship. They meet every Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the church. This group is currently doing the second level of discipleship with Hernando Montana.
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We started the first level of face-to-face discipleship on Thursdays. With an attendance of 17 people. The course is directed by Hernando Montana.
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In the third level of discipleship by Zoom we have 6 people and in the second level by Zoom we have 3 people.
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The Men's group meets every month with an attendance of 14 people.
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Friday prayer services are attended by more than 28 people in person and broadcast on Facebook (20 people online).
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There were 8 couples at the three-day retreat in Christ.
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On Wednesdays at 7:30 pm 7 children attend their class and 10 young people from 13 to 20 years of age attend. The book of Romans was studied and by February 2024 the Gospel of John will be studied.
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In the services every Wednesday we have an attendance of more than 20 people.
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We have the Friday of Glory (last Friday of each month), with an attendance of more than 50 people.
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Weekly we have more than 3 new people that arrive and we are giving them a bag with a Bible and information about the services of our church.
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The coffee with Jesus group meets every two weeks at the church. It has an attendance of 10 young adults.
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The average attendance at Sunday services in person is 210 and online attendance is 100. Counting the different activities that we do between each week, the attendance in person is 400 people and online is 150 people.
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We are accompanying 4 marriages and 5 personal cases in counseling and advice.
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Luz Marina coordinates Sunday classes for children from 9 to 13 years old. Attendance is 18 children per Sunday.
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We have Zoom prayer at 10:00 pm, Monday through Thursday of each week. With an attendance of 20 people per day.
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We are supporting the Roswell Methodist Church who distribute food on the first Monday of each month. Our job is to pray for each family that goes in their car to pick up the food. This month we prayed for more than 260 cars.
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We continue with the One Invites One campaign. It is to pray for a family member or friend and model the testimony of what Christ is doing in each one of us and invite them to church so that they learn to have a relationship with God.
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The women's ministry has been meeting once a month, with 20 women in attendance.
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I have periodic meetings with the directors of each ministry, where I follow up on the plans, objectives, and support to each director of the different ministries of our church.
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At the Christmas party we distributed more than 170 gifts for the children. We had an attendance of 290 people including the children.
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We held a celebration with the leaders, collaborators, and volunteers of the church, where we celebrated Christmas and gave thanks for all the love and work done in 2023.
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We welcomed the new year 2024 with a service where we gathered 70 people, grateful to God for the year that is ending and the blessings and love that God will give us in this new year 2024.
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We held the gala dinner of Love and Friendship, with an attendance of 90 people.
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Updates on the progress of the general ministry in the future:
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We continue with our mission and vision to make disciples here, there and everywhere, passionate and in love with Jesus Christ. To be a Church of life where Jesus heals, restores people, families and we expand the Kingdom of God.
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We continue to motivate, encourage, and empower people to follow the model of Jesus (Discipleship). For people to connect with God through prayer, fasting and have a new lifestyle that reflects the life of Christ.
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We continue to focus on giving spiritual nourishment to the members of Mount Pisgah in Spanish, so that they mature and develop a good and solid relationship with God.
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We continue to provide counseling and spiritual guidance to couples, adults, married couples, and the younger members of our church.
Thank you to the Mount Pisgah family for supporting us with all the food, donations, and most of all thank you for your love and support to our community.
Thank you and God bless you all!
German Betancourt
Jorge Henao
Music Ministry
Recently Completed
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Music Reading Initiative: We've launched a new initiative to enhance our musical skills. Every Wednesday, the first 5 minutes of choir practice will be dedicated to training everyone in reading music.
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Choir Chili Cookoff: Our much-anticipated Annual Choir Chili Cookoff was a success on the evening on October 25th in the gathering area.
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Additional Practice: On November 12th, we had a scheduled an extra practice session to prepare diligently for our upcoming Christmas program.
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Hymn Sing Off: On the same evening of November 12th, had a thrilling Hymn Sing Off. It was a chance for our choir members to showcase their vocal talents and passion for hymns.
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MP Kids Choir (PreK and Kindergarten) Christmas Program: Our youngest performers from MP Kids Choir (PreK and Kindergarten) presented their delightful Christmas Program on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. It was a heartwarming event filled with the innocence and charm of our littlest singers.
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MP Kids Choir (1st – 5th Grade) Christmas Celebration: Our MP Kids Choir (1st – 5th grade) added their voices to our Christmas Celebration on December 10 at 4:00 p.m. Their spirited performance filled the air with holiday cheer.
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Christmas Student Choir: A special Christmas Student Choir has been put together, and they are starting their practices on Wednesday, November 1. These dedicated students showcased their talents in the grand Christmas Celebration on December 10 at 4:00 p.m.
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Christmas Program: Our festive celebrations continued with our much-anticipated Christmas program on December 10th at 4:00 p.m., followed by the magical tree lighting ceremony.
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Christmas Eve celebration: Two identical services at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., both filled with the spirit of the season. Additionally, our youth led a special service at 11:00 p.m., creating a magical atmosphere for everyone to experience the true essence of Christmas.
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Valentine’s day Dinner: The choir organized a pre-Valentine’s Day spaghetti dinner for a delightful get-together, followed by a fun-filled round of the newlywed game.
New Ministry Initiatives
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Hymn Sing Off: The choir is gearing up for another hymn sing-off after the resounding success of the first one.
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Travel time!: The choir is busy planning a mission and service trip for October, where we'll come together to make a difference.
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Special Music: Choir members will start preparing diligently for our special music for Good Friday and Easter.
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MP Kids Choir performed with St. James’ children’s choir for their MLK Service on January 15.
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We are going to have a musical theater camp this summer for rising 3rd grade through rising 8th grade students. More info to come soon.
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Choir will also be part of the Ash Wednesday (6:30, 2/14), Good Friday (7:00, 3/29), and Easter (7:00am starting in the Underground) services
Parent Ministry
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Beverly Johnson stepped into the role of the director of parenting ministry preceded by Jenny Bramel and is excited about continuing the ministry and new ideas for parents to bring their faith home to families.
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Confirmation Parents Class has more families than ever from Mount Pisgah in Spanish as we bridge the gap for students and parents in bilingual families. Pastor Jorge, Pastor Mike, Pastor Alan, and Pastor Ricky Brown have all participated in the class to engage with families on their faith journey.
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Moms Fellowship is meeting this spring with moms of all ages and stages as they learn what it means to be a good grown up and the everyday liturgy of our lives.
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One on one meetings are continuing with parents to encourage and equip families with tools and prayers for navigating raising children.
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Wednesday Night parenting hosts a coed small group that discusses everyday parenting topics and strategies from technology to dinnertime prayers.
Pisgah Fosters
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Partnering with our faith based foster care agencies and crowdsourcing funds from our church community, we have kept six children from going into the foster care system by keeping housing intact for the parents in crisis and provided bedding.
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Pisgah Fosters has met with multiple agencies and brought 75 meals to WellRoot, Bald Ridge Lodge, and Faithbridge as they distribute meals in North Georgia and in the Atlanta area to families in crisis while providing therapy and parenting skillsets.
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We are providing 15 Easter baskets for the boys group home Bald Ridge Lodge Boys Group Home as well as frozen meals.
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We partnered with MP Kids for a 5th grade service project to clean a yard for one of our families that we support as they welcome a new foster teenager.
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Pisgah Fosters continues to provide mentors, hot meals, frozen meals, prayers, and support to our foster families with our care teams.
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We have added new members from other churches to the foster family care team to broaden the scope and breadth of help for families.
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At our Pisgah Fosters Family Day Out, we had a record number of 25 families and 63 foster children being served by over 100 volunteers on 2/24. Johns Creek Environmental Campus and UGA FACS Agents came to also serve teaching science and food self-sufficiency to kids in need. Over 150 frozen meals were distributed to families as well as gift bags containing devotionals and spring gift items donated by the Pisgah congregation.
Student Life Ministry
Regular Programs
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Student Life continues to see steady attendance and engagement numbers in all regular programs (The House, Bible Study and Small Groups), with an increase in Small Group attendance over the past 3 months.
Student Leadership
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Student Life loves its student leaders and wants to encourage all students to be bold in their faith as they live it out. Currently we have seniors serving as mentors in middle school small groups, juniors serving in the worship, speaking and teaching ministries and hospitality. There are several underclassmen and middle schoolers who serve in the nursery, tech and in Big Church hospitality.
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Confirmation is well under way with 28 students in classes each Sunday morning. Of those 28, there are several Mount Pisgah in Spanish students participating and their parents are joining the parent classes. Confirmation Sunday is March 24 at the 11:00 service and will include first time baptisms and remembrances by both immersion and sprinkling.
Retreats
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Student Life just returned from the ‘big’ retreat, Winter Weekend. We traveled to Greenville, SC and stayed at Camp Awanita, which is a beautiful location. Our worship team was made up of members from MPiS’ praise band, along with SL Worship Pastor Audrey Goodwin and a couple contracted to lead worship. Daniel Findlay, now working at Cumberland Church in Smyrna, joined us as the teaching pastor and he led the students on a journey into the parables of the Lost. Students had the opportunity to serve at a food bank, at community gardens and a local preschool while on the retreat. As an added bonus, we attended church outside of Greenville and added a new worship experience to the retreat. The best part of the retreat was having 3 young middle schoolers accept Christ as their Savior for the first time.
Student Life Staffing Updates
Student Life continues to work with Ministry Architects in the search for an additional Student Pastor. There have been a few candidates sent to us over the past months, but none of them were asked to continue with the interview process because their theology did not line up with the church’s or their gifting wasn’t fully aligned with student ministry. Currently there are 4 candidates that we will likely invite to interview, and we are hopeful that a new Student Pastor will be on staff by the end of April.
Additionally, in late November Luis Morales joined the team as a Pastoral Intern. Luis has been a part of the volunteer team for over a year, attending retreats and speaking on Wednesday nights. In this expanded role, Luis is tasked with meeting with students, helping with retreats and leading small groups as needed. He is also in the office one day each week, giving him ample ‘behind the scenes’ ministry experience. We are thrilled to have him as part of the team and to be able to support and encourage his call into ministry.
TOGETHER Events
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Our last TOGETHER Worship and Service event was held on January 14th (MLK Weekend) in our sanctuary. Once again, we had over 700 people in attendance and a really good lunch with barbeque and collards and banana pudding was served. Plans are to return to Newtown Park for TOGETHER in the early Summer of 2024.
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MPIS invites everyone to join for food and fellowship in the gathering area for Lunch de Traje. It is the last Sunday of every month. Please bring a dish to share and join in this fellowship.
Collaboration with Alpharetta Methodist and St. James
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Plans are underway for a joint service with all 3 churches to have a worship and prayer event in downtown Alpharetta in the late afternoon/early evening of May 2nd as part of the National Day of Prayer. This is our first collaboration as we look for ways to provide greater impact to our communities by coming together as 3 bodies of faith serving our community, instead of one. Being the Body of Christ together out in our community offering prayer.
Women’s Ministry
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We rounded out 2023 with a beautiful Mistletoe luncheon. Over 200 ladies attended, and Delma Morales gave our message – “What gifts do we give Jesus?” We collected over $1000 in cash and gift cards to support the Pisgah Fosters ministry here at MP. As always, it was a wonderful way to welcome in the Christmas season.
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Mount Pisgah will be hosting the 27th annual Sisters in Christ conference this Saturday, March 2nd. Delma Morales is the founder and President of the Sisters in Christ Ministry and this event is open to all women. Last year we had about 500 women from all over the Atlanta area attend and this year is shaping up to also be well-attended. The one-day conference is non-denominational and features praise and worship music as well as powerful testimonies from 4 women. We have partnered with St. James Church as well as Alpharetta First and they will each have women in attendance.
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Our service chairs, Sonya Tablada and Kim Cooper, are working closely with A Beacon of Hope and The Drake House, respectively, to provide meals and other meaningful connections between our Women’s Ministry and these important ministries for women.
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Lunch Bunch meets the last Wednesday of the month at Marlow’s on Old Alabama and we typically have around 15+ or so ladies who enjoy lunch and fellowship. This continues to be a valuable way to bring ladies together for prayer, fellowship and encouragement from each other whose paths may not cross otherwise.
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Sarah Cisco chaired our Fondue Night this month and this event continues to grow every year. Sarah said a brief word about prayer and we made prayer bracelets. And of course, chocolate was enjoyed by all! Close to $700 was also collected for Drake House.
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Merrie Beth Salazar is chairing our 2nd annual cookie decorating party for April 21st. Again, we will be partnering with Student Life. While this event centered on Mother’s Day last year, we are going with more of a Spring theme this year and inviting all cookie decorators!! (not just moms and daughters). In addition to fellowship, we will also have a time of worship and prayer together.
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Our Women’s Ministry Council has moved from meeting online to having dinner together. This has provided a deeper connection between us just over the past few months and we are going to launch a new initiative to collect feedback from as many ladies as possible in our congregation for vision casting. While we would like to continue to offer larger scale events, we’d also like to make a concerted effort in combing those events with deeper discipleship relationships.
Technical Ministries
Technical Ministries started off the year with a new dynamic. Our team rose to the occasion, while praying a blessing over our longtime team member, Joel Noles, as he embarked on a new call in ministry. A special Thank You to Joseph Price & Marshall Millikan for running Sound while we welcomed Arden Johnson to the Sunday morning team. Once again, our Senior Intern Sam Randel stepped up and filled the Sunday Morning sound position this past week. The Lord always provides. Within 3 months, we have adjusted and trained people in new positions, and have 4 people ready to run Sunday Morning Sound and 2 ready for Video Directing. Peter took the (Tech) lead for StudentLife Winter Weekend along with 3 members of the MPIS Tech Team, Benjamin Nieves, Yael & Melbin Garfias. God is good. Things are running pretty smooth, allowing us the time and focus, while we search for the right person to fill the open Full-Time position.
Thursday, OCTOBER 26, 2023
Board of Trustees
New Ministry Initiatives
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The Board of Trustees continues to manage church property, equipment and investments actively and effectively in capital improvements. The next major project underway and approved by the Board is the modernization of the Church's two elevators that require updated supporting controls and modern technology to operate faster, more efficient and safer.
Recently Completed Events/Stats
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The replacement chiller was successfully installed on October 11, 2023 by Tebarco Mechanical, our HVAC vendor. The $320k project is now complete and the new system is running more efficiently and will help reduce our annual energy costs.
General Ministry Progress Update
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Regarding the Church's relationship with the Boy Scouts of America, the Board of Trustees has made a recommendation to the Executive Committee for the Church to continue as a charter organization for the calendar year 2024. Church Council will vote to approve this recommendation on October 26.
Caring Ministry
Caring Ministry has been giving hope and help in the following ways:
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GriefShare is hosting a group of 12 folks as they maneuver through their grief journey. Many of them are not members of Mount Pisgah which is opening doors to our community.
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Our Divorce Support Group has moved to meeting once a month as we see if this is a better way to engage community into this season of pain for people as they seek healing.
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We have our first Stephen Ministry training class since Covid!! So good to have this training back in place.
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Our USO ministry continues to encourage our military brothers and sisters as well as their families as they travel through the ATL airport.
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Senior Living ministries is having regular worship services at area assisted living homes as well as sending cards of encouragement to our Home Bound members.
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Prayer ministry is beginning to recruit folks to “adopt” a confirmand to pray for as they look to confirmation beginning in January.
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We had a beautiful Day Apart with Jesus at Camp Lighthouse. Doug Parsons led us with some beautiful thought of resting in Jesus to prepare us for going out on property to spend time alone with Jesus. We had 28 people come and look forward to doing this again hopefully in the Spring. We had wonderful comments through a survey we went out afterwards. Thankful for the presence of Jesus!
Children’s Ministry
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Childrens Ministry is now MP Kids and Nursery is now MP Kids Jr. The new names and logos better reflect these vibrant and effective ministries.
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The first ever sixth grade day away at camp Lighthouse was a great success and wonderful opportunity to transition the sixth graders from MPKids to student life.
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High five, a leadership and service program for fifth graders, is off to a great start. Fifth graders have made meals, cleaned and repaired things at church, and enjoyed social time together.
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The Epic 3rd - 5th grade retreat was this past weekend. We took 45 kids and a dozen volunteers to camp strong rock in Cleveland Georgia for three days of worship and fun.
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Attendance in 316, the 11 AM small group program for kindergarten through fifth grade, is up 25% this fall. Invitational events like the retreat, VBS, glow in the dark and Wednesday night Collide classes are increasing attendance on Sunday mornings.
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MP Kids Jr (Nursery) is getting an indoor playground! S125, formally the crave room, is being transformed into a forest complete with indoor swings, climbing structures, a big slide and worship area. Stop by and check out the progress! Completion is scheduled for mid November.
Community Engagement
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Ricky Brown has written a contextually specific curriculum for the Equipping for Community Engagement class he recently taught for 4 weeks to the church staff. During the 4 week class the staff learned various practical steps toward engaging our community with the Gospel. Students participated in various group exercises which in turn yielded wonderful suggestions for new ways for Mount Pisgah to engage our community with the Gospel. The next step is to make the equipping class available church wide through one of two ways: 1) In person classes both day and night starting January 2024. 2) Video series on demand will be recorded soon and made available to those desiring to get involved sooner. Once we have a shared philosophy of ministry, and strong theological underpinning, we'll embark on various community engagement initiatives. The vision is to have the entire church feel equipped to engage their community with the Gospel and not just a specific ministry team.
DiscipleLife
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We have updated our Discipleship Group marketing flyer, and it now includes a Discipleship Group Inquiry Form QR code. This digital form is an additional way for congregants to express their interest and availability in joining a Discipleship Group. We have over 200 people engaged (attending, volunteering) here at MP but not in Discipleship groups. As part of our GROW initiative for Discipleship, we want to make sure as many as possible are experiencing the transformational and grace-filled relationships present in a Discipleship group here at MP.
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New Discipleship Groups are forming, and we are kicking off a series of training sessions and times of fellowship for new and existing D-Group leaders to provide support, encouragement, and curriculum ideas. Ray Bachman, Kristy Pierce and Michael Jordan along with Pat and I are spearheading this effort.
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We had a PLACE training workshop over the summer with Connie McIntyre conducting the workshop for 12+ members who have completed the PLACE assessment and are now interested in meeting with individuals as well as groups to help others find their PLACE here at MP. Having so many interested in pursuing training with PLACE to then pass on to others is extremely encouraging as we continue to equip others to make disciples. Since the training, many have taken PLACE and the new coaches are continuing their training by sitting in on the PLACE interpretation meetings. It will be wonderful to have new PLACE coaches enabling us to better serve those who are new to MP or those who are seeking to serve in their spiritual gifting. We’ve had about 50 people take PLACE this year so far and are hoping to increase that number next year.
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Connect Series Update:
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Chris Henderson and Cameron and Kristy Pierce are continuing their Connect classes through the end of the year – they started with Connect to MP back in January 2023! They have formed wonderful relationships with their members and while some people have left after a class or two some have stayed on for the duration of the series.
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Michael Jordan will be finishing his Connect Series class (started in February) with staff (and Deborah Banfield) in the next month. Michael will be starting a new Connect Series for new staff (also open to congregants) next week.
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Connie McIntyre launched Connect to MP on Sunday evenings this month with 5 couples – 10 members. About half stayed for the 3-week class.
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Scott and Rebecca Williams will be continuing the Sunday night series with Connect to God the end of this month.
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We are still brainstorming ways to offer and promote Connect Series with new and pending members. We are concluding that it takes about a year from start to finish to get through the entire 26-week series.
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Emmaus Update: Mount Pisgah continues to be very supportive of the Emmaus mission. There was an Emmaus Gathering here at MP on September 30th for the first time since COVID. Everyone (pilgrims and non-pilgrims) was invited for a night of food, fellowship, worship, and Emmaus testimonies. Valorie provided a word of encouragement and communion. The turnout was wonderful with about 75 to 100 children and adults in attendance. The NGWTE season has already started for Fall with 2 men’s and women’s walks in October and November as well as Chrysalis Flights in Dec. and January. The Emmaus board meetings take place at MP the first Tuesday of every month.
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Members of our Discipleship Council have been making progress as we continue to meet with different ministry areas that are beautiful examples of the impact MP has had on our community over the past several decades. For example, members are meeting with representatives from: MPCS, Summit, Emmaus, Narrow Gate, Beacon of Hope, Pisgah Fosters, Camp Lighthouse, Champions Place and Sunday Supper just to name a few. The goal in connecting with these ministries is to foster closer relationships between ministries and our council in which we hope to have more conversations around discipleship and how others are being discipled within these ministries. Over the next couple of months we hope to come along side each ministry and provide help and support in whatever way they need whether that be assisting with curriculum for groups that take place within a ministry (Champions Place), providing discipleship and support for staff members (Beacon) and helping them discern where individuals are in their relationship with Christ (Summit) to select appropriate Christian resources to meet clients where they are.
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BTCL (Bible Training for Church Leaders) has been meeting on Thursday mornings at Mount Pisgah since August 2021. This 5-course curriculum is part of a 10 course, world-wide course that is used to training pastors in 92 countries in 41 languages. This women-only class is seminary level teaching that covers the following courses: Bible Study Methods, Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Bible Doctrine Survey, Personal Spiritual Life and Church Ministry. The current class will be graduating on May 2nd, 2024, including 7 women from Mount Pisgah. There will be an orientation for prospective students on March 28th, 2024. Look for more information as we get the word out to our MP ladies to join the class starting August in 2024.
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Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) at MP: Thank you again to everyone for the support you gave in getting this discipleship ministry here at MP! As a result, we have about 130 women and 60 children and teens attending small groups and attending lecture every Tuesday night. The registration is This is a wonderful partnership and an exciting addition to our DiscipleLife offerings for women, children, and teens.
Finance Committee
New Ministry Initiatives
A new Mount Pisgah Tech and Security Advisory Committee has been formed of lay leaders who have expertise in the Information Technology field. They have been extremely valuable in working with our IT Manager to ensure Mount Pisgah has a secure network and adequate policies and systems in place.
Recently Completed Events and Stats
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The fiscal year audit for the period ending June 30, 2023, was just completed by the accounting firm, Smith + Howard. The audit report should be available by October 31, 2023, for review by the Audit Committee. It will then be submitted to the Finance Committee for approval.
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General Ministry Progress Update
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Our "Vision Forward" sermon series continues with teachings on the 4 G's: Gather, Grow, Give and Go. Our giving initiative is underway with the focus on "Give" for the month of October. Commitment Sunday is scheduled for October 29th asking congregants to submit an Estimate of Giving card for the 2024 calendar year. Please join us and others in declaring our faithfulness as disciples of Christ as we respond to the Vision Forward.
Hospitality
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Worked with volunteer teams on two TOGETHER worship Sundays on August 6th and October 1st. Both TOGETHER worships were held on the church campus with lunch following a combined 11am worship.
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Attended the TouchPoint Summit conference. Great few days of learning how to best utilize our database for Hospitality engagement and reporting. Spent time with other Hospitality staff leaders from churches around the country, sharing best practices with each other.
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Continue to engage with mission partners in the community for our monthly Outreach of the Month. For June/July we collected new school supplies and backpacks for our Mount Pisgah in Spanish congregation. We partnered with Children’s Ministry and packed more than 90 backpacks for distribution to our Mount Pisgah in Spanish students. In August we collected items for A Beacon of Hope’s Baby Boutique and pantry supplies for The Drake House and in September.
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Set up autumnal theme outdoor decorations, creating a warm and welcoming entrance as people enter the church building.
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Selected items and coordinated the Mount Pisgah staff store, giving staff an opportunity to purchase a variety of items including apparel, cups and bags.
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Continue to assist in coordinating Mount Pisgah in Spanish Lunch de Traje Sundays.
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Redesigned the coffee set up to be more engaging and welcoming.
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Worked with volunteers to remove all materials and pens from the Sanctuary church pews, and then restocking with new cards, flyers, envelopes and pens.
Marketing/Communications Update
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Vision Forward: We have been sharing the Gather, Grow, Give, and Go initiative through production of videos, call-to-action cards, web pages, and printed materials. We helped plan and facilitate an All-Staff meeting for the ministries to present each of their Vision Forward strategies for 2024.
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We have launched our customized daily devotional booklet which we distribute throughout the community. We are producing both an English and a Spanish version for the next quarter (Dec-Feb).
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In conjunction with the Disaffiliation Task Force, we are posting updates to the website as needed and continuing to design and order replacements for all printed materials to remove the cross and flame logo. The new logo has been designed and approved and will begin appearing on signage and printed materials after the vote on November 18th. We worked with the Caring Ministry to develop a 40-Day Prayer Calendar to lead up to the Annual Conference vote.
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More than 125 women from throughout the community attend Bible Study Fellowship here each Tuesday night. We have designed and ordered custom “Jesus, BSF & Me @mountpisgah” tote bags to give to each of them (filled with printed material inviting them to our worship services and our Women’s, Student and Children’s ministry events/programs).
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Attended annual Touchpoint conference to learn how to maximize effectiveness of the church management program. Key takeaway was the many potential benefits of the new app for engagement. Mount Pisgah is serving as one of the app beta testers.
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We have been increasing social media messaging and storytelling to demonstrate Mount Pisgah’s mission to make disciples. We’ve also produced “You’re Invited” flyers and cards for distribution throughout the community.
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We are making a concerted effort to produce more of our printed materials in Spanish, to not only support the MPIS ministry, but to enhance collaboration.
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We have been working with all ministries on new/updated printed materials and web pages with the goal of increasing awareness and accessibility of their events and programs.
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Looking ahead to the holidays, we are currently designing graphics and supporting materials for the Advent “He Is” series and promotional materials for the Mount Pisgah Christmas Celebration on December 10th.
Mount Pisgah in Spanish
Initiatives of new ministries
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We will begin having two youth groups on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm. The first group is from 5 years to 12 years and the second group is from 13 years to 21 years
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The liturgical dance group is being organized and we intend to have 5 adult dancers, 4 young dancers (17 years or older) and 4 dancers (5 to 10 years old).
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We will begin English classes (First level), on Thursdays at 7:00 pm in the church. The teacher will be Vernon Harris and his wife.
Recent church events we completed with attendance numbers:
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We began the first level of discipleship via Zoom with an attendance of 5 people
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In the second level of discipleship by Zoom we have 6 people
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The first level of in-person discipleship began, with 20 people attending. Hernando Montana is the teacher
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We held a family day where we had more than 80 people in attendance.
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We held the worship group concert where 6 churches attended and 90 people attended.
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Prayer services each Friday are attended by over 25 people in person and streamed on Facebook (21 people online)
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We held the wedding retreat at Camp Lighthouse with 25 couples in attendance. We call the retreat a three-strand cord
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We continue to send couples and individuals to three-day retreats in Christ
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On Wednesdays we have classes for children (6 children), young people from 12 to 18 years old (5 young people), young adults over 18 years old (7 young people) and the service for adults with an attendance of 30 people. On the third Wednesday of each month we have a united service with attendance of more than 35 people in total
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We held Glory Friday (last Friday of each month), with more than 55 people in attendance
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Weekly we have more than 3 new people arrive and we are giving them a bag with a Bible and information about our church services.
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The ministry of evangelization (Franklin Montes) is distributing tracts and advertising of the Church in Hispanic supermarkets once a month
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The coffee with Jesus group meets weekly at the church. It has an attendance of 8 young adults
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We packed 10 boxes with food, clothes, toys to send to Venezuela
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The men's ministry meets every month with 12 men in attendance.
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Average attendance at Sunday services in person is 190 people and online is 120 people
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We continue to support the Fresh Expressions program where dinner is shared at the Villa de Marisol complex (formerly Holcomb Bridge). The program is Sunday Dinner.
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We are providing advice and counseling to 2 marriages and 3 personal cases.
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Luz Marina coordinates classes on Sundays for children from 9 to 13 years old. Attendance is 17 children per Sunday.
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We have prayer via Zoom at 10:00 pm, Monday to Thursday of each week. With an attendance of 25 people per day
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We are supporting the Roswell Methodist Church who distribute food on the first Monday of each month. Our job is to pray for each family that goes in their car to pick up food. This month we pray for more than 250 cars
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We continue with the One invites One campaign. It is praying for a family member or friend and modeling the testimony of what Christ is doing in each of us and inviting them to the Church so that they learn to have a relationship with God.
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The women's ministry has met once a month, with 23 women in attendance
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We carry out training on scholarship opportunities and financial resources for young people to study at university. Those who taught the class are the daughter of Lucerito, a member of the Church. Attendance of 25 people I have periodic meetings with the directors of each ministry, where I follow up on the plans, objectives and support for each director of the different ministries of our Church.
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We held two times of Baptisms where 13 people were baptized
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We have participated in and supported united services, where we appreciate the opportunity to worship our beloved God in our own language
Updates on the progress of the general ministry in the future:
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We continue with our mission and vision of making disciples here, there and everywhere, passionate and in love with Jesus Christ. To be a Church of life where Jesus heals, restores people, families and we expand the Kingdom of God
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We continue to motivate, encourage and train people to follow the model of Jesus (Discipleship). For people to connect with God through prayer, fasting and have a new lifestyle that reflects the life of Christ.
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We continue to focus on giving spiritual food to the members of Mount Pisgah in Spanish, so that they mature and develop a good and solid relationship with God.
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We continue to provide counseling and spiritual guidance to couples, adults, married couples, and the youngest members of our Church.
Thank you to the Mount Pisgah family for supporting us with all the food, donations and most of all thank you for your love and support of our community.
Thank you and God bless you all!
German Betancourt
Jorge Henao
Music Ministry
Recently Completed
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Welcome Elizabeth Weathington: We are thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Weathington to our Music Ministry team! Starting July 1, she has led the 11:30 service and provide valuable assistance with various Music Ministry duties. Elizabeth is already a part of our musical family, currently singing in the 9:30 choir and Praise Team. We look forward to the harmony her presence will bring to our ministry.
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Carnegie Hall Performance: A group of our talented choir members travelled on Thursday, June 22, to join fellow singers from across the country in a spectacular performance of the musical ‘Celebrate Life’ at Carnegie Hall
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Choir Social: We had a choir social on June 28, which was our last rehearsal before our well-deserved July break.
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Patriotic Sunday: On July 2, Patriotic Sunday, our choir played a significant role in the celebration during the 9:30 service.
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July Break: During the month of July, the choir was on a break to recharge and enjoy some well-deserved rest. We resumed rehearsals on August 2.
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Choir Welcome Back: The Choir commenced the new season on August 2 with a warm welcome back potluck, marking the beginning of another musical journey together.
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Choir Outing: The choir enjoyed a delightful team outing on Kim Pickering’s boat on August 13th, sailing under the sunny skies and bonding over music and laughter.
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MP Kids Choirs: Exciting news! Our Children’s Choir has transformed into MP Kids Choirs! We are thrilled to announce this change, reflecting our commitment to nurturing young talents and creating a vibrant musical community.
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MP Kids Choir (1st – 5th Grade): Our MP Kids Choir (1st – 5th grade) started their musical journey on August 23, bringing enthusiasm and melodies to our congregation.
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MP Kids Choir (PreK and Kindergarten): The littlest voices in our community, the MP Kids Choir (PreK and Kindergarten), began their musical adventure on September 6, filling our hearts with joy and innocence.
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Choir Performances: Our talented MP Kids Choir (1st – 5th grade) delighted the congregation with their voices on August 27 at both the 9:30 and 11:00 services and again on October 1 for the special “Together” service.
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Recent Performance: The MP Kids Choir (PreK and Kindergarten) showcased their budding talents during the 9:30 service on October 15, capturing the hearts of everyone present.
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Christmas Kick-Off: We kicked off the festive season with a joyful Christmas event on September 13. There were cookies, laughter, and of course, Christmas music. We are delighted to share that our choir doubled in size during this merry celebration, spreading the love for music and the holiday spirit.
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Special Performance: A small and talented student choir had the honor of performing at the 11:00 service on October 15, leaving the congregation in awe with their remarkable voices.
New Ministry Initiatives
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Music Reading Initiative: We've launched a new initiative to enhance our musical skills. Every Wednesday, the first 5 minutes of choir practice will be dedicated to training everyone in reading music.
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Choir Chili Cookoff: Our much-anticipated Annual Choir Chili Cookoff will spice up the evening on October 25th in the gathering area.
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Additional Practice: On November 12th, we have scheduled an extra practice session to prepare diligently for our upcoming Christmas program.
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Hymn Sing Off: On the same evening of November 12th, we're organizing a thrilling Hymn Sing Off. It's a chance for our choir members to showcase their vocal talents and passion for hymns.
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MP Kids Choir (PreK and Kindergarten) Christmas Program: Our youngest performers from MP Kids Choir (PreK and Kindergarten) are excited to present their delightful Christmas Program on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:00 p.m. It's bound to be a heartwarming event filled with the innocence and charm of our littlest singers.
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MP Kids Choir (1st – 5th Grade) Christmas Celebration: Our MP Kids Choir (1st – 5th grade) will add their voices to our Christmas Celebration on December 10 at 4:00 p.m. Their spirited performance is sure to fill the air with holiday cheer.
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Christmas Student Choir: A special Christmas Student Choir is forming, and they are starting their practices on Wednesday, November 1. These dedicated students will showcase their talents in the grand Christmas Celebration on December 10 at 4:00 p.m.
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Festival of Trees: The Choir is considering attending the Festival of Trees this year to share their melodious voices and spread the holiday cheer.
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Christmas Program: Our festive celebrations continue with our much-anticipated Christmas program on December 10th at 4:00 p.m., followed by the magical tree lighting ceremony.
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Christmas Eve celebration: Two identical services at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., both filled with the spirit of the season. Additionally, our youth will lead a special service at 11:00 p.m., creating a magical atmosphere for everyone to experience the true essence of Christmas.
Parent Ministry
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The ministry handed out 25 Back-to-school welcome packets to kindergarten and new families in Children’s Ministry.
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We hosted 23 parents of 6th grade or new middle school students and 5 parents of 9th grade or new to high school for informational meetings in August to help in the transition to a new grade and encourage participation in Student Life programs and small groups.
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This is the last week of an 8-week Bible study for parents of middle and high school students on Sunday nights, during their student’s small groups. This fall we are reading and discussing an “Age of Opportunity” to equip and encourage parents to view this season as a practical and spiritual opportunity rather than something to dread.
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We are also wrapping up a Bible Study for parents this week during Wednesday night programs on how we can influence their child's relationships with themselves, God and others and will be launching a new Bible Study for parents next Wednesday night by Paul David Tripp "Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change Your Family" through November.
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With four new women to the weekly Mom’s Fellowship Group this fall, we are studying Shauna Niequist’s Bible Study “I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet” and now have 12 women participating weekly.
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Parenting tools continue to be provided to Children’s Ministry for follow-up with parents, whose kids accepted Christ for the first time during the recent GLOW event and Epic retreat with “Next Steps” for their kids and themselves.
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The support group for moms of children with mental health challenges continues to meet weekly and is beginning its 5th year.
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Text updates for prayer and logistics were sent to 120+ parents of Student Life and Children’s Ministry fall retreats and had 10+ follow up meetings with parents as a result of that communication and support.
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We are working with the Pisgah in Spanish ministry to support and increase their participation in parent, student and children's ministry’s activities and classes and at the same time are encouraging are English speaking parents to attend events such as Lunch De Traje.
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Support and prayer is being given to parents and families from all three congregations during times of crisis- large and small.
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The collaboration with the Discipleship Council continues with the goal of developing an ongoing list of resources by age group in order to equip and encourage families to disciple their younger family members (grandchildren, kids, nieces, nephews, etc) them in parent classes.
Pisgah Fosters
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We hosted our first Family Fun Day at Camp Lighthouse for 8 foster families who enjoyed fun games, crafts, fishing, swimming and time for fellowship and food. This included support from 25+ staff and volunteers from our ministry and that of Camp Lighthouse.
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The Fill-the-Freezer efforts from the congregation continued this summer and fall have enabled us to be able to donate meals to several foster families in need and prepare for the Parents Day Our families in November.
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We continue to provide ongoing care and support to two foster families who currently have placements of 3 teenage boys and had a family dinner for one care team hosted by the foster family as a thank you.
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The second of two sons in one of our families had his adoption finalized.
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We are hosting our sixth Pisgah Foster’s Parents Day Out on Sat. 11/11 and currently recruiting Volunteers and foster children and their siblings for 3 hours of childcare, fun and love; families will be gifted frozen meals, for all participating kids.
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We are currently accepting grocery store gift cards, craft and Lego kits as part of the church’s Outreach of the Month, which will be given to families at our Parents Day Out event in November.
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We are also currently looking for more members to be trained and participate in the Advocate Team and care teams.
Both Ministries look forward to a time of smooth transition and continued growth under a new Director of Parent Ministry and Pisgah Fosters, in light of Jenny Bramel’s recently announced departure on 12/31/23. The search process for this position is currently underway.
Student Life Ministry
Regular Programs
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Despite the recent transitions in Student Life, we continue to see steady attendance numbers in all of our regular programs, i.e., The House (Wednesdays), Bible Study (Sundays), and Small Groups (Sundays).
Student Leadership
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Student Life continues to lean into students who feel a nudge toward ministry, allowing them to explore that calling within the safe space of Student Life. There are 6 high school seniors serving as small group leaders, and 1 high school senior serving as a coordinator of mentors for our 2 special needs students who attend the House regularly. In addition to the seniors, 8 juniors are serving in various ministry areas within Student Life. 2 are leading the speaking teams (one for the House and one for Bible Study), 2 are diving into the Worship ministry with Audrey, one is leading our tech team and the remaining 3 are serving as hospitality ambassadors. The Student Life staff provides oversight to all the student leaders, both as discipling mentors and ministry coaches. Adding the juniors to the leadership team was a new initiative this year and has proven to be highly successful.
Retreats
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Student Life has completed its Middle School retreat (Velocity) and its High School retreat (Lighthouse). While both retreats had slightly lower attendance than previous years, this due mainly to conflicts with school functions and retreats. Next year, both retreats have been rescheduled to different weeks so that those conflicts will not be an issue. At Velocity, Anna Van Haveren was our speaker – she did a phenomenal job and connected with the middle schoolers well. In this we can see the fruit of discipleship and mentoring that was done previously. At Lighthouse, Alan was our speaker and it was encouraging to see the high schoolers dive deeply into their faith with him.
Student Life Staffing Updates
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At the end of July, Tyler Johnson tendered his resignation and the SL team immediately launched into the search process. Audrey Goodwin had been hired in late May as the SL Worship Pastor and she has already done a fantastic job leading our students to a better understanding of what worship is and worship is so important, as well as encouraging the worship team’s growth and creativity. Nicole Torres came on at the end of July as our SL Administrative Pastor. She has come back to us after college and working/serving at other churches. She quickly created processes and procedures that make the ministry run smoothly and effectively, especially while the team is short a person. The search process for Tyler’s replacement is underway. Ministry Architects, a consulting firm that specializes in youth and children’s ministry pastors/workers, has been contracted and they are actively seeking candidates. At the outset, they indicated that this search could take 6 – 9 months and so the SL team has organized themselves in such a way to be able to continue effective ministry during this time of searching. This has included seeking strong speakers for the House and Sunday nights, asking small group leaders to take on a greater responsibility for pastoral care, and looking at each event and program to evaluate its intended purpose and effectiveness. Please continue to pray as we are that the Lord is working on the heart of the person He has ordained to fill that role and that he will join Student Life at the perfect point in time.
Women’s Ministry
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Mistletoe plans are coming along beautifully as we have invited Delma Morales to be our speaker and she has graciously accepted! Delma is connected to MPIS as well, so hopefully we will enjoy the fellowship of even more of our MPIS sisters this year. Christy Sniecinski will be chairing the event for the 3rd year in a row (yay!). Tickets will go on sale on Nov. 1st. Mistletoe will be on Saturday, Dec. 2. Again, we will be doing our “Be Our Guest” invite so first-time guests are invited to attend with no cost to them.’
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Mount Pisgah will also be hosting the 27th annual Sisters in Christ conference on Saturday, March 2nd. Delma Morales is the founder and President of the Sisters in Christ Ministry and this event is open to all women. Last year we had about 500 women from all over the Atlanta area attend. The one-day conference is non-denominational and features praise and worship music as well as powerful testimonies from 3 women (1 from Alabama and 2 from Georgia).
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Our service chairs, Sonya Tablada and Kim Cooper, are working closely with A Beacon of Hope and The Drake House, respectively, to provide meals and other meaningful connections between our Women’s Ministry and these important ministries for women.
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In August, September and October ladies have made meals for 15 to 18 teenage girls at The Drake House!
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$5,053.18 – is the total collected for the Beacon of Hope during the Baby Bottle Boomerang drive spearheaded by the Women’s Ministry
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Lunch Bunch meets the last Wednesday of the month at Marlow’s on Old Alabama, and we typically have around 15 or so ladies who enjoy lunch and fellowship. This continues to be a valuable way to bring ladies together for prayer, fellowship, and encouragement from each other whose paths may not cross otherwise.
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Lacy Powell has spearheaded our monthly newsletter. It is emailed to more than 700 ladies as a way of not only another form of communication about upcoming events but as a way of invitation to come together and serve to help foster meaningful relationships.
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Merrie Beth Salazar chaired our Book Swap and Coffee Shop gathering on August 23rd. This event provided a relaxing atmosphere (and a great cup of coffee courtesy of the Gambill’s) for parents of collide children/SL parents as well as others to come and browse our extensive collection of books for free. Those books not taken were later offered to the congregation the following Sunday and then finally donated to Prison Ministry and Emmaus. It was a wonderful way to get all of the resources that have been collected over the years into the hands of those who really wanted them and if it weren’t for this event, they wouldn’t have known the books were available! Thanks to everyone who came to the Swap!
Technical Ministries
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Technical Ministries hosted a work and learn day, Saturday September 30. Our incredible team of volunteers from Mount Pisgah in Spanish, along with our youth and adults, redesigned and updated the production lighting in the Underground. The redesign was headed by our Senior Intern, Sam Randel, who used industry-level software to design a new light grid, mapping out a visual representation of the fixtures in the room. Cable distances were calculated between fixtures along with the appropriate power. The update puts us closer to our goal of migrating to all LED intelligent lighting. We all got to enjoy a 16lb Smoked Brisket, as we ate together in fellowship. Technical Ministries staff were all able to invest in volunteers, teaching them technical skills and spending time in fellowship.
Jueves 24 de junio
Conectar:
Hemos tenido 2 bautismos y 4 nuevos miembros desde nuestra última reunión el 22 de abril.
Los protocolos que teníamos para Covid-19 se modificaron ligeramente a finales de mayo. Un equipo de miembros del personal continúa evaluando los protocolos y trabajará con el Equipo de Liderazgo para cualquier cambio o recomendación en el futuro.
Jason ha estado trabajando en sus requisitos de ordenación para sus entrevistas de marzo de 2022. Durante el verano ha estado trabajando con familias con niños pequeños para hacer sándwiches para áreas sin hogar y marginadas. La organización con la que estamos trabajando es Chris 180.
Hospitalidad:
Trabajé con un diseñador desde el concepto hasta el diseño para instalar nuevos carteles de estilo mural para el área de reunión. Estos se pueden reutilizar para el futuro y rotar con otros diseños / conceptos de banner.
Continúe viendo al menos 2 nuevos visitantes cada semana para la adoración dominical. Además, 2-3 miembros / parejas / familias que no han asistido en más de un año, regresan cada semana cuando se recibe la vacuna.
Bolsas de bienvenida renovadas para quienes visitan por primera vez para incluir elementos de la campaña RISE y devocionales.
Las adiciones especiales de hospitalidad para el Día de la Madre incluyeron: una pared de fondo con fotos de vegetación de boj decorada con flores (reutilizable); marcadores de libros diseñados por nuestra artista residente Lea Taylor y distribuidos a todas las mujeres el domingo por la mañana.
Las adiciones especiales a la hospitalidad del Día del Padre incluyeron: pared de fondo con fotos con temas deportivos; café nitro ofrecido en el área de reunión durante toda la mañana.
Elaborar kits de desinfección con instrucciones de uso en todas las aulas y espacios de uso frecuente, con el objetivo de enfatizar los protocolos de seguridad que todavía tenemos y un nivel adicional de limpieza.
Comenzó a servir la comunión tradicional el 20 de junio el culto dominical a las 9:30 am con pan y jugo en las estaciones. Fue muy bien recibido con el 85% de la congregación optando por recibir en un formato tradicional. Los ujieres llevaban juegos individuales de elementos de comunión para aquellos que no querían dejar sus asientos.
Ministerio de Padres:
Nuestra serie de verano para padres, Becoming Better Grownups tiene un promedio de 15 padres cada miércoles por la noche, se reúne en persona. Nos hemos asociado con Student Life Nursery y Children's Ministry para ofrecer cuidado infantil y programación para padres con bebés hasta estudiantes de último año de secundaria durante las mismas horas.
Moms Fellowship Group terminó el año escolar con clases presenciales de un promedio de 8 mamás (se proporciona guardería) y continuará reuniéndose informalmente durante todo el verano para jugar y cenar.
El grupo de apoyo continuo para madres de niños con una variedad de diagnósticos de salud mental continúa reuniéndose semanalmente este verano.
La oración, el apoyo y el aliento continuos a familias de todas las edades, etapas y circunstancias se entregaron a las familias en un promedio de 10 a 15 horas por semana.
Fomenta Pisgah:
El personal y los voluntarios de Pisgah Fosters y Community Engagement se unieron para ofrecer un proyecto de servicio para toda la congregación durante el cual hicimos y entregamos 50 “bolsas de primer día” para los niños que ingresan al cuidado de DFAX en la oficina del distrito de South Fulton.
Pisgah Fosters dio la bienvenida y apoyó a otro niño de crianza que ingresó al cuidado de la familia de crianza Morgan.
Pisgah Fosters se asoció con Student Life durante el Campamento Misionero de la Escuela Intermedia esta semana para hacer 300 bolsas de bocadillos para Wellroot Family Services y 10 comidas congeladas de Loaves and Fish.
Pisgah Fosters coordinará una iniciativa "Llenar el congelador" en julio con el objetivo de aumentar la conciencia de la crisis del cuidado de crianza en nuestras familias, congregación y comunidad a través de eventos de Loaves and Fishes.
Ministerio cariñoso:
Esperanza inquebrantable de Max Lucado comenzó en mayo con 18 participantes. Este estudio ofrece a los miembros de la iglesia o la comunidad la oportunidad de conocer las promesas de Dios y vivir en ellas.
Se están trabajando planes para organizar un nuevo grupo GriefShare más adelante en el año.
Las tarjetas de ánimo preparadas por los miembros de la iglesia se siguen enviando a los hogares de ancianos locales, ya que algunos lugares todavía prohíben las visitas.
El Ministerio de Prisiones espera que se levanten las restricciones de visitas para que puedan compartir nuevamente el amor de Dios con los encarcelados.
El programa Shield-A-Badge que proporciona notas de agradecimiento y aliento continúa entregándose al personal de aplicación de la ley de Johns Creek.
Se están realizando planes para reclutar y capacitar a nuevos ministros Stephen a partir de este otoño.
Debido a preocupaciones de COVID, las visitas al hospital aún están prohibidas.
Ministerio estudiantil:
Viaje misionero de la escuela secundaria a Tucson, AZ - 21 estudiantes y adultos viajaron a Tucson, donde organizaron una EBV para los niños de la comunidad, construyeron un patio de recreo en su iglesia anfitriona (¡incluso colocando mantillo!), Distribuyeron kits de higiene a las personas sin hogar en una pareja de los parques locales, trabajé con los ministerios GAP (apoyo de cuidado de crianza) y completó un par de proyectos para la Misión de Rescate del Evangelio (ministerio para personas sin hogar). Además de estas oportunidades, también sirvieron en la iglesia anfitriona limpiando y organizando varias habitaciones en la iglesia anfitriona.
Campamento misionero de la escuela intermedia - ¡41 estudiantes con sus líderes sirvieron en MSMC la semana pasada! Sirvieron en Mega Sports Camp todas las mañanas. Por las tardes, tuvimos la oportunidad de apoyar a nuestro ministerio de Crianza Temporal preparando comidas para el congelador y llenando bolsas de desayuno para el evento de regreso a clases de WellRoot (¡300 bolsas!). También hicimos tarjetas del 4 de julio que serán distribuidas a los hogares de Assisted Living del área. Salimos al complejo de apartamentos de The Oaks el martes por la noche donde servimos la cena y jugamos / pasamos el rato con los niños en el MPUMC en la congregación española; Además de salir a la comunidad, también empacamos 120 bolsas de bocadillos para que el pastor Jorge las distribuya según sea necesario. El miércoles nos vio apoyando a Camp Lighthouse empacando bolsas de tela para los campistas y creando fundas de almohada divertidas para cada campista.
Road Trip 2021 - 12 estudiantes y 6 líderes se dirigen a West Virginia en julio para servir a una comunidad local allí. Serán anfitriones de una EBV para los niños de la comunidad y trabajarán para apoyar a la iglesia anfitriona y un par de otros ministerios para personas sin hogar en el área.
La programación de los miércoles por la noche sigue siendo un punto culminante para nuestros estudiantes cada semana. El verano trae la oportunidad de quedarnos un poco más tarde y mezclarlo un poco, ¡y lo estamos aprovechando al máximo! Hemos organizado una Noche de Trivia que nos trajo a 20 nuevos amigos; También estamos planeando lanzar pronto la máquina de burbujas. Hemos servido conos de nieve y Waffle House también está programado para más adelante en el verano. Tomaremos un descanso a principios de agosto y reanudaremos inmediatamente después de que comiencen las clases.
Los domingos por la mañana en junio han sido consistentemente atractivos y con mucha asistencia. Los estudiantes están dirigiendo las lecciones bíblicas cada semana y es un gozo verlos crecer en su fe y caminar con Cristo mientras profundizan en las Escrituras que están dirigiendo. Tomaremos el mes de julio y lo reanudaremos en agosto.
Próximas noticias y eventos: Velocity (retiro de la escuela secundaria) y Lighthouse (retiro de la escuela secundaria) se llevarán a cabo nuevamente en el otoño; La confirmación se llevará a cabo en la primavera y nuestro retiro de vida estudiantil (escuela intermedia + secundaria) también será en la primavera. Tuvimos mucho éxito con los eventos de mudanza el año pasado, ¡así que lo intentaremos nuevamente!
Compromiso con la comunidad / Misiones:
Misiones Globales - Los socios de nuestra misión global continúan siendo las manos y los pies de Jesús en los países donde sirven, y muchos se ven afectados por el impacto económico de la pandemia y la crisis de salud. Mount Pisgah pudo proporcionar más de $ 28,000 de ayuda a través de nuestro Fondo de Ayuda COVID-19 a ILI (Siberia, Congo e India), Proyecto Abraham (Costa Rica), Instituto de Liderazgo Internacional (Congo, Siberia, Pakistán), Ministerios Elam (Afganistán). ), Mully Children's Family (Kenia), Venezuela Now y Vishiwavani (India). El Ministerio de Niños recaudó $ 707 para proporcionar Biblias para niños en persa, para su distribución a través de Elam Ministries. Durante la EBV, los niños están recolectando dinero para ayudar con alimentos y suministros para las familias de Vishwavani en India que han sido severamente afectadas por la pandemia.
Cena dominical: continuamos brindando comidas y trabajamos para desarrollar relaciones con los residentes de los apartamentos Oaks el primer domingo de cada mes. Una comida gratis, una oración y un mensaje de esperanza. Un grupo de 15-20 voluntarios de Mount Pisgah sirvió las 125 comidas en la última Cena del Domingo el 6 de junio. La próxima Cena del domingo será el 11 de julio a las 4:00 PM y tendremos una caminata de oración en la comunidad el sábado 10 de julio a las 9:00 AM.
Alcance comunitario: desde la última reunión del consejo, varias oportunidades de alcance comunitario. Este mes y julio prepararemos sándwiches PB&J mientras nos asociamos con CHRIS 180 y The Sandwich Project para ayudar a las personas sin hogar y marginadas de Atlanta. Las oportunidades para servir están en 16 de junio, 30 de junio, 7 de julio, 21 de julio, de 11:00 a.m. a mediodía en el área de reunión.
Participación comunitaria "Fuera de estos muros" (Grupo de escucha)
A continuación se muestra una declaración de visión y una descripción de alto nivel de los atributos y características de un nuevo evento recurrente, con ideas iniciales sobre el momento y la frecuencia. En este punto de la discusión, nos mantenemos en un nivel superior. Queremos "aflojar" esta iniciativa y permitir que otros hablen sobre ella y se adapten y se muevan a medida que el Espíritu nos guía y a medida que aprendemos y crecemos en esto. Se discutieron muchos detalles y se aclararon con el “Grupo de escucha”, y comenzaremos a formar un equipo de implementación en julio.
Declaración de la visión
Un evento / ministerio / iniciativa de participación en curso que involucra a todos los grupos de edad, grupos étnicos y ministerios asociados con Mount Pisgah, para apoyar y alentar nuestros ministerios existentes como una iglesia completa, confraternizar juntos y comprometerse con la comunidad multigeneracional y multiétnica. vivimos en.
Atributos / características principales del evento recurrente
Ser una iglesia basada en Hechos - La sencillez de la iglesia de Hechos nos recuerda que debemos animarnos y apoyarnos mutuamente en el ministerio y compartir juntos las enseñanzas del Señor, el compañerismo, el partimiento del pan y la oración. Hay un aspecto de unión y envío en esta iniciativa.
El objetivo deseado es construir una comunidad dentro y fuera del monte Pisgah. Tomará tiempo crecer, aprender sobre la marcha, se necesita paciencia, ¡nos cambiará a todos!
Alimentos, compañerismo, nuevas relaciones, apoyo a los ministerios existentes, servicio comunitario
Promover y fomentar el compañerismo con nuestras congregaciones hispanas e indias - darles algo a lo que puedan invitar a sus amigos y a la comunidad - los traductores son parte de cada evento - señalización y redes sociales (inglés, español e hindi)
Debe ser visible para la comunidad: la carpa está levantada, ¡una baliza / luz para la comunidad!
Queremos que nuestra comunidad pase y se pregunte qué está pasando en ese estacionamiento que atrae a tanta gente. ¡Parece que se están divirtiendo! Quiero ser parte de servir a mi comunidad. ¡Todo para glorificar a Dios!
Evento discreto / de baja producción para reducir las barreras: sea atractivo y atractivo, no intimidante
Impulsado por los laicos - fuerte en la participación de los laicos
Tiempo y frecuencia
Empiece pronto, empiece de a poco y crezca hasta una frecuencia mensual: día y hora por determinar
Antes de que perdamos el atractivo de una actividad exterior segura (pandemia)
Se lleva a cabo cada dos meses o todos los meses a la misma hora, crea coherencia, algo a lo que la comunidad puede volver y esperar: pueden invitar a sus amigos.
Artes de adoración:
Domingo de Pascua, coro / orquesta completo.
Manteniendo números fuertes durante el verano.
Eventos sociales muy concurridos (fiesta de helado 19 de mayo, picnic / música 18 de junio)
Trabajando para iniciar coros de niños en el otoño.
Ministerio de Niños:
Splash Sundays: ¡la programación infantil continúa durante todo el verano de este año con 7 semanas de Splash Sunday! Estamos afuera para adorar, una lección bíblica enseñada por miembros del equipo de oradores de la vida estudiantil y para jugar juegos de agua. ¡Ven a ser voluntario con nosotros, lo pasarás genial!
Mega Sports Camp VBS: este es el primer año de Mega Sports Camp, volviendo a las horas de la mañana y extendiendo el tiempo de 3 a 4 horas. Hoy fue el último día de VBS, por lo que las actualizaciones y las estadísticas estarán en vivo.
Mount Pisgah en español:
Iniciativas del nuevo ministerio:
Enviaremos cajas de ropa y alimentos a Honduras y Venezuela cada dos meses.
Comenzaremos en agosto, después del servicio (último domingo del mes) los almuerzos familiares, donde todos traen comida tradicional casera.
Comenzamos a tener el servicio de oración (todos los viernes, en persona y por Zoom
Estaremos apoyando cada lunes por la tarde, orando por cada familia que reciba alimentos / abarrotes en la Iglesia Metodista de Roswell.
Comenzaremos (a partir de mediados de julio) el primer nivel de Discipulado los jueves a las 7:30 pm
Iniciaremos el programa para jóvenes (de 18 a 30 años): “Café con Jesús”. El programa apoyado por la conferencia New Expression of the North Georgia
Oramos todos los días a las 6:00 pm en Facebook por los pacientes de Covid.
Eventos recientes de la iglesia que completamos con números de asistencia:
Terminamos el primer y segundo nivel de discipulado de Zoom. En el primer nivel tenemos 15 personas y en el segundo nivel 10 personas
Distribuimos más de 30 bolsas de Bagels todos los domingos
Los miércoles tenemos Pizza con Jesús para los jóvenes. Asistencia de más de 30 jóvenes todos los miércoles
Realizamos diferentes actividades con nuestros jóvenes, tales como:
Noche de cine (25 jóvenes)
Viernes de Gloria (31 jóvenes)
Un lavado de autos (10 jóvenes)
Una tarde con Jesús (casa Antonio) (35 jóvenes)
Todos los martes a partir de las 5:00 pm comenzamos el ayuno que finaliza el miércoles a la 1:00 pm. Realizamos reuniones de Zoom el martes a las 9:00 pm (Oración, clamor e interferencia). El miércoles tenemos reuniones de Zoom a las 5:00 am; 10:00 am y finalizamos el ayuno a la 1:00 pm (asistencia de 5 personas por reunión)
Contamos con clases de canto para el ministerio de alabanza (Asistencia de 7 personas)
La asistencia media los domingos es de unas 150 personas presentes y unas 500 personas en las redes sociales.
Seguimos realizando nuestros servicios los miércoles a las 7:30 de forma presencial y online. Con una asistencia presencial de 20 personas y más de 150 personas online.
Contamos con 4 hogares de luz, con una asistencia media de 6 personas por grupo. La reunión tiene lugar cada 8 días.
El grupo de mujeres se reunió con la asistencia de 20 mujeres
El grupo de hombres se reunió con la asistencia de 10 personas.
Continuamos el programa de oración 4 veces al día. (5:00 am - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm). Se llama: "la llamada de Jesús" y cada uno de nosotros se detiene unos minutos cuando suena la alarma y hace una breve oración recordando que Dios nos ha acompañado hasta ese momento y que Dios seguirá acompañándonos. Oramos por toda la Iglesia. Somos más de 40 personas que recibimos la llamada de Jesús
Apoyamos el programa de cena dominical con el pastor: Michael Jordan, que se lleva a cabo el primer domingo de cada mes
Enviamos 4 cajas de comida y ropa para dos familias en Honduras
Realizamos un servicio de cumpleaños 16, para las hermanas gemelas Pamela y Damaris.
Brindamos asesoría y asesoramiento a parejas, jóvenes y adultos.
Gracias al liderazgo del ministerio estudiantil Michelle Gray por donar 120 bolsas de comida para niños hispanos
Actualizaciones sobre el progreso del ministerio general. Avanzando:
En estos nuevos tiempos, continuamos con nuestra misión y visión de hacer discípulos aquí, allá y en todas partes, apasionados y enamorados de Jesucristo. Ser una Iglesia de vida donde Jesús sana restaura personas, familias y expandimos el Reino de Dios
Continuaremos motivando, animando y capacitando a las personas para que sigan el modelo de Jesús (Discipulado). Que las personas se conecten con Dios a través de la oración, el ayuno y tengan un nuevo estilo de vida que refleje la vida de Cristo.
Continuaremos enfocándonos en dar alimento espiritual a los miembros de Mount Pisgah UMC en español para que puedan madurar y desarrollar una buena y sólida relación con Dios.
Seguimos haciendo discípulos aquí, allá y en todas partes.
Continuamos brindando asesoramiento y guía espiritual a parejas, adultos, parejas y los miembros más jóvenes de nuestra Iglesia.