Good News October 2017 Broward

CHURCH UNITED 8 october 2017 Good News • broward edition Church United Announces Vision 2020 Church United began with a simple question: what if we could change the narrative of South Florida? What if our c ommu n i t y b e c a m e known as the best place to live, to work, and to raise a family? Similar to our own stories, the story of South Florida is far from over. The vision of Church United has al- ways been beyond any one church, key leader, or organization— it is about the flourishing of South Florida. A vision rooted in the belief that as the gospel sat- urates the region, generosity is reigned, stronger families are formed, Sunday’s faith would be more connected to Mon- day’s work, art is more hopeful, literacy rises, orphans and widows are cared for, and commerce is redefined for the com- mon good. Knowing that no one church could change South Florida alone, we knew we needed to connect to other pastors, col- laborate together to expand God’s king- dom, and celebrate what a unified Church can accomplish. In late 2015, key leaders from gospel-believing churches began to come together, unifying for the sake of mission. We began to meet quarterly, to build relationships, link arms, and dis- cover the possibilities of collaboration. But 2015 was only the beginning. As stronger friendships formed and trust was built, our newfound unity al- lowed us to ask big questions and dream together. We began to wonder: what if we unified around the spiritual lostness, so- cial pain, and cultural brokenness of our surroundings? What if we trusted God for a vision so big that we would have to say it was only God who accomplished it!? Vision 2020 On August 31st, at the largest gath- ering of Church United to-date, churches from across the region met at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church to write the next chapter in the story of Church United: Vision 2020. At its core, Vision 2020 is a commitment to see the number of committed Christ followers in our region double from 3% to 6%. To accomplish this goal by 2020, churches within the Church United network are committing to collective evangelistic efforts, church planting, mobilizing commerce, engaging education and raising up new leaders. However, this vision is far beyond just pastors and churches — it’s about you. No matter who you are or what you do, you play a central role in seeing this vi- sion realized. You see, we don’t just need more pastors and more churches. We need hundreds of new leaders who under- stand their calling and the power of their influence. We need thousands of gospel-saturated Christians – people who see their vocation as mission – de- ployed into every sector of the market- place. As these efforts begin to come together and a critical mass of South Floridians begins to rise, they become better neighbors, better employees, bet- ter parents and better citizens. And that just might represent something big for our region — it may just spark a revival. Imagine, when 3% of committed Christ followers becomes 6%…then 9%…and eventually a tipping point. And as this momentum continues, South Florida becomes known as the best place to life — a place of faith, hope and love. A place where God’s kingdom is on the move. Join us. We’re only just getting started. For more information, visit churchunited.city Edwin Copeland serves as the Director of Church United with the National Christian Founda- tion of South Florida where he works to unify the Church through collaboration and celebration to see faith, hope, and love spread throughout South Florida. - edwin copeland - church United Vision 2020 is a commitment to see the number of committed Christ followers in our region double from 3% to 6%. Rev. Doug Logan, Lead Pastor Epiphany Fellowship Camden New Jersey Pictured from left to right: Edwin Copeland, Executive Director, Church United; Isaac Frère, Lead Pastor, The Font; Jesse Carbo, Executive Director, City-to-City Miami; and Doug Sauder, Lead Pastor Calvary Chapel. ” “