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CHURCH DEVELOPMENT Pine Ridge Fellowship Charters By Charles W. Courtoy
Executive Director of Church Development
It
began as a twinkle in his eye. At the dedication of Pine Ridge Fellowship
United Methodist Church May 21, Dr. Mont Duncan, district superintendent of
the DeLand District, shared that when he arrived in 1995 as district
superintendent one of his goals was to start new congregations within the
district. It soon became apparent to him that the Deltona area, in which
more than 40,000 unchurched people reside, was a prime area in need of a new
church. He located a 10-acre site on Howland Boulevard, which is across the
road from the new high school. In June 1997 Rev. David Moenning, his wife
Debbie and two children arrived to begin the mission of launching the new
congregation. In February 1998 the first service of public worship was
conducted in the Pine Ridge High School. More than 200 people were in
attendance.
During the last three years Rev. Moenning has assembled a leadership team, led his new congregation to purchase an additional 15 acres for a total of 25 acres available for the church’s campus, and baptized and instructed more than 100 new Christians in Christian discipleship. My wife and I and Dr. Duncan and his wife had the privilege of being present for the formal chartering of Pine Ridge Fellowship United Methodist Church Sunday, May 21. Pine Ridge Fellowship takes its place among the 740 congregations of the Florida Conference as a self-sustaining congregation. It received its charter certificate June 2 from Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson.
During the May 21 service I reminded the congregation that they would never be able to repay the financial and leadership support they have received during the conception and gestation period leading to their birth. What they are called to do is to join the other congregations of the Florida Conference in helping launch new congregations in order to reach the more than 10 million unchurched people living within the Florida Conference. Rev. Moenning responded for the congregation that it will eagerly support the launching of a new congregation in the St. Augustine area in 2000. It will also be a 100 percent supporter of the New Church Start apportionment, which provides salary support for new church pastors during the first three years—100 percent the first year, 65 percent the second year and 30 percent the third year.
Pine Ridge Fellowship is a prime example that our Conference strategy is working.
Thank you for your support of new church development in the Florida Conference.
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