Prineville Church Plant

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who selected Prineville as the location for the next church plant and why was it selected?

     The OCEF (Oregon Christian Evangelistic Fellowship), which is a church planting organization, put together a task force a few years ago to determine where a new church should be planted in Central Oregon. It has been eight years since a new independent Christian church was planted in Central Oregon.  Since that time, the region has continued to grow, so it was determined that a new churches should be planted to keep up with that growth.
     The task force the OCEF put together consisted of pastors from three area churches- Myron Wells, from
Redmond Christian Church, Mike Yunker, from Real Life Christian Church in Bend, and Chris Blair, from
Powell Butte Christian Church. This task force evaluated the communities in Central Oregon, and determined
that community of Prineville was the most appropriate site for the next church plant. Several factors went into this decision. Economically, Prineville is one of two spots in Central Oregon that
young, working families can still afford to buy a home. As a result, there are many young families moving to
Prineville, and many more are expected in the future.
      Another factor is Prineville’s proximity to Powell Butte. The Powell Butte congregation can serve as a mothering church for this new plant. It can offer guidance and resources for this new congregation.

2. What other organizations and churches have committed to this church plant and what are their roles?

     The OCEF is making Prineville their top priority. This means that churches all across Oregon will be focused on supporting this project with prayer and financial support. In addition, the COMA churches (Central Oregon Ministerial Association) are also supporting this new plant.

3. Has a pastor and site been selected for the new church plant.

     Yes. OCEF has recently called Mike Gaffney to Pastor this new church, which is going to be called Ascent Christian Church. They already have a web site- www.ascentchristianchurch.com
     Mike is 31, was on staff as an associate at a church in the Eugene area. He and his wife Kelly have three children: Emily, who is 9, Hayden, who is 7 and Tanner who is 4.
As for a site for this new church, there are several options that are currently being explored.

 4. What roles will PBCC take on in the church plant, and who from PBCC will participate.

      Ideally, God will call some people from our congregation into His service as committed leaders and helpers for this new church plant. It would be a blessing to be able to send people to be small group leaders, children’s workers, people who will help to keep the books, greeters, musicians, etc. How many people go, and who those people will be depend entirely on God’s direction as hearts are moved by The Holy Spirit in this direction. Ideally, Mike will be working with Powell Butte Christian for several months prior to the launch of the new church in the fall of 2008. During those months, Mike and Kelly will be building relationship with the people of our congregation, and shares God’s vision for this new church plant with our people. Who goes to be a part of this new church will be dependant on who feels led by God to go.

5. How will the church plant affect the Powell Butte Congregation?

     A better question might be how will the kingdom of God be affected? When the idea for this church plant first came up, the question that was being asked was not what was best for Powell Butte Christian Church, but rather what would make the most disciples. Right now, Prineville has over ten thousands residents, yet the total church attendance for the town is probably only around 10%. That means that 90% of the people are not attending a church.  God uses the saving power of Jesus, the workings of the Holy Spirit and His people to reach out to those in darkness to expand His kingdom both locally and around the world (Matt 28:19 & 20).  There is clearly work to be done to reach the 90% that God desires to reach in the Prineville community.  In fact, several studies have shown that most new conversions happen in newly planted churches that purposely target the un-churched.
     What we see happening with this new church plant is that people who would not come to a more traditional church setting will come to something new and unconventional. How will this impact Powell Butte?  Only our God knows for sure, but building the character of His people through His work, blessing those who are obedient to His calling and experiencing the joy of joining God in His work are just few things that come to mind. The one certainty here is that we see God at work with this new church plant and that we, as His congregation here at PBCC, are being invited to join Him in this exciting kingdom expanding work. Helping to plant a church is a sign of life and health for a congregation. It is a sign of our obedience to God’s direction, our Saviors calling and the leading of the Holy Spirit. That is the natural progression of things, and such change should be welcomed as a sign of God working His plan through His congregation at PBCC.

6. Why is it important to plant a new Christian Church in Prineville when the town already has one?

     Another version of this question is, “Won’t this new church draw people away from the Prineville Christian church, or at the very least, take perspective new members away from the Prineville Christian Church?”
     Again, Prineville is a town of 10,000, with 9,000 not attending church. Many young families have brought, or will buy houses there, and work in other towns because Prineville is one of the few affordable places left. All this tells us that there are plenty of prospects for every church, and that every church should be ministering to these unreached people.
     As for the new church plant drawing members away from Prineville Christian, that will most certainly not happen. This new church will have a contemporary style that will probably not appeal to the people at the Prineville Christian Church. In addition, many of the people in the Prineville Church have attended that congregation for years. It is their home, and they would not be comfortable leaving.
     This new church is being planted to add people to the kingdom. It is not being planted simply to move people from one church to another.   

7. Can PBCC afford to financially participate in a church plant, and is this already in the PBCC 2008 budget, and if so, doesn’t this take away from our own projects (i.e.: the new youth center, the mortgage on the new building, renovating the historic chapel, etc?)

     God is absolutely incredible in the way he provides us with everything we need to join Him in His work.  PBCC has been blessed to hold the Lord’s Acre community outreach for more than 60 years and through this outreach, God has continually greatly blessed us both spiritually and financially.  The funds that our congregation has been blessed to received from this event have enabled many ministries and missions both locally and abroad.  Over the next two years, PBCC is committed to pass on a blessing of $10,000 in financial support of the Prineville church plant.  God has already provided the $7,000 in 2008 through our Lord’s Acre outreach and these funds are in the bank waiting on God’s timing to be put into action for His glory and the benefit of His people in the upcoming Prineville church plant.  With the way God has blessed the Lord’s Acre outreach and His congregation at PBCC, it is not a very large step of faith to firmly believe in His ability to provide the $3,000 needed in 2009 to expand His kingdom through this church plant.  Some might find it ironic, but we see it as God’s plan unfolding before our eyes, as the very same people from the Prineville community that gave “their” hard earned money for the beautiful Lord’s Acre arts, crafts and delicious foods, are the very same people that have funded 100% of PBCC 2008 financial contribution to the Prineville church plant that is dedicated to bring a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to this community in need.  It is continually a blessing to see how God works and that His ability to provide for His Church is beyond anything that we could ask or think (Eph 3:20).  Just in case you’re wondering, because of God’s blessing, there will be no need to hold special fund raisers for this church plant, and it will not take away from the PBCC approved budget, our general fund, or any special projects.  That’s just the way God works.  To God be the glory! 

8. What is the expected timeline for the new church plant?

     The anticipated launch date for Ascent Christian Church is November of 2008. We hope to have Mike and Kelly and the kids moved over to Central Oregon in the summer. Before they launch the church, they will be a part of the Powell Butte Church family, and Mike will be working with the staff, with his salary paid by the OCEF.  Please extend to Mike and his family our warmest of welcomes and the right hand of fellowship as we join together to expand God’s kingdom.
    

9. How can we help specifically?

     Pray, and then pray some more. Pray for Mike and Kelly. Pray that they are able to find a good site for the church. Pray that they are able to find the right leaders to help them with this church. Pray that the right doors open for them, and that they are able to bring in people who wouldn’t normally come to a church.

10. What will be Powell Butte role with this new church?

Powell Butte will be a mothering church - offering loving support and guidance.
Ascent Christian is really being planted by God and through OCEF, not by Powell Butte Christian Church.
Mike will be accountable to God and the OCEF, and not to us. Our role will be as a resource and the extent of our authority will be determined by God and the OCEF, not by us. For instance, if God calls our elders through the OCEF to serve as the authority over the new church until they can raise up their own eldership, then that is what we will do through the prayerful guidance of God’s direction. If He wants our elders to simply serve as advisors, then that is what we will do with the same prayerful guidance. If God working through the OCEF would prefer not to have our elders involved at this time, then our eldership will serve them through prayer as we continually hold them up before our God.
We also hope that God will call some of His people at PBCC to go and serve Him through the launching of the Prineville church plant. God’s people will need workers- Christians who can lead bible studies, help with kids; help keep the books, etc. How many people go, and who those people will be can only be answered by God through the leading of the Holy Spirit as hearts are moved in this direction.

11. Is the Prineville Christian Church in full support of this new plant?

     Dan Parks, the pastor of the Prineville Christian Church, has been in on several meetings with OCEF representatives, and with the task force that was put together for this project. Several of their initial concerns and questions were satisfactorily addressed. Those questions were very similar to the ones on this list.  Unfortunately, they are not currently able to support this church plant financially, nor will they able to send any  people to help plant the new church. Pastor Dan and Prineville Christian Church have the very same calling as all of God’s congregations, to expand His kingdom by seeking and saving the lost wherever they may be and we are confident that Prineville Christian Church will serve as the kind of prayer warriors that will honor and glorify our God and be a blessing to this new Prineville church plant.

12. Who can we contact for more information?

     Please don’t hesitate to call Pastor Chris (548-3066). He has served on the OCEF board, and on this task force. You are also encouraged to contact Larry Andrews (390-7971). Larry is the chairman of our elders, and is a member of our Missions team (aka; Global Outreach Team). You can also go to the Ascent Christian Church web site- www.ascentchritianchurch.com to pray, join or give.

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Drama Ministry
* Worship * Skits * Readers Theater * Outreach We are looking to start a group of drama people of various ages. If you have interest or have performed in the past - please join us! We will be doing small, shor performances that will be powerful, exciting and fun! Contact Phil Senner for information

Meals Ministry
Meals ministry is looking for great recips that freeze well. Meals Ministry would like to better serve our church family by having home made meals that can be frozen and ready to be delivered quickly to those in need. Please drop your recipes off at the snack counter labeled "Meals Ministry" or email them to asksheril@msn.com We will be setting a cooking date to stock the freezer in early fall. If this is a ministry you would like to help with, plase contact Sheril.

Project Love
Project Love is an independent fund that is used to meet the needs of our church community. Project Love is our source of funds for people needing help with gas money, rent, utilities, food or other emergency situations.  It functions only as you in the body are led to contribute in either money, food and/or prayer. Funds right now are low and requests are many. Please consider giving to this worthy cause if you are able.

We have a food barrel in the Fellowship Hall and in the Great Hall for weekly contributions. You may designate funds to Project Love (by a simple note with your contribution.) Here are a list of items needed to fill our cupboards.  Please be aware of the dates on such items.: