|
In order to give you a broader picture of what God is doing in New England, this week's Spotlight is on a partner church. The Newtown Christian Church has been served by Jack Tanner for 27 years.
|
Newtown Christian Church (NCC) began as a mission church in Bridgeport, Connecticut (CT), in the early 1960's. In 1965 when the Bridgeport church closed, several families from the Trumbull/Newtown area began meeting in the Newtown Town Hall. The present church building was constructed in the fall of 1965. Newtown Christian Church is the only Christian Church/Church of Christ in Fairfield County, CT. Jack Tanner has served with the church as its minister since June of 1980.
The body of believers at NCC continues to be an effective witness in Newtown and the surrounding area. Two years ago, NCC launched a mid-week "Kidz Group" for ages K-Grade 4. Since that inception, the group has quadrupled in size. Plans are to divide the group into Preschool and Grades 1-6 as well as to begin a new group this fall for middle school age youth.
To foster growth in the children's and youth ministries, the church will host activities this summer to attract young families with children. In July NCC will be holding her first VBS since 1995. Then in August the church will hold its second "Kidz Group" Music Camp.
The church building and parsonage properties recently suffered minor damage when a tornado destroyed many large trees. Praise be to God that the church building was undamaged and the parsonage sustained only minor damage.
NCC continues to look for ways to display "Random Acts of Kindness" at every opportunity. Newtown hosts an annual Labor Day parade, and NCC has participated by offering free bottled water to parade attendees. Afterwards we walk the parade route to pick up trash left behind. It is interesting to note that when we first started offering free bottled water, several groups were selling bottled water--they are now giving it away for free. Perhaps we are having some influence in the community.
|
The kids at Newtown Christian Church
|
|
Recent storm damage to the
church property
|
Jack & Penny Tanner distributing
free water at the Newtown parade
|
Praises:
Ø The growth of our children's ministry.
Ø The excitement of the members as they see God working in the church's ministry.
Ø The growth of individual members as they move to a new level of commitment.
Ø The protection of our building during the recent storm.
Ø For Michael Peterson (a young man Jack is discipling) who recently filled the pulpit in Jack's absence.
Petitions:
Ø The leadership will continue to seek God's will and purpose in the ministry of NCC.
Ø God will raise up new leadership and teachers for the planned "Kidz Group" expansion and the new "Youth Group" to begin this fall.
Ø The success of the Vacation Bible School, July 16-20.
Ø The success of Music Camp, August 14-16.
Ø The community will be open to invitation to events hosted by NCC.
For more information, check out NCC's website at http://www.newtowncc.org
Click <here> to return to the Home page.
