Acts 16:5

"So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers."

When reading the beginning of this chapter, we learn that Paul, Timothy, and Silas journeyed together telling others of the Christian faith. We read that they were called by God, equipped by their elders, and willing to reach out to those around them. Through their response, the story tells us, churches have been started that were strengthened in both faith and number.

The Acts 16:5 passage can be an inspiration to us here in modern-day Canton, MI as well. Last spring Geneva�s Session approved the implementation of an initiative provided through the Vital Churches Institute to use as a guide in examining the effectiveness of our ministry. This initiative is called �Acts 16:5� based on what we have just read in this passage.

Six individuals: Keith McBain, Joe Stoecklein, Louise Schneid, Susan Rogers, John Glodich, Erin Archambault, and our Pastor Bryan Smith have attended a couple of preliminary training sessions. As a team, we have returned with an enthusiasm for transformation that we hope to share throughout the rest of our church family.

The Acts 16:5 materials encourage participating churches to follow a simple model of Reach�Grow�Send. Meaning, we take a closer look at the ministries of our church to ensure there is a well-balanced ministry of serving our community (reach), building our own family (grow), and equipping each other to share our faith with others beyond our church (send). With God�s leading, our team will examine the reality of implementing that model � which we hope will lead toward a new vitality and effectiveness of ministry here at Geneva Presbyterian Church. We envision an opportunity to stimulate conversation, imagination, and new directions in our church. As a church body, we hope to find a strengthening in both faith and number.