Inspire, Spring 2009

Cedarville University 23 “We live in a broken world — it takes time for the broken pieces to be put back together again.” Did you network with other churches? ■ Earl: We had a great network of supporting churches in Ohio. They helped us with canvassing, start-up funds, massive prayer support, and special projects. ■ Jason: The only way you can successfully reach every man, woman, and child is through church partnering. We have about 30 churches from the surrounding area that we meet with every month to talk about how we reach the area. And that number is growing. ■ Scott: We networked out of two churches and had connections from Cedarville and Michigan, which is where I’m from. ■ Michael: I have contact with a few pastors, and I’ve met many others through my job at Starbucks. But we need to improve in this area. Watering the Earth Do you think there are some essential “ingredients” needed to start a new church? ■ Earl: Yes. You’ve got to be convinced that God is able. You’ve got to be convinced that the Bible is life-changing. You’ve got to be convinced that people without Christ are lost forever. You’ve got to be convinced that God will use you. ■ Jason: Yes, I do. A calling from God, a very specific mission, and values that will be your guide are essential ingredients. ■ Scott: Obviously, the Lord has to be leading it. I think church planters should have that calling. It’s exciting, but there’s a ton of wrestling with the Lord. Be confident that it is His calling. ■ Michael: Reaching unchurched people requires genuine, caring concern and a heart for evangelism. Another essential ingredient is perseverance. And a love for drinking coffee and talking to people helps, too! Any last words of advice? ■ Earl: God uses all kinds of people in all kinds of ways to reach all kinds of people. If God has planted a seed in your heart to start a church, nurture it and let it grow. Trust God and the truth in His Word. ■ Jason: Only do it if God has broken your heart for a place. Only do it if God is giving you His eyes and heart for a people and a geography. ■ Scott: Go for it. If you have the stirring in your heart, go for it. It’s going to be really tough, but it’s also really exciting. ■ Michael: We live in a broken world — it takes time for the broken pieces to be put back together again. If we’re going to reach our culture, we have to realize that it’s hard work and be willing to roll up our sleeves and get dirty. Earl Shaffer ’77 graduated with a degree in elementary education. He pastors at Dayspring Baptist Church in Galloway, Ohio. He and his wife, Marilyn, have five children, Grant, Elya, Kendra, Aubrey, and Micaela. You may contact him at eshaffer@abwe.cc . Jason Malone ’98 earned a degree in Christian education with an emphasis in student ministry and serves as a pastor at Summit Church in Greenville, South Carolina. He and his wife, Jennifer (Wishart) ’00, have two daughters, Caroline (3) and Catelyn (2 months). You may contact him at jmalone@summitupstate.org . Scott Lehr ’00 received a degree in preseminary Bible from Cedarville and a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary. He pastors at Southbridge Fellowship in Raleigh, North Carolina. He and his wife, Shanna (Lenhart) ’00, have two children, Ella Grace (3) and Ava Sophia (2). You may contact him at slehr@nc.rr.com . Michael Boehm ’00 earned a degree in Christian education with a youth ministry emphasis. He and his wife, Maren (Meyers) ’01, live in Louisville, Kentucky, where Michael is a pastor at Encounter Church. You may contact him at michaelfboehm@gmail.com. Kara (Niemotka) Gibbs ’96 is a writer and copy editor for Cedarville. A graduate of the University’s language and literature program, she lives in Cedarville, Ohio, with her husband, Brent ’96. You may contact her at karagibbs@cedarville.edu . i