More churches a crucial need

SIR: Why do we need more churches in the Bible Belt? The question I am asking is why so many of the church folks say we already have enough churches when everywhere we look, 75% of our population are unchurched. Here are some conclusions I have come to:

Georgia Baptists currently have 3,500 churches and 1.5 million members. Our Sunday morning worship average attendance is approximately 90. What if we had at least 20,000 to 30,000 new churches in Georgia seeking the unchurched?

The newcomers would hear their first hymnal song. They will see a man of God with Bible in hand standing and declaring the Word of God. Hundreds of new people will sing their first solo and see their first wedding, funeral and hopefully first baptism. They will discover leadership skills and become a part of a group that loves them and wants to be a part of their lives.

Church is the only place where our doctrinal roots of faith are established. The church follows the new covenant and nurtures people into a walk with God. In Matthew Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth, you are a light on a hill.” The church represents the only light and undiluted salt to a lost world. It sets the morals and righteousness in the community.

What God has planted in my heart is not criticism but a wake- up call to our potential of unfinished business for God. We have a great number of retired believers with the time and resources, Sunday School teachers, deacons, lay people and retired pastors. I believe that God has the resources and power to accomplish any task.

I am 65 years old and I have asked God to allow me to be his instrument in starting 12 new churches before going to be with Jesus for all eternity. He allowed a new church start in May 2003 with another pastor and it now has around 25 in attendance. Praise God! There are two more churches in the early planning stages and God has already sent locations and pastors for them.

Paul proves that new starts, with new people, work. The New Testament churches started early in Paul's ministry are still witnessing, even today, in scripture. A church never stops being a witness for Jesus Christ.

So, who will step up to God’s call for this work?