Freedom! Freedom from persecution! Freedom to worship and serve the Lord! As the pilgrims approached Plymouth in what is now Massachusetts, they saw the hope of religious freedom on the shores of this new land. Celebrating this hope, they established a new home based on their Christian faith. For years to follow, churches served as the foundation for new communities. While this new country unfolded, the church and its believers flourished as well.
Today the picture is much different. What was once an area rich with vibrant, growing churhces has become a spiritual desert of isolated congregations. Those churches that do exist are often small, lacking vision that comes from God.
Restoration House Ministries (RHM) is committed to church planting and church growth. Fewer than thirty independent Christian churches exist in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusettes, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Their mission is to help existing congregations grow as church-planting churches to reach the the thirteen million people of the region.
Now, more than ever, what this densly populated area needs is God. As millions of people fill this region, opportunites abound to connect them to the church. However, a new strategy is needed. The evangelistic nets need to be recast with a new commitment to church planting and church growth for the 21st century.
Christian researcher George Barna noted, "There may be a five to seven year window of opportunity for the church in New England." Clearly, we must mobilize to build the church in New England while the hearts of so many are open to the Gospel.
CrossWay continues to be actively involved with the ministry of Restoration House. As new church plants are established in the area, individuals from CrossWay have an opportunity to partner with the church planters in the initial months so that they have help in the areas of childrens ministry, etc. in the beginning weeks of the church. Examples of this were Rising Sun in Salem, NH and the newest church plant, Oasis Christian Church in Concord, NH.
In addition, CrossWay has partnered with Restoration House to provide intern positions for students from Lincoln Christian College in Illinois, so that students get hands on experience in ministry while still in school.
For more information on Restoration House Ministries, check out their website at http://www.rhmnewengland.org.
New Church Plant