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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
July 2001 |
Congratulations! It's a church:
A new church starts in South Indiana Conference
By Matthew Oates
Hoosier UM News Correspondent
After more than 10 years of dreaming and praying, four years of footwork and nine months of finalization, the South Indiana Conference finally gave birth to a church.
The yet-to-be named church will be in Fishers, a rapidly growing community just northeast of Indianapolis; arrangements have been made to meeting in a 5,000-square-foot space located in an area strip mall. The Rev. Rusty Allanson was recently appointed as the new church's founding pastor.
According to Allanson, the first worship service is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 4. With the date coming up and very little supplies, furniture and equipment yet, Allanson is not worried. "The plain truth is God is starting the church."
Allanson and his family have already moved to Fishers from his previous appointment at North Salem UMC in Hendricks County. "My calling has been and is to be more fully a missionary for Jesus Christ."
The two things this church has right now are the space (which is not completed yet) and the spirit of God. "I am making as many contacts as I can to pray for this new church."
Besides prayer, Allanson is looking to get people involved in forming a core team which will make decisions on items such as a church name and also sound, computer and music systems, as well as furniture and office supplies. "I'm so excited about what God is doing," he said.
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"The plain truth is God is starting the church." |
Another person excited about what God is doing in Fishers is the Rev. David V.W. Owen. Owen, director of congregational development for the South Indiana Conference, said, "It has been absolutely exciting to work with motivated Christian leaders of churches who want to reach out to new people. I can't think of any more exciting ministry to be a part of."
But it didn't happen overnight. The thought of a new church in Fishers has been in the works for at least 10 years. According to Owen, the Indianapolis East District purchased land in Fishers 10 years ago. During the past four years, as district superintendent, Owen worked with Metro Ministries in trying to put together a church project. And within the last nine months, six areas around the Indianapolis metropolitan area have been identified as potential sites for new churches. "We're talking a very wide area," said Owen about the nine-county region that comprises the Indianapolis East and West Districts. "The Brooks School Road project is the No. 1 priority."
The reason this new church was "planted" in Fishers was simple: demographics. Fishers is one of the fastest growing communities in the state. Census numbers show that in 1970 this Hamilton County community had 900 residents; by 1990 there were more than 13,000. Projected numbers show that Fishers will be home to more than 80,000 residents. "It's a mission field burgeoning with people."
Owen said there are three major areas the new church needs to work on: Prayerful selection of the core team, establishing the physical space and receiving support of local churches are key to the success of the Fishers church. "We're birthing a child. Every (Conference) congregation is a part of this."
To help with the new Fishers church, contact Allanson at 317/845-9462 (home) or at 317/845-9599 (church).
Last updated on 01/14/2004