History
Let me give you a brief understanding of Southern Baptist work in the Elkins area. When I first became involved in the Monongahela Baptist Association over 40 years ago there was a Southern Baptist Church in Elkins. A lawsuit was brought against the church at Elkins, which led to the disbanding of the congregation. This led to two churches being formed in Elkins instead. These churches struggled to start for a few years and then both eventually died. There were at one time two other congregations in the county, one at Daily, and one at Mill Creek. The church at Daily had been the planting church for the congregation at Elkins, but following the departure of their longtime pastor the church began to falter and soon closed. The final church in the county at Mill Creek still remains, but has remained small. With the closure of the church at Daily, funds from the sale of the building were donated to the Association with the hope that a new work would one day be started. Those funds have remained idle for several years.
The plan for Simpson Creek to do a church plant began more than a year ago. Sean and I were discussing the history that this church has had in planting churches. Sean shared that his vision was for us to again become a church planting church. This became a long-term visionary goal of the missions committee, but no direct effort was made toward it.
Then in October last year we received notice that the WVCSB was hosting a meeting at the state convention one month later, to discuss and pray for a possible church plant in Elkins. Several Leaders from our church attended that meeting. Our leaders felt this was a mission that we could support. In December a meeting was held within our association to discuss this further. Out of that meeting, Simpson Creek agreed to become the primary church to lead this effort.
In January, our pastors and missions leadership met to discuss plans to begin this work. May 30 was selected for an entry event. Over the next couple of months, discussions led us to determine to host a block party and the location at the park was secured.
Since our last meeting about this event, God has worked through three or four significant events to encourage those who have been involved, and to shape the vision of the task ahead.
• Chuck Nixon and I attended an IMB sponsored conference in Flatwoods that helped to give a good outline of our plan into the future.
• We learned of a former Virginia Southern Baptist couple, now in Elkins, who are interested in our work there.
• We have received a lot of supportive interest from people within our association, and state convention.
• Several uniquely skilled people have stepped up to provide leadership in planning and promoting this effort.
• A possible location has been suggested where a Bible study could begin, in the near future.
Who
In short, the Who is Simpson Creek Baptist Church, assisted by the Monongahela Baptist Association and the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists, reaching out the the people of Elkins to present the gospel, and assist them to form a local body of believers.
Who will lead?
For the Block Party, all of Simpson Creek Baptist Church staff are supportive and may take a role. Josh Allen is committed on that day so will not attend, but may assist in other ways. John Makins will lead the Block Party Team and Ken Lake will lead the Outreach Team with assistance from James Smith who is developing and leading our evangelism training for the teams. Becky Macheka will lead the Prayer Team to take on one of two prayer tasks. One group will gather at the church for prayer while the other teams are at the Block Party and pray for the other teams. Others may join the prayer team and select one or more of several fifteen minute blocks of time on May 30th during which they commit to pray for the effort. We also have several people from around our association who plan to assist this effort. We ask that anyone who would like to assist register at:
https://form.jotform.com/kwlnwv/block-party
To continue to receive updated information, YOU MUST REGISTER AND CHOOSE A TEAM. If you are flexible about where you will serve, please register for the outreach team and plan to attend the evangelism training, then let us know that you are able and willing to serve on any team in the open answer question at the bottom of the form.
Who is our target group?
Our target group is unchurched families and individuals in Elkins. We are still awaiting some information from our state office to help in pinpointing an area in the community for our focus.
Who can be involved?
Anyone 15 years and older can be involved. Those under 18 must be able to present a permission form signed by their Guardian. Those under 14 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All outreach team members must be able to share a testimony of salvation.
What
The goal is to plant a church, beginning with an outreach Block Party
The Block Party will include the use of the WVCSB Block Party Trailer, inflatables, games. and a meal of hotdogs, chips and drinks.
The Outreach will include going out to locate and invite attendees, a community survey, and gospel conversations.
When/Where
The Block Party will be May 30th, 11am -2 pm, at the Elkins City Park, 401 Davis Ave., Elkins, WV 26241. There is much to be done before the event in gathering food and supplies. Evangelism training will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:30, on May 13th, 20th, and 27th at Simpson Creek, (required for all outreach team members, and suggested for all Block Party Team members).
May 30th team members will meet at the Church Street Pavillion at 9:00 am to pray together, and received last minute instructions. Teams will then divide to begin their separate tasks.
The Block Team will begin set-up of the various stations of the Block Party and prepare to man each of the inflatables, games stations, or food stations. As the setup begins, the Outreach teams will divide into groups of three to begin door-to-door invitation and canvassing at assigned locations, using pre-drawn and pre-determined maps. All outreach groups will return to the Block Party near 11:00 am to be ready to engage attendees and complete surveys. All Team members should be prepared to have gospel conversations opportunities as they arise.