How it all started...
Brief History of Emmanuel
Emmanuel began in the early fifties in a house on the corner of Scales & Whitfield Street as a mission church to West Starkville. Emmanuel experienced some growth in the sixties, but during the decade of the seventies under the teaching ministry of Nap Clark, Emmanuel became known as the "college church." Through the teaching of grace and the clear gospel message a number of college students were moved to go into full time ministry. At one point Emmanuel ran five different bus routes, and many children were reached through the bus ministry.
With the end of the seventies began a shift that continued through the eighties. Because of this shift and the small facilities attendance began to slowly decline. Although the buildings were remodeled there was still inadequate space for Sunday School and fellowship. The location at the corner of Scales and Whitfield was not very well known.
In the mid nineties the church decided that the best thing would be to sale and move. However we felt that it was unlikely that we could find a buyer. The second option was to build an addition to the church for a fellowship hall and nursery. A building fund was started in January 1995, with about $40 given the first month. In February, a couple of hundred was given. About this time a group of ladies started meeting to pray that God would bless His church. The March gifts were over $700. And in April, over $2,000 was given. A little excitement was growing.
Then, in May we were approached about selling the buildings and land. The sale was approved and finalized in June 1995. Emmanuel would meet at the BSU on the campus of Mississippi State University for next seventeen months.
The construction of the present facilities began the next summer of 1996. The new building and contents, which was appraised at $450,000, was completed for use in December 1996. Only $60,000 had to be borrowed. Easter, 2000, Emmanuel moved into the present building which will seat 500 for worship with a state-of-the-art sound and projection system.
Today, Emmanuel is committed to growing disciples of Christ and ministering to our community through the clear, contextual teaching and application of the Word of God.
Emmanuel began in the early fifties in a house on the corner of Scales & Whitfield Street as a mission church to West Starkville. Emmanuel experienced some growth in the sixties, but during the decade of the seventies under the teaching ministry of Nap Clark, Emmanuel became known as the "college church." Through the teaching of grace and the clear gospel message a number of college students were moved to go into full time ministry. At one point Emmanuel ran five different bus routes, and many children were reached through the bus ministry.
With the end of the seventies began a shift that continued through the eighties. Because of this shift and the small facilities attendance began to slowly decline. Although the buildings were remodeled there was still inadequate space for Sunday School and fellowship. The location at the corner of Scales and Whitfield was not very well known.
In the mid nineties the church decided that the best thing would be to sale and move. However we felt that it was unlikely that we could find a buyer. The second option was to build an addition to the church for a fellowship hall and nursery. A building fund was started in January 1995, with about $40 given the first month. In February, a couple of hundred was given. About this time a group of ladies started meeting to pray that God would bless His church. The March gifts were over $700. And in April, over $2,000 was given. A little excitement was growing.
Then, in May we were approached about selling the buildings and land. The sale was approved and finalized in June 1995. Emmanuel would meet at the BSU on the campus of Mississippi State University for next seventeen months.
The construction of the present facilities began the next summer of 1996. The new building and contents, which was appraised at $450,000, was completed for use in December 1996. Only $60,000 had to be borrowed. Easter, 2000, Emmanuel moved into the present building which will seat 500 for worship with a state-of-the-art sound and projection system.
Today, Emmanuel is committed to growing disciples of Christ and ministering to our community through the clear, contextual teaching and application of the Word of God.
Developing Our Strategy...
The goal of Emmanuel's strategy for ministry is making disciples of Christ. Discipleship is the process of reaching people with the gospel of Christ and teaching them all that He commands. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Matthew 9:36-38
These verses teach two facts: There is not a problem with the harvest. Many people are ready to hear the gospel. There is a problem with the laborers. They are few. For the few to reach the many requires us to be strategic . . . focusing our efforts where they will make the greatest difference. This involves knowing the laborers (ourselves) and the harvest (our target).
Focus on the TARGET!
Jesus targeted his ministry in order to be effective, not to be exclusive.
These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 10:5-6
Paul understood that his ministry reached different people than Peter's. "But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter." Galatians 2:7
Know Whom You Can BEST Reach
Relationships were the primary way the gospel spread in the New Testament Church: Andrew/Peter; Philip/Nathaniel; Matthew/tax collectors; woman at well/people of the city.
ZERO-IN on the target!
REACH THE UNCHURCHED THROUGH WITNESS
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" Matthew 18:18-29
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8
Every believer has been given the authority and the ability to evangelize!
In conjunction with our obedience to the great commission, our worship celebration is centered around the Word of God and is designed so our members can bring their un-churched friends.
Our Sunday morning worship service is characterized by:
Blended music
Contextual presentation of Scripture
A clear gospel presentation
Friendly, relaxed atmosphere
Quality child care
KEEP THE CHURCHED THROUGH LOVE (commitment)
"From whom the whole body, joined and knit together . . . causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:16
We are not responsible for creating growth. We are responsible for creating the right climate for growth.
These verses teach two facts: There is not a problem with the harvest. Many people are ready to hear the gospel. There is a problem with the laborers. They are few. For the few to reach the many requires us to be strategic . . . focusing our efforts where they will make the greatest difference. This involves knowing the laborers (ourselves) and the harvest (our target).
Focus on the TARGET!
Jesus targeted his ministry in order to be effective, not to be exclusive.
These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 10:5-6
Paul understood that his ministry reached different people than Peter's. "But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter." Galatians 2:7
Know Whom You Can BEST Reach
Relationships were the primary way the gospel spread in the New Testament Church: Andrew/Peter; Philip/Nathaniel; Matthew/tax collectors; woman at well/people of the city.
ZERO-IN on the target!
REACH THE UNCHURCHED THROUGH WITNESS
"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" Matthew 18:18-29
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8
Every believer has been given the authority and the ability to evangelize!
In conjunction with our obedience to the great commission, our worship celebration is centered around the Word of God and is designed so our members can bring their un-churched friends.
Our Sunday morning worship service is characterized by:
Blended music
Contextual presentation of Scripture
A clear gospel presentation
Friendly, relaxed atmosphere
Quality child care
KEEP THE CHURCHED THROUGH LOVE (commitment)
"From whom the whole body, joined and knit together . . . causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:16
We are not responsible for creating growth. We are responsible for creating the right climate for growth.
Four Emmanuel Commitments...
Discover Membership - We commit to the fellowship of believers FOR love
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. . ." Hebrews 10:24, 25
Discover Maturity - We commit to obey Christ BY love
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15
Discover Ministry - We commit to serve one another THROUGH love
"Through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13
Discover Mission - We commit to live for Christ BECAUSE of love
"For the love of Christ constrains us . . . that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. . ." Hebrews 10:24, 25
Discover Maturity - We commit to obey Christ BY love
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15
Discover Ministry - We commit to serve one another THROUGH love
"Through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13
Discover Mission - We commit to live for Christ BECAUSE of love
"For the love of Christ constrains us . . . that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15
