Pursuing God: One Journey at a Time

Mount Pleasant Christian Church (MPCC) has walked with Christ for more than 125 years. The heart of this church’s   journey has encompassed its people, their passion for the Lord, and the Lord’s purpose for them. Many  people enter MPCC because of our many outreach or support programs. However, you could be like Christie Frazzini who said, “We came to Mount Pleasant for the funeral of two young brothers. Touched by the message of the pastor, my heart was tugged, and I questioned whether I should attend a worship service. Two years later, I am now a member. It was the best thing I could have done for my family.”

No matter how you find us, MPCC’s journey ministry helps first-time visitors learn how to commit their lives to Christ, His Word, and become a member of our congregation. “We believe every person is a gift,” said journey pastor Ken Jones. “We want to care for everyone who walks in our doors, like Jesus Himself would.”
When guests enter our services, friendly greeters meet them at each entrance to the Worship Center. Section hosts located within the worship center will personally welcome them to a seat. During the worship service, we extend an invitation for visitors to meet at the Guest Connection after the service to receive a gift and more information about MPCC.

Questions are answered and information is shared in the comfort of their own surroundings when a member of the First Contact team talks to visitors during a personal home visit. The next part of the Journey involves the Icthus team who follows through with anyone interested in becoming a member by inviting him or her to Membership Inquiry classes.

In 2009 each of the 317 new members was assigned a connection shepherd who guided them on their walk with God and helps them get connected to ministry and volunteer opportunities. New members also completed a spiritual gifts evaluation. “By filling out this evaluation, it made me realize my God-given talents,” Christie said. “This helped me know where God wanted to use me at this particular time in my spiritual journey.”

“A New Member Orientation (NMO) is conducted twice a month,” Ken said. “At a NMO each new member will create an individualized spiritual growth plan for their first year at MPCC. Using a menu of classes, groups, and service opportunities, new members will journey toward cultivating the four C’s in their life: conviction, character, competence, and community.”

It is through these pathways that members begin to learn how to live out MPCC’s core values: people, passion, and purpose. Each of these processes helps members understand that whatever our journeys have been so far, God loves and guides each one of us.

by Tonja Talley