RAISE THE BANNERA d o c u m e n t f o r p o t e n t i a l l a u n c h t e a m m e m b e r sa n d s u p p o r t e r s o f F r e e d o m C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h

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The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the single most crucial strategy for the numerical growth of the Body of Christ in any city, and the continual corporate renewal and revival of existing church in a city.

- Tim Keller

What’s InsideTHE VISION 3

THE MISSION & VALUES 4

THE RATIONAL 5

THE PLACE 6

THE LEADERSHIP 7

THE STRATEGY 8

THE BUDGET 9

THE SUPPORT TEAM 10

THE WAYS TO SUPPORT 11

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Sitting at the crossroads of Indianapolis, Chicago, and Detroit, Niles, Michigan is a small city in Southwest, Michigan. Niles has a rich history unlike many other cities in America. Niles was first established in the 1600’s with the site of the French Fort St. Joseph to protect the Jesuit Missionaries. From then, it was held by the British, Spanish and finally the United States earning its nickname, “City of Four Flags”. Niles also played an integral role in the Underground Railroad, helping slaves travel north in search of freedom.

Once an active town, Niles has since been impacted by the loss of its major manufacturing industry. The city has been affected by apathy, drugs, unsustainable commerce, broken family structure and also an underlying tone of prejudice. I worked and volunteered in the city for 6 years. My family also lived there for almost a year. During this time we saw and experienced the brokenness of the community.

However, the city is in a resurgence. Forbes Magazine calls it one of the Best Small Places for Business and Careers*. When God called my wife and I to plant a church, the first city that came to our mind was Niles. As we prayed for clarity, God gave us Isaiah 43:19: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wil-derness and rivers in the desert.” God is not calling us to initiate a new work, He is calling us to join Him in the work He has already begun. Read this document to learn the ways you can join Him as well.

Like the missionaries that settled the area to bring Christianity to the Native Americans and the abolitionists who helped the slaves find freedom, God has called us to “set the captives free” (Luke 4:18) by planting a gospel-centered movement called Freedom Community Church. Like the nations who raised their flags, we are lifting up the banner of Jesus Christ. Finally, as Niles is a gateway town, we hope to be a sending church that raises up leaders who will plant more gospel-centered churches in our region and beyond.

My earnest prayer is that others will come alongside us as we seek to be faithful to this call.

Grace & peace,

Muta Mwenya

*2013 Forbes Magazine’s Best Small Places for Business & Careers

A L E T T E R F R O M T H E L E A D P L A N T E R

THE VISION

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GOSPELThe gospel will be the foundation that undergirds everything we are at Freedom. We find freedom knowing that though we were once lost and far from God, He sovereignly called us, saved us and is molding us to reflect His Son Jesus. We are free from the weight of guilt, shame and condemnation of our past. We are free to pursue and attain a life of godliness. We are free to worship God in spirit and in truth without the weight of legalistic obligations. We are free to know that we are loved unconditionally and that the good work God has started with us, He will be sure to complete. We are free to look for the hope in the eminent return of Jesus. We are free to hope in everlasting life in the new world made new that Jesus promised to prepare. (Jn 3:16; 10:10; 14:3; Ep 2:8; Ro 8:1, 29; Col 2:14, 16-17; Phil 1:6, Ac 1:11; Rv 21)

DISCIPLESHIPThe gospel is meant to be proclaimed, taught and lived out. In Matthew 29:18, Jesus charged His followers to go into the world, making disciples, baptizing them and teaching all He had commanded them. A disciple is characterized by someone who has accepted Jesus as their Savior through confession of their sins; who is baptized to publicly dedicate their life to him; and who grows in character resembling Jesus with a desire to please God and serve others. You can recognize a disciple by their passion to disciple others by helping them find freedom in following Jesus. Freedom will foster an environment where disciples will be raised up, equipped with sound biblical teaching and mobilized to go make disciples in their homes, workplaces, communities and the world. (Dt 6:4-7; Mt. 28:19; Mk 10:45; Ac 1:8; 2:37-38, Ro 1:16, 8:29; Ep 5:22-23, 6:1-4; 2 Ti 2:15)

H E L P I N G P E O P L E F I N D F R E E D O M I N F O L L O W I N G J E S U S

THE MISSION & VALUES

LEGACYThe gospel not only saves us from but it saves us to. Freedom will be a community that lives out the transformative nature of the gospel. The gospel first enters our minds, then it captures our hearts and finally it shapes our actions. Matthew 5:14-16 calls believers to be the salt of the earth; to be lights that shine before others so that they may see our good works and give glory to God. To us, that means to pursue excellence in the work of the church and in our personal lives. Honoring God with our time, talent and treasure; being equipped to better serve God’s church and our local community; training up faith-filled leaders and mobilizing them for ministry or leadership in the community and workplace; and investing in the next generation. (Ep 2:10; Mt 5:14-16, 28:19; Jer 29:7; Pr 31:10-31; Ep 4:11-14, 5; Pr 22:6)

INTENTIONAL COMMUNITYThe gospel brings together all races, cultures and nationalities under one banner and His name is Jesus Christ. The Gospel creates one family and we are called the children of God. The Bible reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Rather than deny our differences, we will celebrate them through multicultural leadership, worship, programing and intentional community. Intentional community for us includes our Freedom Celebration (large group weekend worship), community gathering (medium size), life groups and classes (small groups), and our naturally formed friendships (micro-groups). As followers of Jesus, we will live as examples to the world showing the grace, love and reconciling work found in the Gospel. (Gal 3:26-28; Ps 139:13, 14; 1 Cor 12:12-27; Mt 5:14-16, 22:36-40; Jo 17:20, 21)

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w H Y T H E S M A L L T O W N & w H Y P L A N T C H U R C H E S ?

THE RATIONAL

There’s a story in the Bible when Jesus called his disciple Philip to follow him. Immediately Philip went to another soon-to-be disciple to tell him that the Messiah had been found. “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45 ESV) “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) Nathaniel responded.

Nathaniel’s response is how most people view small towns. They are often seen as backward, boring, and don’t look as attractive to outsiders especially church planters. But Jesus has a way of using the foolish “things to confound the wise.” In writing to the Corinthian church, Paul tells them that God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not to bring to nothing the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:28 ESV). We believe that the Gospel must be preached in the big cities and in the small towns. Christ’s own ministry was to preach to the marginalized and those who were seen as weak.

As He gave the final charge to His disciples, Jesus told them to begin ministry right where they were in Jerusalem, then go to Judea and Samaria, and then to the end of the earth. We are starting right in our backyard as well, with the hope of impacting our community with the Gospel, then our re-gion and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

As one well known pastor says, “the church is the hope of the world.” The church is God’s vehicle for bringing hope and healing to broken cities. The life giving and reconciling message of the Gospel, breaks down boundaries and builds up healthy communities by impacting the spiritual, social and many times the economic development of the city. It is the church that God has entrusted this message to. Freedom Community Church is one of many churches being planted that is rooted in these biblical convictions.

QUICK FACTS• 11,500 Total City Population• 82% White // 12% Black• 6% Hispanic (Fastest Growing Group) • Growing Young Adult Population• 82.4% High School Graduates• 13.2% Bachelors Degree• 2 Colleges // 4 Univ. (within 10 miles)

Source: 2010 US Census Data

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33%

12%12%

R A I S I N G A N E W B A N N E R I N T H E C I T Y O F F O U R F L A G S

THE PLACE

Our target area is the downtown area as well as the east and west side of Niles. That areas has around 6,106 residents. The median age is 36. The econ-omy is manufacture-driven with a median income of $41,308 compared to $45,981 for the state of Michigan. The cost of living in Niles is low, making it an attractive place for families and young professionals to live while working in the larger towns across the border. The downtown area is a quaint mix of eclectic souvenir and antique shops, restaurants, a movie theater and a large park on the river.

SOURCE: Glenmary Research Center.

Niles is located in southwest Michigan and is bordered by Granger, an affluent suburb in northwest Indiana and the city of South Bend, Indiana. It’s a community that affords the comfort of small town charm with city access within min-utes. Niles hosts two community colleges with one that offers a four-year option through an affiliated university. Within 12 miles are two major universities; University of Notre Dame, Indiana University-South Bend, and two private liberal arts school; Bethel College and Andrews University.

In 2002, 46.9% of the city population claimed to have affiliation with some religious group. The largest group being the Catholic Church at 33%. The second being held by both Lutherans and Seventh-day Adventists at 12%*.

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

(Jeremiah 29:7 ESV)

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M u t a m . M w e nya - P l a n t i n g p a s t o r

THE LEADERSHIP

Muta Mwenya has lived in southwest michigan for the past 23 years. His school years were plagued by prejudice and blatant racism. As a result his education suffered and Muta dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. This experience left Muta yearning for a sense of identity so he spent his late teens and early 20’s pursuing the world’s pleasures.

However, growing up in a Christian home Muta had been surrounded by faith all his life. In his early 20’s, Muta found that his identity wasn’t so much in who he was but Who’s he was. He gave his heart to the Lord at the age of 22. He was married the same year to his college sweetheart and they now have two boys, Isaiah (8) and Elijah (3).

Muta’s career ranges from marketing to ministry. After years serving as a lay leader in his local church, Muta received the call to vocational ministry in 2009. He has since worked for a parachurch ministry, started 33Seven, an urban youth worker equipping ministry and most recently served as youth pastor at Overflow Church in Benton Harbor.

Muta’s passion is helping others find the Light at the end of the tunnel-which is very much his story. He is passionate about preaching Bible saturated

messages that point to Jesus as the Christ. He’s especially passionate about what God will do though Freedom Community Church and he feels a particular burden to reach the boys and men of Niles. Muta regularly blogs at mutamwenya.com and 33vii.com. He is the author of two small group studies for youth and is working on a new one. You can find Muta wrestling with his sons, dating his wife and connecting with friends and new acquaintances.

B.S. Organizational Management, Bethel College; M.Div. Wesley Seminary (Candidate)

ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHTFreedom Community Church is being planted under the oversight of Relevant Church of Riverside, California and is in the application process to join an interdenominational church planting

network. The elders of Relevant Church will provide spiritual oversight as well as an independent board of directors providing financial and legal oversight until elders are raised up for Freedom Community Church.

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w H E R E T H E R E I S N O V I S I O N T H E P E O P L E P E R I S H - p R 2 9 : 1 8

THE STRATEGY

PREPARATION PHASE (March 2014 - August 2014)1. Recruit launch team/start meeting monthly2. Needs-based assessment with key leaders3. Solidify monthly gathering venue4. Develop branding and marketing materials5. Develop partnerships with partners6. Move family to Niles, Michigan

7. Develop administrative support systems (bank account, legal documents)8. Develop prospectus (includes budget and strategy)9. Begin capacity building for pre-launch services

(equipment, supplies)

PRE-LAUNCH PHASE (June 2014 - February 2015)1. Begin monthly preview services in September (2nd week of each month till February)2. Begin launch team and volunteer training3. Determine location for weekly services4. Engage community in servant evangelism5. Build relationships with local unchurched people

6. Participate in community planned events7. Begin connect groups (evangelistic bible studies, small groups)8. Cultivate relationships with supporters (regular progress and prayer updates)9. Develop assimilation/follow-up plan for preview

services

LAUNCH PHASE (January 2015 - March 2015)1. Marketing and promotion for weekly services2. Continue servant evangelism to the community3. Develop children’s and music ministry4. Begin Easter Service planning for Easter 2015

(April 5, 2015)5. Baptize new believers

6. Implement assimilation system

POST-LAUNCH PHASE (March 2015 - August 2015)1. Grow and develop weekend worship gathering2. Mobilize mission teams (door hangers, servant evangelism, bridge events) 3. Start additional small group bible studies4. Baptize new believers5. Hire additional staff as needed

6. Train leaders and develop volunteer systems

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W H A T I T W I L L T A K E T O L A U N C H A N D S U S T A I N F R E E D O M

THE BUDGET

START-UP BUDGET: MARCH 2014 - MAY 2015

TEAM EXPENSES Salaries (1 Part Time) $5,000

CAPITAL EXPENSES Audio/Visual Equipment Computers, Printers, Etc. $5,000

OUTREACH EXPENSES Marketing, Banners, Evangelistic Events, etc. $16,950

OPERATIONAL EXPENSES Office Supplies, Printing, Licenses, Postage $21,270

TOTAL: $48,220

YEAR ONE BUDGET: JUNE 2015 - MAY 2015

FACILITIES Rent, Office, Insurance, Etc. $22,500

OPERATIONAL EXPENSES Office Supplies, Printing, Licenses, Postage $11,440

PAYROLL EXPENSES Salary and Benefits (1 full time, 2 half time) $77,000

MINISTRIES EXPENSES Children’s, Worship, Outreach, Serving, Etc. $27,900

TOTAL: $138,840

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W H O I S N E E D E D T O M A K E T H I S V I S I O N C O M E T O L I F E ?

THE SUPPORT TEAM

The Support Team are a team of people who partner with the Freedom team to fulfill its vision by praying consistently for God’s work through the church and by giving financially toward the work.

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE SUPPORT TEAM

1. To work diligently to accomplish the vision to reach unchurched people.

2. To regularly let you know how God is working through us.

3. To give yearly financial reports with tax deduct-ible

giving records. 4. To submit to the oversight of an independent

board of directors, who will insure the integrity of our financial decisions.

And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the LORD has commanded us to do.”

(Exodus 36:3-5 ESV)

LOCALCOMMUNITY

STAFF/LAUNCH

TEAM

SUPPORTTEAM

PARTNERSHIPS

These partnerships do not necessarily mean Freedom represents these “sponsors” or that they represent Freedom. These are simply organizations that believe in the vision and therefore have committed to invest money, resources, and coaching to ensure the success of Freedom Community Church.

• Relevant Church, Riverside, CA• Redemption City Church, Grand Rapids, MI • Greater Works Church, Wyoming, MI• Grace Christian Church, St. Joseph, MI• Destiny Christian Center, Muncie, IN

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Your financial partnership can make a huge difference in helping Freedom Community Church launch strong and effectively reach the Niles area. We are asking for churches to partner at one of four levels: $21,000 per year, $15,000 per year, $10,000 per year, $5,000 per year.

If you want to talk further about making a contribution, please contact Muta Mwenya at 269-588-0096 or muta@thisisfreedom.cc.

˃ To give by check*, please mail checks to: Freedom Community Church P.O. Box 901 Niles, MI 49120

˃ To give with a credit or debit card**: www.thisisfreedom.cc/#give

**This option allows you to set up automatic monthly recurring gifts

PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT

Prayer is the number one means to any movement of God’s Spirit. Freedom Community Church would like to invite you to join our team of people who receive monthly newsletters, which include prayer requests and progress updates.

MINISTRY TEAM & EXPERTISE

You are invited to join a team and come serve in Niles. You can help with community service, canvassing and other opportunities involving your expertise. If your team is willing to come serve the community of Niles, please contact Muta Mwenya at 269-588-0096 or muta@thisisfreedom.cc.

E X P E C T G R E A T T H I N G S F R O M G O D . A T T E m P T G R E A T T H I N G S F O R g O D .

THE WAYS TO SUPPORT

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We are asking churches and businesses to consider partnering at one of our four levels: $21,000 per year, $15,000 per year, $10,000 per year, or $5,000 per year.

Organization: ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact Name: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

☐ I commit to pray regularly for Freedom Community Church.

☐ I commit to contribute $_____________ monthly toward Freedom Community Church.

☐ I commit to giving a one time gift of $______________

☐ I’m enclosing my first check today. ☐ I’m planning on giving online.

Please let us know your commitment by tearing off the form below and mailing it to this address:

Mailing Address: Freedom Community Church P. O. Box 901 Niles, MI 49120

Giving Site www.thisisfreedom.cc/#give

*Please see the “Ways to Support” page for more details about how to contribute

www.thisisfreedom.ccfacebook.com/freedomcc

269.588.0096muta@thisisfreedom.cc

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