2010 Church WithOut Walls Annual Report

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CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS2010 ANNUAL REPORT

A GUIDE TO OUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE AT WOW

619 S Williamson St., Atlanta, MO 63530 (660) 281-7777

[email protected]

Facebook & Twitter: @churchwow

atlantachurch.blogspot.com
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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2010 ANNUAL REPORT CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS, ATLANTA, MO 1

ABOUT CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS

Why we Exist

We believe the 1950's way of doing church is failing to reach out to non-believers. In

many cases, today's churches are more preoccupied with meeting the needs of themost vested members instead of those who have yet to walk in their doors. Thisministry's purpose is to reach out to people that traditional churches cannot relate toalone. We believe the sole source of doctrine is the Bible and that a genuine decision to

accept Jesus Christ is the way to a changed, fruitful, and eternal life.

OUR PURPOSE

To lead people to aproductive, lifelongrelationship withJesus Christ.

OUR

FOUNDING

VERSE

That if you confesswith your mouthJesus is Lord, andbelieve in your heart

God raised Himfrom the dead, youwill be saved. Romans10:9

MINISTRY TEAM

Our ministry team was created toadminister the activities of thechurch and are elected at theministrys annual meeting. The2011 Annual Meeting is Saturday,

February 5, 2011 at 9 A.M. atChurch WithOut Walls. Regularmeetings are held the first Saturdayof every month at 9:00 A.M.throughout the year unlessannounced otherwise.

Ministry team meetings are open toanyone that has ever attendedworship at Church WithOut Walls.

We do not maintain churchmemberships. The official ministryteam is made up of at most fivemembers. This year, threevolunteers served as treasurer:Sharon Pennington, Don Smith andMary Summa. Currently, ourministry team members are:

Aaron Baker, PresidentChad Summa, Vice PresidentHuberta Jackson, SecretaryMary Summa, TreasurerErica Baker, Member

To learn more about the ministryteam and its duties, see the By-Laws, attached in the Appendix.

2010 GROUP

LEADERS

Adults: Chad Summa

is a native of Lawson,Missouri and agraduate of CentralChristian College ofthe Bible (CCCB) witha Masters in the OldTestament fromCincinnati ChristianUniversity. Chad iscurrently finishing aPhD program at

Concordia Seminary inSt. Louis and is a

professor of Old TestamentStudies at CCCB in Moberly andlives with his wife, Mary, in ruralHuntsville.

Teens: Aaron Baker is an Atlantanative and serves as the presidentand co-founder of the ministry. AMizzou grad, Aaron is the Chief of

Staff to Missouri Sen. Bill Stouffer.Aaron has a love for teaching newbelievers. Heather Thornton andErica Baker also assisted in leadingteens in 2010.

Junior High: Rachel Hassani isoriginally from Ozark, Missouri andis a graduate of Missouri StateUniversity with a degree in
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Communication and is thestatewide coordinator for a non-profit, American Majority, Inc.Rachel has a passion for buildingrelationships with junior highstudents and is our first junior highleader.

Elementary: Erica Baker was raisedin La Plata and is a graduate ofMoberly Area Community Collegewith an emphasis in early childhoodeducation; she works as a nanny inColumbia. Erica also helps providebreakfast every Sunday morningbefore worship. Erica is assisted byan intern, Taylor Garza, a WestVirginia native attending CCCB.

Nursery: Huberta Jackson isanother Atlanta native who hasreturned to the area. Huberta is agraduate of Hannibal-La GrangeCollege and has worked for theDivision of Family Services formore than 20 years. She has twochildren, Trevor and Stephanie and

is assisted by an intern, MelyssaStrong, a student Wisconsinattending CCCB.

ELDERS & DEACONS

There are currently no eldersnamed for this congregation.Aaron Baker was elected deaconon November 1, 2009.

FRIEND OF CHURCH

WITHOUT WALLS AWARD

Each year, a Friend of ChurchWithOut Walls award is given toan individual our couple that havesupported the ministry with theirprayers, work or financial gifts.Previous award recipients

include:

2010 Richard & Jackie ThomasMadison, MO

2009 Mrs. Cindy OLaughlinShelbina, MO

WHAT WE DID IN 2010

Continued to serve as forwardingagents for two missionariesserving in New Zealand.

Participated in the AtlantaHomecoming Parade for the firsttime.

Sponsored one students trip to aChristian Rodeo Camp inUnionville, MO.

Purchased our first liabilityinsurance policy.

Conducted a class for the sixstudents baptized in July. Twoadults were re-baptized byimmersion that same month.

Hosted 22 students from CentralChristian College of the Bible forbreakfast, worship and lunch.

Provided gas cards for CentralChristian College of the BibleStudents and Faculty that are

helping with the ministry.

Added office hours over thesummer for folks wanting todiscuss items relating to theministry or their personal lives.

Included devotionals in mostworship services. We continue tonot have sermons.

Observed communion on amonthly basis.

Purchased new red ChurchWOW t-shirts.

Added Chad Summa, a professorof Old Testament Studies atCCCB, as a small group leader.

Chad Summa baptizes Aaron Baker by immersion at the Summer Campout.


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Thirty-three students attended our annual skating trip in January.

Began a new junior high classfor students in grades 6-8.

Received a $2,500 grant inpartnership with the La PlataPublic Library to purchaseand implement a communitycomputer lab.

Sponsored Carolyn Summersfor a short-term mission trip toJamaica where she workedwith elementary-aged childrenin a Vacation Bible Schoolsetting.

Served 275 meals and raised

more than $5,000 at the firstannual Fall Smorgasbord at theSilver Rails Event Center in LaPlata.

Continued God Rods Ministrywith a performance at our annualChristmas program.

2010 ACTIVITIES

Skating Party, 1/16/10Target Age: Elementary30 children attended this eventsponsored by WOW. Afterwards,they returned to the house churchfor a 20 long banana split and ashort devotional and prayer.

Adult Night Out, 2/20/10Target Age: AdultsTen adults from the ministry

enjoyed a steak dinner at the

nnual cattlemens banquet inMacon.

Shamrock Shindig, 3/20/10Target Age: TeensChurch WOW hosted 31teenagers and adults. NeverBlue Avenue, a band fromMoberly performed for this annualevent. Games followed a bandand guest speaker, HeatherThornton.

Easter Egg Hunt, 4/3/10Target Age: ElementaryMore than 200 children andadults came to hunt eggs. Theministry prayed with the familiesas a group and also explained thestations of the cross throughitems found in eggs.

Women of Joy, 4/16-18/10

Target Age: AdultsEight women from Church

WithOut Walls attended thisconference in Louisville, KY. Acookie-mix-jar fundraiser washeld to offset the costs. SarahPalin, Michael W. Smith andSteven Curtis Chapman werefeatured guests.

Graduation, 5/23/10Target Age: TeensWOW hosted graduates fromKindergarten, Sixth Grade, HighSchool and College with areception following worship. Eighthigh school graduates and Fivesixth grade graduates received anew Bible or $20 cash (if theyalready had their own Bible) forgraduation.

Crossover, 6/11-12/10Target Age: TeensWOW sent 11 teens and 2 adults

to this annual Christian concertand speaker event in Camdenton.


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A total of 275 meals were served at our first annual Fall Smorgasbord fundraiser.

Summer Campout, 6/19Target Age: Teens50 folks of all ages attended thisevent. Eight students and adultswho were baptized. Several

younger students stayedovernight. Shawn Shackleford,youth leader at Family LifeFellowship, Moberly, MO was theguest speaker.

Revival Weekend, 7/25/10Target Age: AdultsAround 35 attended the Saturdaynight service and Sundaymorning worship at WOWs old-fashioned tent revival. The guestspeaker was Alan Toigo, CampusCrusade for Christ, Columbia,MO and the worship leader wasPhillip Schull of Boonville.

Saturday Night Live, 8/14/10Target Age: TeensTwo Saturday Night Live eventswere held in August. Thesecasual events for teens provideda chance to hang out in a safe

environment with caring adults.The activities included games,Rock Band and refreshments

Outdoor Movie 9/18/10Target Age: ElementaryThis evening included a pool fullof popcorn and the playing ofToy Story. 36 adults andchildren attended.

Corn Maze, 10/16/10Target Age: TeensA group of 23 mostly elementarystudents and adults attended thistrip to a corn maze and hay ridein La Plata. Afterwards, Bro.Daryl Ridgely led a campfire

devotion at the home of Kim andBlaine Moore.

Fall Smorgasbord, 11/13/10Target Age: AdultsMore than 275 meals wereserved to raise more than $5,000

for the ministry. The Silver Railsevent center proved to be anexcellent venue and the activitywas a great team-buildingexercise for the ministry.

Christmas Program, 12/19/10Target Age: AllGod Rods performed as well asother presentations from eachage group during this Sunday

morning worship service.

Xtreme Youth Conf, 12/27-29/10Target Age: TeensA group of 18 teens and adultstraveled to Branson for thisannual event. Austin Robertsbecame a Christian at the event.

Brookfield UMC provided a busdriven by Ruth Downey. Gary andDiana Hassani provided theirhome during the groups stay.

Womens BrunchesTarget Age: Adults

Two womens brunches wereheld as a follow-up to the Womenof Joy Conference. They ladiesenjoyed the events and hope todo them again in the future.

Adult Game NightsTarget Age: AdultsTwo game nights were held atWOW for adults one in Marchand one in February, along with

carried-in refreshments.

Concealed Carry CoursesTarget Age: AdultsThree Concealed Carry Weaponscourses were held at ChurchWithOut Walls this year, trainingmore than 30 adults.


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Speaker & Potluck SundaysTarget Age: All AgesTo provide teaching to smallgroup leaders, guest speakerswere invited to talk to thecongregation on the last Sundaysof some months. This wasfollowed by a potluck lunch.Speakers included Kelly & AngieGatts, Ray Ivy on missions inHaiti, Kelly Foley on missions inMexico, and topics such ascreation science and adoption.

OUR HISTORY

Church WithOut Walls Ministriesmet for its first worship service onApril 13. 2008, to reach people ofall ages that may not be reachedby traditional churches. Themission statement of the ministry

was to lead people to aproductive, lifelong relationshipwith Jesus Christ.

After meeting at the Olde AtlantaLocker Restaurant, thecommunity building and park, thecongregation began worshipingas a house church in a homepurchased by Aaron and EricaBaker via foreclosure sale at 619S. Williamson St. They were the

only bidder at the courthousesteps the date of the sale,October 16, 2008. The facilitieshave provided a great layout andlocation for activities.

Aaron and Erica Baker, CathyBaker, the late Linda Gladhill,Lynnette Gladhill, Kerry Green,Huberta Jackson, Barbie Kitts,

and Sharon Pennington wereadults active in helping to meetthe ministrys early purpose in itsfirst year. Debbie Cain became apart of the ministry in the summerof 2008 to help with theelementary small group. Thegroup described their doctrine asfundamentally Bible-based, withMethodist hospitality and Baptistzeal for Salvation.

A majority of those attendingworship in the ministrys first yearwere 30 years old or less,including a large portion ofteenagers actively participating inthe planning and execution ofministry activities. In its first year,the ministry sent a group of 34youths and adults to a youth


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revival in Branson. This eventhelped grow the ministry in itsfirst year, including the addition ofseveral families from La Plata.

Some of the more active youth inthe ministrys first yearincludedAutumn Zahn, Brock Simons,Cindy Erwin, Sam and CodyBenowitz, Derek Wertz, DerrickMcQuitty, Jesse Likes, NathanielLush, Robert and RodneyNearhood, Stephanie Jackson,Tricia and Tara Pore, and ZachReed. Several of these studentsparticipated in a mission tripadministeredby theministry toChicagossouth side.

By the endof 2008,Aaron Bakerwas leadingthe adultsmall group,

Erica Bakertaughtteens, andDebbie Cainwas incharge ofthe elementary class. Volunteerstook turns assisting in thenursery. Adults also met forministry team planning meetingsweekly on Sunday evenings,

including a Bible Study. In 2009,the ministry team began meetingon the first Saturday, monthly.

Kerry Green was instrumental inestablishing the paperwork andnonprofit status for thecongregation through the help ofa local accountant and lawyer.

The average attendance in 2008was 18. There were many weeksless than ten adults and teensmet at the community buildingand the local restaurant

worshiping and learning together.

Today, Sunday morning worshipservices still include a trademarkcountry-style breakfast providedby the ministry and its volunteers.These meals include a weeklyrotation of items such aspancakes and bacon and biscuitsand gravy.

The congregation continues tohave no paid staff or pastor noran official membership roll. Allbrothers and sisters areresponsible for meeting the

needs of those in thecongregation and community.

Rodney Nearhood leads worshipand announcements; GrantRoberts, Merzaydee Moore, CodyBenowitz and Pang Her have allled the praise music.

Many of the founders of theministry were active in the AtlantaUnited Methodist Church. Today,participants are from a variety ofbackgrounds including Baptist,

Methodist, Pentecostal,Presbyterian, Catholic, andChristian Churches.

The ministry is best known for itsinvitation and outreach in thecommunity and its work with localyouth.

BAPTISMS

Baptisms performed at

Church WithOut Wallsinclude:

1.Cody Benowitz, March21, 2009 by Aaron Bakerat the Macon ComfortInn.2.Rodney Nearhood,October 4, 2009 byAaron Baker in the yardat WOW.

3.Katie Ogden, June 19,2010 by Aaron Baker in

a pool near WOW.4.Tristan Borron, June19, 2010 by Aaron Bakerin a pool near WOW.5.Kirsten Gilliland , June

19, 2010 by Aaron Baker in apool near WOW.

6. Christina Pennington, June19, 2010 by Aaron Baker in apool near WOW.

7. Sharon Pennington, June 19,2010 by Aaron Baker in apool near WOW (rebaptismby immersion).

8. Ojuanna Smith , June 19,2010 by Chad Summa in apool near WOW.

9. Aaron Baker, June 19, 2010by Chad Summa in a pool


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near WOW (rebaptism byimmersion).

10.Phoebe Dowell, June 20,2010, by Aaron Baker in apool near WOW (rebaptism

by immersion).

We baptize to follow what Jesusinstructed us to do as an outwardexpression of our faith.

Baptisms are a public way toacknowledge our entry into thechurch and our decision to makeJesus Christ Lord in our life.Items to consider before beingbaptized: 1) Have you accepted

Jesus Christ as Lord in your life?2) When / how you came to thisdecision. 3) Do your actionsreflect a changed heart and yourlifelong commitment? 4) Are youcommitted to making your bodyand your life a living sacrifice toGod by studying his word,worshiping him regularly, buildingup his church here on earth andsharing your faith with others? 5)

Do you understand you are notsaved by water nor by goodworks, but by Gods gracethrough the acceptance of JesusChrist as your savior?

Once the above items aresatisfied, the following must bedetermined: 1. A date, time, andlocation for the baptism; thiscould include worship at WOW,an event at WOW, or any othertime or facility and 2. TheChristian to perform the baptism.

Anyone interested in learningmore about being baptized

should discuss the matter with asmall group leader at ChurchWithOut Walls.

INFORMATION FOR

VISITORS

Guests who have or could visitChurch WOW should receive thefollowing information by personalvisit followed by a written note:

Where is the church?

We are a house church located at619 S. Williamson St., Atlanta,MO 63530. We are one blockwest of the school and threeblocks south of the city park. Thehome rests at the southwestcorner of the city of Atlanta.

What do you believe?

Our purpose is to lead people toa productive, lifelong relationshipwith Jesus Christ; our foundingverse is Romans 10:9: That ifyou confess with your mouth that

Jesus is Lord and believe in yourheart God raised him from thedead, you will be saved.

You will find that our presentationof the Gospel is compatible withmost Protestant churches inAmerica. Our adults include folkswith a Baptist, Methodist,Presbyterian, Pentecostal,Catholic, and Independent

Christian Church backgrounds.

What is your service format?

We begin breakfast at 9:30 A.M.and worship at 10 A.M. By 10:15A.M. we break into our smallgroups. Those small groups endat 11:30 A.M.

We strive to provide an invitingand friendly atmosphere. A large,country-style breakfast isprovided each week with coffeemugs provided to all attendees.

We use acoustic guitars orrecordings to lead contemporarypraise and worship songs.


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We work hard to provide Christ-centered small groups dividedbetween preschool, elementary,teens, and adults. We do notdo sermons, except for the last

Sunday of each month when aguest speaker is invited toshare his or her testimony.

Are you just a youthministry?

No! Although God has blessedus with a large number of teensat worship services, we are achurch made up of every agegroup. Of course, children do

have a special place in ourhearts.

Who is your pastor?

We do not currently have a paidpastor. Each of the small groupshas a leader that presents theirBiblical small group lesson anddiscussion. Aaron Bakertypicallyleads a portion of our morning

worship and serves as a deacon.Our participants do not expect tobe pastored by one individual.Each person committed to thepurpose of the ministry is calledto minister to the needs of thechurch family and beyond.

How do I fit in?

We will strive to provide you with

the opportunity and the resourcesto grow in your faith andunderstanding of God's plan foryour life. You can become asinvolved as you choose. Ourfocus is becoming a churchwhere everyone can belong andserve - no matter their maturityand knowledge.

What do I need to wear?

Come as you are. We areinterested in you - not yourwardrobe. Many in ourcongregation wear jeans, somedress up a bit more, but overallwe are casual in our dress.

What about my children?

We provide age-appropriate,Bible-centered classes for all agegroups. Of course, your childrenare always welcome to join you atany time.

If I visit, will I be singled out as

a guest?

We treat guests as regulars. Forexample, you will not be asked tostand or to say anything orotherwise be made to feeluncomfortable.

Will I be asked for money?

No. We do not ask our people forspecific donations and we wouldcertainly not ask a newcomer tocontribute financially to ourministry.

Any offerings you may give arecompletely your decision; Godhas blessed our ministryfinancially and we have neverfailed to meet a need because ofa lack of funds.

An offering is taken at thebreakfast bar every Sunday tocover the costs of the ministry.

These include utilities for thefacilities, breakfast and eventcosts.
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Will I be contacted or placed ona mailing list?

Those that participate in any partof our ministry receive a quarterlynewsletter unless requestedotherwise. We also try to followup with guests to thank them forattending and to answer anyquestions. However, any furthercontact would be up to you.

Summary:

We are veryserious about ourmission to lead

people to aproductive,lifelongrelationship withJesus Christ. Wecare more aboutfolks that have notyet become a partof our church thanour most vestedmembers. We are

here to be Christschurch on earth,not to divide. Wewould love for your family to be apart of ours.

WHAT WE TEACH

Christian education is a focalpoint of our ministry. It is ourhope that graduates of eachsmall group would know andunderstand the following truths:

Nursery:

God created the world.(Genesis 1:1)

Jesus was born in a lowlymanger and is the son ofGod.

Jesus died on a cross for oursins; on the third day he rosefrom the dead.

Jesus is Gods only son andif you believe in him, you will

know him in heaven. (John3:16)

Elementary:

Accepting Jesus Christ andbeing born again is the most

important decision we canmake in our lives it is achoice to make Jesus Christthe Lord of your life.

God is represented in threeparts: The Father, The Son,and The Holy Spirit.

Baptism is an outward sign ofour inward decision to makeJesus Lord in our life. Thisdecision leads to oursalvation.

We take communion monthlyto remember the broken bodyand the blood of Jesus Christon the cross.

There is only one path toheaven and it is through JesusChrist.

The Bible is God-breathed andabsolutely true. It is true no

matter who you are, whereyou live or when you areliving.

We should study the Bible toknow and love God more,including how to use it andwhere to find the books.

The Biblebegins withAdam andEves

original sinand how itremovedpeople fromGod. Therest of theBibleteaches uspeople canget backwith God.An

understanding ofthe following Biblical storiesand characters: Adam andEve, Cain and Abel, Noah,The Tower of Babel, Abraham,Lots Wife, Isaac, Jacob,Joseph, the Twelve Tribes ofIsrael, the Exodus, Moses,The Ten Commandments.

Teens:

A Biblical-world-view is thesafest bet to please God inour daily lives and to grow inour relationship with Him.

God does not cause badthings to happen, he letsthem happen.


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If someone makes thegenuine decision to acceptJesus Christ, they will live adifferent, more fruitful life.This includes good works.

Good works do not get us toheaven, making Jesus Lordin our lives,does.However, ifwe aregenuinelysaved, wewill havegoodworks.

If a personhas madethegenuinedecision toacceptChrist, theywill work toturn away(repent)from their

sins. However, we will alwaysbe sinners. Even though we are broken

and are not worthy, we canstill go to heaven if we acceptJesus Christ. That is grace.

Adults:

We can debate, but should notdivide over Christian issuessuch as communion, baptism,and end times.

It is our hope adults wouldhave an understanding of thetruths being taught to ourother small groups and adeeper understanding of thehistorical background of theentire Bible.

ATTENDANCE

Trends for attendance at ChurchWithOut Walls on Sundaymornings continues to be difficultto discern. The ministry continues

to grow with 200 individualsvisiting in the last two years.

However, attendance is irregular

for most individuals. In 2010,adult attendance increasedsignificantly. The averageworship attendance was 33.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

The ministry is in a solid financialposition for the future. With thehelp of the Fall Smorgasbord, acapital fund was established toassist with

significant futurecosts in missiontrips, buildingprojects, etc.The ministrycontinues without paid staff or adedicated building.

Significant cost savings tookplace this year, including lodging

in residences instead of hotels,lowering the ministrys annualexpenses. As ourprogramminggrew this year, our costs heldsteady as we found ways to

spend less and do more.

In-kindcontributionscontinue to grow.One exampleincludes thedonation of sixmeat goats froma friend of theministry in

Bowling Green,Missouri. Robertand Cathy Bakerboarded thesmall herd for 24hours beforethey were sold toa local farmer for$500 cash.

In addition to anew capital fund, the adult smallgroup has established abenevolence fund for communityand ministry needs. In 2010,WOW provided more than $400in utilities assistance to localresidents in need.

Meanwhile, the ministry continuesto donate bookkeeping services

to twomissionaries inNewZealandas their

forwarding agents. This hassaved the couple an estimated$2,500, or 10% of amount raised,in calendar year 2010.

As programming grew this year,costs held steady as we found ways

to spend less and do more.


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Attendance

A special thanks to our monthly sponsor:

2010 Church WithOut Walls Annual Report

Documents

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