Announcing a new church in SW Florida
I am so excited to be able to share with you today, the name of our new church.
Are you ready? Are you sure? Really, really sure? Okay, okay, here it is:
The name is………. ACCELERATE CHURCH! That’s right. Accelerate Church. Now you may be thinking “Accelerate Church? Really? What’s that mean? Why the strange name?”
We wanted a BOLD name. A name that would describe our approach to the way church ought to be, the way the church was when it first started. When Jesus gave the command to go out and spread the news about his life, his death, and his resurrection, the church was new, fresh, revolutionary. Within a short period of time, Jesus’ followers had turned civilization upside down. Why can’t church be that way today? Is the message any less relevant today than it was 2000 years ago? Is it any less exciting? Maybe it’s time for a fresh start. Maybe it’s time that we review why we do what we do. That’s what Accelerate Church is all about. It’s a church for people who think that church has become irrelevant. It’s a church for people who have been burned by church. It’s a church for those who think that church is boring, staid, and stale.
Accelerate by definition means to move more quickly or to increase in amount or extent. Doesn’t that sound like what a church should be doing these days? Isn’t it time for the church to come back to the forefront? To be on the leading edge within the community? Here’s what I know: There are 800,000 people in Southwest Florida who live here year-round. Only 4-7% of them attend church on a regular basis yet over 90% believe that there is a God. What does that mean? 750,000 people need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and yet they’re not even darkening the doorways of the church of today. It’s time for something different. It’s time to get it on! It’s time to get going! It’s time for the church to step it up, to increase its effectiveness, to increase the extent of its reach. In short, it’s time for the church to Accelerate!
Here’s what I need for you to do. Check out our new website: AccelerateChurch.tv There is all sorts of information about the church and more will be coming as we move forward. As we’re just starting out, I’m especially asking you to visit the What Can You Do page.
What Can You Do? Quite a bit actually:
- You can PRAY. Pray that Accelerate Church will be effective in reaching out to the people of Southwest Florida. Pray that we will effectively share the Good News of Jesus Christ! Pray also that no matter where you are, you have the opportunity to point someone in our direction. Someone who can help us with the vision or someone who needs help. Either way, pray that God will use you.
- You can SERVE. If you live in SW Florida, great news! We’re building our core team and we could use your help. Just contact us and we will get you connected. What if you don’t live in SW Florida? You can still serve. I can’t tell you how many people have already sent us names of people that they know who live down here that either might be or need to be interested in checking out a new church. Keep it up.
- You can GIVE. That’s right, I said it. The simple reality of a church is that it’s supported by those who believe in the vision. Accelerate Church is a totally independent, non-denominational church and if we’re going to be effective, we need your help. Whether, it’s a one-time gift or regular financial support, any amount will help. Remember this, what you give will go towards making a difference in eternity for someone else. Please help and thank you.
There is a lot for us to do but it’s time, past time, to get it on. It’s time to Accelerate. It’s time for Accelerate Church!
God bless you and may God bless Accelerate Church!
P.S. One last itsy, bitsy, teenie, little thing: I would be remiss if I didn’t throw credit for coming up with the name Accelerate Church to my beautiful daughter. Way to go, Kate! Thanks for embracing the vision! Thanks for embracing the dream!
WOW WOW WOW……I’m so excited for Accelerate Church……I know God is in that house. Prays and Praise go out to you Pastor Nate, you are truely a soldier of Christ and He stands right along side of you and your family. Patience and Persistence = Accelerate Church!!!!!
HOO YA my friend, and for a change I know EXACTLY what to pray for!!! I couldn’t be more excited than if God had called me to plant a church myself…Thats right, He did! Honestly I am every bit as excited for you guys. Don’t overthink the Plant Team as God has already begun cutting them from the herd, dude. Knee Time, I promise you a lot of it up hear. Love Ya Bro’
So excited about Accelerate Church. We will be praying for all the people you are going to impact!
Congradulations Nate. I will be praying for you and your new church. That you do for Florida what pastor Buddy has done for us up here. Kate great job on naming the church. I think it is perfect. Bless you all.
Very cool man. I am excited to see that things are taking shape for you. I am curious how Accelerate Church will be different from other churches and look forward to following your journey.
That is an Awesome Name KUDOS Katie. Accelerate, Increase,,, I want to be an accelerator, a person that accelerates. In photography an accelerator is a chemical that helps to develope pictures faster. We want to be accelerators to help develop this church for those in need. Accelerator on a car what you step on to make it go faster. WOW!!! What a Great Name it means GREATNESS, It means going forth, it means getting to someplace. And that place is Closeness to GOD and Developing a relationship to Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We need to pray for the Jeters and help this cause ,God has given him a vision for and established a need for in Florida. We must back him with our prayers, our love and financial support. WE NEED TO SPREAD THE LOVE FROM THE NORTHEAST TO FLORIDA. NJ I am so proud of you and your family for being obedient to GOD’s Mission for going through the wilderness not knowing what lied ahead for you when you stepped out in Faith when you left NY, but you did not falter you did not fail. OF those three things FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE, you did it….. HIGH FIVE BRO!!!!! So do a random act of kindness for the Jeters (hint hint wink wink) as P-Bud asked us to do tonight. No act of unselfish love is too small in GOD’s eyes. We love you Jeter Family,,,,, <3
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Thanks so much Stefi for the kinds words. It means alot to us to have wonderful people (like you) behind us and freely sending us prayers.
It is really hard for Nathan to ask for financial support but something we MUST do in order to move this church forward. Unfortunately, everything costs money, from buildings, to advertising, to chairs….. But our God is BIG and HE can do ANYTHING!
Love you!
Hey There, My name is Rusty Bissell and I’m a church planter from Chestertown N.Y. Jim Scudder gave me your website. We are in Ft. Myers Fl. planting a church. I’d like to talk to you sometime and pray with you. Northway was a real force for Jesus in N.Y. and Jim speaks highly about going there now. God Bless you, Rusty
Just last night Pastor Buddy was talking about “Love” and how we need to find a place every day to share God’s love. Then, just this morning, I read about your new church. Guess I found my “day 1″…
No problem RJ, It is how I feel from the heart and The Croff ‘s will be in prayer and $ backing, every little bit helps. God does not need money but for his works, it does take financial backing to ACCELERATE this ministry forward. Just as Gas is an accelerator for Fire, We need to accelerate with Prayer and financial backing to help ministries get started. GET THAT FIRE BURNING in souls, in minds in hearts. ACCELERATE your dream and GOD’s Dream for lost souls to come to know him as we know him, to show his love for those unloved and needing a lifeline to the world. We just need some KNEE MAIL. LOL…. Love you guys,,, xoxo
Nate, proud of you and looking forward to seeing God use you in Florida. Powerful name that sticks.