In May, Generate awarded Peace Bible Church, Salem, Oregon, a church-planting grant. Now this new church is ready to launch October 1.
Peace Bible Church currently meets at its mother church, Bethany Baptist Church in Salem. The new church’s last Sunday at Bethany Baptist will be September 24. That morning, Bethany Baptist will hold a sendoff for the members of Peace Bible Church—about 75 people, including children.
“We have been meeting weekly as an adult Sunday School class since April, along with other events and activities,” says Casey Lute, pastor of Peace Bible Church. “I have a good team of leaders and teachers to share the load with. We have a leadership retreat coming up (August 29–31), where we will spend time praying together and shoring up plans with about a month left before launch.”
Generate’s grant enabled Peace Bible Church to purchase sound and tech equipment. “This is important to us, because it will allow us to both sing and preach more effectively and with excellence,” Casey says.
A worship night August 16 in a different location gave the congregation a chance to worship God together and the music team to play together. Member Josh Campbell (in the photo above) read Scripture for that service.
“We were able to practice setting up in a new and different space,” Casey says. “It was a good night that was really encouraging to everyone. We had a good turnout of our people and some guests.”
And on July 5, the church held a baptism at a park in Salem. One young man who was baptized accepted the Lord as Savior recently, became connected with Peace Bible Church, and has been attending the church’s Bible study.
“Through that discipleship process he realized his need to be baptized,” Casey says. “That was another great night—with not just our people in attendance, but a number of [his] friends and family as well.”
