MOUNT JOY, Pa. — New Life Ministries, a cooperative initiative in outreach and evangelism of five Anabaptist denominations, has a new web site: www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org.

The introduction of the new site is being held in conjunction with the third annual Anabaptist Evangelism Council Feb. 19-20 at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries in Elkhart, Ind. The web site was authorized by New Life’s Management Team in September 1999 and has been in development since that time.

The purpose of the web site, according to New Life Ministries coordinator Joan Hershey, is two-fold. "First, we want to provide a web-based presence for Anabaptist/Believers’ Church congregations and denominations as a place where they can go for networking with one another and to find resources on evangelism and congregational vitality developed from our faith perspective.

"Second," she said, "as a partnership with denominational agencies and parachurch organizations, we want to continue to build commitment to outreach and congregational growth as a core value at the local level."

The web site is built around four emphases of New Life Ministries: resourcing, consulting, networking, and training. In addition, the site includes information about New Life Ministries and tools to enhance the usefulness of the site for creative thinking and problem solving.

The resourcing section includes a summary of New Life Ministries products, with special emphasis given to LIFE (Living in Faithful Evangelism), a two-year , guided process involving the entire congregation in doing more effective outreach. This section also includes several online resources and links to related web sites.

The consulting section emphasizes New Life’s commitment to personal contact with congregations. Denominational congregational advisors are listed, with phone numbers and e-mail addresses for direct contact with trained, experienced congregational consultants.

The networking section focuses on two areas. It highlights the Anabaptist Evangelism Council, a multi-denominational "think tank" designed to stimulate deeper thinking, engagement in joint projects, and resource sharing. The section also includes a discussion forum which focuses on four general subjects: church growth/health, church planting, evangelism, and the LIFE process.

The training section details New Life Ministries’ seminar offerings. Currently, seminars are offered on congregational hospitality, featuring Fred Bernhard, a Church of the Brethren pastor and author, and developing small groups, led by Palmer Becker, a Mennonite college professor and pastoral leadership trainer. Additional seminar topics and leaders are under consideration and will be announced through the web site.

Because the web site will be updated regularly, guests to the site may sign up for free e-mail notification of new additions to the site and announcement of new ministries of New Life.

New Life Ministries is a multi-denominational partnership of The Brethren Church, Christian Community, Church of the Brethren, General Conference Mennonite Church, Mennonite Church, Mennonite Church Canada, and Shalom Foundation.

Guests to the web site are invited to offer their comments and suggestions through the New Life Ministries toll-free hot line (1-800-774-3360) or by e-mail to our WebServant.

 2000-2008 New Life Ministries (www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org). All Rights Reserved.
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