FREMONT, CA (April 21, 2008) – Delegates to the Pacific Southwest Conference (PSWC) Celebration 2008 affirmed the direction of the conference by approving a $2.7 million budget heavily weighted toward church planting, welcoming six new churches, and re-electing Superintendent Evelyn M.R. Johnson to a third term. The celebration was held at the South Bay Community Church.
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\nThe approved budget includes:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0$1.54 million for church planting that will provide funds for up to 10 new church plants in 2009 and for 22 existing plants; the conference also plans to add a staff member to focus on church planting.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0$547,000 for development of established churches and ministries.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0$206,144 for launching The Mosaic Center (TMC), which will help the conference advance its multiethnic ministries through leadership training and other activities.<\/p>\n
According to PSWC figures, 81 (or 54 percent) of the 150 conference churches are new to the conference since 1993, and 56 (or 37 percent) of the conference churches are new since 2000.<\/p>\n
The conference welcomed six new churches in California:
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Abundant Life Covenant in Pasadena, which was started in 2003 and is served by pastor Camille Russell Wooden.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Bayside Covenant Church West Roseville in Roseville, which was started in 2005 and is served by pastor Chuck Wysong.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Bayside of Lincoln in Lincoln, which was started in 2006, and is served by pastor Ed Kemp.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Iglesia Evangelica Maranatha (Maranatha Covenant Church) in Richmond, which was started in 2004 and is served by pastor Walter Gomez.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0NewSong Church North Orange County in Fullerton, which was started in 2005, and is served by pastor Brian Kim.
\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0NewSong Los Angeles Covenant Church in Culver City, which was started in 2003 and is served by pastor Adam Edgerly.<\/p>\n
Delegates also had the opportunity to participate in a \u201cmini Journey to Mosaic\u201d trip in the area. The trip was cited as one example of the level of support demonstrated in the re-election of Johnson, who was credited for her visionary leadership.<\/p>\n