N a z a r e t h – Through the Indigenous Mission Project (IMP), started in 2002 by the European Baptist Federation (EBF) for church planting, over 5,000 people have become Christians. This was emphasized by IMP Coordinator Daniel Trusiewicz (Wroclaw) at the EBF Council in Nazareth. Altogether 130 churches have so far been planted by local Christians. What makes this program special is that it is limited to five years, in order to motivate the new churches to become financially independent. After two and a half years, the support is reduced every half year by 25 percent. Financial independence has, however, so far been achieved by about 10 percent of all projects, explained Trusiewicz, who is Polish. Many church planters, for whom the support program has run out, work on the side in other professions, in order to add to their income. At present, support is received by 55 church planters in 25 countries, primarily in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. They receive a monthly subsidy of between 250 and 400 Euros.

As Trusiewicz further explained, the project has positive consequences for society, since in general the churches are also active in charitable work. They maintain clothing banks, operate soup kitchens, or help orphans, drug addicts or the unemployed. “It is normal that the preaching of good news in words be accompanied by social offerings,” said Trusiewicz said. According to him, the fact that most of the churches do not become financially independent stems from two factors: Often, the new churches reach out to the poor, who have no money; in other cases, church planters are afraid to ask those who attend their services for donations: “They are too shy.”

Two church planters who are active in the greater Nazareth area presented their projects: In one, an old, abandoned church is being brought back to life. Three years after the beginning, about 30 worshipers are said to gather in this church. In another case, a counselor began offering counseling and lifestyle advice for young couples and families in his living room. After two years, demand was so high that the apartment could no longer hold the attendees. Since then, up to 60 participants meet in a rented garage.