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History of Celebrate Jesus
In 1984 Reverend Dr. Rob Frost, National Evangelist for the Methodist Church in England, “started a process of planning a local church-based
mission” using a small team of 60 Christians in churches around North London. He called the project “Share Jesus” to remind them (team members) whatever else they did, the most important task was to
introduce Jesus to others.*
In 1996, Bishop Cornelius Henderson of the Florida Conference, set about to stem the tide of decline within the United Methodist Church. He set up a task force made up of Clergy and Lay members of Florida. The Chairperson was Reverend Joe MacLaren. The task force visited churches that were not in decline and studied what factors were involved in their growth. Joe MacLaren was also introduced to “Share Jesus” and took part in these missions in California and England. The missions were life-changing and church changing. The committee decided to adopt Share Jesus as a means to help churches effectively reach their neighborhoods for Jesus.
The first full-scale mission held in Florida was in 1999 in Jacksonville. Eighteen churches participated and over 300 people took a step of faith to be used as missionaries for the Lord, including over a dozen friends from the UK.
Following the Jacksonville mission the Florida Conference, under the guidance of Bishop Henderson, grasped hold of God’s vision for outreach in the USA and Celebrate Jesus was formed.
Since the year 2000 Celebrate Jesus has overseen 22 separate missions in regions around Florida and has participated in a mission to Honduras. Florida missions include: DeLand (twice), St. Petersburg (twice), Leesburg, West Palm Beach, Lakeland (twice), Melbourne, Sarasota area, Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Tallahassee, Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida, Northeast Florida, Gulf Central Florida and Ocala area. One-church missions have been held in Frostproof, Sun-City Center, Key West, and Venetian Bay (New Smyrna Beach). Over 225 churches from various denominations have partnered with mission teams to evangelize their communities and well over 2,200 people have participated as missionaries.
Our missions have included numerous denominations, including United Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, Missionary Baptist, Evangelical Covenant, Assembly of God, and non-denominational churches.
Celebrate Jesus Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, accountable to a Board of Directors made up of Christian leaders from a variety of backgrounds.
Celebrate Jesus Inc. is overseen by Mrs. Martha Gay Duncan, Executive Director, and receives its funding from love offerings from individuals and churches, grants, and fees from applicants and Host Churches.
If you would like more information about the history of Celebrate Jesus or how Celebrate Jesus can be an effective change-agent in your church, please feel free to contact Rev. Joe MacLaren at joemaclaren@ucumc.net.
*Sharing Jesus in a new Millennium by Rob Frost ISBN 1-8599-305-2
In 1996, Bishop Cornelius Henderson of the Florida Conference, set about to stem the tide of decline within the United Methodist Church. He set up a task force made up of Clergy and Lay members of Florida. The Chairperson was Reverend Joe MacLaren. The task force visited churches that were not in decline and studied what factors were involved in their growth. Joe MacLaren was also introduced to “Share Jesus” and took part in these missions in California and England. The missions were life-changing and church changing. The committee decided to adopt Share Jesus as a means to help churches effectively reach their neighborhoods for Jesus.
The first full-scale mission held in Florida was in 1999 in Jacksonville. Eighteen churches participated and over 300 people took a step of faith to be used as missionaries for the Lord, including over a dozen friends from the UK.
Following the Jacksonville mission the Florida Conference, under the guidance of Bishop Henderson, grasped hold of God’s vision for outreach in the USA and Celebrate Jesus was formed.
Since the year 2000 Celebrate Jesus has overseen 22 separate missions in regions around Florida and has participated in a mission to Honduras. Florida missions include: DeLand (twice), St. Petersburg (twice), Leesburg, West Palm Beach, Lakeland (twice), Melbourne, Sarasota area, Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Tallahassee, Southeast Florida, Southwest Florida, Northeast Florida, Gulf Central Florida and Ocala area. One-church missions have been held in Frostproof, Sun-City Center, Key West, and Venetian Bay (New Smyrna Beach). Over 225 churches from various denominations have partnered with mission teams to evangelize their communities and well over 2,200 people have participated as missionaries.
Our missions have included numerous denominations, including United Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, Missionary Baptist, Evangelical Covenant, Assembly of God, and non-denominational churches.
Celebrate Jesus Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, accountable to a Board of Directors made up of Christian leaders from a variety of backgrounds.
Celebrate Jesus Inc. is overseen by Mrs. Martha Gay Duncan, Executive Director, and receives its funding from love offerings from individuals and churches, grants, and fees from applicants and Host Churches.
If you would like more information about the history of Celebrate Jesus or how Celebrate Jesus can be an effective change-agent in your church, please feel free to contact Rev. Joe MacLaren at joemaclaren@ucumc.net.
*Sharing Jesus in a new Millennium by Rob Frost ISBN 1-8599-305-2
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