Although Wilmington has hundreds of churches our city is becoming increasingly unchurched. Based on faith involvement surveys and lifestyle patterns more than 70% of the population is living without God. The results of a city distant from God are devastating and heartbreaking.
Our families are under attack. In New Hanover County alone there are 16 divorces per week and 4,300 adults are on the road to divorce, already living separate from their spouse. Additionally, there are 6,300 single-parent households.
Our Children are in trouble. On average, one-half of high school students have already had sex and one-third have drunk alcohol in the last 30 days (one-half of those getting drunk). Shockingly, 1 out of every 8 high school students has thought about suicide.
These are just a few examples of the ways people in our community are hurting, broken and in need of hope. Due to the changing culture and the busyness of life, the church is losing influence and becoming increasingly segregated from its community. As a result of this separation, the church is losing the opportunity to speak into the lives of people who desperately need hope.
As we have wrestled with this problem and prayed for direction, God has answered with a clear vision; take church to the unchurched. The core of this vision is for authentic disciples (the church) to be intentionally involved in the lives of people in our community.
We envision a church that daily lives life within the community. Instead of forming a church that simply reaches out to the community, we want to be a church that is immersed in the community. As the lives of Christians touch the lives of the unchurched, an impact zone is formed. These impact zones will allow trusting relationships to form, providing the opportunity for us to gain influence with the unchurched.
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