Churches sometimes implement ministry programs without addressing the underlying spiritual issues that can hinder the fruitfulness of those programs. This results in a sincere effort to produce spiritual fruit without experiencing the longed for results. However, when a church hears from the Lord about the underlying issues that impede their ministry, and they respond to Him, the result is ministry transformation.
Altoona Alliance Church in Altoona, PA experienced such a ministry transformation. They recently celebrated burning their mortgage 18 years ahead of schedule! They trace their current positive financial and spiritual state to going through a process called Healing the Heart of Your Church in 2018. The church utilized Blessing Point Ministries to guide them through the healing process.
Since then, there have been dramatic changes in Altoona Alliance Church’s fruitfulness. In the following chart, Pastor Tim McGarvey shares a before and after glimpse of the ministry’s transformation:
| BEFORE: | AFTER: |
| New Converts: While we were seeing people get saved at outreach events and one on one, guests would visit but not many stayed. We saw few baptisms. Small groups struggled and people were leaving the church. | New Converts: Salvations increased (in our services too)! Many guests attended and most stayed. Attendance and membership increased significantly. Baptisms increased and small groups grew and multiplied. |
| Community Engagement: We were somewhat engaged in our community but mostly had an inward focus. Missions emphasis was strong, but we had little focus on reaching our Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. | Community Engagement: This may be one of the biggest changes. God broke down walls among city churches. Churches are doing events together to Saturate our city with the gospel! |
| Visionary Initiatives: We had our denominational mission and vision statements to go on, but not a personal one for our church. We did not see much cultural diversity in the congregation. Finances were very tight and a constant struggle. | Visionary Initiatives: We received a clear vision and mission from the Lord. We started ESL to reach internationals and purchased a translation program so those coming could hear our service in their own language. We also initiated outreach events to low-income people in our area. |
| Spiritual Atmosphere: We had some good days, but the church was experiencing conflict, negativism, gossip, mistrust, and disrespect of leadership. Board meetings were tense. At times preaching seemed difficult, like there was plexiglass between the pulpit and the people. Not a lot of response in services. | Spiritual Atmosphere: Board meetings became times of prayer and united celebration. Love for pastors, giving, and attendance increased. Church services experienced anointing, altar responses, and worship went to a higher level. Preaching became much more free and fruitful. |
| Leadership: We were faithful and committed, but also prideful and toxic. The pastor was blamed for problems, leaders held tight to money (stingy, took no risks, lack of generosity and slow to start initiatives). | Leadership: Now the leadership displays a humble, Spirit-led attitude. We are willing to change and take faith filled risks. We demonstrate love for one another, serving shoulder to shoulder. |
| Financial Health: Financial matters consumed board meetings. People were not giving and we faced a spending freeze. There was no ministry budget. Except for missions, money was spent internally. It was hard to dream or initiate new things. | Financial Health: This was one of the biggest changes – for the good! Giving exploded. We paid off our mortgage 18 years early! We were able to dream and initiate outreach. |
| Challenges: Our church was hurting, declining, and unhealthy. Little sense of God’s presence existed in our services and meetings. It seemed like our light was going out or flickering. | Challenges: Our challenges are to stay humble, and on mission. We have found a place of abundance (Psalm 66:12b) and times of refreshing (Acts 3:19-20); the church’s light shines brightly. We are adding staff and ministries. God is taking us to the next level. |
We at Blessing Point can’t take credit for a ministry transformation story like this one, nor can we guarantee it for your church. But Jesus is eager to show compassion to ministries that respond to Him in authentic repentance. He restores and amplifies His blessing on such churches. At Blessing Point Ministries, we long to see the radiance of Christ’s Bride restored so that it transforms the Church and culture at large. Learn more about how Healing the Heart of Your Church can transform your ministry at blessingpoint.org.
This is exciting! I wish it pleased God too poor out holy Spirit upon all his people do that this was the norm and not the exception.
I pray this for my former church!
Praise God!!! What a delight to hear this account of what God is doing!!! May God continue to work in this church and may many other churches humble themselves in this way through the Blessing Point ministry.