Day 3 - College Heights Baptist Church

The Website says it all: Alamosa (Colorado) is full of scenic wonders, family adventures and cultural heritage. Tucked in the pristine San Luis Valley, this mountain town is home to Adams State College and some of the best outdoor recreation the Rocky Mountains have to offer. But some of God’s greatest work is being done in and through the College Heights Baptist Church and Pastor Wil Etherton.

Pastor Etherton is leading his congregation toward intentionality in reaching out into their community. With the diverse demographics of a College Town populated by those whose families have lived in the area for generations, this is not an easy task. Central to the strategic plan of College Heights is GPS (God’s Plan for Sharing) developed by the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and promoted by Colorado Baptists through their State Missions emphasis.

The goal is to assist the church members by casting the Vision of reaching the lost and un-churched throughout the community of Alamosa and surrounding areas. Their model verse is Habakkuk 2:2 – Then the LORD answered and said, “Write the vision and make it plain in the tablets, that he may run who reads it.” This Vision of Reaching People has permeated all they do.

In the last sixteen months, the church has seen 54 people come to faith in Christ. Pastor Etherton has challenged his congregation to share their salvation testimony on the website: www.ThreeMinuteTestimony.com and direct their friends, neighbors, co-workers and students to that website. Last spring, the church distributed the GPS Materials: Find it Here! during the Easter season and, as a result reached a couple who has become actively involved in the church. They are planning to use the Find it Here! Materials again this fall.

The church has committed to the Jesus is the Light of the World Outreach Ministry through brochures, tracts and light bulbs. And they are intentionally reaching out to teens and young adults this fall by planning a concert and a See You After the Pole Rally (for information on See You at the Pole, go to: www.syatp.com).

Many of the resources College Heights has used come as a result of the Colorado Missions Offering. Pastor Etherton thanks Colorado Baptists for their generous giving is asking that we join in praying for the upcoming Outreach Events that people would come to know Christ’s love on an individual and personal level. They are a church On Mission – On Purpose!