Sermons with titles such as "The
Parent Map," "The Perfect Storm," and "Is Happiness
Too Much To Ask?" are among hooks David Crispin, pastor of First
Assembly of God in Alamogordo, N.M., uses to capture the community’s
attention. He also regularly uses stage props, multimedia presentations,
contemporary music and drama. His unique approach to pulpit ministry
has attracted many to the church and infused the congregation with a
sense of urgency for reaching nonbelievers in Alamogordo with the message
of Christ.
"We have embraced the idea
that we are missionaries, and we minister in a cross-cultural way,"
says Crispin. "To do that we have to do some things that are out
of the box and sometimes we push the envelope. But at the core of everything
are biblical principles."
Crispin, 45, has been at the church,
which is located about 70 miles from El Paso, for 13 years. In that
time the church has grown from 200 to more than 800, which is remarkable
because the congregation loses approximately half its members every
two years due to military transfers — many of Alamogordo’s
more than 30,000 residents either work or serve at nearby Holloman Air
Force Base. Since time is of the essence, Crispin tries hard to attract
nonbelievers, introduce them to Christ, integrate them into the congregation
and disciple them so they will be equipped to share their faith.
"The Spirit of God is working
in this church," says Vicki Connelly, 41. "So many of our
people are willing to go out, praise the Lord and tell everyone about
Him."
Glenda Duncan, 44, agrees. "This
church is good at evangelism," she says, noting that she was drawn
to the church shortly after she committed her life to Christ. "A
lot of Alamo-gordo’s teens, even the ones who are not saved, go
to this church."
Each year the church conducts an
outreach called Kidz Carnival. Last year, nearly 3,000 children and
adults attended the event, which is held in October. But one of the
main reasons teens and 20- and 30-somethings (the average age of members
is 30) flock to the church, say many, is the unconditional acceptance
all of them receive when they walk into the church. "I came to
visit and fell in love with the congregation," says Louis Reynolds,
35. "The love, warmness and friendliness of the people made me
feel welcome."
"We have to attract people
and meet them where they are to win them," says Crispin. "We
think of our church as a missionary station in a world of people who
do not know God."
Before Reynolds started coming to
the church regularly he says his relationship with the Lord was not
strong. But since being at the church, he says, he has been stretched
and challenged. "I am on fire for God and I would do anything for
the Lord," he says. "The complete discipleship I receive from
this church makes me flourish."
Part of the discipleship Reynolds
speaks of takes place in small groups that meet each week. During the
small group meetings, attendees fellowship, pray and study their Bibles.
Most small groups meet at people’s homes, which offer an intimate,
yet casual setting. That in turn allows relationships to develop.
Though the sermons, music and presentation
of both have a nontraditional spin, Crispin says it all serves an eternal
end. "The culture of America is so foreign to the culture of the
church," he says, "that many times nonbelievers do not always
feel they belong in the church — we are trying to change that."
