Honorable Mention: Resourcing Churches under 1,000
Columbus Evangelical Church
Name and Location: Columbus Evangelical Church; Columbus, Montana
Denomination: Evangelical
Pastor: Jay Forseth
Date Founded: 1925
Weekend Attendance: 200
Email: jay@forseth.org
Overview: Columbus Evangelical Church launched its AIDS initiative in 2006, and is funding projects in Kenya through a wide range of donations, including devoting 10 percent of this small church's current building campaign. "We realized that bricks and mortar are only a fraction of what we wanted to be involved in, so we asked where else the Lord would have us," says Senior Pastor Jay Forseth. "He led us to Kenya and our work is just beginning there."
Specific Initiatives: Columbus Evangelical has embarked on a three-pronged initiative to help address AIDS in Kenya:
- Education and prevention services at a school where 300 children are taught ways to ensure they are not exposed to HIV, as well as other risky behaviors.
- The construction and operation of “Hope Station,” a facility providing medical services along with spiritual and educational programs. Medical teams from the U.S. volunteer their services.
- Support and on-going care for AIDS orphans in an orphanage; children are adopted by Christian families before the children reach age 4.
Engagement of the Congregation: Members of Columbus Evangelical were inspired to help address AIDS after viewing the "Hope and Action " DVD with Bill and Lynne Hybels, which was incorporated into a sermon series as well as the church 's small groups. The church is also also supporting the World Vision Experience: AIDS exhibit. In addition, the senior pastor speaks at local schools and writes a monthly column for the local newspaper.
Judges' Comments: "The 200 people attending Columbus Evangelical Church in a rural Montana town have taken on the greatest health Goliath of our time. Despite their small size, they have generated resources and demonstrated a commitment to those in desperate need that captured the attention of the judges. They are truly demonstrating courageous leadership as they trust God to provide resources beyond their means and maximize the impact that a small church can have."
