loving people…..teaching truth wells throughout the ity...
TRANSCRIPT
Loving People…..Teaching Truth Wells Throughout The City, Wells Around The World .
John 4:14 “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
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Meet The Team
Steve’s Story
Jon’s Story
Statistics
Our Strategy
Spiritual Growth
Partnership
Start Up Cost
Recommendations
THE WITTS
Steve and Nikki were born and raised in east Tennessee
and have spent most of their lives ministering in east
and middle Tennessee. Nikki has been a Christ follower
since she was 6 years old while Steve has been a
believer since he was 21. Steve has been pastoring in
churches for 19 years and has served as Student, Associate, Evangelism, Discipleship
and Senior Pastor in different churches. Nikki has been teaching middle and high school
students at churches for many years. Nikki also has started a cleaning business and has
been working in it for 10 years. Steve and Nikki have been married 22 years and have 2
beautiful teenage daughters, Marlee and Mariah. Steve and Nikki have a passion for the
West and want to be a part of what God is doing there!
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THE LABONTES
Jon and Emily were born in middle and west Tennessee. They
met at Campus Crusade for Christ during their undergraduate
work at Middle Tennessee State University. Emily has been a
Christ follower since she was 8 years old while Jon has been a
believer since he was 10. Jon has been a worship leader for 9
years, a minister to college students for 2, and a Middle
School Pastor for 3 years at Englewood Baptist Church. Emily has a passion to minister to
young girls, especially those in crisis, and has spent multiple Summers with Lakeshore
Camp for teens. She currently serves as a middle school girls small group teacher at
Englewood. Emily is also a Nurse Practitioner and is excited about practicing in
Las Vegas. Jon and Emily have been married for nearly 6 years and have one beautiful
girl named Emma Joy. Jon and Emily are extremely excited to join the Church in
Las Vegas to be a part of what God is already doing there!
m e e t t h e t e a m
Growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee I had parents
who practiced their faith. They were faithful in their
church attendance. I remember my dad having his quiet time in the morning
before he went to work and my mom keeping the church books at Lyons Creek
Baptist. I knew the religious motions because since birth I was a regular Sunday
morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night attendee of church. At age 7, I
“went down front” , was baptized and was a member at Lyons Creek Baptist
Church. The problem was I did not have a relationship with Christ, I simply had a
head knowledge of Him. The church invested Truth in me but I was not there yet.
I did not darken the door of a church throughout college. I was deep into the
throes of a self-destructing lifestyle. I knew my days were short, yet I rejected
considering if God was real. Then my life changed dramatically! At my workplace there was this beautiful
brunette named Nikki who my co-workers dared me to ask out. I’ve never been afraid of a dare, so I did it. To
my surprise she said yes! I took her to a great restaurant in Johnson City. Before we even started the “date
chatter” she asked me if I was a Christian. I responded to her question by giving her the only answer I could,
“Yes”. I lied of course, but I knew all the “Christianeese”. She asked me what church I attended, and I told her
I had not narrowed it down yet. So she asked if I would go to Harmony Baptist with her, and I did. I sat under
a pastor who preached the Gospel very clearly and without apology. A few weeks into our relationship I left
church, went back to my apartment, got on my knees and asked Jesus to forgive me and come into my life.
A few years later we Married and ended up in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Nikki and I drove through that little
town looking for a church, and pulled into First Baptist Spring Hill. Nikki and I began training the deacons and
leaders of the church in Evangelism Explosion (The Gospel), and we were seeing several people come to
Christ. 5 months into serving there, the Lord impressed on me that He wanted me in vocational ministry. I
came forward to announce my calling, and 6 weeks later the church asked me to come on staff as Youth and
Associate pastor.
That year the Lord brought a local youth pastor into my life and he mentored me in student ministry. The
Senior pastor Amos, also mentored me on being a pastor. It was such an amazing experience as we saw the
student ministry grow quickly, and of those first kids we have several who are now in full time ministry. The
church grew to well over 300 people in weekly attendance during our service there.
Four years later, I received a call from a church in Elizabethton, Tennessee. I agreed to meet with them, and
after much prayer Nikki and I accepted the call to become pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church! I was also
beginning to help teach Evangelism Explosion Clinics around the country which is something I still do today.
Four years later, I received a call from Thompson Station Baptist Church in Middle Tennessee. The Senior
pastor shared that the Lord had spoken to him about me coming there as their Evangelism and Discipleship
pastor. I was not looking and had not sent out any resumes. Nikki and I prayed and felt the Lord was in it. I
accepted the call and I am here today serving in this great church!
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Steve’s Story
In late October of 2014, I received a phone call
from my mentor in the faith and youth Pastor,
Steve Witt. When he called me, he was initially letting me know that
Thompson Station Church was in the process of searching for their next
youth Pastor and what that meant for Steve and what that might mean for
us.
Steve shared with me that God had pressed on his heart to move to an ex-
tremely lost city to share Christ and see the lost saved. He initially spoke
for over 40 minutes sharing his heart and ultimately ended that
conversation encouraging Emily and I to begin praying about whether God
would move us there to join him or support him in some other way.
Honestly, at first, we told him that we didn't see ourselves moving out there due to Emma Joy and what
God was allowing us to be a part of at our church, Englewood. However, we began praying individually
about this, God was moving both Emily and I in the same direction - burdening our heart for this lost city
called Las Vegas.
Steve contacted us in January for the first time since late November to reintroduce the idea of moving/
partnering as a Church with he and his family out there. We continued to pray and started becoming over-
whelmed by the fact that over 93% of 2.1 million Las Vegans will go to bed tonight not knowing where
they will spend eternity… Thinking of this many people going to hell if the Gospel is not shared began to
break our hearts. At that time, we decided to go on a vision trip to see if that was indeed what the Lord
was calling us to be a part of.
God confirmed this call while we were in Vegas this past April 2015. We fell in love with the people and
met believers that were already on the ground running. We began to envision the body of Christ rising up
in this lost city with not even 20 churches to minister to over 2 million people. We were very encouraged
to hear that the people in Vegas are hungry for relationships, lonely, and searching for a hope that the city
of sin can’t offer them - Only Jesus can! The charge that is sustaining us is this certain hope that the city of
lights will truly be transformed by Jesus and one day become a city of the one true light! This is why we
have to go.
In August of last year, my pastor at EBC, Jordan, took some staff to Nashville for a staff retreat and he be-
gan to charge the staff to dream bigger with God, and to believe God for more. I had no idea what this
meant for me and my family. I honestly thought I would be a youth pastor for 20+ years to reach the city of
Jackson, but God was showing me something different! He was getting me a little uncomfortable!
In October, Pastor Jordan shared the 2020 Vision with the entire staff! What’s crazy about this is that God
was burdening my heart to minister to people of all ages instead of one specific age group at the same
time God was setting the stage for the Church plant in Vegas. Vegas happens to be one of the 5 ‘Send
Cities’ of the North American Mission Board and a part of Englewood’s 2020 Vision!
Jon’s Story
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It is not a coincidence that God is weaving this all together - we couldn't be more excited! Although this is
bittersweet for my church in Jackson, we know its of God. To imagine that Emily, Emma Joy, and myself will
be 3 of the 25 people being sent out of EBC on mission for God excites me more than anything. It humbles
me at the same time that Englewood believes in us to carry on this vision clear cross the country!
Our prayers for each of you are that you would consider these ways of supporting us - praying, giving, and
going. Please begin praying for The Well church plant in a city that is more than 93% lost. Thats nearly 2 mil-
lion people that don't know Jesus in a space the size of Jackson. Is God laying on your heart to give of your
resources to this plant through Englewood. Or would God urge you as a single person, a married couple, or
family to pack up your things and go with us? Luke 10:2 says, “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the
workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” However
God moves, we just ask that you say Yes to Him and that you don't look back!
Emily and I want to thank each family, student, and friend from EBC that have been a part of our lives the last
3 years and have grown us to where we are today. We could not imagine being sent from any other more
supportive Church than Englewood.
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I went on a North American Mission Board Vision Trip in October of 2014. I was there with my Senior Pastor
Tom McCoy. We were there to evaluate the need to help fund church planting in the west. On the second
day, while standing on a hill overlooking the city of Las Vegas, I was moved by God, to join Him in reaching
this city. Las Vegas is a desert both literally and spiritually. People cannot live without water, not just the
water we drink to hydrate us physically, but also the “Living Water” we drink to give us life Spiritually! The
city is close to 95% unreached and God has called me and my family to join Him there to serve this desert
city! It is my heart to begin “The Well Church” and invest the Gospel to the people of West Las Vegas. I
believe the Lord is wanting to place “Wells” all over the city. In the story of Jesus meeting the “Woman at the
Well” in John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but who-
ever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will
become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The Lord is at work in Las Vegas, He is drawing people to Himself. Jesus is calling us to His harvest to love the
people and invest Truth in this great city!
Matthew 9:35-38,” 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues
and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw
the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without
a shepherd.37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore
pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
ELL W W h y Th e
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o u r s t r at e g y
We want to Evangelize the city of Las Vegas by Loving the People and Engaging Them where
they live, work and play. We have identified 6 areas where we have ability to engage the
people.
We will have a store called “The Well Store”. This is a business that will
focus on healthy living. We will distribute health supplements and
“Kangen Water”. Kangen water is a highly alkaline, rich in antioxidant
water. We will build relationships with people who are seeking to get
healthier physically and then share how they can receive true Spiritual
Health through the Gospel!
The drop out rate in the high schools in Clark County Nevada is very high.
We will have people on our team who will join with the school system to
teach. As they educate and build relationships with the students and other
teachers they can then engage the people with the most important
information which is how they can know for sure they can be with God in
Heaven! We believe as we love and invest in these students it will change
the dynamic of the school and the drop out rate will decrease.
education
Athletics
Medical
Arts/music
cosmetology
We will seek to coach in the local middle and high schools so we can build
relationships with students and other coaches. Through coaching and
teaching the students how to be better in sports we will also share how
they can be better in life as we invest the Gospel through these
relationships!
People who are struggling physically need care and encouragement. We
will have nurses who will work in the medical field. As they minister to
physical sickness they will also share how to be cured from spiritual
sickness!
We will have students involved in local College and High Schools who are
passionate in the Arts and Music area. Through sharing their passion for
these areas we will introduce them to the Gospel and allow them
opportunities to use their gifts and talents in the arts at the Well Church.
The Las Vegas area is very focused on how people look. We will have Christ
followers who are gifted in Fashion, hair and make-up. Through their gifts
they will build relationships with the people so they can look beautiful on
the inside as our people share Christ with them.
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Health and wellness
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5 m a x i m u m s o f s p i r i t u a l g r o w t h
We want to share life with the people by developing the 5 “Maxims” of Spiritual Growth:
Bible Study, Prayer, Worship, Fellowship and Sharing our Faith. After we reach these people
by engaging them where they live, work and play we must disciple them in these Maxims so
they can become a functioning, maturing and reproducing member of the body of Christ!
Here are the 5 areas in more detail.
Walking the people through how to listen to God through His Word and then acknowledge what He is saying
to us. Matthew 6:9-13,” And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they
think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you
need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.10 Your
kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and
forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil.
Lead the people to give of their Time, Talents and Resources to God. Lead them to serve God out of a loving
relationship because He has given us eternal life! Matthew 22:37-39,” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love
the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and
first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Bible study Teach the people how to study the Bible and help them develop a daily study time 2 Timothy 3:16,”All
Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, 17 that the man of God] may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
prayer
worship
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It must be a priority for the community of faith to share life together. The discipleship process is made
possible as we make time to learn from and encourage each other. Hebrews 10:24-25,” 24 And let us consider
how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of
some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Sharing our faith
fellowship
This is a discipled process and (Matthew 4:19, And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fish-
ers of men.”). It is God’s instruction to us all to communicate the Gospel (2 Corinthians 5:18 -20, 18 All this is
from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is,
in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and en-
trusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his
appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.)
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These are several ways you can join the mission of “The Well”. Please prayerfully
consider what God will have you do in partnering with us!
Pray Join with the mission of “The Well” in prayer. Pray Weekly for the our team of ministers and for the Lost of Las Vegas. Pray that the Lord would Redeem The “city of Sin”!
Give Join in the mission of “The Well” through monthly or a one-time offering to fi-nancially support this ministry in Las Vegas. There is significant cost involved in this ministry and your partnership is a vital part of this vision!
Go Maybe the Lord would speak to your heart about this opportunity to join Him in what He is doing in Las Vegas. Prayerfully consider the Lord relocating your pro-fession in Nevada! If you have been a Christian for 5 years and understand the basics of Scripture you are capable of engaging the culture and discipling the people!
If You are interested in partnering with us through Praying, Giving or Going
please contact us at:
Email: [email protected]
Give at: www.lyonscreek.org then click On Line giving then click on The Well
Church Plant
Phone: 615-499-0030 615-499-0022 Facebook: Steve Witt
partnership with the well
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$110,000.00
$300,000.00
WHAT DOES IT COST
Start Up Cost
Annual Budget
$325,000.00
Furniture, Technology, Build Out, Marketing, Development
Y E A R 1
Y E A R 2
Y E A R 3
Leadership Ministry Expenses Admin. Expenses Facilities Rental
Outside support total
OUTSIDE SUPPORT
$265,000.00
2016 2017 2018
Y E A R 1 Y E A R 2 Y E A R 3
$375,000.00 $300,000.00 $325,000.00
90% 70% 30%
$337,500.00 $210,000.00 $97,500.00
$37,500.00 $90,000.00 $227,500.00
J a n u a r y — D e c e m b e r J a n u a r y — D e c e m b e r
Outside support Tithes/offerings
J a n u a r y — D e c e m b e r
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