Growing and Sustaining Ministries

The US is experiencing a mixture of church closings and openings. According to Lifeway Research, in 2019, some 4500 Protestant churches closed, compared to only 3000 new church openings. One reason for many of these closings is a decline in church attendance and membership. A 2021 Gallop poll of Americans showed that church membership in the US plummeted from 70% to 47% over one generation.

Ralph and Nadia Segar pastor International Praise in Gaston, SC. The rural town is roughly 30 min. outside the state capitol Columbia and is home to 1632 people. The church opened its doors to the community in October 2024, as a campus extension International Praise in Elgin. During a recent church community cookout, the Segars talked with The Christian Village about how they are using the Word and community outreach to grown and sustain ministry.