summary report 1oo - outreach preparation for this annual report, we solicit participation from more...

S U M M A R Y R E P O R T

FASTEST-GROWING CHURCHES IN AMERICA

1OOTHE OUTREACH MAGAZINE AND LIFEWAY RESEARCH ANNUAL REPORT

What Is The Outreach 100?The Outreach 100 is a collaboration between Outreach magazine and our friends at LifeWay Research. It’s our attempt to identify and learn from the country’s fastest-growing churches. The LifeWay Research team surveys churches, verifies the numbers, calculates the results and compiles the lists. The Outreach editorial team con-ducts interviews with many of the pastors and reports on those conversations in the 164-page full report, in addi-tion to featuring Outreach 100 church landing pages, church profiles. Interviews, trends and innovations of the American megachurch and other features online at Outreach100.com.

What is the methodology behind the Outreach 100?In preparation for this annual report, we solicit participation from more than 27,000 churches. Through the process, they are contacted by fax, email, letter, phone and certified mail. The Outreach 100 is a self-reported survey, based on attendance averages, not membership. Churches that participate provide weekend attendance averages for February and March, excluding Easter. These figures are then compared with the previous year’s averages for the same months. The final rankings reflect an average of numerical gain and percentage gain. Although we go to great lengths to confirm data, the information is reported by pastors, staff or church officers, and as such, reflects their perception—their churches as they see them. This year’s Fastest-Growing list includes surveyed churches with attendance greater than 1,006, a numerical gain of 207 or more, and a percentage gain of at least 10 percent.

The Largest list includes all churches participating in the survey with attendance of 5,533 or more.

Why don’t I see ________ Church on the list?We seek the broadest possible participation from evan-gelical Protestant churches, but since The Outreach 100 is a self-reported survey, not an independent in-vestigation, there are omissions. Some churches chose not to respond to multiple interview and data requests for a variety of reasons (though overall, more churches participated this year than have in the past). If you notice the absence of a high-profile evangelical church, chances are they were invited to participate but opted out—this is true of both Life.Church, headquartered in Edmond, Oklahoma, widely regarded as the largest congregation in the country, and Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, which once held that distinction. Note too, that our emphasis is not on largest churches per se, but on fast-growing congregations and what makes them tick.

So, is this just a celebration of numbers?Certainly The Outreach 100 is a celebration of numbers, a recognition of church addition and multiplication. Ultimately, though, The Outreach 100 is not so much about numbers as it is the individuals those numbers represent—people who have found hope in Christ and the churches pointing them to him. This summary report will serve as an introduction to the numbers. To get a more complete picture of the churches and the transformational stories behind them, we invite you to join us online at Outreach100.com.

http://www.outreachmagazine.com/outreach-100.html


TOP 10 GREATEST NUMERICAL GAIN1 Church of the HighlandsBirmingham, Alabama +7,539

2 NewSpring ChurchAnderson, South Carolina +5,925

3 North Point Ministries Alpharetta, Georgia +4,498

4 Elevation Church Matthews, North Carolina +3,268

5 King Jesus International Ministry Miami, Florida +2,468

6 Christ Fellowship ChurchPalm Beach Gardens, Florida +2,329

7 Red Rocks ChurchLittleton, Colorado +1,970

8 Bayside ChurchGranite Bay, California +1,950

9 Gateway Fellowship Church San Antonio, Texas +1,520

10 New Life ChurchConway, Arkansas +1,393

OLDEST CHURCHFOUNDED IN

1824Mountain Christian Church

Joppa, Maryland

YOUNGEST CHURCHFOUNDED IN

2014Action Church

Winter Springs, Florida

TOTAL NUMBER OF CHURCHES THAT ARE

NONDENOMINATIONAL 42

SOUTHERN BAPTIST 20

INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN 12

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD 9

TOP 10GREATEST

PERCENTAGEGAIN

STATES WITH MOSTFASTEST-GROWING

CHURCHES

14FLORIDA

13TEXAS

9GEORGIA

6VIRGINIA

5OHIO

4INDIANA

NORTH CAROLINASOUTH CAROLINA

TENNESSEE

1. Gateway Fellowship Church San Antonio, Texas

187%2. Life Church Green Bay

De Pere, Wisconsin

115%3. Tabernacle of Praise McDonough, Georgia

79%4. Action Church

Winter Springs, Florida

75%5. Mercy Hill Church

Greensboro, North Carolina

48%6. BridgePoint Church

St. Petersburg, Florida

47%7. The Life Church Manassas, Virginia

46%8. New Community Bible

Fellowship Cleveland Heights, Ohio

42%9. Orchard Church

Brighton, Colorado

40%10. Generation Church

Mesa, Arizona

40%

PERCENTAGE

1. Gateway Fellowship Church San Antonio, Texas

2. Life Church Green BayDe Pere, Wisconsin

115%

TOTAL ATTENDANCE

578,447THIS YEAR’S FASTEST-GROWING CHURCHES ADDED A

COMBINED 90,720 TO THEIR ATTENDANCE COMPARED

TO THEIR COMBINED 2014 ATTENDANCE, FOR AN

AVERAGE NUMERICAL GAIN OF 907 (25 PERCENT).

OutreachMagazine.com 65

List Intros_10016.indd 65 8/30/16 6:57 AM

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Lists and Maps_10016.indd 66 8/30/16 7:04 AM

THE FASTEST-GROWING CHURCHES IN AMERICA 2016

1 Gateway Fellowship Church San Antonio TX John Van Pay MyGateway.tv 2,332 1,520 187% 2008

2 Life Church Green Bay De Pere WI Shawn Hennessy LifeChurchGreenBay.com 2,267 1,210 115% 2008

3 Tabernacle of Praise Church International McDonough GA Timothy J. McBride TOPCI.org 2,684 1,184 79% 2005

4 Red Rocks Church Littleton CO Shawn Johnson RedRocksChurch.com 9,624 1,970 26% 2005

5 Church of the Highlands Birmingham AL Chris Hodges ChurchOfTheHighlands.com 38,346 7,539 24% 2001

6 The Life Church Manassas VA David Baird WeLoveChurch.com 3,209 1,004 46% 1999

7 Citylife Church Tampa FL Tony Stewart CitylifeChurch.cc 3,071 870 40% 1927

8 NewSpring Church Anderson SC Vacant NewSpring.cc 33,761 5,925 21% 2000

9 Rockford First Rockford IL Jeremy DeWeerdt RockfordFirst.com 5,004 1,028 26% 1929

10 2|42 Community Church Brighton MI David Dummitt 242Community.com 5,933 1,187 25% 2005

11 Central Baptist Church Jonesboro AR Archie Mason CentralBaptist.com 4,203 958 30% 1931

12 Faith Promise Church Knoxville TN Chris Stephens FaithPromise.org 6,449 1,242 24% 1995

13 BridgePoint Church St. Petersburg FL Tim Whipple BridgePointFL.com 2,274 726 47% 2006

14 Real Life Christian Church Clermont FL Justin Miller Real.life 6,719 1,283 24% 1961

15 Beltway Park Church Abilene TX David McQueen Beltway.org 4,836 966 25% 1985

16 Rock City Church Columbus OH Chad Fisher RockCityChurch.tv 2,696 712 36% 2011

17 The Church of Eleven22 Jacksonville FL Joby Martin COE22.com 6,945 1,225 21% 2012

18 Elevation Church Matthews NC Steven Furtick ElevationChurch.org 21,146 3,268 18% 2006

19 Action Church Winter Springs FL Justin Dailey TheActionChurch.com 1,293 553 75% 2014

20 Next Level Church Somersworth NH Joshua Gagnon NLC.tv 2,814 627 29% 2008

21 King Jesus International Ministry Miami FL Guillermo Maldonado KingJesusMinistry.org 16,800 2,468 17% 1996

22 Park Valley Church Haymarket VA Barry White ParkValleyChurch.com 2,384 586 33% 2003

23 Traders Point Christian Church Indianapolis IN Aaron Brockett TPCC.org 5,953 992 20% 1834

24 Valley Creek Church Flower Mound TX John Stickl ValleyCreek.org 5,069 872 21% 1992

25 Mercy Hill Church Greensboro NC Andrew Hopper MercyHillGso.com 1,500 487 48% 2012

26 Bayside Church Granite Bay CA Johnston, Brewster, Harlow, McCourt BaysideOnline.com 14,200 1,950 16% 1995

27 James River Church Ozark MO John Lindell JamesRiver.org 9,738 1,354 16% 1991

28 Embrace Church Sioux Falls SD Adam Weber IAmEmbrace.com 2,659 545 26% 2006

29 Orchard Church Brighton CO Doug Dameron OrchardChurch.tv 1,588 455 40% 2005

30 Lifegate Church Omaha NE Les Beauchamp LifegateOmaha.com 3,211 611 24% 1975

31 Calvary Fellowship Miramar FL Bob Franquiz MyCalvary.com 2,632 538 26% 2000

32 Vineyard Columbus Westerville OH Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 7,905 1,131 17% 1974

33 New Community Bible Fellowship Cleveland Heights OH Kevin James NewCommunityBible.org 1,480 436 42% 1994

34 Sun Valley Community Church Gilbert AZ Chad Moore SunValleyCC.com 6,255 918 17% 1990

35 Liberty Baptist Church Hampton VA Grant Ethridge LibertyLive.com 5,282 802 18% 1900

36 Bayside Community Church Bradenton FL Randy Bezet MyBayside.church 7,575 1,044 16% 2002

37 North Point Ministries Alpharetta GA Andy Stanley NorthPointMinistries.org 39,056 4,498 13% 1995

38 Bethlehem Church Bethlehem GA Jason Britt BethlehemChurch.us 2,160 466 28% 1904

39 River Valley Church Apple Valley MN Rob Ketterling RiverValley.org 7,324 1,005 16% 1995

40 Community Christian Church Ft. Lauderdale FL Scott Eynon CommunityCC.com 2,731 529 24% 1957

41 Mountain Christian Church Joppa MD Ben Cachiaras MountainCC.org 5,229 773 17% 1824

42 TrueNorth Church North Augusta SC Steve Davis TrueNorthChurch.com 2,237 458 26% 2004

43 Community Church Chesapeake VA Michael Brueseke Community.church 3,051 545 22% 1989

44 Church on the Rock Lubbock TX Jackie White COTRLubbock.com 2,421 478 25% 1985

45 Sandals Church Riverside CA Matt Brown SandalsChurch.com 6,333 868 16% 1997

46 The Summit Church Durham NC J.D. Greear SummitRDu.com 9,437 1,162 14% 1962

47 Venue Church Chattanooga TN Tavner Smith VenueChurch.com 1,425 362 34% 2013

48 Transformation Church Fort Mill SC Derwin L. Gray TransformationChurch.tc 2,966 516 21% 2010

49 Northeast Christian Church Louisville KY Tyler McKenzie NECChurch.org 3,263 538 20% 1977

50 Tenth Presbyterian Church Philadelphia PA Liam Goligher Tenth.org 1,364 354 35% 1829

RANK CHURCH CITY STATE PASTOR WEBSITE ATTENDANCE GROWTH BY #

GROWTH BY % FOUNDED


An Outreach Magazine/LifeWay Research SPECIAL REPORT

51 Valley Real Life Greenacres WA Dan Shields VRL.church 2,152 416 24% 2003

52 Christ's Church Camden Kingsland GA Scott Clevenger ChristsChurchCamden.com 1,435 359 33% 2007

53 Lake Pointe Church Rockwall TX Steve Stroope LakePointe.org 12,185 1,286 12% 1979

54 Turning Point Church McDonough GA Michael Turner TurningPointChurch.tv 1,939 392 25% 2003

55 Liquid Church Mountainside NJ Tim Lucas LiquidChurch.com 3,513 546 18% 2007

56 Impact Church East Point GA Olu Brown ImpactDCD.org 2,513 449 22% 2007

57 New Life Church Conway AR Rick Bezet NewLifeChurch.tv 13,664 1,393 11% 2001

58 Lifepoint Church Lewis Center OH Dean Fulks LifepointOhio.com 2,112 405 24% 2004

59 Crossroads Christian Church Grand Prairie TX Barry L. Cameron CrossroadsChristian.org 6,697 802 14% 1970

60 Pinelake Church Brandon MS Chip Henderson Pinelake.org 9,845 1,054 12% 1971

61 Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church Moore SC D. J. Horton AMRBC.org 3,167 501 19% 1988

62 Christ Fellowship Church Palm Beach Gardens FL Todd Mullins GoChristFellowship.com 23,845 2,329 11% 1984

63 Watermark Community Church Dallas TX Todd Wagner Watermark.org 12,106 1,230 11% 1999

64 Generation Church Mesa AZ Ryan Visconti GenerationAZ.org 1,006 288 40% 1948

65 Cornerstone Church Athens Athens GA Scott Sheppard CornerstoneAthens.cc 1,409 309 28% 1948

66 Faith Assembly of God Orlando FL Carl Stephens FaithAssembly.org 6,230 730 13% 1975

67 Northview Church Carmel IN Steve Poe NorthviewChurch.us 8,000 860 12% 1980

68 Sugar Creek Baptist Church Sugar Land TX Mark S. Hartman SugarCreek.net 4,229 568 16% 1973

69 First Baptist Church Temple Temple TX Ronny Marriott FirstTemple.org 1,060 282 36% 1874

70 Cornerstone Chapel Leesburg VA Gary Hamrick CornerstoneChapel.net 4,055 554 16% 1991

71 Faith Church Dyer IN Robert Bouwer FaithChurchOnline.org 3,856 536 16% 1964

72 Northbrook Church Richfi eld WI Mike Bellanti NorthbrookChurch.org 2,045 365 22% 1984

73 Voices of Faith Ministries Stone Mountain GA Bishop Gary Hawkins Sr. VoicesFaith.org 6,077 677 13% 1994

74 Lifepoint Church Fredericksburg VA Daniel Floyd Lifepoint.org 4,450 562 14% 2005

75 Discovery Church Colorado Colorado Springs CO Greg Lindsey MeTooPlace.com 1,859 353 23% 2003

76 Grace Church of Greater Akron Akron OH Je� Bogue GraceOhio.org 5,090 603 13% 1960

77 Biltmore Church Arden NC Bruce Frank BiltmoreChurch.com 7,490 787 12% 1889

78 Northridge Church Rochester NY Drew Karschner NorthridgeRochester.com 1,950 342 21% 1889

79 Greeneway Church Orlando FL Wade B. Mumm GreenewayChurch.com 1,097 254 30% 1999

80 Scottsdale Bible Church Scottsdale AZ Jamie Rasmussen ScottsdaleBible.com 7,009 713 11% 1962

81 New River Fellowship Hudson Oaks TX Scott Crenshaw NewRiver.tv 2,412 370 18% 2000

82 First Assembly of God Ft. Myers FL Dan Betzer FamFM.com 8,466 790 10% 1946

83 Preston Trail Community Church Frisco TX Paul Basden, Jim Johnson PrestonTrail.org 3,292 438 15% 2002

84 The Crossing Quincy IL Jerry Harris TheCrossing.net 7,772 745 11% 1974

85 Grace Creek Church Longview TX Matt Benson GraceCreekChurch.com 1,254 248 25% 2009

86 Hope Fellowship Frisco TX John McKinzie HopeFellowship.net 6,340 627 11% 2000

87 Calvary Chapel Chattanooga Chattanooga TN Frank Ramseur CalvaryChatt.com 3,098 400 15% 2000

88 Grace Community Church Cranberry Township PA Matt Kaltenberger MyGCC.org 1,927 300 18% 2001

89 Grace Church Reno NV Dan Frank GraceChurchReno.org 2,063 307 17% 1990

90 Sunnybrook Community Church Sioux City IA Je� Moes SunnybrookChurch.org 2,374 332 16% 1963

91 New Covenant UMC The Villages FL Harold Hendren NewCovenantUMB-FL.org 2,953 380 15% 2000

92 Cross Point Church Nashville TN Pete Wilson CrossPoint.tv 7,157 642 10% 2002

93 Canvas Church Kalispell MT Kevin Geer CanvasChurch.com 2,102 308 17% 1929

94 The Summit Church North Little Rock AR Bill Elli� TheSummitChurch.org 1,610 262 19% 1998

95 Faith Church Florence AL Steve Huskey IGoToFaith.com 1,570 258 20% 1978

96 theChurch.at Broken Arrow OK Dr. Alex Himaya TheChurch.at 4,677 485 12% 1967

97 First Church of God Columbia City IN Johnny McCallister FirstChurchConnect.com 1,073 207 24% 1885

98 Victory Church Lancaster PA Curt Seaburg VictoryChurch.org 2,179 303 16% 2000

99 Rock Bridge Community Church Dalton GA Matt Evans RockBridge.cc 3,864 408 12% 2002

100 First Christian Church Council Blu� s IA Jed Mullenix FirstChristianCB.org 1,345 227 20% 1891

RANK CHURCH CITY STATE PASTOR WEBSITE ATTENDANCE GROWTH BY #

GROWTH BY % FOUNDED


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76 The 2016 Outreach 100

BY REGIONThe Fastest-Growing Churches in America

STATE CITY CHURCH RANK


CA Granite Bay Bayside Church 26CA Riverside Sandals Church 45CO Brighton Orchard Church 29CO Colorado Springs Discovery Church Colorado 75CO Littleton Red Rocks Church 4MT Kalispell Canvas Church 93NV Reno Grace Church 89WA Greenacres Valley Real Life 51

AZ Gilbert Sun Valley Community Church 34AZ Mesa Generation Church 64AZ Scottsdale Scottsdale Bible Church 80TX Abilene Beltway Park Church 15

West

Southwest

Total Churches 8Total Attendance 39,921Average Attendance 4,990Average Increase 866Growth by Number 6,627Growth by Percent 22%

Total Churches 16Total Attendance 78,503

Average Attendance 4,906Average Increase 725

Growth by Number 11,606Growth by Percent 30%


IA Council Blu� s First Christian Church 100IA Sioux City Sunnybrook Community Church 90IL Quincy The Crossing 84IL Rockford Rockford First 9IN Carmel Northview Church 67IN Columbia City First Church of God 97IN Dyer Faith Church 71IN Indianapolis Traders Point Christian Church 23MI Brighton 2|42 Community Church 10MN Apple Valley River Valley Church 39MO Ozark James River Church 27NE Omaha Lifegate Church 30OH Akron Grace Church of Greater Akron 76

Midwest


TX Dallas Watermark Community Church 63TX Flower Mound Valley Creek Church 24TX Frisco Hope Fellowship 86TX Frisco Preston Trail Community Church 83TX Grand Prairie Crossroads Christian Church 59TX Hudson Oaks New River Fellowship 81TX Longview Grace Creek Church 85TX Lubbock Church on the Rock 44TX Rockwall Lake Pointe Church 53TX San Antonio Gateway Fellowship Church 1TX Sugar Land Sugar Creek Baptist Church 68

TX Temple First Baptist Church Temple 69

regional&affiliation_10016.indd 76 8/30/16 7:22 AM



AL Birmingham Church of the Highlands 5AL Florence Faith Church 95AR Conway New Life Church 57AR Jonesboro Central Baptist Church 11AR North Little Rock The Summit Church 94FL Bradenton Bayside Community Church 36FL Clermont Real Life Christian Church 14FL Ft. Myers First Assembly of God 82FL Jacksonville The Church of Eleven22 17FL Miami King Jesus International Ministry 21FL Miramar Calvary Fellowship 31FL Orlando Faith Assembly of God 66FL Orlando Greeneway Church 79FL Palm Beach Gardens Christ Fellowship Church 62FL St. Petersburg BridgePoint Church 13FL Ft. Lauderdale Community Christian Church 40FL Tampa Citylife Church 7FL The Villages New Covenant UMC 91FL Winter Springs Action Church 19GA Alpharetta North Point Ministries 37GA Athens Cornerstone Church Athens 65GA Bethlehem Bethlehem Church 38

Southeast

BY REGIONThe Fastest-Growing Churches in America

Total Churches 48Total Attendance 348,533Average Attendance 7,261

Average Increase 1,131Growth by Number 54,266

Growth by Percent 24%


MD Joppa Mountain Christian Church 41

NH Somersworth Next Level Church 20

NJ Mountainside Liquid Church 55

NY Rochester Northridge Church 78

PA Cranberry Township Grace Community Church 88

PA Lancaster Victory Church 98

PA Philadelphia Tenth Presbyterian Church 50

Northeast


GA Dalton Rock Bridge Community Church 99GA East Point Impact Church 56GA Kingsland Christ's Church Camden 52GA McDonough Tabernacle of Praise Church International 3

GA McDonough Turning Point Church 54

GA Stone Mountain Voices of Faith Ministries 73

KY Louisville Northeast Christian Church 49

MS Brandon Pinelake Church 60

NC Arden Biltmore Church 77

NC Durham The Summit Church 46

NC Greensboro Mercy Hill Church 25

NC Matthews Elevation Church 18

SC Anderson NewSpring Church 8

SC Fort Mill Transformation Church 48

SC Moore Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church 61

SC North Augusta TrueNorth Church 42

TN Chattanooga Calvary Chapel Chattanooga 87

TN Chattanooga Venue Church 47

TN Knoxville Faith Promise Church 12

TN Nashville Cross Point Church 92

VA Chesapeake Community Church 43

VA Fredericksburg Lifepoint Church 74

VA Hampton Liberty Baptist Church 35

VA Haymarket Park Valley Church 22

VA Leesburg Cornerstone Chapel 70

VA Manassas The Life Church 6

OH Cleveland Heights New Community Bible Fellowship 33OH Columbus Rock City Church 16OH Lewis Center Lifepoint Church 58OH Westerville Vineyard Columbus 32OK Broken Arrow theChurch.at 96

SD Sioux Falls Embrace Church 28

WI De Pere Life Church Green Bay 2

WI Richfi eld Northbrook Church 72


Midwest



BY AFFILIATIONThe Fastest-Growing Churches in America

ASSEMBLIES OF GODCanvas Church Kalispell MT 93Faith Assembly of God Orlando FL 66First Assembly of God Ft. Myers FL 82Gateway Fellowship Church San Antonio TX 1Generation Church Mesa AZ 64Greeneway Church Orlando FL 79James River Church Ozark MO 27River Valley Church Apple Valley MN 39Rockford First Rockford IL 9BAPTISTFirst Baptist Church Temple Temple TX 69Northridge Church Rochester NY 78Sun Valley Community Church Gilbert AZ 34BAPTIST – SOUTHERN BAPTISTAnderson Mill Road Baptist Church Moore SC 61Beltway Park Church Abilene TX 15Bethlehem Church Bethlehem GA 38Biltmore Church Arden NC 77Calvary Fellowship Miramar FL 31Central Baptist Church Jonesboro AR 11Elevation Church Matthews NC 18Lake Pointe Church Rockwall TX 53Liberty Baptist Church Hampton VA 35Lifepoint Church Lewis Center OH 58Mercy Hill Church Greensboro NC 25NewSpring Church Anderson SC 8Pinelake Church Brandon MS 60Rock Bridge Community Church Dalton GA 99Sandals Church Riverside CA 45Sugar Creek Baptist Church Sugar Land TX 68The Summit Church Durham NC 46The Summit Church North Little Rock AR 94theChurch.at Broken Arrow OK 96TrueNorth Church North Augusta SC 42CALVARY CHAPELCornerstone Chapel Leesburg VA 70CHRISTIAN - INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN CHURCHES2|42 Community Church Brighton MI 10Christ's Church Camden Kingsland GA 52Community Christian Church Ft. Lauderdale FL 40The Crossing Quincy IL 84Crossroads Christian Church Grand Prairie TX 59First Christian Church Council Blu� s IA 100Mountain Christian Church Joppa MD 41Northeast Christian Church Louisville KY 49Real Life Christian Church Clermont FL 14Traders Point Christian Church Indianapolis IN 23Valley Real Life Greenacres WA 51CHURCH OF GOD - CLEVELANDCitylife Church Tampa FL 7Cornerstone Church Athens Athens GA 65CHURCHES OF GOD GENERAL CONFERENCEFirst Church of God Columbia City IN 97EVANGELICAL COVENANTBayside Church Granite Bay CA 26

CHURCH CITY STATE RANK CHURCH CITY STATE RANK

GRACE BRETHRENGrace Church of Greater Akron Akron OH 76METHODIST - UNITED METHODISTEmbrace Church Sioux Falls SD 28Impact Church East Point GA 56New Covenant UMC The Villages FL 91NONDENOMINATIONALAction Church Winter Springs FL 19Bayside Community Church Bradenton FL 36BridgePoint Church St. Petersburg FL 13Calvary Chapel Chattanooga Chattanooga TN 87Christ Fellowship Church Palm Beach Gardens FL 62The Church of Eleven22 Jacksonville FL 17Church of the Highlands Birmingham AL 5Church on the Rock Lubbock TX 44Community Church Chesapeake VA 43Cross Point Church Nashville TN 92Discovery Church Colorado Colorado Springs CO 75Faith Church Florence AL 95Faith Promise Church Knoxville TN 12Grace Church Reno NV 89Grace Community Church Cranberry Township PA 88Grace Creek Church Longview TX 85Hope Fellowship Frisco TX 86King Jesus International Ministry Miami FL 21The Life Church Manassas VA 6Life Church Green Bay De Pere WI 2Lifegate Church Omaha NE 30Lifepoint Church Fredericksburg VA 74Liquid Church Mountainside NJ 55New Community Bible Fellowship Cleveland Heights OH 33New Life Church Conway AR 57New River Fellowship Hudson Oaks TX 81Next Level Church Somersworth NH 20North Point Ministries Alpharetta GA 37Northbrook Church Richfi eld WI 72Northview Church Carmel IN 67Orchard Church Brighton CO 29Park Valley Church Haymarket VA 22Preston Trail Community Church Frisco TX 83Red Rocks Church Littleton CO 4Rock City Church Columbus OH 16Scottsdale Bible Church Scottsdale AZ 80Tabernacle of Praise Church International McDonough GA 3Transformation Church Fort Mill SC 48Turning Point Church McDonough GA 54Valley Creek Church Flower Mound TX 24Venue Church Chattanooga TN 47Voices of Faith Ministries Stone Mountain GA 73Watermark Community Church Dallas TX 63PRESBYTERIAN - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICATenth Presbyterian Church Philadelphia PA 50REFORMED CHURCHES IN AMERICAFaith Church Dyer IN 71Sunnybrook Community Church Sioux City IA 90VINEYARDVineyard Columbus Westerville OH 32



BY CHURCH NAMEThe Fastest-Growing Churches in America

2|42 Community Church Brighton MI 10

Action Church Winter Springs FL 19

Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church Moore SC 61

Bayside Church Granite Bay CA 26

Bayside Community Church Bradenton FL 36

Beltway Park Church Abilene TX 15

Bethlehem Church Bethlehem GA 38

Biltmore Church Arden NC 77

BridgePoint Church St. Petersburg FL 13

Calvary Chapel Chattanooga Chattanooga TN 87

Calvary Fellowship Miramar FL 31

Canvas Church Kalispell MT 93

Central Baptist Church Jonesboro AR 11

Christ Fellowship Church Palm Beach Gardens FL 62

Christ's Church Camden Kingsland GA 52

The Church of Eleven22 Jacksonville FL 17

Church of the Highlands Birmingham AL 5

Church on the Rock Lubbock TX 44

Citylife Church Tampa FL 7

Community Christian Church Ft. Lauderdale FL 40

Community Church Chesapeake VA 43

Cornerstone Chapel Leesburg VA 70

Cornerstone Church Athens Athens GA 65

Cross Point Church Nashville TN 92

The Crossing Quincy IL 84

Crossroads Christian Church Grand Prairie TX 59

Discovery Church Colorado Colorado Springs CO 75

Elevation Church Matthews NC 18

Embrace Church Sioux Falls SD 28

Faith Assembly of God Orlando FL 66

Faith Church Dyer IN 71

Faith Church Florence AL 95

Faith Promise Church Knoxville TN 12

First Assembly of God Ft. Myers FL 82

First Baptist Church Temple Temple TX 69

First Christian Church Council Blu� s IA 100

First Church of God Columbia City IN 97

Gateway Fellowship Church San Antonio TX 1

Generation Church Mesa AZ 64

Grace Church Reno NV 89

Grace Church of Greater Akron Akron OH 76

Grace Community Church Cranberry Township PA 88

Grace Creek Church Longview TX 85

Greeneway Church Orlando FL 79

Hope Fellowship Frisco TX 86

Impact Church East Point GA 56

James River Church Ozark MO 27

King Jesus International Ministry Miami FL 21

Lake Pointe Church Rockwall TX 53

Liberty Baptist Church Hampton VA 35

The Life Church Manassas VA 6

Life Church Green Bay De Pere WI 2

Lifegate Church Omaha NE 30

Lifepoint Church Fredericksburg VA 74

Lifepoint Church Lewis Center OH 58

Liquid Church Mountainside NJ 55

Mercy Hill Church Greensboro NC 25

Mountain Christian Church Joppa MD 41

New Community Bible Fellowship Cleveland Heights OH 33

New Covenant UMC The Villages FL 91

New Life Church Conway AR 57

New River Fellowship Hudson Oaks TX 81

NewSpring Church Anderson SC 8

Next Level Church Somersworth NH 20

North Point Ministries Alpharetta GA 37

Northbrook Church Richfi eld WI 72

Northeast Christian Church Louisville KY 49

Northridge Church Rochester NY 78

Northview Church Carmel IN 67

Orchard Church Brighton CO 29

Park Valley Church Haymarket VA 22

Pinelake Church Brandon MS 60

Preston Trail Community Church Frisco TX 83

Real Life Christian Church Clermont FL 14

Red Rocks Church Littleton CO 4

River Valley Church Apple Valley MN 39

Rock Bridge Community Church Dalton GA 99

Rock City Church Columbus OH 16

Rockford First Rockford IL 9

Sandals Church Riverside CA 45

Scottsdale Bible Church Scottsdale AZ 80

Sugar Creek Baptist Church Sugar Land TX 68

The Summit Church Durham NC 46

The Summit Church North Little Rock AR 94

Sun Valley Community Church Gilbert AZ 34

Sunnybrook Community Church Sioux City IA 90

Tabernacle of Praise Church International McDonough GA 3

Tenth Presbyterian Church Philadelphia PA 50

theChurch.at Broken Arrow OK 96

Traders Point Christian Church Indianapolis IN 23

Transformation Church Fort Mill SC 48

TrueNorth Church North Augusta SC 42

Turning Point Church McDonough GA 54

Valley Creek Church Flower Mound TX 24

Valley Real Life Greenacres WA 51

Venue Church Chattanooga TN 47

Victory Church Lancaster PA 98

Vineyard Columbus Westerville OH 32

Voices of Faith Ministries Stone Mountain GA 73

Watermark Community Church Dallas TX 63



A GENEROUS JOURNEY

BEWARE & WARNING: This book is different from other books.

BY BEKA FROM ECHURCH

ILLUSTRATED BY DANIEL

BEWARE & WARNING: This book is different from other books. YOU are in charge of what happens in this story and how it will affect your ministry. All of your gifts, talents, and choices will hold great rewards or devastating consequences... Choose your church-venture wisely...the future of your church depends on it.

You come to a crossroad; you feel your heart thumping as it pulses against your temples. One path is conveniently marked present, the other future. Which path do you choose?

Choose the Present Path

Choose the Future Path

MOST LOCATIONSNewSpring Church 17 Anderson, South Carolina

Saddleback Church 16 Lake Forest, California

Church of the Highlands 14 Birmingham, Alabama

Elevation Church 13 Matthews, North Carolina

The Crossing 11 Quincy, Illinois

New Life Church 11 Conway, Arkansas

Cathedral of Faith 10 San Jose, California

12Stone Church 9 Lawrenceville, Georgia

Christ Fellowship Church 9 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Lake Pointe Church 9 Rockwall, Texas

LCBC Church 9 Manheim, Pennsylvania

The Summit Church 9 Durham, North Carolina

EastLake Church 8 Chula Vista, California

River Valley Church 8 Apple Valley, Minnesota

Willow Creek Community Church 8 South Barrington, Illinois

Shadow Mountain Community Church 8 El Cajon, California

Voices of Faith Ministries 8 Stone Mountain, Georgia

OLDEST CHURCHFOUNDED IN

1834Traders Point Christian

ChurchIndianapolis, Indiana

YOUNGEST CHURCHFOUNDED IN

2012The Church of Eleven22

Jacksonville, Florida

TOTAL NUMBER OF CHURCHES THAT ARE

NONDENOMINATIONAL 42

SOUTHERN BAPTIST 20

INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN 17

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD 5

TOTAL ATTENDANCE

1,127,954

LARGEST AND FASTEST-GROWING34 churches are listed as both Largest and Fastest-Growing. Here are the 10 largest.

STATES WITH MOSTLARGEST

CHURCHES

17CALIFORNIA

15TEXAS

11FLORIDA

7TENNESSEE

5ARIZONA

5GEORGIA

5NORTH CAROLINA

North Point MinistriesAlpharetta, Ga.No. 1 LargestNo. 37 Fastest-Growing39,056

Church of the HighlandsBirmingham, Ala.No. 2 LargestNo. 5 Fastest-Growing38,346

NewSpring ChurchAnderson, South CarolinaNo. 3 LargestNo. 8 Fastest-Growing33,761

Christ Fellowship ChurchPalm Beach Gardens, FloridaNo. 8 LargestNo. 62 Fastest-Growing23,845

Elevation ChurchMatthews, North CarolinaNo. 11 LargestNo. 18 Fastest-Growing21,146

King Jesus International MinistryMiami, FloridaNo. 16 LargestNo. 21 Fastest-Growing16,800

Bayside ChurchGranite Bay, CaliforniaNo. 22 LargestNo. 26 Fastest-Growing14,200

New Life ChurchConway, ArkansasNo. 23 LargestNo. 57 Fastest-Growing13,664

Lake Pointe ChurchRockwall, TexasNo. 28 LargestNo. 53 Fastest-Growing12,185

Watermark Community ChurchDallas, TexasNo. 29 LargestNo. 63 Fastest-Growing12,106

OutreachMagazine.com 109

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THE OUTREACH 100 LARGEST CHURCHES 2016

1 39,05639,05639,056 North Point Ministries Alpharetta GA Andy Stanley NorthPointMinistries.org 1995

2 38,346 Church of the Highlands Birmingham AL Chris Hodges ChurchOfTheHighlands.com 2001

3 33,761 NewSpring Church Anderson SC Vacant NewSpring.cc 2000

4 28,399 Gateway Church Southlake TX Robert Morris GatewayPeople.com 2000

5 25,612 Saddleback Church Lake Forest CA Rick Warren Saddleback.com 1980

6 25,371 Willow Creek Community Church South Barrington IL Bill Hybels WillowCreek.org 1975

7 24,108 Christ's Church of the Valley Peoria AZ Donald J. Wilson CCV.church 1982

8 23,845 Christ Fellowship Church Palm Beach Gardens FL Todd Mullins GoChristFellowship.com 1984

9 23,799 Southeast Christian Church Louisville KY Dave Stone SoutheastChristian.org 1962

10 22,458 Crossroads Church Cincinnati OH Brian Tome Crossroads.net 1995

11 21,146 Elevation Church Matthews NC Steven Furtick ElevationChurch.org 2006

12 20,719 Eagle Brook Church Centerville MN Bob Merritt EagleBrookChurch.com 1949

13 20,698 Second Baptist Church Houston TX H. Edwin Young Second.org 1927

14 19,430 Woodlands Church The Woodlands TX Kerry Shook WoodlandsChurch.tv 1993

15 17,601 Flatirons Community Church Lafayette CO Jim Burgen FlatIronsChurch.com 1983

16 16,800 King Jesus International Ministry Miami FL Guillermo Maldonado KingJesusMinistry.org 1996

17 16,785 Mariners Church Irvine CA Kenton Beshore MarinersChurch.org 1963

18 16,428 Mount Zion Baptist Church Nashville TN Joseph W. Walker III MtZionNashville.org 1866

19 16,320 12Stone Church Lawrenceville GA Kevin Myers 12Stone.com 1987

20 15,100 Family Christian Center Munster IN Steve Munsey FCC4Me.com 1953

21 14,669 LCBC Church Manheim PA David Ashcraft LCBCChurch.com 1986

22 14,200 Bayside Church Granite Bay CA Johnston, Brewster, Harlow, McCourt BaysideOnline.com 1995

23 13,664 New Life Church Conway AR Rick Bezet NewLifeChurch.tv 2001

24 13,501 The Rock Church San Diego CA Miles McPherson SDRock.com 2000

25 13,014 Calvary Albuquerque Albuquerque NM Skip Heitzig CalvaryAbq.org 1982

26 12,558 Community Bible Church San Antonio TX Ed Newton CommunityBible.com 1990

27 12,203 Valley Bible Fellowship Bakersfi eld CA Ron Vietti VBF.org 1975

28 12,185 Lake Pointe Church Rockwall TX Steve Stroope LakePointe.org 1979

29 12,106 Watermark Community Church Dallas TX Todd Wagner Watermark.org 1999

30 12,018 Celebration Church Jacksonville FL Stovall Weems Celebration.org 1998

31 11,524 Southland Christian Church Nicholasville KY Jon Weece SouthlandChristian.org 1956

32 11,409 Lutheran Church of Hope West Des Moines IA Mike Housholder LutheranChurchOfHope.org 1994

33 11,047 North Coast Church Vista CA Larry Osborne, Chris Brown NorthCoastChurch.com 1978

34 10,905 McLean Bible Church Vienna VA Lon Solomon McLeanBible.org 1961

35 10,598 Potential Church Cooper City FL Troy Gramling PotentialChurch.com 1981

36 10,340 The Village Church Flower Mound TX Matt Chandler TheVillageChurch.net 1978

37 9,845 Pinelake Church Brandon MS Chip Henderson Pinelake.org 1971

38 9,769 World Overcomers Christian Church Durham NC Andy Thompson WorldOvercomers.church 2003

39 9,738 James River Church Ozark MO John Lindell JamesRiver.org 1991

40 9,624 Red Rocks Church Littleton CO Shawn Johnson RedRocksChurch.com 2005

41 9,521 The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Leawood KS Adam Hamilton COR.org 1990

42 9,437 The Summit Church Durham NC J.D. Greear SummitRDu.com 1962

43 9,288 Central Christian Church of Arizona Mesa AZ Cal Jernigan CentralAZ.com 1959

44 9,190 Oak Hills Church San Antonio TX Randy Frazee OakHillsChurch.com 1958

45 9,033 Cross Church Springdale AR Ronnie Floyd CrossChurch.com 1870

46 8,486 Church by the Glades Coral Springs FL David Hughes CBGlades.com 1981

47 8,466 First Assembly of God Ft. Myers FL Dan Betzer FamFM.com 1946

48 8,462 Hope Community Church Raleigh NC Mike Lee GetHope.net 1994

49 8,350 Cathedral of Faith San Jose CA Ken Foreman CathedralOfFaith.org 1959

50 8,312 Shepherd Church Porter Ranch CA Dudley Rutherford ShepherdChurch.com 1995

RANK ATTENDANCE CHURCH CITY STATE PASTOR WEBSITE FOUNDED


An Outreach Magazine/LifeWay Research SPECIAL REPORT

RANK ATTENDANCE CHURCH CITY STATE PASTOR WEBSITE FOUNDED

51 8,237 Houston's First Baptist Church Houston TX Gregg Matte HoustonsFirst.org 1841

52 8,124 World Outreach Church Murfreesboro TN G. Allen Jackson WOChurch.org 1980

53 8,000 Northview Church Carmel IN Steve Poe NorthviewChurch.us 1980

54 8,000 Calvary Chapel South Bay Gardena CA Je� Gill CCSouthBay.org 1980

55 7,990 CedarCreek Church Perrysburg OH Ben Snyder CedarCreek.tv 1995

56 7,975 Ada Bible Church Ada MI Je� Manion AdaBible.org 1978

57 7,905 Vineyard Columbus Westerville OH Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 1974

58 7,828 Faith Church St. Louis MO David Crank, Nicole Crank FaithChurch.com 2003

59 7,772 The Crossing Quincy IL Jerry Harris TheCrossing.net 1974

60 7,771 Grace Family Church Lutz FL Craig Altman GFCOnline.com 1994

61 7,617 Savannah Christian Church Savannah GA Cam Huxford SavannahChristian.com 1964

62 7,575 Bayside Community Church Bradenton FL Randy Bezet MyBayside.church 2002

63 7,490 Biltmore Church Arden NC Bruce Frank BiltmoreChurch.com 1889

64 7,388 Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park Orland Park IL Timothy Harlow ParkviewChurch.com 1951

65 7,329 Bellevue Baptist Church Cordova TN Steve Gaines Bellevue.org 1903

66 7,324 River Valley Church Apple Valley MN Rob Ketterling RiverValley.org 1995

67 7,276 Shadow Mountain Community Church El Cajon CA David Jeremiah ShadowMountain.org 1973

68 7,157 Cross Point Church Nashville TN Pete Wilson CrossPoint.tv 2002

69 7,097 Hope Presbyterian Church Cordova TN Rufus Smith HopePres.com 1988

70 7,009 Scottsdale Bible Church Scottsdale AZ Jamie Rasmussen ScottsdaleBible.com 1962

71 6,945 The Church of Eleven22 Jacksonville FL Joby Martin COE22.com 2012

72 6,881 Austin Stone Community Church Austin TX Matthew Carter AustinStone.org 2002

73 6,719 Real Life Christian Church Clermont FL Justin Miller Real.life 1961

74 6,697 Crossroads Christian Church Grand Prairie TX Barry L. Cameron CrossroadsChristian.org 1970

75 6,623 Water of Life Community Church Fontana CA Danny Carroll WaterOfLifeCC.org 1990

76 6,582 Long Hollow Baptist Church Hendersonville TN Robby Gallaty LongHollow.com 1977

77 6,579 Healing Place Church Baton Rouge LA Mike Haman HealingPlaceChurch.org 1993

78 6,509 CityChurch San Antonio TX David Saatho� CityChurchSA.com 1992

79 6,500 Cornerstone Church of San Diego National City CA Sergio De La Mora TurningTheHearts.com 1998

80 6,470 Reid Temple AME Church Glenn Dale MD Lee P. Washington ReidTemple.org 1969

81 6,449 Faith Promise Church Knoxville TN Chris Stephens FaithPromise.org 1995

82 6,340 Hope Fellowship Frisco TX John McKinzie HopeFellowship.net 2000

83 6,333 Sandals Church Riverside CA Matt Brown SandalsChurch.com 1997

84 6,255 Sun Valley Community Church Gilbert AZ Chad Moore SunValleyCC.com 1990

85 6,230 Faith Assembly of God Orlando FL Carl Stephens FaithAssembly.org 1975

86 6,178 EastLake Church Chula Vista CA Mike Meeks EastLakeChurch.com 1991

87 6,134 Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Chandler AZ Linn Winters CornerstoneOnline.com 1995

88 6,077 Voices of Faith Ministries Stone Mountain GA Gary Hawkins Sr. VoicesFaith.org 1994

89 6,024 Cherry Hills Community Church Highlands Ranch CO Shane Farmer CHCC.org 1982

90 6,010 The Church Without Walls Houston TX Ralph D. West ChurchWithoutWalls.org 1987

91 5,953 Traders Point Christian Church Indianapolis IN Aaron Brockett TPCC.org 1834

92 5,933 2|42 Community Church Brighton MI David Dummitt 242Community.com 2005

93 5,883 Real Life Church Valencia CA Rusty George RealLifeChurch.org 2000

94 5,800 Crossroads Christian Church Corona CA Chuck Booher CrossroadsChurch.com 1892

95 5,734 Elizabeth Baptist Church Atlanta GA Craig L. Oliver Sr. ElizabethBaptist.org 1928

96 5,728 Woodmen Valley Chapel Colorado Springs CO Josh Lindstrom WoodmenValley.org 1980

97 5,586 Eastview Christian Church Normal IL Mike Baker Eastview.church 1954

98 5,582 Westover Hills Assembly of God San Antonio TX Jim Rion WestoverHills.church 1986

99 5,579 Hosanna! Lutheran Church Lakeville MN Ryan Alexander HosannaLC.org 1980

100 5,533 Christ's Church of the Valley San Dimas CA Je� Vines CCVSoCal.com 1952


THIS PRESENT IS NO GIFTUnfortunately, the only way to truly impact the present

is to plan for the future. You’ve worked so hard to build a great community and to preach great sermons from week to week, but your congregation continues to dwindle. In fact, the young people aren’t engaged at all throughout the week, and you are experiencing a steady decline in giving and engagement as other causes and organizations compete for your members’ attention in a simple, convenient, and relevant way.

While other churches are feeding their members relevant content, building community throughout the week, and al-lowing people to give as they feel led anytime and any-where using smart mobile technology designed around user experience, your church has rapidly become a Sunday-only Windows 95 experience. It’s almost cringe-worthy.

C’mon, don’t be cringe-worthy.

The End

Try Again. Choose the Future Path.

Return to Start. Click Here.


STATE CITY CHURCH RANK STATE CITY CHURCH RANK

CA Bakersfi eld Valley Bible Fellowship 27CA Chula Vista EastLake Church 86CA Corona Crossroads Christian Church 94CA El Cajon Shadow Mountain Community Church 67CA Fontana Water of Life Community Church 75CA Gardena Calvary Chapel South Bay 54CA Granite Bay Bayside Church 22CA Irvine Mariners Church 17CA Lake Forest Saddleback Church 5CA National City Cornerstone Church of San Diego 79CA Porter Ranch Shepherd Church 50CA Riverside Sandals Church 83CA San Diego The Rock Church 24CA San Dimas Christ's Church of the Valley 100CA San Jose Cathedral of Faith 49CA Valencia Real Life Church 93CA Vista North Coast Church 33CO Colorado Springs Woodmen Valley Chapel 96CO Highlands Ranch Cherry Hills Community Church 89

CO Lafayette Flatirons Community Church 15

CO Littleton Red Rocks Church 40

AZ Chandler Cornerstone Christian Fellowship 87AZ Gilbert Sun Valley Community Church 84AZ Mesa Central Christian Church of Arizona 43AZ Peoria Christ's Church of the Valley 7AZ Scottsdale Scottsdale Bible Church 70NM Albuquerque Calvary Albuquerque 25TX Austin Austin Stone Community Church 72TX Dallas Watermark Community Church 29TX Flower Mound The Village Church 36TX Frisco Hope Fellowship 82TX Grand Prairie Crossroads Christian Church 74TX Houston The Church Without Walls 90TX Houston Houston's First Baptist Church 51TX Houston Second Baptist Church 13TX Rockwall Lake Pointe Church 28TX San Antonio CityChurch 78TX San Antonio Community Bible Church 26TX San Antonio Oak Hills Church 44TX San Antonio Westover Hills Assembly of God 98TX Southlake Gateway Church 4TX The Woodlands Woodlands Church 14

West Southwest

BY REGIONThe Outreach 100 Largest Churches



Average Attendance 11,284





IA West Des Moines Lutheran Church of Hope 32IL Normal Eastview Christian Church 97IL Orland Park Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park 64IL Quincy The Crossing 59IL South Barrington Willow Creek Community Church 6IN Carmel Northview Church 53IN Indianapolis Traders Point Christian Church 91IN Munster Family Christian Center 20KS Leawood The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection 41MI Ada Ada Bible Church 56MI Brighton 2|42 Community Church 92MN Apple Valley River Valley Church 66MN Centerville Eagle Brook Church 12MN Lakeville Hosanna! Lutheran Church 99MO Ozark James River Church 39MO St. Louis Faith Church 58OH Cincinnati Crossroads Church 10OH Perrysburg CedarCreek Church 55

OH Westerville Vineyard Columbus 57

MD Glenn Dale Reid Temple AME Church 80PA Manheim LCBC Church 21

Midwest

Northeast

BY REGIONThe Outreach 100 Largest Churches



AL Birmingham Church of the Highlands 2AR Conway New Life Church 23AR Springdale Cross Church 45FL Bradenton Bayside Community Church 62FL Clermont Real Life Christian Church 73

Southeast


Average Attendance 12,518Total Churches 2

Total Attendance 21,139Average Attendance 10,570

FL Cooper City Potential Church 35FL Coral Springs Church by the Glades 46FL Ft. Myers First Assembly of God 47FL Jacksonville Celebration Church 30FL Jacksonville The Church of Eleven22 71FL Lutz Grace Family Church 60FL Miami King Jesus International Ministry 16FL Orlando Faith Assembly of God 85FL Palm Beach Gardens Christ Fellowship Church 8GA Alpharetta North Point Ministries 1GA Atlanta Elizabeth Baptist Church 95GA Lawrenceville 12Stone Church 19GA Savannah Savannah Christian Church 61GA Stone Mountain Voices of Faith Ministries 88KY Louisville Southeast Christian Church 9KY Nicholasville Southland Christian Church 31LA Baton Rouge Healing Place Church 77MS Brandon Pinelake Church 37NC Arden Biltmore Church 63NC Durham The Summit Church 42

NC Durham World Overcomers Christian Church 38

NC Matthews Elevation Church 11

NC Raleigh Hope Community Church 48

SC Anderson NewSpring Church 3

TN Cordova Bellevue Baptist Church 65

TN Cordova Hope Presbyterian Church 69

TN Hendersonville Long Hollow Baptist Church 76

TN Knoxville Faith Promise Church 81

TN Murfreesboro World Outreach Church 52

TN Nashville Cross Point Church 68

TN Nashville Mount Zion Baptist Church 18

VA Vienna McLean Bible Church 34

WESTTotal Churches 21Total Attendance 207,113Average Attendance 9,863

SOUTHWESTTotal Churches 21Total Attendance 236,970Average Attendance 11,284

MIDWESTTotal Churches 19Total Attendance 199,549Average Attendance 10,503

SOUTHEASTTotal Churches 37Total Attendance 462,183Average Attendance 12,518

NORTHEASTTotal Churches 2Total Attendance 21,139Average Attendance 10,570



BY AFFILIATIONAFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPALReid Temple AME Church Glenn Dale MD 80ASSEMBLIES OF GODFaith Assembly of God Orlando FL 85First Assembly of God Ft. Myers FL 47James River Church Ozark MO 39River Valley Church Apple Valley MN 66Westover Hills Assembly of God San Antonio TX 98BAPTISTElizabeth Baptist Church Atlanta GA 95Mount Zion Baptist Church Nashville TN 18Sun Valley Community Church Gilbert AZ 84BAPTIST - CONVERGE WORLDWIDECornerstone Christian Fellowship Chandler AZ 87Eagle Brook Church Centerville MN 12BAPTIST - SOUTHERN BAPTISTAustin Stone Community Church Austin TX 72Bellevue Baptist Church Cordova TN 65Biltmore Church Arden NC 63Church by the Glades Coral Springs FL 46The Church Without Walls Houston TX 90Cross Church Springdale AR 45Elevation Church Matthews NC 11Houston's First Baptist Church Houston TX 51Lake Pointe Church Rockwall TX 28Long Hollow Baptist Church Hendersonville TN 76NewSpring Church Anderson SC 3Pinelake Church Brandon MS 37Potential Church Cooper City FL 35Saddleback Church Lake Forest CA 5Sandals Church Riverside CA 83Second Baptist Church Houston TX 13Shadow Mountain Community Church El Cajon CA 67The Summit Church Durham NC 42The Village Church Flower Mound TX 36Woodlands Church The Woodlands TX 14CALVARY CHAPELCalvary Albuquerque Albuquerque NM 25CHRISTIAN - INDEPENDENT CHRISTIAN CHURCHES2|42 Community Church Brighton MI 92Central Christian Church of Arizona Mesa AZ 43Christ's Church of the Valley Peoria AZ 7Christ's Church of the Valley San Dimas CA 100The Crossing Quincy IL 59Crossroads Christian Church Corona CA 94Crossroads Christian Church Grand Prairie TX 74Eastview Christian Church Normal IL 97Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park Orland Park IL 64Real Life Christian Church Clermont FL 73Real Life Church Valencia CA 93Savannah Christian Church Savannah GA 61Southeast Christian Church Louisville KY 9Southland Christian Church Nicholasville KY 31Traders Point Christian Church Indianapolis IN 91EVANGELICAL COVENANT CHURCHBayside Church Granite Bay CA 22EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH IN AMERICANorth Coast Church Vista CA 33

LUTHERANHosanna! Lutheran Church Lakeville MN 99


The Outreach 100 Largest Churches

LUTHERAN – EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (ELCA)Lutheran Church of Hope West Des Moines IA 32METHODIST – UNITED METHODISTThe United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Leawood KS 41NONDENOMINATIONALAda Bible Church Ada MI 56Bayside Community Church Bradenton FL 62Calvary Chapel South Bay Gardena CA 54Cathedral of Faith San Jose CA 49CedarCreek Church Perrysburg OH 55Celebration Church Jacksonville FL 30Christ Fellowship Church Palm Beach Gardens FL 8The Church of Eleven22 Jacksonville FL 71Church of the Highlands Birmingham AL 2CityChurch San Antonio TX 78Community Bible Church San Antonio TX 26Cornerstone Church of San Diego National City CA 79Cross Point Church Nashville TN 68Crossroads Church Cincinnati OH 10EastLake Church Chula Vista CA 86Faith Church St. Louis MO 58Faith Promise Church Knoxville TN 81Family Christian Center Munster IN 20Flatirons Community Church Lafayette CO 15Gateway Church Southlake TX 4Grace Family Church Lutz FL 60Healing Place Church Baton Rouge LA 77Hope Community Church Raleigh NC 48Hope Fellowship Frisco TX 82King Jesus International Ministry Miami FL 16LCBC Church Manheim PA 21Mariners Church Irvine CA 17McLean Bible Church Vienna VA 34New Life Church Conway AR 23North Point Ministries Alpharetta GA 1Northview Church Carmel IN 53Oak Hills Church San Antonio TX 44Red Rocks Church Littleton CO 40The Rock Church San Diego CA 24Scottsdale Bible Church Scottsdale AZ 70Shepherd Church Porter Ranch CA 50Valley Bible Fellowship Bakersfi eld CA 27Voices of Faith Ministries Stone Mountain GA 88Water of Life Community Church Fontana CA 75Watermark Community Church Dallas TX 29Willow Creek Community Church South Barrington IL 6Woodmen Valley Chapel Colorado Springs CO 96World Outreach Church Murfreesboro TN 52World Overcomers Christian Church Durham NC 38PRESBYTERIAN – EVANGELICALCherry Hills Community Church Highlands Ranch CO 89Hope Presbyterian Church Cordova TN 69VINEYARDVineyard Columbus Westerville OH 57WESLEYAN12Stone Church Lawrenceville GA 19



BY CHURCH NAMEThe Outreach 100 Largest Churches

12Stone Church Lawrenceville GA 19

2|42 Community Church Brighton MI 92

Ada Bible Church Ada MI 56

Austin Stone Community Church Austin TX 72

Bayside Church Granite Bay CA 22

Bayside Community Church Bradenton FL 62

Bellevue Baptist Church Cordova TN 65

Biltmore Church Arden NC 63

Calvary Albuquerque Albuquerque NM 25

Calvary Chapel South Bay Gardena CA 54

Cathedral of Faith San Jose CA 49

CedarCreek Church Perrysburg OH 55

Celebration Church Jacksonville FL 30

Central Christian Church of Arizona Mesa AZ 43

Cherry Hills Community Church Highlands Ranch CO 89

Christ Fellowship Church Palm Beach Gardens FL 8

Christ's Church of the Valley Peoria AZ 7

Christ's Church of the Valley San Dimas CA 100

Church by the Glades Coral Springs FL 46

The Church of Eleven22 Jacksonville FL 71

Church of the Highlands Birmingham AL 2

The Church Without Walls Houston TX 90

CityChurch San Antonio TX 78

Community Bible Church San Antonio TX 26

Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Chandler AZ 87

Cornerstone Church of San Diego National City CA 79

Cross Church Springdale AR 45

Cross Point Church Nashville TN 68

The Crossing Quincy IL 59

Crossroads Christian Church Corona CA 94

Crossroads Christian Church Grand Prairie TX 74

Crossroads Church Cincinnati OH 10

Eagle Brook Church Centerville MN 12

EastLake Church Chula Vista CA 86

Eastview Christian Church Normal IL 97

Elevation Church Matthews NC 11

Elizabeth Baptist Church Atlanta GA 95

Faith Assembly of God Orlando FL 85

Faith Church St. Louis MO 58

Faith Promise Church Knoxville TN 81

Family Christian Center Munster IN 20

First Assembly of God Ft. Myers FL 47

Flatirons Community Church Lafayette CO 15

Gateway Church Southlake TX 4

Grace Family Church Lutz FL 60

Healing Place Church Baton Rouge LA 77

Hope Community Church Raleigh NC 48

Hope Fellowship Frisco TX 82

Hope Presbyterian Church Cordova TN 69

Hosanna! Lutheran Church Lakeville MN 99

Houston's First Baptist Church Houston TX 51

James River Church Ozark MO 39

King Jesus International Ministry Miami FL 16

Lake Pointe Church Rockwall TX 28

LCBC Church Manheim PA 21

Long Hollow Baptist Church Hendersonville TN 76

Lutheran Church of Hope West Des Moines IA 32

Mariners Church Irvine CA 17

McLean Bible Church Vienna VA 34

Mount Zion Baptist Church Nashville TN 18

New Life Church Conway AR 23

NewSpring Church Anderson SC 3

North Coast Church Vista CA 33

North Point Ministries Alpharetta GA 1

Northview Church Carmel IN 53

Oak Hills Church San Antonio TX 44

Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park Orland Park IL 64

Pinelake Church Brandon MS 37

Potential Church Cooper City FL 35

Real Life Christian Church Clermont FL 73

Real Life Church Valencia CA 93

Red Rocks Church Littleton CO 40

Reid Temple AME Church Glenn Dale MD 80

River Valley Church Apple Valley MN 66

The Rock Church San Diego CA 24

Saddleback Church Lake Forest CA 5

Sandals Church Riverside CA 83

Savannah Christian Church Savannah GA 61

Scottsdale Bible Church Scottsdale AZ 70

Second Baptist Church Houston TX 13

Shadow Mountain Community Church El Cajon CA 67

Shepherd Church Porter Ranch CA 50

Southeast Christian Church Louisville KY 9

Southland Christian Church Nicholasville KY 31

The Summit Church Durham NC 42

Sun Valley Community Church Gilbert AZ 84

Traders Point Christian Church Indianapolis IN 91

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Leawood KS 41

Valley Bible Fellowship Bakersfi eld CA 27

The Village Church Flower Mound TX 36

Vineyard Columbus Westerville OH 57

Voices of Faith Ministries Stone Mountain GA 88

Water of Life Community Church Fontana CA 75

Watermark Community Church Dallas TX 29

Westover Hills Assembly of God San Antonio TX 98

Willow Creek Community Church South Barrington IL 6

Woodlands Church The Woodlands TX 14

Woodmen Valley Chapel Colorado Springs CO 96

World Outreach Church Murfreesboro TN 52

World Overcomers Christian Church Durham NC 38



FUTURE-PROOFAs the sun peeks over the horizon on the future path, you are

greeted by a friendly traveler who hands you an iPhone. A mes-sage appears on the screen that says, “Flip the 80/20 Rule.” You tap the phone to unlock it, and your custom church app opens.

The friendly traveler, in a wise, oracle-like fashion, begins to speak: “In a world where mobile is at the center of people’s lives, if they aren’t connecting with your church on their phone, you are missing out.”

The traveler then points back at the phone, and as you look up, he’s gone. You look down at the phone again, and a new message appears:

“echurch powered by Pushpay helps to engage your church with mobile technology. We have a strategy that simply engages the 80% of people who aren’t completely connected at your church, unlocking generosity from a changing generation.”

You emerge from the future victorious, taking the first steps in connecting the the church to a bright future.

Choose This Future for Your Church. Click Here.

Return to Start. Click Here.

http://info.echurchgiving.com/lp-evergreen-overview.html?utm_source=Another%20Website&utm_medium=print&utm_term=sent090116&utm_content=DigitalTop100&utm_campaign=Print-Outreach-Demo&ls=Print-Outreach-Demo


THE CHANGING FACE

O F T H E A M E R I C A N M E G A C H U R C H

Excerpt by Warren Bird

Megachurches face a series of unique challenges specific to them, and this article explores five of those. All five challenges contain implications for churches of every size, from small to large.

Challenge No. 1: Overcoming StereotypesProbably no type of church is more caricatured in public perception than the megachurch. The opulent lifestyles of a very small number of megachurch pastors—especially ones marked by moral failures and other scandals—get their own TV series. The logic is this: Media coverage understandably is drawn to conflict and controversy, and disproportionately so to a high-visibility church, which often means a megachurch.

Challenge No. 2: Breaking InThe larger the church, the harder it is to identify newcomers and intentionally pair them with a sponsor. Therefore, most large churches put a lot of effort into establishing multiple pathways for helping newcomers move from spectator to participant, from outsider to insider, from a perspective of “that church” to “my church.”

The way this typically happens is by being extremely intentional about creating ways for people to develop friendships, and to get connected in small groups, teams, classes or other highly relational settings. As a result, the healthiest megachurches grow bigger by intentionally getting “smaller.”

Challenge No. 3: Turning the Queen Mary With a Single Oar The bigger the church, the harder it is to change it. To make things worse, the more a church’s leaders feel that they found a winning formula in the past, the more reluctant they are to mess with it, even when it shows

signs of no longer being as effective. Any church that cannot separate its mission from its methodology is certain to decline.

Challenge No. 4: Expanding via Multisites, Mergers and Church PlantingMultisite ministry has literally changed the face of the church in America over the past 25 years. In 1990, there were only about 10 churches in America that did ministry as one church on two or more campuses. As so often happens with other innovations, multisite experimentation happened around the edges in churches of all sizes, and then a number of megachurches embraced it, giving it visibility and added credibility.

Now with each passing year, the typical church that becomes multisite has a slightly smaller size than the average church that went multisite the year before. This is another example of helpful learning collaboration between churches of all sizes.

Challenge No. 5: Pioneering Microtrends Most church leaders have seen a bell-curve drawing that describes the adoption of a new idea. It starts with innovators, then early adopters, then middle adopters and, finally, late adopters. According to that theory, larger organizations can create more space to play with innovation than can smaller organizations. Leadership Network’s CEO Dave Travis applies this principle to churches: “Larger congregations have more resources, both people and financial, to experiment and innovate. A failure is usually not as disruptive as in a smaller church where the consequences of failure tend to be much higher.”

For Warren Bird’s entire article on megachurch trends, order the full Outreach 100 annual report.


Every year, LifeWay Research, in association with Outreach magazine, pulls together data from churches across the country, seeking to identify and rank the nation’s fastest-growing churches. We also list the 100 largest participating churches. These quantitative lists are only the tip of the iceberg. Each number represents real people, real stories and real movement of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

As we gather numbers, we also look for patterns in these stories that may be helpful to other churches. This year, as we looked through the surveys and interviewed leaders, we saw a theme emerge: engaging a post-church culture.

Accept people where they are.Ricci Del Priore, a campus pastor at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park, Illinois (No. 64 Largest), describes the church’s heartbeat as going after people who are far from God. Parkview pushes their people to connect with their neighbors they are already doing life with and invite them to church.

Del Priore describes a conversation about a year ago in which the senior pastor, Tim Harlow, caught a glimpse of the culture he had worked hard to create.

After a service, a man in his 20s who had been invited by a friend went up to the senior pastor and said, “This was my first time in church, but I need to tell you, I’ve never been a real religious guy. But this was really [good].” Only instead of saying “good,” he used a phrase with an expletive.

Really? He just swore in front of the senior pastor?Instead of being shocked or offended, the staff at

Parkview began referring to “Expletive Eddy” at every leadership team meeting. They knew him when they

saw him. He embodied exactly who they were trying to reach. In fact, they started using him as a threshold test: Were the things they were doing reaching this kind of person?

Make it easy for your congregation.If anyone has an excuse for having a complicated ministry, it is megachurches. But when we interview the leaders of megachurches, something is markedly different from other interviews we do. We cannot get more than two questions into the interview without the church leaders articulating the church’s strategy.

We didn’t specifically ask for it and they didn’t call it strategy. They labeled these concise phrases as “vision,” “approach” or “heart.” But they could not describe their church or talk about evangelism without sharing their simple, easy-to-remember strategy for their church.

Prove the value you are offering.Nationally, 1 in 4 unchurched adults has never regularly attended a Christian church.

“They’re not attracted to the idea of church,” says Roman Archer, executive pastor at Next Level Church in New England (No. 20 Fastest-Growing). “So, we’ve got to go in and relationally build trust and show them we’re here to give back.” Next Level seeks to meet the needs in the communities where it has campuses. The church wants to add value to people’s lives in such a way that they become open to God.

For Scott McConnell’s entire article on the post-church culture, order the full Outreach 100 annual report.

Excerpt by Scott McConnell

ENGAGING A P O S T - C H U R C H C U L T U R E


CANDID CONVERSATIONS

Compiled by Meredee Berg

OUTREACH 100 PASTORS SHARE THEIR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE

I am having more fun pastoring today than I have ever had before. I don’t really see it as high stress. If there is any key to both safeguarding and spiritual development, it is the people in your life. It is great family connections and great friends who love you enough to tell you the truth.

The influencers in my life are too numerous to name. Some of them have been mentors, but many of them were writers who influenced my insights and my ideas through the written page.

What I have learned about criticism is “consider the source.” The people who know the most about you and who love you the most deserve a greater consideration of their criticism. However, I have found there is usually a seed of truth even in the criticisms of your harshest critics. When it comes to praise, it’s the flip side of criticism. You should give it the same weight that you give constructive criticism—and also as you do with criticism, discern the credibility of the source.

What concerns me is the tendency of certain groups to see themselves as the spiritually elite—that somehow they have the best method, or the only theology, or the superior model, and a spirit of disdain for the remaining body of Christ—which makes them critical and in the process divides us.

I am most excited about young church planters who are going to the hardest places—spiritual wastelands—

and are planting vibrant flagship churches that have a vision for planting and mentoring other churches in that region. God is raising up an amazing crop of young leaders.

The core of the American church experience really hasn’t changed at all. The gospel still changes lives and small groups are still where the best discipleship takes place and relational evangelism—one person telling another person about Jesus—is still the best strategy for reaching people and has been the same since the early church.

Twitter: @SteveStroopeWebsite: LakePointe.org

Founded: 1979Affiliation: Southern Baptist

Locations: 9Attendance: 12,185

Growth in 2015: +1,286 (12%)Fastest-Growing: 53

Largest: 28

There are four areas of my life I make sure to protect and keep healthy: my spiritual tank, my physical tank,

my emotional tank and my mental tank. I fill my spiritual tank by reading God’s Word. I fill my physical tank by eating right and exercising but also resting. I fill my emotional tank by spending time with loved ones. Lastly, I fill my mental tank in several ways; one is by reading historical books.

“Church Is Not About Competition”

ROBERT MORRISFounding Senior Pastor

Gateway ChurchDallas/Fort Worth, Texas

“An Amazing Crop of Young Leaders”

STEVE STROOPESenior Pastor

Lake Pointe ChurchRockwall, Texas

Each year, we speak with several Outreach 100 pastors in an effort to collect their honest observations about the church, their ministries and their experiences. For this special issue, we collected their insights on everything from personal growth

and stress management to staying humble in a high-profile position—as well as their thoughts on the future of the American church. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy your

visit with these seasoned pastors.

Many have influenced me along the way, including Olen Griffing and James Robison. I consider both of these men my spiritual fathers, and each has poured into my life. I’ve also been greatly influenced by Pastor Jack Hayford. He had a very nonconfrontational way of humbly presenting Scripture and his beliefs. He caused me to start thinking about Scripture differently, and now he is a spiritual father to me and a spiritual grandfather to Gateway Church.

When dealing with criticism and praise, I lean on the Word of God and am reminded of passages such as 2 Corinthians 10:12 and Luke 6:22-23. I know that as a pastor, everything I do should be for the Lord. It only matters that I hear God and obey what he says. As I shepherd his sheep, I must lead as he’s called me to lead. I have an audience of one—and that’s God.

Many churches have become apathetic toward reaching the lost. Unfortunately, not enough churches offer a safe place for people to come and deal with hurts and issues while experiencing true spiritual growth.

What excites me is how many new churches are being planted and started every week. Church is not about competition. Any time I hear about a new church starting up in our area, I celebrate! There are plenty of lost and hurting people in every community seeking purpose, significance and eternal answers. The church has opportunities to reach new people every day, whether it’s our church or the church down the street.

Online church is more popular now than ever before, and I see that growing even bigger in the future. Yet, even with online church, people today crave an authentic experience and relationship with God as they deal with the reality and pressures of life. Church is a place for people to come who need to be saved, healed and set free, so they can be discipled, equipped, empowered and released to serve. People are looking for real, authentic relationships, with God and others. They’re not interested in being entertained by a Sunday morning performance. What’s compelling to those who are seeking God and their purpose and meaning in life is entering into the presence of the Lord.

Twitter: @PsRobertMorrisWebsite: GatewayPeople.com

Founded: 2000Affiliation: Nondenominational


Largest: 4

I have learned the importance of spending time with God at the start of every day in order to prepare my heart to seek him all day. My personal devotion is the foundation upon which I can make all the decisions I have to make and carry the stress of life.

One of my biggest influences has been Mike MacIntosh, pastor of Horizon Christian Fellowship, who set the foundation for my faith journey and understanding of how to trust and mobilize people to do the work of the ministry. Horizon Christian Fellowship had countless ministries, most led by volunteers, and that was a game changer for me to see, experience and be a part of. It played a critical role to inspire me to start a Bible study at my house, which turned into me becoming a youth pastor and eventually, a pastor.

There’s always a little truth in criticism and praise so I ask God how he wants to use it in my life to make me more like him.

I’m concerned about the marginalization of the church’s power and the lack of powerful challenges to society to come back to God. I’m excited for the opportunity to reap the harvest as our culture unfortunately reaps what it has sown.

Due to our lack of faith in God, we are experiencing more violence and division, and as a result, people are living in fear more than ever before.

Twitter: @MilesMcPherson Website: SDRock.com

Founded: 2000Affiliation: Nondenominational


Largest: 24

For more Candid Conversations with Outreach 100 pastors, order the full Outreach 100 annual report.

“The Importance of Time With God”

MILES McPHERSONLead Pastor

The Rock ChurchSan Diego, California


YOUR GENEROUS JOURNEY AWAITS:

SCHEDULE A DEMO NOW

The future is happening all around you. Mobile technology is a big part of daily life and the way people stay connected to the things they care about. echurch powered by Pushpay serves more than 4,000 churches with custom apps and giving technology, unlocking connection and driving generosity from a changing generation.


Outreach100.com is your portal to the American Megachurch experience. It includes the listings of the country’s 100 fastest-growing churches, with a landing page for each, introducing the church profile as well as the vital stats on numerical and percentage growth, denominational affiliation, basic information about the leadership and links to the church website and Twitter presence. These church landing pages also aggregate other stories about the church that appear anywhere on the magazine’s website. This typically includes more detailed church stories, tell-ing the transformational stories behind the numbers, and interviews with the leadership. More information is being added all the time.

Outreach100.com also includes links to features about large-church trends, interviews with megachurch leaders and transferrable ideas for churches of all sizes. It’s the place where we’re trying to make sense of America’s large-church phenomenon, particularly highlighting the shifting trends and growth patterns—principles applicable to churches of all sizes.

At Outreach100.com you will also discover how you can obtain your own copy of the 164-page full report of the country’s fastest-growing churches.

DIGGING DEEPERW H A T W I L L Y O U F I N D A T

O U T R E A C H 1 0 0 . C O M ?




Ideas, Innovations and Resources

TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR COMMUNITY AND

CHANGE THE WORLDO U T R E A C H M A G A Z I N E . C O M

E V A N G E L I S M • D I S C I P L E S H I P • S E R V I C E

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