Can you believe it’s already May!?! As many of us prepare to wind down another school year for our kids and step into summer, allow me to speak a “May Blessing” over your life:
Numbers 6:24-26 (PCV – Pastor Chris Version)
As you move from event to event this month, I’ll be praying that you continue to abide in Jesus and experience His Presence in powerful ways. Be sure to join us on Sunday’s as we study the Book of Job together, and pray for our Albania Missions Team as they set out to encourage the churches and advance God’s Kingdom (1st – 11th). Pray for our Staff as we venture off to our annual Multiply Conference in Fayetteville, NC (and join us online!), and get ready to celebrate with another water baptism on the final Sunday of the month (25th). It’s been a special year so far Manna Church. Thanks so much for your efforts to invite and SERVE on Easter Sunday – we welcomed lots of new families as guests, and had a record attendance (745!). It’s an honor to follow Jesus alongside y’all. Don’t forget Mother’s Day for May 11th!
Pastor Chris Shinnick
Our next Baptism Sunday is May 25th.
Come celebrate life change at the upcoming Baptism Sunday at Lincoln Park! Baptism is a powerful public declaration of faith, and there’s no better place to take this next step than surrounded by your church family in the beauty of God’s creation. Whether you’re ready to be baptized or want to cheer others on, we invite you to join us for this meaningful and joy-filled event. Mark your calendars and be a part of what God is doing!
Register below if you would like to be baptized.
The Manna Church Multiply Conference is a three-day conference held in Fayetteville, NC. Multiply is the centerpiece of Manna’s church-planting initiative. From Tuesday, May 20, through Thursday, May 22, they will dive into the vision of multiplication on the Military Highway and give practical application to the three things we do:
Love God, Love Each Other, Love The World.
This conference will include main sessions with leaders from the Multiply Movement and breakout sessions on the nuts and bolts of Manna Church.
Can’t travel to Fayetteville? Join virtually through the link below.
How is it already time to talk about the annual SERVE Team Float? The SERVE team float is one of the two annual events where the entire SERVE team comes together for a time of fun and fellowship. If you are on the SERVE team we invite you to join on July 5th. We’ll be floating down the Blackwater River for fun and fellowship, and Manna Church will cover the cost for the first 60 people who register!
RSVP by June 12th to confirm your attendance, and we’ll send out more details closer to the event. See you there!
Making Disciples = Relationships + Intentionality
Though Growth Track took a break in April, the fellowship did not! Our committed Alumni Small Group gathered in the rain on 3/30 to SERVE alongside the Baptism setup and breakdown team. We also met on 4/13 for a fellowship event at Lincoln Park. Relationships don’t end when small groups end!
Be on the look out for these upcoming events:
"It was such a blessing getting to know everyone during the First and Next Steps classes. Coming into a new group can sometimes be awkward, but everyone made it such a welcoming and meaningful experience. I've truly enjoyed the conversations, the laughter, and the way we were able to encourage one another in our faith. I'm grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside such a wonderful group of people and look forward to what is ahead!"
"This is the first church that we have tried in the local area since moving here a year ago that actually felt right, has a diverse age of believers, is focused on outreach, and is biblically based. We are very excited to be a part of the church!"
"I'm heartened by Manna's vision and the small group approach. Too many churches let people slip away without plugging them into a fellowship group. I felt the sincerity of a desire to share Jesus with people."
We believe that life change happens in the context of community with others – that is why we everything we do at Manna is done through Small Groups! All of our free market groups, interest-based groups, Sunday SERVE Teams, MannaKids and MannaStu groups, Growth Track groups, and Missions/Outreach groups provide the opportunity to be in life-giving relationships.
We’ve got a NEW SUMMER CYCLE of Small Groups kicking off at our next CONNECT SUNDAY, June 8, so there’s no better time to find a group that fits you best.
May Happenings in Manna Stu:
"Prayer and Worship night was one of the first times I've been able to really recognize feeling God's presence in my life."
"Wednesday night STU was better than it has been in a long time. I really enjoy going deeper on subjects and worship and prayer"
" I really feel like the Holy Spirit moved in me and I think I'm ready to be more outspoken about my faith".
On April 26th, Manna Church showed up and showed out at the MudRun for Orphans! Our SERVE Team jumped in all day long — supporting the start/finish lines, cheering on runners, handing out running fuel, and having fun doing it! It was an amazing chance to serve people, love our community, and live out the mission Jesus has given us.
At Manna, we believe church isn’t just a place we go — it’s who we are. We live on mission every day, changing the world one act of love at a time. Being the hands and feet of Christ isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we get to do.
Ready to jump in? There are more outreach opportunities coming up — don’t miss the chance to be part of what God is doing through Manna Church!
God of Miracles!
What was meant to be a plea for prayer has become a testimony of praise! Thank you for praying for the team heading to Albania and Greece. Please keep praying — the enemy is working, but our God is greater!
Our partners, the Vercani family, recently faced two urgent surgeries for their teenage children. On Easter, their son had a successful emergency appendectomy. Their daughter also needed surgery for a rare birth defect causing years of pain. Praise God — He provided the needed funds within a week, covering both surgeries!
Even more, God brought comfort through Destiny Weston from Manna, who shared her personal experience with the same rare condition. Their conversation was a huge encouragement and a reminder that God cares deeply for His people.
Please continue praying for the Vercanis as they recover and prepare for a busy season of ministry.
To hear more mission updates, join our Missions Minded group on the second Tuesday of each month!
