1. Family members - I’m married to my wonderful husband, Josh, of almost 7 years and we have a beautiful 4 year old daughter, Aleah. I have 2 brothers, Tony who is 23 and JT who is 8. My parents John and Wanda, were highschool sweethearts and have been very happily married for 27 years.

2. Hobbies – I love dancing of any kind, doing dramas, and scrapbooking.

3. How did you learn about the Pier 59 Project? I heard about the P59P when Megan came to work with me at BB&T. Megan and I immediately connected and became close friends very quickly. She told me about her and her husband being church planters and invited me to the bible study they have every week. I went then and have been going ever since.

4. How are you currently involved with the Pier 59 Project and what does it mean to you? I currently do whatever I can to help the P59P grow and reach new people for Christ. I help with craft nights and fun days and just recently started creating some dramas for us to perform at worship services. We haven’t performed any yet, but we will soon. The P59P is a group of AMAZING PEOPLE here in Baldwin County that want to reach out to those in need and show them the love of Jesus Christ through whatever means possible. They are truly here to make a difference in the world and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of it!!!

5. What is your favorite bible verse? My favorite bible verse is John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Reading this verse helped me through some rough times in my life.

6. Who are the five people that you would have at your fantasy dinner, and what type of food would be served? Jesus Christ, Ken Davis the Christian comedian, Jamie Grace, My husband, and my daughter. I think this would be a perfect combination of people because there would be great music, great laughter, and all of the unconditional love I could ever imagine from Jesus and my family!!!! The dinner list would include salad with the good homemade ranch, baked and fried fish & shrimp, macaroni and cheese, rice, baked beans, and lots of desserts like cookies and cream icecream, brownies, and whipped cream. Mmmm….yummy!!!

7. What is something unique about you that people may not know about? I have 3 tattoos. My first tattoos is a cross with a butterfly in the center of it, which is symbolic of me becoming a new creature in Christ when I was saved. The second one is my daughter’s name, “Aleah”, with a halo resting on top of the ‘A’ and her birthday underneath the name. The last one is 3 shooting stars on my right ankle that symbolize my family of 3, my husband, me, and my daughter.

8. Do you have any words of wisdom that you would like to share? Don’t try to be someone you’re not to please people. Be yourself. The Lord made you unique and He accepts you and loves you just as you are.

We have recently developed our own discipleship and leadership material.  We are calling the discipleship material the Pier 59 Planks for growth.  We are calling the leadership material the Pier 59 Foundations for Leadership.  It has been our goal from the very beginning to plant a church that is centered around discipleship and leadership development.  This is the method that Jesus used, so it is the method that we strive to use as well.

In this article I am going to spend some time discussing the content that makes up the Planks, but first I want to reveal the reasoning behind calling the material Planks and Foundations. We believe that proper discipleship and strong leadership development are two of the most important ingredients for a thriving church.  In the same way that a functioning pier needs a strong foundation, and all of the wooden planks to make up the surface, the Pier 59 Project needs the content of the Pier 59 Planks and Foundations to function properly.

The Pier 59 Planks for Growth

We have created 6 different planks that each have their own practical and hands-on lesson.  The planks are as follows: 1) Assurance of Salvation – Walking the Plank, 2) Studying the Bible – Fishing Deep Waters, 3) Learning to Pray – Casting your Line, 4) Understanding Forgiveness – Repairing the Pier, 5) Sharing Your Faith – Throwing your Net, & 6) Practicing Hospitality – Pier Fellowship.

We believe that every disciple of Christ must have a basic understanding of all 6 of these subjects.  Do we believe that a knowledge of these six subjects is all that is required to be a disciple of Christ?  Of course not!  A disciple of Christ must have an active faith that includes daily time with God, worship, fellowship with other Christians, and acts of service (all of which we provide opportunities for at our small groups). However, we do believe that the Pier 59 Planks do provide an excellent opportunity for growth, and they are completely reproducible.

If you are already a participant in one of the Pier 59 small groups, then you will be introduced to the planks very shortly.  But if you aren’t a member, and you think that the Planks might be for you or someone you know, please feel free to get in contact with one of the Pier 59 Project ministers.

Herman Youth Group

We were recently paid a visit by the youth group of Herman Baptist Church out of Jonesboro, Arkansas.  The people of Herman chose the pier 59 project for their summer mission trip and we couldn’t be more grateful.  In anticipation of their visit, we planned a slew of events for the weekend that we wouldn’t have been able to carry out without the extra help.

Summary of Events

Mrs. Janee Brandon at Kensley Apartment Complex

The Church from Herman arrived in Spanish Fort this past Thursday night (July 14th).  The next morning the group hosted two separate “Backyard Bible Clubs” simultaneously; we had one at Kensley Apartments in Spanish Fort and one at Richard’s house.  All we at the pier 59 project did was rent a couple of inflatables and provide the locations, the youth group and chaperones took care of the rest.  We had a great turnout at both locations and had the opportunity to strengthen connections that we had already made.  The children received a great message and had a great time with the inflatables and games.  At Kensley, in addition to the backyard bible club, the young men in the youth group picked up all of the trash and sticks on the apartment premises, organized the maintenance closet, and cleaned the pool area.

Shawn Brandon, Pastor of Herman Baptist Church

Friday night we had a cook out with Praise and Worship at the Inglewood Rental Community in Robertsdale.  We grilled hamburgers, gave away prizes, and the Herman Youth Band played for almost two hours straight!  There were a number of adults there that we had not previously met that told us that they were ready to have a bible study held at Inglewood.  We also used this event to publicize the worship service that we would be having the following evening in Robertsdale.

We were forced to cancel the two events that we had planned for Saturday morning (a mother’s day out at Inglewood and a Fun day/introductory event at Peppertree apartments in Gulf Shores) due to thunderstorms.  It was disappointing to cancel these two events but Praise God for the much needed rain!

Saturday night we had the first official Pier 59 worship service. The service was attended by members of the small group in Spanish Fort, members of the small group in Gulf Shores, and a number of families and children from the Inglewood community.  The youth band lead in Worship, some of the ladies from Herman hosted children classes, and Brother Richard delivered an outstanding message.  We want to extend a special thank you to Central Christian School for allowing us to use their sanctuary!

Sunday morning, the Herman group accompanied the Payne family to Fountain of Faith Baptist Church in Creola, Alabama.  I am told that the place was packed out (just three members short of the record) and that the service was great.  Sunday night we met at the La Quinta Inn.  I shared a short devotional, we had pizza, and then we played a few games.

Monday, the youth group took a day to enjoy Baldwin County.  They went to the beach, shopped, and relaxed.  That night they went to the Spanish Fort bible study.  There was even a guest at the bible study who attended because of a flyer that he received from one of the chaperones!  Tuesday morning the group departed and they are now safely back in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

We at the Pier 59 Project want to extend a HUGE Thank You to Brother Shawn Brandon, the youth group of Herman Baptist Church, the chaperones who were able to make the trip, and all of the other members of Herman Baptist.  This was one of the hardest working youth groups I have ever seen.  Every person who came had an awesome attitude and was a joy to be around.  I know that God is going to do great things through Herman Baptist Church because every person that we met was completely dedicated to the cause of Christ.  This past weekend was a perfect example of two different local Church bodies coming together to further God’s kingdom.

Members of Herman Baptist, we love you and appreciate you.

- John Koonce

People Just Want To Be Loved!

I am always surprised at how we try to complicate ministry so often. As the

Pier 59 Project begins showing the residence of these rental multi-family

communities the love of Christ, they respond in such a positive way. Many

Kensley Funday

have signed up for Fellowship groups, several have asked how they can help, a lot of them are shocked that we have nothing to sell them, but all of them

respond to love.

One example is a single mother at Inglewood. She moved here with her

young son (7) from Boston to raise him in a better environment. At our Fun

day she expressed great interest in what we were about, her and her son

came to our Kids Craft night last Wednesday. Carmen and I were inviting

her to this weeks Bible study and not only did she say she would be there,

she offered her home for childcare. Wow! I told Carmen that there is a

young mother who us looking to get involved in a new church.

Another example was this week at Kensley Apts. A young mom was there

Pier 59 members Casey and Aleah at Inglewood Craft Night

with her 3 little girls. She was a little “stand offish” at first but when several from our group talked with her she began to open up. I spoke with her about a possible new church starting there and she said “Sign me up” my kids and I need a church.

Bottom Line: Show people Jesus and He draws them to Himself!

Once again this past week Fountain of Faith Baptist from Creola, Al showed up in full force to support and work with P59P. Pastor Al Moore and the Gang have worked so hard to help us at each event that it would be impossible to do any of this right now without them. P59P is a small group right now and we had 2 families out on vacation so their faithfulness is showing how Christians work together to rescue America. Thanks FOF!

Our Kid's Craft Night had 9 children, 5 teens, and 4 adults. Carmen taught on how we all work together in the body of Christ.

Each of the 3 complexes we are currently ministering in have indicated the huge need for an After-School Program in the fall. We so dearly want to meet this need but there seems to be several road blocks. I just last week told Carmen that in order to meet the need we would 1st need a van to haul these kids back and forth. This last Tuesday Pastor Ronnie Johnson from Jacksonville Texas donated a free 15 passenger van to P59P, Wow! That’s God’s affirmation!

The month of July is shaping up to be a great month. Herman Baptist Church in Jonesboro Arkansas is coming with 27 students and adults from July 14-18. We are going to work them like never before as we have multiple events planned at all 3 complexes as well as a few backyard Bible Clubs. Please pray for souls to be saved and the seeds watered for 3 new church plants. We are asking God for 3 new church starts next year but hoping He wants more!

- Richard Payne

Pier 59 member, Tara, beats the heat!

The inglewood rental community is home to approximately 400 people.  Of these 400 people, over 30 families (with about 100 children) showed up for the fun day.  We set up an inflatable water slide, an inflatable obstacle course, and an inflatable bounce town.  We also served smores and hot dogs.  Each child had to check in at our table, where we had the parents fill out a waiver and a survey.  Throughout the day we were able to establish many relationships with the parents and grandparents within this community.  Through our surveys 17 different families asked for bible study, 18 asked for an after-school program, 15 asked for a mother’s day out, and 8 asked for adult training classes in financial management, relationships, recovery, etc.  There are enough people to start a church right there at Inglewood!

Not only did God bless us by opening so many doors within the Inglewood community, but He also blessed us by providing so many volunteers to help with this event.  We want to extend a special thank you to Fountain of Faith Baptish Church out of Creola, Alabama (a BMAA church in neighboring Mobile County), who brought 12 people to help.  We would also like to thank the members of the small group in Daphne/Spanish Fort and the small group in Gulf Shores that were able to make it.  In all, we had over 25 volunteers to help make this event happen!

We will be returning to Inglewood two times this month and we will hopefully have a bible study going by the end of the summer.  All the praise goes to God for opening these doors!  In addition to Inglewood, it appears that we are about to make headway into an Apartment Complex in Spanish Fort as well as one in Gulf Shores.  We will be hosting a similar event in Spanish Fort at the end of this month, and prayerfully one in Gulf Shores by the end of July.  I will keep you updated by this website and our FB page as these events take place.  As always, thank you very much for all of your prayer and support.

Also, please feel free to visit our FB page for pictures. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pier-59-Project/125625327460635

John Koonce

Most of us know the important role that DNA plays in shaping who we are individually. DNA acts as the carrier of our genetic material. The sequence of the bases on the strands of our DNA predetermines many of the characteristics that we inherit and carry for the rest of our life. I am not saying that DNA completely influences who we become; but it can certainly prohibit someone from being the next LeBron James. As I stated earlier, when I mention “the DNA of a Church”, I am referring to the basic principles (or bases) that a Church is founded upon. The DNA of a Church, or Church movement, is constructed in the early stages of life, just like the DNA of a person. And I believe that, like the DNA of a human being, the “DNA” of a local Church body is very influential in determining that particular Church’s future identity (or better yet, ability to be molded).

Therefore, we believe that the DNA of The Pier 59 Project is very important. The Lord has directed us to instill three basic principles to incorporate into this Church Plant movement. They are as follows,

1) We are centered on God and the Bible.

2) We provide fellowship and support for others within the group.

3) We are going to remain focused on the communities we live in.

Those are the principles that we want instilled into the DNA of The Pier 59 Project. We feel that these three principles are all that is needed to keep us grounded in the faith and allow the Holy Spirit to move us in whatever direction He deems necessary. I would like to expound upon each one of these principles, to give more insight into why these are the principles we feel lead to use, as well as show what these principles may look like in action.

Principle 1 – We are centered on God and the Bible

In other words, God is the focus of the entire project. And we at The Pier 59 Project believe that God has revealed Himself and how He relates to us in the Bible. We plan on staying centered on God and the Bible by meeting regularly around it in Bible study. This way, each person who comes into The Pier 59 Project will form all of their theological beliefs straight from God and the scriptures. We have a doctrinal statement that we agree with that is on our webpage, and everyone is free to look at it. But honestly, how many people in our society know the Bible well enough to say that a certain doctrinal statement represents the whole of scripture most accurately? Doctrinal statements are for people who have already studied the Bible themselves. We don’t want someone to agree with our doctrinal statement just to fit in with us, or just because that is what they have always been told. Therefore, we will encourage each other to study the Bible directly and let God teach us. Because as well all know, when God teaches you truth, he gives it meaning in a way that only He can.

Principle 2 – We provide fellowship and support for others within the group

The members of the groups will not only be focused upon the Bible but also on caring for others within the group. We do this through prayer, words of encouragement, and most importantly, actions. We believe that the small group setting is the most conducive for deep and meaningful fellowship and support. People in a small group are going to get to know each other better and find it easier to bare each others burdens, edify and serve one another, confess sins to each other, and hold each other accountable (which are all commands given to the Church). By providing this support around God’s word, we will be discipling each other.

Principle 3 – We are going to remain focused on the communities that we live in

We think it is important that we as a Church realize that we are to be on the offensive, not the defensive. Too often we get the mentality that we must protect what we have, while in reality we need to share what we have. We need to share the truth of the sacrifice of Christ! We need to share the love that He has given us! And we need to do this right where we live. We believe that this should happen naturally from within the groups. People in the groups should share what they believe that the community needs and how we can provide for those needs. Whether we are caring for the community as a whole by participating in a community project event, or simply helping the neighbor next door, we will always stayed focused on the community around us. After all, it is in the community that we plan to multiply our groups.

These are the principles that we adhere to because these are the principles that make up a Church. You don’t need a ton of money, a building, or an extensive plan. All you need is Christ at the head (principle one), a gathering of a few (principle 2), and a mission to reach out to the world around you (principle 3). God takes care of the rest.