Converge church planting leaders Lee Stephenson and Danny Parmelee are joined by Don Willeman to discuss some of the challenges he’s faced planting in the Northeast.
Converge church planting leaders Lee Stephenson and Danny Parmelee are joined by Don Willeman to discuss some of the challenges he’s faced planting in the Northeast.
0:29 Don planted his church 20 years ago in Hanover, New Hampshire, home to Dartmouth College.
1:33 Don talks about how God has given his church an open door "in a place where people said it was impossible to plant a church."
2:48 Don’s church has met at Hanover High School for the past 20 years.
3:29 Because of outdated zoning laws, his church has been unable to get permanent space in town.
4:35 Twelve years ago, the church initially tried to build in a commercial district but was told it was not allowed. The zoning laws say the building has to be in a residential neighborhood.
4:57 Three years ago, the church purchased a 9-acre parcel of land to build on. They’ve been before the zoning board for the last 2 ½ years and still don’t have a resolution.
6:16 Don discusses doing setup and teardown for 20 years as a portable church.
8:33 Don talks about how they’ve tried not to have an antagonism against the town or its residents.
12:23 Don encourages planters who are facing similar challenges "to take a big step back and make sure you see this through the big picture."