The Ohio River begins in Pittsburgh, PA as a confluence of two other rivers. It winds and flows, carving out borders for many states as it moves majestically to the Mississippi river.

In the early years of this country the river was a focal point for trade and commerce.  By the late 19^th and early 20^th century it became a hub for manufacturing and industry. The cities and towns along its bank grew and prospered…capitalizing on the river’s ability to provide economic growth and prosperity.

Economic changes over the years eventually led to the closing of most manufacturing.  Cities and towns along the river found themselves having to redevelop and discern new strategies for economic growth and development.

Churches and many not-for-profit organizations were also having to discern their future based upon the ever-changing economic environment. Evans/Davis has been contacted by a number of churches and community organizations, along the river, that need to discern their future and to assist them in developing fund strategies for the times ahead. Churches, especially, are looking to discern God’s call for ministries and evangelism based upon changes in both economy and personal life styles.

The firm will begin working with churches and other organizations this spring, assisting them with development of a long-range vision plan. We will be meeting with a number of others in the weeks and months ahead. It is our mission to assist churches in setting hearts on fire for Christ. We look forward to the challenges that lie ahead and hope that we can play a role in the future of churches and other not-for profits along the Ohio River.

Evans/Davis wishes to ask you a tough question…is your church growing?

The firm has often heard this reply, “Yes, we are growing…spiritually.” Obviously, spiritual growth is very important in the life of the church but what is often ignored is numerical growth. As a result valuable and important ministries are discontinued or cut back because of declining stewardship revenues needed to support them.

Numerical growth happens when a long-range vision plan has been developed that determines key ministries, evangelism and other activities in the life of the church that need to be developed or enhanced to foster this church growth.

Evans/Davis has developed a Vision Planning Program that is both cost effective and efficient that is designed to enhance both numerical and spiritual growth. As we move into spring, we suggest that your leadership begin to discuss long-range planning. The firm can meet with you to discuss our services and make recommendations for next steps in the planning process.

It is our mission to assist churches in setting hearts on fire for Christ. We want to help you with both numerical and spiritual growth. Please contact us to learn more.

Evans/Davis is excited to sponsor an exhibitor’s table at the 124^th Council of the Diocese of Southern Virginia, scheduled for February 4 to 6, 2016 at the Williamsburg Lodge, Williamsburg, VA. In addition to introducing ourselves to churches and Diocesan ministries for the first time, we will have the opportunity to visit with a number of churches and other diocesan ministries we have scheduled to meet around that time frame.

Evans/Davis asks any church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia to contact us should you wish to have us visit with you during the first week of February in 2016. We can meet you at the Lodge, at your church, or at a convenient location nearby.

Evans/Davis, working with the leadership at Grace Episcopal Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, has completed their Vision Planning Program. During the process they have developed their core purpose and values and have envisioned a plan for their future.

We received this note from one of the Church leaders.  “I am writing you on behalf of Grace Church’s Mission Council and Visioning Committee.  We would like to thank Evans/Davis for your guidance and leadership in helping us design and frame an initial vision for Grace Church.  As a Common Ministry Mission Church, Grace was not the “normal Episcopal Parish” that you company helps. We presented you with a unique set of challenges and you worked with us to craft a vision thatauthentically represents who Grace is at the current time. “Again, on behalf of Grace Church, we thank you for going the extra milewith us in helping us delineate our goals, hopes and dreams and then usingyour contacts to help us put real costs next to each item on our plan/wishlist.”

Evans/Davis is happy to receive this message and will monitor the church as it proceeds through its vision plan. Please contact us to learn how we can help you with long-range vision planning.

Over the years, the Finneytown Schools Educational Foundation (FSEF) of Springfield Township near Cincinnati, Ohio, has raised funds to provide teacher grants and to fund special projects. In addition, it has been a funnel for student scholarships. The Foundation is now at the crossroads and needs to determine future funding needs and determine where these funds can be developed for these needs.

For this reason the FSEF is moving forward with a vision/discernment program and development of a revised mission statement. Once a vision for the Foundation’s future is determined and a revised mission statement has been written, Evans/Davis will conduct a fundraising feasibly study to determine if there is a sufficient dollars from the FSEF donor base to make the long-range plan a reality.

Evans/Davis specializes in long-range planning. Please contact us if you would like more information.

We are experiencing challenges in changing times. Many of our congregations are diminishing in size. Now, more than ever, church leaders must discern God’s call for their future. This means looking at all aspects of church life…worship, fellowship and ministries to determine the best ways to grow both spiritually and numerically.

The bible encourages both planning and involvement of counsel in this process. Here are just a few:

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision the people will parish.

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel plans go wrong, with advisors they succeed.

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future.

Evans/Davis can assist you in customize a long-range plan, within your budget, to assist your church in this discernment/visioning exercise.

The firm can shepherd you through the entire development process…from vision planning, conducting a feasibility/ assessment study to providing guidance and counsel for both annual and capital campaigns. Evans/Davis can also assist in the development of Legacy Society or other planned-giving program.

The mission of Evans/Davis is to assist churches in setting hearts on fire for Christ. Please contact us so we can explore possibilities and discuss options.