The Church is Truly the Hope of America

Doug Clay

Chairman, Assemblies of God Trust

General Superintendent, Assemblies of God

People often ask why I’m so passionate about the local church. They typically wonder if it’s the times of corporate worship, or opportunities to hear challenging and uplifting messages, or the impact churches have in their communities. While the answer does involve all that, it’s so much more.

I’m such a fan of the local church because I am a product of the local church. I’ve seen firsthand in my life and the lives of so many others the lasting difference of an encounter with Jesus.

That’s the heart of AGTrust – making sure there is a healthy church and healthy minister in every community, so that all may have an opportunity to meet Jesus.

AGTrust celebrates a decade of ministry this year; it was launched in August 2008 for the primary purpose of providing a strong, healthy, vibrant church for generations to come.

In the first decade, 12,026 people committed to the Assemblies of God Fellowship’s growth and values through this ministry. And, AGTrust’s focus remains on the primary initiatives to 1) plant churches, 2) strengthen existing churches, and 3) scholarship future leaders.

Here are a few highlights of what God did through these partnerships:

• Over 1,000 churches have taken the Acts 2 Journey of revitalization.
• Over $3.3 million dollars has been awarded through 1,286 scholarships/grants to students and graduates of Assemblies of God higher education institutions.
• 472 new churches have received matching fund grants of $30,000 each, which they will replenish to the church planting fund in the amount of $14,160,000. As those funds are replenished, they will continue to plant new churches until our mission here is interrupted by the return of Christ.
• We have invested nearly $1.4 million in new resources to help ground the next generation in the faith.

Many partners have been with AGTrust since its inception, and a special thanks goes out to those charter members for their faithfulness. Certainly, this ministry wouldn’t be where it is today without their prayers and sacrifice.

To those who caught the vision along the way, thank you for recognizing the impact made when people come together and commit to church and ministerial health. The lives of so many will forever be changed, and the Kingdom is expanding because of your efforts.

If you are not yet part of the AGTrust family, would you prayerfully consider what a partnership might look like for you? The Assemblies of God is built on the concerted efforts of people who are committed to seeing the lost encounter Jesus. As I’ve seen over and over, a healthy local church is the best vehicle to make that happen.  

With God’s help and your partnership, I’m confident great strides can be made to see a healthy church and minister in every community!