Sunrise and Lee Memorial - Partnership Questions and Answers

How did Sunrise find out about this opportunity?
John Robertson, Portsmouth Baptist Association Director, contacted Scott Salsman and Steve Nethery and helped initiate communication between Scott and Steve and the Leaders of Lee Memorial. At the first meeting it was determined by key leaders in both churches to continue to meet together for discussion and planning in regards to a future partnership that would be beneficial to both churches.
Why is Lee Memorial interested in a partnership?
The leaders of Lee Memorial are seeking God’s direction for the church. They are seeking to make the most of the facilities for ministry.
Why are Sunrise leaders interested in the partnership?
Those involved in the process thus far are interested in the partnership for numerous reasons: 1. God placed this in our laps. We did not go looking for this opportunity. 2. The meetings we have had with the leaders of Lee Memorial have been positive and encouraging for Sunrise and Lee Memorial leaders. 3. This opportunity provides Sunrise the chance to have a much more permanent place for meeting on Sunday mornings and at other times. 4. The location is good. 5. The facilities will meet the current needs of Sunrise and allow for some growth. 6. The set up and tear down done by the Music Team and those who help set up and tear down on Sundays will not have to be done anymore except for special occasions. 7. The expense will be $400.00 to $600.00 less per month than what we currently pay for the School and the Office Complex.
Will Sunrise still have the Sunrise style service on Sunday mornings?
Yes. We will continue our service. We will meet from 10:00 – 11:00 AM and have our service in the Family Life Center and the infants, pre-school, school aged children and Middle and High School Students will meet in an area suitable for them.
What about those already in Lee Memorial?
There will be an 11:15 – 12:00 Noon service that is more traditional in style, music, and setting in the auditorium/sanctuary of Lee Memorial. We will have the opportunity to serve with them in ministry and at special events. We will seek to build a relationship with people in Lee Memorial and they will seek to build a relationship with us.
What about the name?
We will be Sunrise Community Church meeting at Lee Memorial. We keep the name of Sunrise Community Church.
Will this move help us reach more people?
Location is very important in regards to the business world and church world. Lee Memorial is in a good location that is central along the I-664 corridor and is near the Chesapeake Square Mall Business District and provides a good location for Sunrise. Just moving to the facilities of Lee Memorial will not automatically cause Sunrise to grow in numbers even though the leaders of Sunrise think it will help us reach more people. We will need to continue to invite others to our weekend services, share Christ with others, provide relevant ministries, strengthen our Community Groups, and plan ways to reach out to those along the I-664 corridor. Your involvement in the move and in helping Sunrise lead people to accept Jesus Christ and become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ is very important to touching people’s lives with the love of God.
When will we officially start meeting Lee Memorial?
The current plans are to have a Christmas Eve Candle Light Service on Monday, December 24, 2007 from 6:00-7:00 PM at Lee Memorial with the people of Lee Memorial and Sunrise meeting together for this service. We will promote this service and hope and pray for a large attendance and plan for an awesome and powerful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Our first Sunday morning service will be on Sunday, December 30, 2007 from 10:00-11:00 AM at Lee Memorial.
What needs to be done before the partnership begins and Sunrise begins meeting at the Lee Memorial location?
We need to continue to pray. You and I need to plan on attending the Open House and tour the property and meet the people of Lee Memorial. We will have at least two Saturdays scheduled for cleaning and preparing the building for use. We will have some evenings scheduled to do the same. We will have a scheduled times to move items from Jolliff Middle School to Lee Memorial in order to be ready for Christmas Eve Candlelight Service and the first Sunday service on December 30, 2007.
How can I help?
Pray for openness because god can do great things through those who are open to Him. Pray for a sense of unity in Sunrise and between Sunrise and Lee Memorial because God can and will accomplish great things through those who seek to live with a sense of purpose. Be willing to help with the move. Plan on giving some of your time on a few evenings and on a few Saturdays to help with the move. Keep up your financial giving. Keep inviting people to attend. Your invites and personal life story are very important to reaching people.
What’s the bottom Line?
This seems to be an excellent opportunity. We will need you to be praying and be willing to help on some evenings and on some Saturday mornings or afternoons as we make this transition. Please contact any MLT leader with questions, ideas, or concerns about this opportunity. In making this move we all need to keep in mind that we as a church are to help others come to know Christ, grow in Christ and begin to serve Christ. Sunrise is about Reaching Up (Worship), Reaching Out (Evangelism/Sharing) and Reaching In (Fellowship and Spiritual Growth). Sunrise Community Church exists to lead people to become totally committed followers of Jesus Christ. Since Sunrise began in April 2000 we have made many transitions and tried numerous ways to reach out to people and help them experience God’s love and power. This move will be just one more transition in the life of Sunrise as we seek to continue to touch lives.
How do I get to Lee Memorial Baptist Church?
From I-664 take Portsmouth Blvd. East (Exit 11B) and at the first stop light turn left onto Gum Road. Go 2/10th of a mile and look for the property of Lee Memorial on the left at 2430 Gum Road. From The Churchland, Western Branch, and the Portsmouth City Park area you can get onto Portsmouth Blvd. and go west like you are going to I-664. Turn right onto Gum Road and go to 2/10th of a mile and look for the property of Lee Memorial on the left at 2430 Gum Road. You can also use www.mapquest.com or www.yahoo.com and go to maps for directions and for a map in order to locate Lee Memorial.