Resources
One of NorthStar's main goals is to resource our churches. We strive to do this in multiple ways through a variety of resources. If your church needs assistance in an area not listed below, contact us by email or phone at 703.941.6822.
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God is continually doing a new work, and we believe that planting new churches around the area is crucial to engaging our growing communities. Studies indicate that new churches generally reach unchurched people much faster than existing churches. If your church is interested in starting a new church or you are a new church plant looking for assistance and resources, be sure to contact:
• Bryan Jones, Executive Director - 703.283.1747
• Mike Bradley, Associate Executive Director - 703.966.8094 -
Since our culture is undergoing such dramatic change, this means that the style and approach of our churches is also undergoing change. For some churches that are in decline in may be time to think differently and consider new ways to do ministry in order to not only survive but thrive. NorthStar works with congregations that are considering merging with another church in order to increase effectiveness in spreading the gospel. If your church is interested in learning more about proven ways NorthStar has worked with churches in these areas, be sure to contact Bryan Jones or Mike Bradley.
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Our culture is ever-changing and many churches are wondering how to not only survive, but thrive. Churches want to know how to recover post-COVID, both with their finances and attendance. We have created a team of pastors around the Northern Virginia area who are experienced in doing church revitalization. They are available to meet with your church and help figure out next steps and/or provide training for your leadership. Learn more and make a request to the Team here.
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NorthStar Church Network is committed to supporting and encouraging ministry staff and their families through our Counseling Assistance Program. Persons included in this program are those working in a NorthStar Member Church in a pastoral or other paid church staff position, including spouses and children. NorthStar will provide up to four sessions with a designated counselor or a stipend to help cover four sessions at a counselor of choice. For more information, contact Katie Harding. This is a confidential program.
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Disaster Relief is Christian love in action — meeting the significant physical and emotional needs of hurting individuals in crisis situations. Volunteers provide many different types of relief including food, water, childcare, laundry, repairs, rebuilding, and more. When a request for assistance is received, individual team members will be contacted to check their availability. Length of service could be one day to one week or more.
Disaster Relief training/orientation sessions are held several times a year. Christian individuals who are active members of a local church, in good physical condition, and at least 16 years of age may attend a training session and join the Disaster Relief team. In the case of a disaster crisis, individuals are allowed to serve prior to receiving official training.
Disaster Relief Teams include:
• Feeding - Prepares and serves hot meals
• Chainsaw - Removes damaged trees and other debris (chainsaw experience is desirable, but not mandatory)
• Mud-out/Flood Relief - Cleans out houses, garages, sheds, barns, yards, streets, and community areas
• Child Care - Provides a calm atmosphere and competent loving care for children
• Water Purification - Provides clean water after a disaster has occurred
• Communications - Establishes telephone, satellite, and ham radio communications on disaster sites
• Chaplaincy - Offers spiritual comfort to those in the midst of a crisis situationTo find out how you and/or your church can get involved in Disaster Relief ministry, contact Michael Bible, NorthStar Disaster Relief Team Leader.
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The Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention was created in 2019 to provide awareness, accreditation, and resources to help Christian organizations that serve kids protect the vulnerable in ministry.
Over several years, ECAP developed a set of Child Safety Standards which were drafted by an committee of experts and reviewed by a team of attorneys with related professional experience. These standards now serve as the basis for our Accreditation Program. ECAP awards accreditation to ministries that demonstrate compliance to Child Safety Standards through an assessment and audit process.
ECAP Memberships are designed to serve and support organizations that want to tap into resources from ECAP or our Affiliates. Membership can aid ministries in working toward compliance and accreditation at their own pace.
ECAP is partnering with NorthStar Network churches to help them make their ministries safe for kids.
As an ECAP Affiliate Network Member, NorthStar member churches have access to several resources and benefits:
Any Network church in good standing will receive a 20% discount on annual membership rates AND initial assessments (includes ministry membership and accreditation membership rates).
ECAP and NorthStar will collaborate to provide training and/or resources to support churches and ministries in the area of child protection and abuse prevention or response. This will include regular webinars for free to NorthStar churches.
Churches that become a member of ECAP will also have access to these benefits:
Guidance From ECAP Staff
Exclusive Child Safety Resources
Discounted Offerings From Affiliate Providers
Discounted Access to ECAP Events
Empowerment Through Unity
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Here are several documents and links to resources that we’ve gathered in regard to immigration policies:
Emergency Preparedness for Those at Risk of Deportation
Plan Familiar En Caso de Emergencia
The Basics of a Notice to Appear
Keeping Up With Your Immigration Court Case
Red Cards - Available in several languages
Rapid Response Toolkit - Legal Aid Justice Center
USAHello - An online center for information and education for refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and welcoming communities
Warrants and Subpoenas - What to Look Out For and How to Respond
Factsheet: Protected Areas Policies (PDF)
Factsheet: Protected Areas Policies(web)An Introduction for Churches Considering ‘Sanctuary’ Ministries
Una Introducción Para las Iglesias Que Están Considerando un Ministerio de ‘Santuario’
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NorthStar has an outdoor movie system available for member churches to rent at a minimal cost. The system includes a 20-foot inflatable movie screen with projection and sound equipment. This is ideal for churches wanting to reach out to their neighbors with an outdoor movie event. For more information or to reserve the equipment, contact Mary Beth Inman.
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The NorthStar staff is always available to fill in and preach at one of our member churches and our team really enjoys connecting with the churches in this way. Feel free to contact Bryan Jones or the office about availability. NorthStar also has several ministers in the area who are available.
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The NorthStar staff believe that finding the right pastor or associate pastor is crucial for the vitality of any church or ministry. We offer search team training, assistance with recruiting, and securing potential candidates. The search process has changed considerably over the past few years, so we offer you the most up to date tools and training to be effective in your search. If you would like assistance, please contact Bryan Jones.
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Baptist World Alliance
The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of Baptist conventions and unions around the world.
bwanet.orgBrotherhood Mutual
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company is a national property and casualty insurance company with a heart for helping Christian ministries thrive. The company was founded in 1917 with a commitment to “Bear One Another’s Burdens” and more than a century later, Paul’s words to the Galatians continue to serve as a guide for its employees and independent agents.
As a leader in the industry, Brotherhood Mutual® provides innovative insurance coverage and risk management resources, specifically designed for Christian churches, schools, colleges, camps, mission organizations, non-profits, and related ministries, to help them operate safely and effectively.
Additionally, the company provides access to payroll and tax filing services, employee health benefits, auto insurance, worker’s compensation insurance, and mission travel insurance.Brotherhood Mutual is represented by independent agents who subscribe to a code of ethics based on scriptural principles and serve in ministries in their local communities.
brotherhoodmutual.net/mpp.htmFeed My Starving Children
Feed My Starving Children® is a Christian non-profit committed to feeding God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit.
fmsc.orgLeland Seminary
Leland equips students to become transformational pastors and lay leaders in the global ministry of Jesus Christ through accessible, accredited theological education.
leland.eduMuseum of the Bible
Inviting all people to engage with the Bible through its history, narrative and impact. NorthStar members can get a discount off the price of admission. Contact info@northstarcnet.org to request the discount code.
museumofthebible.orgNCG Insurance Agency
NCG provides churches, camps, schools, and nonprofits with comprehensive coverage that will give them the protection they need when they need it.
ncginsurance.comOperation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Their mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
