MOUNT OLIVE – The landscape of ministry in Eastern North Carolina is changing, and many congregations are struggling to recognize and respond to the evolving needs of their communities.
To address this challenge, the University of Mount Olive, in collaboration with the Thriving Congregations grant from the Lilly Endowment, has launched The Sprouting Roots Project.
This initiative seeks to equip churches with the tools to rediscover their purpose, develop local leadership, and engage more deeply with their communities.
The Sprouting Roots Project draws inspiration from the Biblical story of Moses, whom God called to return to his roots to lead his people. “The goal of The Sprouting Roots Project is not to come into churches and communities acting as if we have all the answers,” says Reverend Gavin Daniels, Associate Director of Thriving Congregations. “Rather, we walk alongside congregations and help raise up leaders already planted in their communities.”
The primary objective of The Sprouting Roots Project is to help congregations discern and fulfill their calling in today’s context. According to Daniels, each participating church will identify a specific community need and develop a major outreach initiative to address it.
“Prayer, Scripture study, church assessments, and demographic studies will guide this process,” Daniels said.
Central to the initiative is the concept of “coming alongside churches,” which means providing support rather than directives. Daniels describes this approach as walking with congregations through monthly meetings, group coaching sessions, and in-depth community assessments.
Many churches in Eastern North Carolina are grappling with shifting demographics. Some communities are expanding rapidly due to proximity to urban centers, while others face population decline.
“In growing areas, churches may find they no longer recognize their congregants,” Daniels said. “Conversely, in shrinking communities, churches are searching for purpose and hope. The Sprouting Roots Project helps congregations reassess their context and mission.”
One key strategy is the use of demographic surveys to provide churches with an accurate picture of their communities and their changing needs.
“By understanding these shifts, congregations can develop relevant outreach programs and ministry initiatives,” Daniels said.
A cornerstone of the project is the establishment of congregational cohorts. Each participating church selects key leaders to engage in a yearlong assessment and project development process.
“I am looking for leaders who are willing to be led by the Holy Spirit, to listen, learn, and ultimately lead,” Daniels said.
The project recognizes that each church is unique, and leadership development will be tailored to fit individual congregational needs, structures, and traditions.
Although the 2025 cohort is composed entirely of Original Free Will Baptist churches, the Sprouting Roots Project is designed to serve congregations across the denominational spectrum.
Daniels notes that community engagement is a fundamental goal of the project.
“Healthy and thriving engagement with the community is the hope for this project,” Daniels said.
Churches will be better equipped to respond to local needs through resources such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analyses, demographic tools, and access to certified coaching.
According to Daniels, success will be measured by the implementation of projects and the spiritual and communal growth of participating congregations.
“What each congregation learns from this process and how they engage their communities will be the true markers of success,” Daniels said.
The Sprouting Roots Project has been made possible through a $1.2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations initiative.
The funding, which spans from 2024 to 2028, is allocated to leadership development, training resources, and community outreach.
Congregations interested in joining the Sprouting Roots Project can contact the Reverend Gavin Daniels at [email protected].
“The commitment is substantial, requiring monthly meetings and a high level of spiritual engagement,” Daniels said. “However, for those willing to take the journey, the rewards include renewed purpose, stronger leadership, and deeper community connections.”
As the Sprouting Roots Project unfolds, the hope is that churches in Eastern North Carolina will embrace a renewed vision for ministry.
“Our methods may change, but the message stays the same,” Daniels reflects. “We want churches to ask, ‘What is God calling our congregation to do today?’ and to step forward in faith to answer that call.”
