United Believers Community Church - Kansas City, Missouri

1. WHO IS MY DEACON? WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DEACONS? (Deacons are assigned to families in alphabetical order. Look for the first letter of your Last Name)
A – B         Edward Newsome
C – D         Jerome Turner
E – G         Henry Keys
H – K         Burnut Woods
L – N         Eldon Spears
O – R         Steve Edgerson
S                Elbert Johnson
T – Z          Ricardo Harris
Lead Deacon — Sylvester Rhynes

As of January 2008, we have three deacons in training: Ron Brenson, Ron Hamilton, and Kenneth Thomas.

Deacon Robert Newsome also serves as the Church Trustee.

Biblically, deacons support the Pastor in care leadership. Our deacons support the Pastor by calling, praying, and supporting the diverse family units of United Believers Community Church.

2. I AM GOING THROUGH A DIFFICULT FAMILY CRISIS IN MY LIFE, DOES THE CHURCH HAVE COUNSELING AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES?
Our deacons are instructed to care for you! Please email the Chairperson of Deacons -- Sylvester Rhynes at sylvester_rhynes@yahoo.com and he will ensure that your deacon contacts you. Until then, be encouraged!

3. WHAT IS PASTOR'S PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY?
Pastor Edwards has a four-fold emphasis to preach, teach, cast vision, and set the overall direction of the church. With an increased membership and busy itinerant preaching schedule, all other matters are delegated to responsible church leadership.

4. I AM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, CAN I STOP BY AND SEE PASTOR EDWARDS?
Sure. Pastor Edwards loves to meet with his parishioners and people in general. However, your visit may have to be limited due to his complex schedule and prior commitments. The best way to ensure a visit is to schedule an appointment through his secretary -- CAROL HEAGGANS at clh264@sbcglobal.net - by calling the church office. The church office is open Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

5. TELL ME ABOUT PASTOR EDWARDS AND HIS FAMILY
Pastor Darron LaMonte Edwards, Sr. is originally from Waxahachie, Texas (20 minutes south of Dallas, Texas). He is married to his college sweetheart -- Michelle - who is a high school English teacher. They are the proud parents of four wonderful children (DJ, DeMarcus, Keianna, and Adrianna). They reside in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

6. WHAT ARE OUR CHURCH'S WORSHIP SERVICE TIMES?
7:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. on Sundays -- all preaching is led by Pastor Edwards unless an unforeseen occurrence or extremely rare pre- scheduled appearance will have him out of his pulpit on Sundays. 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays is our Tuesday Night Teaching (TNT) -- This is an interactive time with Pastor as he takes us in-depth into the subject matter discussed on Sunday. Feel free to ask questions, laugh, and join in for one hour on Tuesdays.

7. WHAT IS LIFE DEVELOPMENT? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT?
Life Development – 9 a.m. on Sundays -- is a non-traditional systematic approach to empowering lives. through small group study. Much like taking collegiate elective courses, members sign up for their preferred course and attend it for 3 months. We also have a traditional Sunday School Class. Responsible leadership, dedicated volunteer teachers and you are keys to the success of this ministry. You can contact Minister Winnie Stuckey at stuckeyjewell@aol.com to enroll or call the church office and press extension 203.

8. HOW DO I GET A COPY OF TODAY'S SERMONS?
Our visitors receive a free copy of today's sermon complimentary from the church each week. We have upgraded our software so that you can pick up your order right after worship service each week. If you are in a hurry after the benediction, you can order compact disks, or digital video disks by calling the church and leaving a message in the Media voice mailbox. You can also email the Media Ministry at ubccmedia@yahoo.com

9. HOW CAN I BE ADDED TO THE CHURCH'S EMAIL LIST?
Click on the following link - ADD ME TO EMAIL LIST - and send us an email or send it to ubcc@unitedbelieverschurch.org -make sure you put in the subject line: ADD MY EMAIL - You will be added instantly! If you are using your company email, please check with your job to make sure it is permissible for you to receive outside emails. The email list gets inside scoops from the church, merchandise promotions, the current happenings and preaching schedule of Pastor, encouragement notes, and job listings.

10. DOES THE CHURCH OFFER CHILDREN'S WORSHIP AND NURSERY SERVICES?
Yes. The church is honored to take care of your children and offer them an experience with God on Sundays and Tuesdays. Our children's leadership is CPR trained and certified and has established security measures to ensure the safety of your children. The children's and nursery services are held on Sundays at 7:30 and 10:15 a.m. As we secure more volunteers, we will provide children and nursery services during our Life Development and Tuesday Night Teaching services as well. Your children will love the crafts, skits, and fun in children's church.

11. WHO DO I CONTACT ABOUT FINANCIAL MATTERS, MINISTRY OPERATING FUNDS, AND TAX STATEMENTS?
Our financial chairman is Brother Jerry Newsome. You can email him at jerrynewsome@kc.rr.com He is assisted by several others who can lead you to find the answers that you need as it relates to church finances.

12. WHAT IS THE CHURCH'S POSITION ON TITHES AND OFFERINGS?
The scriptural treasures of the Holy Word, foundation of the church, and the teachings of Pastor Edwards instruct us to be a totally tithes and free will offerings ministry. At United Believers, we give because it is right to give! Selling, raffling, baking, and collecting dues are improper methods to finance kingdom operations. For we understand that in God's eyes, when our faith is raised -- the funds are raised.

13. HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT THE CHURCH'S SPONSORED EVENTS AT THE CHURCH?
Due to time restraints, verbal announcements are limited. However, if you will watch and read the video screen -- it will give you the most up to date information about the happenings at the church. You can also sign up for the church email list.

14. WHO DO I CONTACT IN CASE OF DEATH IN MY FAMILY?
Please contact your family deacon and the church office at 816.361.9996. Your family deacon or church office will alert Pastor Edwards who will respond to you personally.

14-A. ALSO, WHO DO I CONTACT IF I AM GETTING MARRIED?
First of all, contact the church office. You will need to schedule 3 counseling sessions (mandatory if Pastor Edwards will be performing the nuptials) with Pastor or his designee, confirm date and location and make sure Pastor and all said parties have that date cleared on their personal calendars.

15. WHERE IS THE NEW CHURCH LOCATION?
The new church location will be on nearly 12 acres located at 112th Terrace and Hickman Mills Drive (right off of Highway 71).

16. IN CASE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THE CHURCH IS HOLDING SERVICES?
We generally follow this consistent system of alerts: We post the cancellation on Fox 4 TV- Total Closings, we send an email blast to all members, you can call your deacon for the latest information, and the information will be listed on the front page of our website.

17 . WHO DO I CALL TO UNLOCK THE CHURCH FOR MY MINISTRY MEETINGS?
The church has two turn-key operators – Deacons Sylvester Rhynes and Steve Edgerson. Please notify them at least 72 hours in advance to let them that you would like to use the building. If you need to use the microphones or other sound equipment, please contact The Media Team at least 72 hours in advance – so that Media Personnel – can be there to support your efforts.

17-A. HOW CAN I JOIN A MINISTRY AT UNITED BELIEVERS?
If you have completed New Members Orientation, that's it. We also give you free assessments of your Spiritual Gifts to help you better determine where you can be used to your fullest potential. Once you have determined what you want to do, speak with your deacon and he will get you in contact with the respective ministry leader who will inform you of small group activities.

18. WHAT ARE SOME THE CHURCH’S COMMUNITY PROJECTS?
We are a Community Church; thus, we strategically carry out projects that impact our community. To name a few – Back To School Blast – our school supplies free give-a-way (held in August) aids nearly 1000 family groups each year. We financially sponsor our own Food Pantry Network on campus that helps on average 15 to 20 different families each month with food items. We are a leader in the Kansas City Healthy Initiative Project by supporting healthy lives, alternative menu options, and health fairs throughout the year that focus on health issues that adversely affect our target population.

19. WHAT ARE THE DOCTRINAL POSITIONS OF UNITED BELIEVERS COMMUNITY CHURCH?
We believe the Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. Second Timothy 3:16 , Second Peter 1:20-21.
We believe God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. GOD, The Self-Existent One, has existed eternally in three personalities: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He rules over and cares for everyone. Matthew 23:9, John 1:3
We believe Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He is the Redeemer who came and died, in order to bring mankind into fellowship with God, and reconciled the lost through his bodily resurrection. He is the only way to God. John 14:6, John 19:10
We believe the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, guides people into a right relationship with God, convicts the world of sin, and provides the Christian with power for living above and beyond mediocrity. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and gives every believer a spiritual gift. Second Corinthians 3:17, John 16:7-13, John 14:16-17, I Corinthians 12:7 11 ,Galatians 5:25
We believe salvation is a gift from God, received by faith, and purchased through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15, 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10
We believe in Eternal Security - Once saved, always saved. John 3:14-18, John 10:28-31, Romans 8:1 Romans 8:33-39, Hebrews 11:13, 32-33.
We believe the church is the body of Jesus Christ made up of persons who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The church is to exalt God, evangelize the lost, and edify the saints. Matthew 28:19-20
We believe in water baptism and the observance of the Lord’s Supper. These are acts of obedience and by no means offer any hope of salvation alone. Acts 8:39, Mark 1:5, 10, Romans 6:3-5, First Corinthians 11:23-26
We believe that those who have accepted Jesus Christ are given at least one spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit. They are God-empowered abilities which enable the believer to serve Christ. First Corinthians 12:7, 11
We believe Satan is a real, living and an active being, who is the enemy of God and the deceiver of mankind. First Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11, First Thessalonians2:18
We believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ, the rapture of the saints, and the bodily resurrection of the dead. After the judgment, mankind will live in heaven or hell. Acts 1:11, First Corinthians 15:44, Matthew 25:41-46, Matthew 25:34-36
We believe people are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude that separates people from God and causes many problems in life. Genesis 1:27, Psalms 8:3-6, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:1-2

19-A. HOW DO I JOIN UNITED BELIEVERS CHURCH?
There is a point in every worship service (The Open Door) when the pastor will ask you to pray. Once God speaks to a person's heart, it is then that person's total responsibility to respond to the voice of God by leaving his/her seat and walking towards the altar. For unsaved people, this is a step towards accepting Christ as their personal Savior. For saved yet unchurched people (you do not have any active membership in a local church), this is a step towards reuniting with the church. Persons are not required to speak before the church. A Deacon, Minister, or Altar worker will escort the individual to a private room for brief biblical advice and information sharing.