PLACE is launching soon! PLACE is a tool that will simplify and streamline connection between ministers, leaders, and missionaries within the IPHC.
PLACE will serve two purposes: First, it will help the IPHC to identify men and women who feel called into ministry. It’s extremely important that these future ministers do not fall through the cracks. PLACE gives us the opportunity to follow up and assist as they develop their giftings. Secondly, it allows our existing ministers to update their personal information, such as address, phone number, family members, where he or she is serving, etc., on a regular basis. This is an exciting addition, as it gives ministers easy access to contact information for the other ministers in their conference as well as information about our IPHC missionaries.
Because pastors and local ministers are the most important people in the IPHC, we want to equip them to connect with each other and leadership as they need. This also means that we will have a more accurate snapshot of our ministerial base at any given time; therefore, our national and conference level leadership can better serve our ministers and stay connected with them. Presiding Bishop A. D. Beacham, Jr. shared this about the upcoming launch of PLACE: “Technology is giving us more tools and avenues to help IPHC prospective and current ministers to discover, develop, and deploy in their service to Jesus. I am so grateful for the diligent work of Steve Ely and the team working with him in Clergy Development for this significant step in identifying and developing IPHC ministers.” Jon Oliver, Director of Discipleship Ministries for the North Carolina Conference, echoed Bishop Beacham’s thoughts: “PLACE is like home. It is a safe place to seek and build quality relationships that assist on this difficult journey called life.”
PLACE is simple to use. Once there, ministers will have the option to choose “Get in PLACE” (someone who feels called to ministry) or “I’m in PLACE” (someone already in ministry who wants to update info). For those who already take advantage of the Give system, they will find PLACE to be an easy addition; it already ties into give.iphc.org, where many pay their tithes, send in reports, support missionaries and other IPHC projects.
Trey Jones, Director of Healthy Growing Multiplying Churches, explains: “The benefit of PLACE is that it gives us a singular location to gather info, for follow up, for connection as we continue to build and expand the IPHC. It will help us to close the back door.” Stephen Jones, Director of IPHC Student Ministries and Director of Cornerstone Conference Discipleship Ministries, shared this about his excitement for the launch of PLACE: “PLACE is not just about connecting and resourcing the ministers and leaders in the IPHC—although it will definitely do that. PLACE is poised to strengthen our Church and shift our communication; it’s going to build bridges and establish in-roads to inspire, equip and support this generation and discover, develop, and deploy the leaders of the next.”
PLACE will be easily accessible in multiple ways. The first is through the website www.phplace.org. Another way is through a QR code that can be shown on a screen or printed for distribution. Steve Ely, Clergy Development Director, was especially excited for this addition; it can be used at camp meetings for our existing ministers to update their information, and also at events like Accelerant, YouthQuest, youth camps, or any other large gathering. In these events, if there is a call at the end of the service “For anyone who feels the call into ministry, we want to connect with you…”, those who want to respond can pull out their phones, take a picture of the QR code, and be routed to the website. The potential minister’s Conference will then be notified of their interest, and the national leadership teams will connect the potential minister with someone who can guide these potential ministers to their next steps!
To learn more about PLACE or to make/update your own profile, visit: www.phplace.org
