On Sunday evenings in Fayette,Ohio, a group of worshipers can be found gathered under a big, white tent in the former Fayette Supermarket parking lot. This summer, the group of worshipers is introducing themselves to the town of Fayette, a rural northwest Ohio town with a long history and quiet charm. The group is Wellspring: A Fayette Worship Gathering, and the launch team from Archbold Evangelical Church is led by Peter Rupp, a northwest Ohio native.
Since the Fayette area is known for natural springs, the name Wellspring was the natural choice for the worship gathering since it reflects their passion: To be “an inexhaustible source of new and continuous life” to their community. Their name, Wellspring: A Fayette Worship Gathering, reflects both their passion and purpose as a simple worship gathering that connects people to Jesus, the Living Water. Peter explained that “springs and water describe life with Jesus Christ.” During their worship gatherings on Sunday evenings, they hope that Jesus’s words to a Samaritan woman in John 4:14 become a reality: “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
On June 6, 20 people from Fayette and Archbold hosted about 100 Fayette residents for a soft launch. Peter Rupp, the Ministry Facilitator for the site, led the full band in worship. Afterward, the team served food and connected with the people who came.
Through August, Wellspring invites Fayette residents to take part in simple worship and a study in Philippians. By the end of the summer, Peter says, “If someone hears the word Wellspring, we want them to think, that’s the worship gathering that meets at the old grocery store.” In September, Wellspring will host an official launch in the community.
