How One Church Multiplied Its Impact Through Partnership

By Dr. David Marine Mabry
Encompass Executive Director

When you talk with Pastor Jeremy Hudson of Fellowship Church in Springfield, one thing becomes clear: this is a church deeply committed to its community. “We exist to impact our community—and through our community, the world,” he said. “The quality of life for someone in Springfield should go up simply because they share space with us.” 

That’s not just a slogan. It’s a conviction that has shaped how Fellowship approaches everything from Sunday worship to weekday outreach. And for over two decades, that conviction has included a strong and growing partnership with Encompass Connection Center. 

What began as an early alliance back in the Marriage Resource Center days (the name of ECC from 2004-2018) has since evolved into something deeper—something that now models what’s possible when the Church and a trusted nonprofit move in tandem. 

“Encompass is the phone call we make when someone in our church is struggling,” Pastor Jeremy shared. 
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 “We don’t try to reinvent the wheel. They are an extension of our pastoral care.” ​

Helping Churches Do What They’re Called to Do—Better 

One of the consistent tensions in local church leadership is the desire to meet real-life needs without having the in-house capacity to specialize in every area. That’s where Encompass steps in. 

“We’re like the ER,” Jeremy explained. “People come to us with all kinds of pain—financial, emotional, spiritual. Often, it’s relational brokenness that opens the door. And when that happens, we don’t want to miss the moment. We want to act quickly and point them to the right help.” 

Whether it’s pre-marital coaching, workplace conflict resolution, or parenting support, Jeremy described Encompass as mission-aligned, theologically grounded, and highly responsive. 

When Fellowship’s own staff faced internal relational strain, they called in Encompass to lead a Work Smart, Live Well staff day. When couples in the congregation needed support, they referred them to coaching or the RINGS Experience. And when they wanted to serve the broader Springfield community, they opened their church campus to host classes and share a community advocate. 

Ministry Is Personal—And So Is This Partnership 

Jeremy isn’t just a pastoral partner--he’s also personally invested. He and his wife, Julie, completed RINGS and became trained facilitators themselves. “We still go back to those tools,” he said. “There are times when one of us will say, ‘Do you need to empty your emotional jug right now?’ And we know what that means because of what we learned with Encompass.” 

But more than that, Jeremy shared a deep appreciation for Encompass’s approach to people—one that blends professional excellence with gospel-shaped care. “We’ve had staff members go through hard things,” he said. “And in a small town, it’s not easy to raise your hand and admit that. Encompass has been a safe place to do that.” 

He also praised Encompass’s commitment to serving people from all walks of life. “They’ve been intentional about being diverse in background and story,” he said. “You’ll find someone there who shares a part of your experience. That’s powerful.” 

A Shared Vision for Flourishing 

Why does this kind of partnership matter? According to Jeremy, it’s because relationships still aren’t where they need to be. 

“We haven’t turned the corner yet,” he said. “Nationally, marriages are still fragile. Confidence in family stability is low. If organizations like Encompass aren’t showing up in communities, what hope do we have that things will change?” 

He sees the Church’s role as embodying abundant life—not just in eternity, but here and now. And healthy relationships are a crucial part of that. “Marriage is a reflection of God’s love for us,” Jeremy explained. “When that breaks down, it distorts how people understand God. Helping families flourish is deeply theological.” 

An Invitation to Other Churches 

To church leaders who may be exploring partnership with Encompass, Jeremy’s advice is clear: 

“Run, don’t walk into a relationship with Encompass.” 

 “You’ll never regret the investment. The deeper you go, the more opportunity you discover—and the more impact you’ll see in the lives of your people.” 

We’re grateful for Fellowship Church’s long-standing collaboration and for leaders like Jeremy who model what it looks like to extend care beyond the walls of the church and into the heart of the community. 

If you’re part of a church or ministry and want to explore how Encompass can come alongside your mission, we’d love to talk with you. Like Fellowship Church, you can experience the power of a trusted, Christ-centered partnership that brings lasting impact to the people you serve. 
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To learn more about Fellowship Church, visit fellowshipchristian.org. ​