Searcy Baptist Church, where my mother & sister are members, lead a Bible Study at a Mobile Home Park in Covington. They’ve been a vital partner in our ministry for years. Grateful. 

I realized a few years ago that every church that I have ever been a part of since birth has played a role in my church planting journey. Beyond the investment in my life to share the gospel, care for my family, & teach me the word of God while I was there, they have either taken mission trips to help our church plants, given money or supplies, served as prayer partners & encouragers, or done all of the above. Looking back, I can honestly say, that I’m still planting churches today, because of God’s grace, & the incredible partners that He has put in my life to hold the rope for my family through prayer, care, & generosity.

When someone says to me now, “I think I want to plant a church one day”, one of my first questions is “How’s Your Network?” Because I know, I could not have made it, without every relational connection I have. I’ve needed every ounce of concern, care, accountability, & generosity they’ve given.

Church Planter, understand that you will need to leverage EVERY relational connection you have to be successful. God started developing your partnership network when you were born. Develop partners by:

1. Make a list of everyone you know that may be interested in your spiritual journey, seeing you be fruitful for God, & seeing new people come to faith in Christ.
2. Send them a letter or email letting them know about what God has done, is doing in your life, & invite them to be a partner through prayer & involvement. (You may need to call them & apologize for tearing down their basketball goal while a teenager, or some other shenanigans. Guilty.)
3. Communicate regularly how God is using your work together to make a difference for Christ. Email, Facebook, Phone Calls, Text Messages, etc.
4. Make the connection between God’s grace in your relationship with that church or individual & your own fruitfulness. And thank them every chance you get. And thank God for the gift of relationships with generous people.

Some come to faith in Christ & Church Planting later in life & don’t have as deep of relational connections as those blessed to be born into the faith.

• Don’t sweat it. Remember, God put you on this journey. He will bring the people around you to hold the rope as you dive in.
• Still, think way back to teachers, coaches, churches that may have taken an interest in your life & let them know where you are now. If nothing else, they’ll be blessed to see your faith & courage, but they may jump on board in other ways.

We share other partnership development hacks & resources at our Greenhouse Training for Church Multiplication. The next one is September 15 & 16 at Acadian Baptist Center in Eunice. Get more info & register HERE.

And, if you’re a church wondering what you could do in the world, let me suggest taking a look around at those who have grown up & gone out from your church in ministry to other places & see if there could be partnership opportunities. And there’s no right or wrong way to be a partner. Check out these 10 Ideas to get you started.