Page 4
Volume 7, Issue 1
The Wisdom of Supporting a Church Planter
by Dr. Jim Townsley, Central Baptist Church, Southington Connecticut
The work of missions is planting churches. Whether a man
starts a church in America or overseas, the goal is the same: start
local New Testament Baptist churches. Missions should begin
at the local church and spread to the neighboring communities,
throughout the state, then all of America, and finally all the
world to the regions beyond. This we are to do all at the same
time and not one without the other. The book of Acts is clear as
to where we are to start churches. Acts 1:8: But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall
be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
It is important for preachers to recognize the need to start
churches in America. Half of America's population is in our
cities and most people recognize that our cities have been
abandoned by our churches. Every major city in America is
largely unevangelized. In addition the Northeast region of
America has approximately one fourth of the United States
population and yet it has the least amount of churches. The
West Coast and the Northwest all have many needy areas. There
are also many pockets of population that need the Gospel. The
golden horseshoe of Canada has a dense population, but it is in
desperate need of churches. Unfortunately, some have forgotten
our mission field closest to us right here in North America.
Starting churches in needy cities of America has certain unique
benefits. First of all, USA church plants have a short duration.
On average a new church start is supported for about four years.
Some may take longer and some may require less time, but on
average four years is how long new churches need support.
After four years the church can change their support to give it to
another new church plant.
Another aspect of supporting a US church plant is that after a short
time the new church will be supporting foreign missionaries. In fact,
new church plants are one of the greatest resources for missionaries
on deputation to garner new support. Making American church
planting a part of the missions budget soon provides more finances
for church planting all around the world.
Another advantage of church planting in the United States is that a
church planter will not require as much money to get started as will
most foreign missionaries. In one year a church planter can usually
raise enough support to step out by faith and start a church. It will
not be necessary to learn a language and it will not be necessary
to acquire a visa.
The ultimate goal is to start churches all over the world. However,
if we lose our homebase of churches, our resources for raising up
new missionaries and new financial support will be diminished.
Someone said, “The light that shines the brightest at home, shines
the farthest.”
If we are to fulfill the Great Commission, I am absolutely convinced
of the necessity of starting churches at home. The most effective way
to fulfill the Great Commission is to follow the pattern found in Acts
1:8. Preach the Gospel to your Jerusalem, then your neighboring
Judaea, then Samaria, and finally to the uttermost part of the earth.
Make USA church planting a part of your missions budget. You may
find that your investment will result in more missionaries crossing
the ocean to the regions beyond.
BIMI Reseeding America Church Planters Available for
Weekend Missions Meetings, Services and Conferences
This past December we were pleased to welcome Ed and Mary Beard and John and Abbey Lafreniere to our growing group of
Reseeding America church planting families. Both couples have been accepted as USA missionaries with BIMI. The Beards will be
planting a new church outside of Annapolis, Maryland, and the Lafrenieres will be church planting in Fairfield, Connecticut. These
couples are starting their deputation ministries and would be a blessing to your church.
Ron Manuel and his family will be starting the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Goodyear Arizona, September 2012. They are now living
in Avondale, Arizona, near where the new church will be started and are busy with preparations for the start-up of the new church.
They will be available for weekend meetings, mid-week services or a missions conference in the Southwest through the summer.
Phil Rizzo and his family will be starting the City Baptist Church in Hoboken, New Jersey, September of 2012. They will also be
available for weekend meetings, midweek services or a missions conference.
You may contact any of the above missionaries by calling BIMI at 423–344–5050 or going to ReseedingAmerica.com for more
information. Ed & Mary Beard
John & Abbey Lafreniere
Ron & Shelby Manuel
Phil & Jennifer Rizzo