Brothers and sisters, grace and peace in Jesus, the Living Savior! I have really enjoyed my two weeks in New York City, studying for my doctorate in church planting and multiplication. Our cohort met with field experts and visited different church sites throughout the city. It was a very informative and enlightening time. Some might ask, “What are church planting and multiplication?” “Church planting” is the process of starting new churches throughout our community and the world. “Multiplication” is the process of these new churches eventually planting several new churches of their own until an entire area is saturated with churches which proclaim the gospel to a whole variety of people. Others might ask, “Why is that so important? Why not just focus on our own church and make it bigger and better so we can reach more people?” That is certainly important, but we must also keep in mind that there are literally billions of people who don’t trust in Christ yet and are eternally lost without Him. They cannot possibly all be reached by one congregation, no matter how large. Even in a single area such as Central Texas, one congregation cannot possibly hope to reach all the variety of people and cultures. But a whole variety of churches with the same, beautiful gospel, aimed at different peoples and areas, can reach much more, fulfilling Jesus’ commission to make disciples of “all nations.”
As a result, it’s not my personal goal to make CTR itself as large as possible so that we have what some people call a “mega church,” but to fill it with an overflowing joy through the gospel so that it overflows into our community in the forms of mercy, and sharing our faith, and a willingness to plant other churches down the road—God-willing.
For that to happen, it is critical for God’s people at CTR to continue to grow in the grace of Christ and in their understanding that they are truly God’s priests, chosen by him to be his masks in the world and to speak his message of hope to their friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors.
And this is just what is happening. I was so proud to hear how busy God was among you while I was gone. I heard the Worship Gathering went really well and that God’s people came together to grow in the Word and minister to each other. I heard that the Party People met for a second time and that they have some great plans for us. People are signing up for Fellowship Groups and getting ready to grow, encourage, and serve the community together. People are making meals for a family in need and calling each other for encouragement. May God’s name be praised! This is what God has prepared and equipped us to do!
I look forward to another season of growth and service among God’s people together with you and seeing God’s gospel go out all over the Central Texas area!
