“I tried planting a church for two years with no support whatsoever. In one meeting with these guys, I learned just how helpful and important it is to spend time with others on the journey.  Now I can't imagine doing this without them.”

So said a church planter after attending last year’s North America Church Planting and Church Renewal Conference hosted by Mission to North America (MNA) and Global Church Advancement (GCA).

The 2009 Church Planting and Church Renewal Conference, to be held January 27-30 in Orlando, Fla., will offer hands-on learning, networking, and mutual encouragement for church planters and pastors of established churches looking for new vitality and greater biblical health in their congregations.

“Planting and growing healthy churches is the focus of this twice yearly training event,” said Ted Powers, MNA’s church planting coordinator. “Regardless of the age or stage of your church or church plant, the conference workshops and seminars are designed to make you a better leader and to develop healthy ministry.” 

Following is an interview with Ted Powers.

What do you wish the average PCA church member knew about church planting?

Actually, I wish they knew two things. First, what a large and strategic mission field America has become, and with that, the huge needs and opportunities that exist for building the Church and advancing the gospel in North America. Second, I wish they could hear all the stories of people being reached and lives being impacted by the gospel through the churches that are being planted.

How will this conference equip attendees for future church planting?

There’s a grace-centered environment at the conference that does not just focus on methodology but on the spiritual health and character of the planter, the health of his spouse, and their marriage and family. And with this grace-centered focus there’s a healthy balance of complete, prayerful dependence on the Lord for accomplishing anything of eternal value.

Also, this is a “crossroads” event in which the men and women can intersect and interact with others in similar circumstances all across the continent and from other denominations, which provides mutual encouragement and the cross-pollenization of ideas and experiences.

How does church planting reflect God’s heart and the gospel?

From beginning to end the Bible shows that God cares for lost people and has launched a massive rescue effort culminating in the sacrificial, atoning death of Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. He has now commissioned His Church to be His primary instrument in this rescue effort, and the most effective way of doing that is through the planting of new churches.

You can register for the conference by visiting www.pca-mna.org/churchplanting or by contacting Cindy Lowe at (407) 682-6942 or cindy@gca.cc.