I opened my Bible this morning to Luke 2:49. These are the first recorded public words spoken by Jesus: “‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?’” (NKJV). He said these words when He was 12 years old, and then, 21 years later, in one of His last prayers, He said in John 17:4: “‘I have finished the work You gave me to do’” (NKJV). Like bookends, these statements frame a well-lived, purpose-driven life. Jesus clearly understood and completed the mission the Father gave Him.
The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting churches,” says Rubén Ramos. Read how churches in the Columbia Union are meeting needs in the community by starting new congregations.
The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting churches,” says Rubén Ramos, the Columbia Union’s vice president for Multilingual Ministries, quoting from C. Peter Wagner’s book Church Planting for a Greater Harvest: A Comprehensive Guide.
The Bible gives a specific command: multiply, says Peter Casillas, most recently the associate director for pastoral ministries in evangelism and church planting and volunteer lay pastors in Potomac Conference.
“We have found that new churches are the best thing for existing churches seeking to experience renewal and revival,” says Frank Bondurant, the union’s vice president for Ministries Development, referring to research provided by the NAD. “When a church births another church, it brings renewal and revival to the existing church.”
For years Tony Liriano wanted to start and lead a new church. When he finally got that chance more than a year ago, he aimed to help nurture a family atmosphere where members felt welcome. He didn’t know that New Jersey Conference’s Garfield church plant, the church he would help start and lead as a lay pastor, would be instrumental in helping his son, Sammy, return to the Seventh-day Adventist faith.
