Hitting the 5 Year Mark of Church Planting
From the perspective of a church planter’s wife
It’s surreal to think it’s been 5 years since my husband, Chris, and I began the journey of planting Hope Church. That’s 5 years of:
Seeing prayers answered
Serving our community
Seeing lives changed
Experiencing growth and waves of grace
Watching Jesus take our weaknesses and inadequacies and doing immeasurably more
Serving side by side with a village of people
It brings me to tears to think of all the Lord has done through steps of faith, some of which were only slightly bigger than the fears that crept in. God has done a lot, but He’s also taught me a lot.
1. The small things are the big things
I love a God-sized goal. The kind of goal that you think “Only the Lord can do this!” Before we ever planted Hope Church, our family would go on walks to dream, pray, and think about strategic ways to reach this community we live in; a community that is one of the most ethnically diverse suburbs of the Atlanta metropolitan area. During our first core team gathering, we made a list of very specific things we were praying for and reaching spiritually lost people was at the top of the list, followed by specific needs we had like a meeting space, team members, worship leaders, instruments, opportunities to serve our community and funds to carry out these ideas. Only God can do that!
I remember the day someone provided a keyboard for Hope Church before we even had someone who could play keys. It was a small thing that was a big thing. We prayed for that!
I’ll never forget the Sunday someone came to Hope Church after seeing our website. We were so pumped! It was a small thing that was actually a big thing. We prayed for that!
Chris and I were the oldest people on our core team, and we spent so much time praying for the Lord to somehow, someway bring people who were older and much wiser to be part of the journey. A few weeks into gathering, some friends met a couple in their 70s and 80s at a local breakfast place, invited them to church, and they were the first of many who would be a vital part of Hope Church. It was a small thing that was actually a big thing. We prayed for that!
The tendency in church planting is to want to see big things happen, and that’s good. What I’ve learned, though, is that the daily small things are the big things because they are God things. God-Sized goals are reached through the accumulation of God’s work in the small things.
“God-sized goals are reached through the accumulation of God’s work in the small things.”
2. The journey requires dependence and determination
There’s something special about putting your yes on the table and being part of a new work through church planting. It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, humbling, and mind-blowing all at the same time. For Hope Church to have any Kingdom impact in our community, it wouldn’t be because of our family, our team, or any other person. It would be because God does a work that only He can do. In church planting, there have often been more questions than answers. This journey keeps us deeply dependent on the Lord and it’s a beautiful thing. If people show up, it’s because He brings them. If lives are changed, it’s because the power of the Holy Spirit is at work in them. If we get more opportunities to plant churches, it’s because He is paving the way.
We talk a lot about depending on the Lord in the context of church planting, and we should. But one thing we don’t talk about is the determination it takes. Dependence and determination go hand in hand. There’s a dependence on King Jesus every step of the way. There’s also a determination to do whatever He calls us to do along the way. Is it always easy? No. Is it always worth it? Absolutely.
“There’s a dependence on King Jesus every step of the way. There’s also a determination to do whatever He calls us to do along the way.”
When God called us to plant Hope Church, we said, “We’re all in” and five years later, we still are. With a determination to follow King Jesus and dependence on Him to lead the way; we press on as the Church to make and send disciples of Jesus Christ, together.
3. It’s a shared mission
When Chris put his yes on the table to plant a church, so did our family. When our family put our yes on the table, so did a core team of people. When the core team put their yes on the table, so did other churches, ministry leaders and friends who supported, prayed, and gave to be part of the mission together.
God never intended for us to be on this journey alone. Just as the early church gathered, grew and served together, we get to do the same. The body of Christ is made up of different people with different skills, gifts, and passions that, collectively, we get to use to make much of Jesus.
God never intended for us to be on this journey alone.
The sweetest moments of Hope Church has been watching our kids, as young as 3 and 5 years old when we started, step in and play a role in leading and serving; seeing mission teams come and serve alongside us; and having people believe in, pray for, and support what God is doing in our community and beyond.
Every person can play a part in church planting from praying, supporting, sending, and going. It’s a shared mission.
4. Giving, losing, and gaining are all to be expected
Church planting is an all-hands-on-deck adventure. There can be limited resources and people and unlimited needs to meet, places to serve, and things to do. ‘Whatever it takes’ becomes the motto as church planting teams seek to see people, meet needs, invest in others and ultimately share the hope of the gospel. This was true in the early days of Hope Church, and it’s still true today.
Over the last 5 years, we’ve all learned so much about serving and giving, not just of our time, gifts, and resources but of our lives. After all, isn’t that what Jesus did? “For even the Son of Man didn’t come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) There’s such a joy in doing whatever it takes to point people to Jesus, but there will always be loss in the process. Planting a church means leaving a place you love to begin a new work. It means investing in people who may step away. It means raising people up and sending them out to continue the mission in other places. Loss isn’t bad, but it can be hard and that’s okay. It’s to be expected.
Amid giving and losing, there’s the incredible blessing of gaining. I don’t mean gaining in a materialistic way, but in an eternal way. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing prayers answered, needs met, people living on mission, and lives changed. This is what planting Hope Church has been about. We may gather as a church, worship as a church, study God’s Word as a church, but we get to then go and be the Church in our community. What an honor and privilege to pour out our lives for the sake of the gospel. It’s worth it.
Amid giving and losing, there’s the incredible blessing of gaining.
5. It’s the most fun to watch Jesus do what only He can do
Since day one of church planting, we have watched Jesus show up in the details. Earlier I mentioned our family walks where Chris and I dreamed, prayed, and strategically thought of ways to reach our diverse community. Well, at the same time God had people across the world praying, and we didn’t even know it. Two years into planting Hope Church the Lord provided a permanent location to meet. As we moved our things into the building, a gentleman from India walked in, sat in the back pew of the sanctuary and began to pray. We introduced ourselves and found out that he and his wife helped move his adult daughter and granddaughter to the area. He had located the church building online from India, knowing it would be walking distance from their apartment. Once they arrived in the community, he walked to the church but didn’t find anyone there. He then began sitting on the front steps and praying every day that the Lord would start a new work in this building and community. The Lord then opened the doors for Hope Church to gather there. What an answer to his prayers and ours! Only Jesus can do that!
“Only Jesus can do that!”
This is one story of hundreds I could share with you. From the beginning of Hope Church to today, we’ve been hanging tightly onto the coattails of Jesus as He paves the way and it’s the most fun adventure.
As I reflect on these lessons I’ve learned from being part of planting Hope Church, I can’t help but to be in awe. I also can’t help but to think these same lessons are true outside the church planting context. They are true for any of you leading or serving in a local church; more importantly, they are true for any follower of Jesus who puts their yes on the table to leverage their life for the gospel.
“As I reflect on these lessons I’ve learned from being part of planting Hope Church, I can’t help but to be in awe. I also can’t help but to think these same lessons are true outside the church planting context.”
As we walk closely with Him, the little things are the big things; the journey requires dependence and determination; it’s a shared mission; you will give, lose and gain along the way; and it’s the most fun to watch Jesus do what only He can do.
I’m so thankful that God doesn’t need any of us and yet He chooses to use us. Wherever He has placed you, be ready and willing to know Jesus and to do whatever it takes to make Him known.
That Kind of Resolve
Maybe you have read about him.
He was known to be a righteous man. He feared God and he turned away from evil. He had ten children, his possessions were many, and It’s written that he was the greatest of all the people of the east. And yet he couldn’t avoid suffering. His name is Job.
In Job chapter 1 of the Bible, we read that Job lost everything. His possessions were destroyed, his servants were killed, and he tragically lost all ten of his kids. And yet, his response is mind blowing:
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’”
In the midst of pain, loss, confusion and tragedy, Job chose to worship God. What a response; what a resolve!
Each year December 31st brings one year to a close, while January 1 opens the doors for a new year to begin. For many of us, the ending of a year brings about new goals, dreams, and a sense of anticipation for what is to come. It all seems new in those last moments of the year and then we step into the new year and it all feels the same.
We are 4 days into 2025 and we have already experienced both highs and lows. We’ve watched the news of tragedy unfold, we’ve spent quality time with family and friends, we’ve embarked on various journeys of spending more time in God’s Word, working out, or some other goal we’ve set out to accomplish, and maybe we’ve already encountered hurt, pain, or loss.
Jesus gave us a heads up long ago that:
“In this world you will have trouble,”
But He also gave us hope when He said,
“But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
In Job’s blessings he honored God and when he experienced trouble he responded in worship. I’m praying that in 2025, I have that kind of resolve. That we have that kind of resolve. The kind of resolve that worships King Jesus in the moments of blessing and the moments of hardship.
As this new year brings about new goals, dreams and a sense of anticipation, we can expect to encounter a series highs and lows. We can also resolve to respond in worship; praising Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
His Presence; His Power
“I have a desire to live for Jesus but I don’t really spend time with Jesus.”
Maybe this statement resonates with you. Often times, as followers of Jesus we want to live a life for Jesus and by the power of Jesus. What we fail to recognize is that the power of Jesus in our lives is a direct result of being with Jesus.
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit; enabling them to live boldly and courageously as they proclaimed the good news that Jesus is the Christ. These unschooled, ordinary men astonished the religious leaders with their words and the power behind their actions; and it was made clear that they had been with Jesus.
What we learn
There’s a difference between knowing about God and being empowered by God.
The religious leaders were well educated men. They were scholars of the law, but they missed the author of Life. Meanwhile, Peter and John were unschooled by men, but well equipped and empowered by Jesus.
2. Encounters with Jesus will lead to sharing Jesus.
Peter and John couldn’t help but to proclaim what they had seen and heard. Jesus had changed their life and the lives of many others and they couldn’t help but to proclaim the Good News. The religious leaders opposed their message, but they couldn’t stop Peter and John from sharing that message.
3. The works of Jesus aren’t about us, but about the power of Jesus working through us.
Peter and John were ordinary men. Their resume wouldn’t land them a seat at any table of influence. But the power of the Holy Spirit at work in them had an eternal influence. When the religious leaders saw the courage and boldness of Peter and John; they were astonished and knew they had been with Jesus.
Being with Jesus changes our heart; our words; our actions and ultimately our life. As He fills us up; we will pour out what we see from Him, hear from Him, learn from Him and experience with Him.
Today:
Spend time with Jesus.
Encounter Jesus.
Share Jesus with others.
The Tears. The Gratitude. The Burden.
Japan has nearly 122 million people as of January 2024, and studies show that 99% of them are spiritually lost. The need to for the gospel in this beautiful country is great.
These responses are overwhelming as our flight departs from Japan.
Why?
Because we have seen and we know.
What have we seen?
The lostness.
It’s everywhere, I know. Spiritual lostness engulfs us no matter where we live or where we visit. However, over the last 10 days, our team from Hope Church has walked the streets of Yokohama, ridden the trains and buses of Tokyo, visited stores, restaurants and communities across the region and we’ve encountered the kindest, most hospitable ‘strangers’ we’ve ever met.
Strangers who welcomed us like
family—And yet something is missing.
We’ve seen, behind the generous gestures, a people who haven’t heard of the One who gave everything for them. We’ve seen masses of people navigating their way to school and work each day but lacking true direction because they don’t know the One who gives true purpose.
We’ve seen people we’ve grown to love gather around the table and hear the good news of the gospel, while learning and contemplating how to respond.
Japan has nearly 122 million people as of January 2024, and studies show that 99% of them are spiritually lost. The need for the gospel in this beautiful country is great.
The laborers.
While spiritual lostness abounds in Japan, there are people who are laboring day by day for the glory of Jesus and the advancement of the gospel.
We’ve seen ministry partners, who have become dear friends, serve relentlessly and joyfully to make space, and provide opportunities for their community to hear the hope of the gospel. We’ve seen church planting teams engaging their city. We’ve seen laughter, love, and enthusiasm radiate as the body of Christ, the Church, uses their individual gifts to encourage and invest in families while pointing them to Jesus.
There are incredible people throughout the country of Japan who have given their lives to knowing Jesus and making Him known. As I think of them, I can’t help but to think of Paul’s words in Philippians 1:3-6,
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
What do we know?
The way.
Our group only had ten days in Japan. Other than a few words like “arigato” (thank you), we don’t know the language. We don’t know the cultural norms. I found out after hugging nearly every lady at the church for a week that they don’t typically hug. 😅 (Don’t worry, by day five our new friends were initiating the hugs.) And we don’t fully know the common ways of daily life.
But we do know the need every person has for Jesus. We know the good news that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
We know the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus is available to every person. We know the joy that comes from a relationship with Him. We know the hope, purpose, and fulfillment that is found in Christ alone. We know Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and that no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)
We know what the 99% of people who are spiritually lost in Japan need to know.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.””
The reward.
During our short time in Japan, we received special gifts from the people we served with. Gifts that symbolized friendship. Gifts that came from the heart of the giver. These gifts we received are priceless, but the rewards we have received during our time in Japan are even greater.
We know the joy of serving King Jesus alongside one another. We know the shared hope we have in knowing Jesus. We know our final destination of Heaven, where we will spend eternity together in the presence of Jesus.
These are rewards that far outweigh any earthly gift. They are rewards followers of Jesus receive and rewards that those who do not yet know Jesus can receive.
We depart from Japan with a deep love for the people of this country and thankfulness for our friends who are leading, serving, and giving all they have for the glory of God and the advancement of the gospel.
So it makes sense: The tears. The gratitude. The burden. It’s for the people who need to know Jesus, the brothers and sisters who know Him and are making Him known, and the deep desire for Jesus to continue changing lives and eternities. We pray for this; not only in Japan…but where He has each of us at any given moment.
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”