Newfrontiers USA
MAY JUL
SAVE THE DATE
TODAY WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
JANUARY 15-17, 2010 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
If you have any news briefs such as these and would like to submit them to The Link, please contact us at thelink@newfrontiersusa.org.
JUBILEE CHURCH OF ATLANTA >> ATLANTA, GA
It was time to close, so I spoke over the loudspeaker, “Attention all Revive customers. The store is closing. Would all customers please make their way to front register.” I would normally end by saying thanks and have a good night, but instead I said, “Two of our employees just gave their life to Jesus Christ and have joy and peace in their lives now. If anyone would like to make that same decision, either of our two cashiers will gladly share with you how. Thank you so much and have a great night!” We didn’t get an immediate response from the announcement, but we did get a few shouts of praise for the new believers! God is awesome!
DESTINATION CHURCH SUMMER INTERNS
A Chicago Progress CHRIST’S CHURCH OF JOPLIN >> JOPLIN, MO Matt Spiel Eight young men from around the United States gathered to help Destination Church pound the streets for Christ during the 2009 Chicago Evangelism Internship. The first weeks proved the most difficult, as some of us quickly realized that sharing Jesus Christ with the people around us was something we’d severely neglected. It was amazing to watch God take atrophied portions of our lives and stretch us back out. Each day brought new challenges, whether it was stopping people as they got off the subway or going door-to-door offering prayer. God taught each of us to rely completely on Him. We have come to realize that our position in our relationship with God is firmly rooted in what Christ has done for us on the cross. God’s love for us doesn’t change if a day’s work brings no visible results. What an amazing truth from which evangelism flows! Never in our lives have some of us felt so much freedom to simply love Jesus and the people around us. We personally connected with nearly 400 individuals, and handed out nearly 5,000 flyers on behalf of Destination. What’s most inspiring is knowing that while on internship, we played a key role in helping to lay foundations for Destination Church here in Chicago.
to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the Church, making disciples, training leaders and planting churches.
A N E W F R O N T I E R S U S A P U B L I C AT I O N
Michael Mowrey
Out of excitement we told some coworkers what happened. At that moment I noticed another coworker, Claudia. I heard God say that He wanted to save her too. Hearing this, I stepped away to give Claudia a hug and said, “I think you’d be pleased to know that Maria just gave her life to Jesus Christ and she’s already experiencing much peace and joy in her life. Would you like to make the same decision?” To my excitement, she said yes! I briefly shared the gospel with her and led her in a prayer of repentance. She started tearing up and was so happy! The Holy Spirit was flooding the store!
Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches together on a mission
FIND THE LATEST MOBILISE USA UPDATES ONLINE
The Gospel at Work One day at work God told me He wanted to save my coworker Maria. In faith, I approached Maria later that day with the intention of sharing the gospel. We talked for awhile about her life and I responded by telling her of God’s grace and love. I shared the gospel and what it means to me personally. She expressed that she desired this kind of life, so I led her in a prayer of repentance. Her eyes filled with tears of joy!
09
Being a Son, Becoming a Father Mike Lawson >> Team Member, Newfrontiers USA John Lanferman oversees the Newfrontiers USA apostolic team and regularly gathers us for times together away from the office. During these apostolic extended team meetings we seek God, evaluate where we are, look ahead to where God has called us, strategize and plan for the way forward. This year’s meeting brought significant thoughts to mind concerning transitional leadership. More specifically, the need to develop multi-generational leadership that upholds our biblical, apostolic and prophetic foundations. Being a Son
(It is worth noting the disciples fail to cast out a demon just before Jesus sends them out!) David Jackman said it well in his commentary on 1 John: “How important it is then that ‘fathers’ in the church should teach ‘young men’ ... nothing matters more for the future health and strength of Christ’s body.”
Looking To Other Movements Without minimizing Newfrontiers in any way, no one in our midst would be deluded enough to think we represent the pinnacle of church movements. If we all agree we’ve not “arrived” then change is inevitable, but not simply for the sake of change, or change that moves us off a biblical and apostolic foundation. In desiring to learn from others, the question always arises as to how we adapt and adopt not simply methods (that’s easy and alone leads to disappointment), but different ways of thinking that make us more effective in our mission. This is key for us! Despite successes in reaching their culture, some of our brothers in the Emergent Church have cut ties to biblical moorings, sowed to the ever-changing winds of culture, and are in some respects reaping a whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). So how do we avoid these pitfalls while moving forward?
I, maybe more than most, have made the mistake of deciding who is ready to lead by comparing their ability or skill to my own, forgetting what I was One way is to clearly define our values as fathers. Whether you have like when I started a “few” years ago. This is because I was thinking more written them down or not, you do have values and they do inform your like a son than like a father: a son considers more his own role within the opinions and conclusions about everything in the family, whereas a father looks to developing sons church. Terry Virgo once used the illustration of a to carry on the family line. Another strength of ...A SON CONSIDERS MORE HIS OWN Ferris wheel to describe the relationship between mine that quickly can become a weakness when Word and Spirit. The Word is the foundation or base discipling others is my desire to see things done ROLE WITHIN THE FAMILY, WHEREAS A that allows us to “whirl around in the Spirit.” In a very well. Requiring that things be done as well as FATHER LOOKS TO DEVELOPING SONS similar way, our clearly defined values will allow us I do them can actually choke out the opportunity to appropriate what is helpful from other streams to develop leaders. It can influence my decision to TO CARRY ON THE FAMILY LINE. without the danger of shifting away from our biblido something myself instead of “bothering” to cal, apostolic and prophetic foundations. We can take the time to invest in someone. It can also appropriate what is both culturally relevant and highly effective for church create a heavy burden that can frustrate rather than motivate a son. Excelgrowth without eroding our foundation. lence can be maintained by training, but this will require present leaders to shift their priorities and change their schedules. This does not mean that we will avoid challenges to the way we think and operate. This is one advantage of including sons (i.e. younger leaders) in Becoming a Father our meetings. In this most recent apostolic extended team meeting Bryan A key part in raising up and transitioning leadership for the future is that Mowrey and Bo Noonan participated, bringing perspectives to our sons who are in positions of leadership make the transition to become dialogue that were both helpful and necessary. At the same time fatherly fathers. If we don’t father, who will? The answer to that question is “no values were a balancing part of the discussions. one!” The consequence of this would be a church that suffers from knowing little of what it means to be a father (much like today’s culture). To ensure our future as a family of churches, we must transition from thinking like sons to thinking like fathers. Current leaders must develop sons After clearly defining discipleship in Luke 9, Jesus appoints seventy-two who will take on the call of building missional churches. Sons likewise, anonymous disciples to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom and must grow in their leadership activity and apostolic vision. This multisends them out. These disciples were with Jesus for at most two years and generational leadership will bring fresh expressions rooted in healthy founnot even part of his inner circle (Mark 3:14). These disciples were headed dations, connecting all of us to Christ and His mission. into a dangerous situation (10:3) without everything they would need to survive (10:4). Despite the disciples’ misunderstanding of Jesus’ ministry (9:46, 9:54-55), Jesus gives them authority to cast out demons, heal the sick, and speak for Him (10:11). Would we take the same risk? We should.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR SUBMISSIONS Newfrontiers USA >> P.O. Box 2626 >> St. Louis, MO 63116 phone
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Newfrontiers USA churches, church plants and pioneering efforts are currently working in 14 states.
A Closer Look:
Catalyst Church >> Charlotte, NC House of Prayer >> Langley, WA
Leadership Highlight >> Sam Poe
Soundbite from John Lanferman
Target City Spotlight Newfrontiers USA Today
Team Leader >> Newfrontiers USA
FATHERING THE NEXT GENERATION
A Look at Bob Roberts
Church leaders recently asked me about fathering young men in ministry. In 1 John 2:12-17, John the apostle instructs the churches in Asia Minor about this issue. As a wise spiritual father and grandfather, John appeals to three groups who are at three levels of understanding: children, young men, and fathers. John first addresses children or newer believers in a manner appropriate to their understanding: “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven…” (v.12 ESV). They don’t know much but are secure in the fact that their past, present, and future sin has been fully dealt with by the finished work of Jesus. As a father, John secures them in an understanding of their relationship in being part of the Father’s family: “I write to you, children, because you know the Father” (v.13). They don’t know a lot, but what they do know is foundational to their continued journey with God. Second, John speaks to fathers. Having walked with God, these individuals have a history, an understanding, and a great responsibility to children and young men. They have provided stability in the community, and likewise are a reservoir of wise counsel and an example of God’s faithfulness. When fathers tell you to “trust God,” they are not mere words. Their model of experience backs them up.
Being a Son Becoming a Father
these young men were the soldiers who carried the day on the battlefield. Paul’s letters to Timothy also provide a valuable clinic on the issue of fathers and sons. Paul uses the language of a father, addressing Timothy as “son” (2 Tim. 1:2 NASB). Paul challenges him by example: “I have fought the good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7), and exhorts him in word: “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). He then encourages Timothy: “let no one despise you for your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV), expressing his fatherly confidence in him. Young men are vital in God’s Church. At age twenty-two Calvin wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion. In his twenties, Whitfield shook our nation and Moody, at thirty years old, shook two continents. William Cary at age twenty-five went to India, starting the modern mission movement. Spurgeon preached to thousands in his twenties.
John addresses a third group—the young men. In fact, they receive most Fathers… may I challenge you to give yourself to teach, model, and make of his attention. As a father, John has a great deal to say to this group. They room for young men to stand in your place? I believe the most fruitful years have reached a stage of spiritual development where they are expected to are the years spent fathering others. While this article seems to speak to lead and bear the burden of the church’s first line of defense and developthe male gender, scripture contains similar admoniment. John’s fathering is so evident as he affirms tion to women: “older women likewise… teach what them: “…you are strong, and the word of God abides WHEN FATHERS TELL YOU TO is good, and so train the young women…” (Titus in you, and you have overcome the evil one” (v.14). 2:3-4). “TRUST GOD,” THEY ARE NOT MERE John challenges these young lions to take the church I encourage newer followers of Jesus to remain WORDS. THEIR MODEL OF EXPERIupon their shoulders in order to see God’s kingdom secure in your relationship to the Father, and grow in advance. He says they are strong, having labored in ENCE BACKS THEM UP. order to take on more responsibility. You young men, the scripture and learned to do battle, because “the study the scripture, know what you believe and learn word of God abides” in them (v.14). I’m sure John to recognize false doctrine in order to be “a workman who does not need knew this because he had a relationship with them, spent time with them, to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15 NASB). taught them, gave himself to them, prepared them, and had listened to them teach and preach. He made room for these young men and they Fathers, scripture declares: “The glory of young men is their STRENGTH, occupied important leadership in the church. and the honor of old men is their gray hair” (Proverbs 20:29). Gray hair symThe churches in Asia Minor were in danger on account of false teachers. These young men however, had dealt with these issues because they were courageous and strong in the Word. John, aware that they had overcome the evil one, encourages them to keep fighting for God’s cause and expresses his confidence in them. As a father, John acts like a general, and
bolizes wisdom, experience, and a desire to give place to upcoming generations. Don’t hold onto a particular place. Enjoy this season of being an example—modeling, training and giving place to strong young men.
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Copyright Newfrontiers USA | August, 2009
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
>>
www.newfrontiersusa.org
CATALYST CHURCH | HOUSE OF PRAYER
Catalyst Church CHARLOTTE, NC WHAT STARTED IN A LIVING ROOM HAS NOW GROWN TO NEARLY SEVENTY PEOPLE MEETING IN A SCHOOL, PERFECTLY PLACED IN THE CENTER OF AN AREA CALLED UNIVERSITY CITY… AND WE HAVEN’T EVEN GONE “PUBLIC” YET!
>>
God’s timing and plans are so perfect! In His own time, God stirred a desire in a number of people’s hearts in North Carolina to become part of a Newfrontiers church. A phone call from Charlotte to the Newfrontiers office in St. Louis started the ball rolling, which quickly gained speed.
In June, due to renovations at our old meeting place, we were required to meet somewhere else. I “coincidentally” met another pastor who offered their facility to us for FREE! Presently we are meeting on Sunday mornings and regularly seeing first-time visitors. Since April, thirteen more people have joined the group. We continue to see God’s amazing provision as He brings people and transforms lives. Recently we joined with two other churches to serve a poor neighborhood downtown with many Vietnamese and African immigrants. We
>>
Glen Horn
God often uses relationships to change our destiny. A visit by Terry and Wendy Virgo had that kind of impact on our church. House of Prayer began with weekly prayer meetings in homes on Whidbey Island in 1972. Terry invited us to become part of Newfrontiers in August 1997, and we’ve never looked back. Today the south end of Whidbey Island is relatively rural, inhabited by socially conscious people with a New Age flare. We are surrounded by people who are in search of something organic and real. Daily applying God’s WE ARE SURROUNDED grace has deepened our prayer and interBY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN cession ministries for our neighbors in Whidbey and beyond. SEARCH OF SOMETHING Annually we glean a cranberry bog next to ORGANIC AND REAL. the church building, selling raw cranberries and a variety of baked products at our Cranberry Fest. Each year we use this cranberry festival as a way to raise awareness that the church is involved in meeting the needs of the poor worldwide. We showcase Christ-centered ministries that help people out of poverty. This year we raised $2,400 for Farming God’s Way in Zimbabwe, declaring God is at work in racial reconciliation and meeting the needs of the poor in a fresh new way!
Right now we are getting ready for our first wave of small groups to start in the Fall, and we’re planning to impact the nearby UNCC campus, which hosts 25,000 students! With our new location being close to campus, we believe God will bring many students. There’s nothing quite like being faithful to walk in God’s plans and seeing what He does with us! There’s much more to come.
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHT
House of Prayer LANGLEY, WA
gave away free groceries, played games, provided free face painting and had a BBQ, giving away free hot dogs and burgers. One man gave his life to Christ and we all had an amazing time.
Sam Poe >> Team Member, Newfrontiers USA NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH >> TACOMA, WA I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home, and grew up with an awareness of God and His salvation through Jesus. However, during my teen years I fell away from a genuine relationship with the Lord and got caught up in the Hippy Movement of that era. When I was nearly nineteen years old I had a fresh encounter with the Lord in what became known as The Jesus People Movement. I joined many others who were sharing the good news with our generation. During that revival, with so many coming to Christ, I quickly became a leader and was soon leading a group of Jesus People. I began to serve as a pastor of one of these groups through the 1970’s and early 80’s. During this time Marlene came into my life and we were married in 1975. Before long we were parents of three children. We had a growing sense that God was calling us to be involved in crosscultural ministry. In 1984 we moved to Mexico to study Spanish and be involved in church planting. We spent ten years in Mexico and planted a church in Los Mochis on the west coast of Mexico. During those years in Mexico we met Terry Virgo and came into contact with Newfrontiers. God was strongly dealing with us about the need to be part of an apostolically-led family of churches, and it became very clear that we were to relate with Newfrontiers in this way. God has been very gracious to us in all this.
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
GO!
BOSTON, MA New England’s largest city, as well as the economic and cultural center of the region. A center of higher education and medicine with 68 colleges and universities in the area.
Newfrontiers USA
Euan Crane
At the same time, God was moving our hearts for Charlotte and in March of this year, He brought us all together to begin Catalyst Church. What started in a living room has now grown to nearly seventy people meeting in a school, perfectly placed in the center of an area called University City… and we haven’t even gone “public” yet!
GET READY.
CLEVELAND, OH A corporate center for leading national and multinational companies in industries ranging from transportation, insurance, retailing and utilities, to commercial banking and finance. Home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
OAKLAND, CA One of the most ethnically diverse places in the country with over 150 languages spoken. Rated best weather in the U.S.
Target City
Spotlight
Planting Churches in the Top 100 U.S. Cities One year residential training specifically for church planters
CHARLOTTE, NC A major U.S. financial center and the second largest banking center in the U.S. A major center in the U.S. motorsports industry, with multiple NASCAR offices. Home to several colleges including UNC-Charlotte and Queens College.
PHOENIX, AZ A main transportation, industrial, financial, economic and cultural center of the Southwestern U.S.
“On the job” training with a church planting team
www.churchplantingtraining.com 314.832.9042
A Look at Bob Roberts, Jr.
Curt McCutchan >> Team Member, Newfrontiers USA JUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MO Bob Roberts, Jr. will speak at the upcoming Newfrontiers USA Equipped for Mission leadership conference (Feb. 25-27). This is the first time a non-Newfrontiers leader will speak in the main sessions. Here’s a brief look at this man and his message.
More than ever, Marlene and I find our hearts joined together and excited about what God is doing among the nations today. In recent years we’ve had a growing vision to see the gospel going to the many people groups who have not yet heard the good news. Since a majority of these unreached peoples do not read to learn, we found God directing us to serve in developing what is called Chronological Bible Storying. CBS is a strategy for sharing the good news, training disciples and planting new churches among those who live in an oral culture. This teaching strategy is not dependent on literacy. God’s Big Salvation Story is shared by chronologically linking the stories from Genesis through Revelation so that those who respond in faith to this amazing message can retell it to others. We’ve had the joy of participating in CBS in Zimbabwe and anticipate its development in other parts of the world. Now based in the Great Pacific Northwest, Marlene and I enjoy hiking on a day off. Currently there are two books that I would like to recommend. Both have been around for a while but I would like to encourage those who have not read them to do so. Let the Nations Be Glad! by John Piper This sets forth the strong biblical perspective for missions as God’s desire to be glorified among the nations. It is a very powerful book and warrants reading again and again. From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya by Ruth A. Tucker I’ve used this text in the History of Missions course I teach. It makes for very interesting reading by telling many stories of those who have reached across cultural boundaries with the good news of Christ’s salvation throughout Church history. As Church members we are all called to be the people of God that bless everyone else on the planet.
Bob Roberts, Jr. is the founding pastor of Northwood Church, a fast-growing church near Dallas, TX. He is the author of Transformation and The Multiplying Church. He is a leading practitioner on glocal—local and global—transformation of individuals, churches, communities, and global engagement.
10 of his church as every believer, with diverse talents and gifts, has the ability to bring gospel transformation to people and nations. When asked what being missional means to him, Roberts replies: “Just grab what God has put in front of your face …missional is the way we live.” He wants local churches to impact not just local communities, but to adopt other nations. He writes, “Start a church for the world, not some little spot on the map somewhere” (The Multiplying Church).
Featuring Bob Roberts, Jr. Feb 25-27, 2010 St. Louis, MO
Church Planting
Christian author Leonard Sweet says, “If there is anyone alive today who knows more about church planting than Bob Roberts, I don’t Bob Roberts inspires and equips believers, churches, and know who it is.” Indeed, Roberts’ unique principles have transespecially church leaders. His ideas generally fall into three formed the people of Northwood Church and its main topics: church planting, transformation (of 103 (and counting) church plants and people, churches, and culture) and glocal “adopted” nations throughout the “ANY VISION THAT DOESN’T churches (becoming a missional church). world. Roberts is the founder of Glocalnet, a network of leaders who REQUIRE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE ISN’T Transformation are advancing a church multiplication Roberts has a picture of every believer and A VISION; IT’S JUST A THOUGHT” movement that connects worldwide. every church engaging the world with the He is passionate about equipping (THE MULTIPLYING CHURCH). purpose of making a lasting difference. As leaders and planting churches. LikeGod’s kingdom impacts one’s inner life, the wise he is committed to character outward expression is transformed as well. Roberts believes development: “Until you can stand up in front of a the Church has settled for buildings when God has made us group and say, ‘Imitate me,’ you have no business for the whole world. He propounds that we must move from starting or leading a church” (The Multiplying information to transformation—from believing the gospel to Church). living it. He states: “Converts may grow a church, but disciples change the world,” adding that, “Any vision that doesn’t require your entire life isn’t a vision; it’s just a thought” (The Multiplying Church).
With these stirring ideas, it’s easy to see how Roberts can help us to be more effective in our mission.
Glocal Churches
Register for the Equipped for Mission leadership conference at www.newfrontiersusa.org. For more information on Bob Roberts, Jr., visit his blog at www.glocal.net/blog.
As a pastor, Bob realized the model of churches sending money or even “missionaries” to other countries didn’t fit the biblical model. One day God led him to the question, “What if the Church were the missionary?” This changed the direction
RECOMMENDED READING: THE MULTIPLYING CHURCH AND TRANSFORMATION
CATALYST CHURCH | HOUSE OF PRAYER
Catalyst Church CHARLOTTE, NC WHAT STARTED IN A LIVING ROOM HAS NOW GROWN TO NEARLY SEVENTY PEOPLE MEETING IN A SCHOOL, PERFECTLY PLACED IN THE CENTER OF AN AREA CALLED UNIVERSITY CITY… AND WE HAVEN’T EVEN GONE “PUBLIC” YET!
>>
God’s timing and plans are so perfect! In His own time, God stirred a desire in a number of people’s hearts in North Carolina to become part of a Newfrontiers church. A phone call from Charlotte to the Newfrontiers office in St. Louis started the ball rolling, which quickly gained speed.
In June, due to renovations at our old meeting place, we were required to meet somewhere else. I “coincidentally” met another pastor who offered their facility to us for FREE! Presently we are meeting on Sunday mornings and regularly seeing first-time visitors. Since April, thirteen more people have joined the group. We continue to see God’s amazing provision as He brings people and transforms lives. Recently we joined with two other churches to serve a poor neighborhood downtown with many Vietnamese and African immigrants. We
>>
Glen Horn
God often uses relationships to change our destiny. A visit by Terry and Wendy Virgo had that kind of impact on our church. House of Prayer began with weekly prayer meetings in homes on Whidbey Island in 1972. Terry invited us to become part of Newfrontiers in August 1997, and we’ve never looked back. Today the south end of Whidbey Island is relatively rural, inhabited by socially conscious people with a New Age flare. We are surrounded by people who are in search of something organic and real. Daily applying God’s WE ARE SURROUNDED grace has deepened our prayer and interBY PEOPLE WHO ARE IN cession ministries for our neighbors in Whidbey and beyond. SEARCH OF SOMETHING Annually we glean a cranberry bog next to ORGANIC AND REAL. the church building, selling raw cranberries and a variety of baked products at our Cranberry Fest. Each year we use this cranberry festival as a way to raise awareness that the church is involved in meeting the needs of the poor worldwide. We showcase Christ-centered ministries that help people out of poverty. This year we raised $2,400 for Farming God’s Way in Zimbabwe, declaring God is at work in racial reconciliation and meeting the needs of the poor in a fresh new way!
Right now we are getting ready for our first wave of small groups to start in the Fall, and we’re planning to impact the nearby UNCC campus, which hosts 25,000 students! With our new location being close to campus, we believe God will bring many students. There’s nothing quite like being faithful to walk in God’s plans and seeing what He does with us! There’s much more to come.
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHT
House of Prayer LANGLEY, WA
gave away free groceries, played games, provided free face painting and had a BBQ, giving away free hot dogs and burgers. One man gave his life to Christ and we all had an amazing time.
Sam Poe >> Team Member, Newfrontiers USA NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH >> TACOMA, WA I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home, and grew up with an awareness of God and His salvation through Jesus. However, during my teen years I fell away from a genuine relationship with the Lord and got caught up in the Hippy Movement of that era. When I was nearly nineteen years old I had a fresh encounter with the Lord in what became known as The Jesus People Movement. I joined many others who were sharing the good news with our generation. During that revival, with so many coming to Christ, I quickly became a leader and was soon leading a group of Jesus People. I began to serve as a pastor of one of these groups through the 1970’s and early 80’s. During this time Marlene came into my life and we were married in 1975. Before long we were parents of three children. We had a growing sense that God was calling us to be involved in crosscultural ministry. In 1984 we moved to Mexico to study Spanish and be involved in church planting. We spent ten years in Mexico and planted a church in Los Mochis on the west coast of Mexico. During those years in Mexico we met Terry Virgo and came into contact with Newfrontiers. God was strongly dealing with us about the need to be part of an apostolically-led family of churches, and it became very clear that we were to relate with Newfrontiers in this way. God has been very gracious to us in all this.
A WORLD WIDE FAMILY OF CHURCHES TOGETHER ON A MISSION
GO!
BOSTON, MA New England’s largest city, as well as the economic and cultural center of the region. A center of higher education and medicine with 68 colleges and universities in the area.
Newfrontiers USA
Euan Crane
At the same time, God was moving our hearts for Charlotte and in March of this year, He brought us all together to begin Catalyst Church. What started in a living room has now grown to nearly seventy people meeting in a school, perfectly placed in the center of an area called University City… and we haven’t even gone “public” yet!
GET READY.
CLEVELAND, OH A corporate center for leading national and multinational companies in industries ranging from transportation, insurance, retailing and utilities, to commercial banking and finance. Home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
OAKLAND, CA One of the most ethnically diverse places in the country with over 150 languages spoken. Rated best weather in the U.S.
Target City
Spotlight
Planting Churches in the Top 100 U.S. Cities One year residential training specifically for church planters
CHARLOTTE, NC A major U.S. financial center and the second largest banking center in the U.S. A major center in the U.S. motorsports industry, with multiple NASCAR offices. Home to several colleges including UNC-Charlotte and Queens College.
PHOENIX, AZ A main transportation, industrial, financial, economic and cultural center of the Southwestern U.S.
“On the job” training with a church planting team
www.churchplantingtraining.com 314.832.9042
A Look at Bob Roberts, Jr.
Curt McCutchan >> Team Member, Newfrontiers USA JUBILEE CHURCH >> ST. LOUIS, MO Bob Roberts, Jr. will speak at the upcoming Newfrontiers USA Equipped for Mission leadership conference (Feb. 25-27). This is the first time a non-Newfrontiers leader will speak in the main sessions. Here’s a brief look at this man and his message.
More than ever, Marlene and I find our hearts joined together and excited about what God is doing among the nations today. In recent years we’ve had a growing vision to see the gospel going to the many people groups who have not yet heard the good news. Since a majority of these unreached peoples do not read to learn, we found God directing us to serve in developing what is called Chronological Bible Storying. CBS is a strategy for sharing the good news, training disciples and planting new churches among those who live in an oral culture. This teaching strategy is not dependent on literacy. God’s Big Salvation Story is shared by chronologically linking the stories from Genesis through Revelation so that those who respond in faith to this amazing message can retell it to others. We’ve had the joy of participating in CBS in Zimbabwe and anticipate its development in other parts of the world. Now based in the Great Pacific Northwest, Marlene and I enjoy hiking on a day off. Currently there are two books that I would like to recommend. Both have been around for a while but I would like to encourage those who have not read them to do so. Let the Nations Be Glad! by John Piper This sets forth the strong biblical perspective for missions as God’s desire to be glorified among the nations. It is a very powerful book and warrants reading again and again. From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya by Ruth A. Tucker I’ve used this text in the History of Missions course I teach. It makes for very interesting reading by telling many stories of those who have reached across cultural boundaries with the good news of Christ’s salvation throughout Church history. As Church members we are all called to be the people of God that bless everyone else on the planet.
Bob Roberts, Jr. is the founding pastor of Northwood Church, a fast-growing church near Dallas, TX. He is the author of Transformation and The Multiplying Church. He is a leading practitioner on glocal—local and global—transformation of individuals, churches, communities, and global engagement.
10 of his church as every believer, with diverse talents and gifts, has the ability to bring gospel transformation to people and nations. When asked what being missional means to him, Roberts replies: “Just grab what God has put in front of your face …missional is the way we live.” He wants local churches to impact not just local communities, but to adopt other nations. He writes, “Start a church for the world, not some little spot on the map somewhere” (The Multiplying Church).
Featuring Bob Roberts, Jr. Feb 25-27, 2010 St. Louis, MO
Church Planting
Christian author Leonard Sweet says, “If there is anyone alive today who knows more about church planting than Bob Roberts, I don’t Bob Roberts inspires and equips believers, churches, and know who it is.” Indeed, Roberts’ unique principles have transespecially church leaders. His ideas generally fall into three formed the people of Northwood Church and its main topics: church planting, transformation (of 103 (and counting) church plants and people, churches, and culture) and glocal “adopted” nations throughout the “ANY VISION THAT DOESN’T churches (becoming a missional church). world. Roberts is the founder of Glocalnet, a network of leaders who REQUIRE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE ISN’T Transformation are advancing a church multiplication Roberts has a picture of every believer and A VISION; IT’S JUST A THOUGHT” movement that connects worldwide. every church engaging the world with the He is passionate about equipping (THE MULTIPLYING CHURCH). purpose of making a lasting difference. As leaders and planting churches. LikeGod’s kingdom impacts one’s inner life, the wise he is committed to character outward expression is transformed as well. Roberts believes development: “Until you can stand up in front of a the Church has settled for buildings when God has made us group and say, ‘Imitate me,’ you have no business for the whole world. He propounds that we must move from starting or leading a church” (The Multiplying information to transformation—from believing the gospel to Church). living it. He states: “Converts may grow a church, but disciples change the world,” adding that, “Any vision that doesn’t require your entire life isn’t a vision; it’s just a thought” (The Multiplying Church).
With these stirring ideas, it’s easy to see how Roberts can help us to be more effective in our mission.
Glocal Churches
Register for the Equipped for Mission leadership conference at www.newfrontiersusa.org. For more information on Bob Roberts, Jr., visit his blog at www.glocal.net/blog.
As a pastor, Bob realized the model of churches sending money or even “missionaries” to other countries didn’t fit the biblical model. One day God led him to the question, “What if the Church were the missionary?” This changed the direction
RECOMMENDED READING: THE MULTIPLYING CHURCH AND TRANSFORMATION
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JANUARY 15-17, 2010 ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
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JUBILEE CHURCH OF ATLANTA >> ATLANTA, GA
It was time to close, so I spoke over the loudspeaker, “Attention all Revive customers. The store is closing. Would all customers please make their way to front register.” I would normally end by saying thanks and have a good night, but instead I said, “Two of our employees just gave their life to Jesus Christ and have joy and peace in their lives now. If anyone would like to make that same decision, either of our two cashiers will gladly share with you how. Thank you so much and have a great night!” We didn’t get an immediate response from the announcement, but we did get a few shouts of praise for the new believers! God is awesome!
DESTINATION CHURCH SUMMER INTERNS
A Chicago Progress CHRIST’S CHURCH OF JOPLIN >> JOPLIN, MO Matt Spiel Eight young men from around the United States gathered to help Destination Church pound the streets for Christ during the 2009 Chicago Evangelism Internship. The first weeks proved the most difficult, as some of us quickly realized that sharing Jesus Christ with the people around us was something we’d severely neglected. It was amazing to watch God take atrophied portions of our lives and stretch us back out. Each day brought new challenges, whether it was stopping people as they got off the subway or going door-to-door offering prayer. God taught each of us to rely completely on Him. We have come to realize that our position in our relationship with God is firmly rooted in what Christ has done for us on the cross. God’s love for us doesn’t change if a day’s work brings no visible results. What an amazing truth from which evangelism flows! Never in our lives have some of us felt so much freedom to simply love Jesus and the people around us. We personally connected with nearly 400 individuals, and handed out nearly 5,000 flyers on behalf of Destination. What’s most inspiring is knowing that while on internship, we played a key role in helping to lay foundations for Destination Church here in Chicago.
to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the Church, making disciples, training leaders and planting churches.
A N E W F R O N T I E R S U S A P U B L I C AT I O N
Michael Mowrey
Out of excitement we told some coworkers what happened. At that moment I noticed another coworker, Claudia. I heard God say that He wanted to save her too. Hearing this, I stepped away to give Claudia a hug and said, “I think you’d be pleased to know that Maria just gave her life to Jesus Christ and she’s already experiencing much peace and joy in her life. Would you like to make the same decision?” To my excitement, she said yes! I briefly shared the gospel with her and led her in a prayer of repentance. She started tearing up and was so happy! The Holy Spirit was flooding the store!
Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches together on a mission
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The Gospel at Work One day at work God told me He wanted to save my coworker Maria. In faith, I approached Maria later that day with the intention of sharing the gospel. We talked for awhile about her life and I responded by telling her of God’s grace and love. I shared the gospel and what it means to me personally. She expressed that she desired this kind of life, so I led her in a prayer of repentance. Her eyes filled with tears of joy!
09
Being a Son, Becoming a Father Mike Lawson >> Team Member, Newfrontiers USA John Lanferman oversees the Newfrontiers USA apostolic team and regularly gathers us for times together away from the office. During these apostolic extended team meetings we seek God, evaluate where we are, look ahead to where God has called us, strategize and plan for the way forward. This year’s meeting brought significant thoughts to mind concerning transitional leadership. More specifically, the need to develop multi-generational leadership that upholds our biblical, apostolic and prophetic foundations. Being a Son
(It is worth noting the disciples fail to cast out a demon just before Jesus sends them out!) David Jackman said it well in his commentary on 1 John: “How important it is then that ‘fathers’ in the church should teach ‘young men’ ... nothing matters more for the future health and strength of Christ’s body.”
Looking To Other Movements Without minimizing Newfrontiers in any way, no one in our midst would be deluded enough to think we represent the pinnacle of church movements. If we all agree we’ve not “arrived” then change is inevitable, but not simply for the sake of change, or change that moves us off a biblical and apostolic foundation. In desiring to learn from others, the question always arises as to how we adapt and adopt not simply methods (that’s easy and alone leads to disappointment), but different ways of thinking that make us more effective in our mission. This is key for us! Despite successes in reaching their culture, some of our brothers in the Emergent Church have cut ties to biblical moorings, sowed to the ever-changing winds of culture, and are in some respects reaping a whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). So how do we avoid these pitfalls while moving forward?
I, maybe more than most, have made the mistake of deciding who is ready to lead by comparing their ability or skill to my own, forgetting what I was One way is to clearly define our values as fathers. Whether you have like when I started a “few” years ago. This is because I was thinking more written them down or not, you do have values and they do inform your like a son than like a father: a son considers more his own role within the opinions and conclusions about everything in the family, whereas a father looks to developing sons church. Terry Virgo once used the illustration of a to carry on the family line. Another strength of ...A SON CONSIDERS MORE HIS OWN Ferris wheel to describe the relationship between mine that quickly can become a weakness when Word and Spirit. The Word is the foundation or base discipling others is my desire to see things done ROLE WITHIN THE FAMILY, WHEREAS A that allows us to “whirl around in the Spirit.” In a very well. Requiring that things be done as well as FATHER LOOKS TO DEVELOPING SONS similar way, our clearly defined values will allow us I do them can actually choke out the opportunity to appropriate what is helpful from other streams to develop leaders. It can influence my decision to TO CARRY ON THE FAMILY LINE. without the danger of shifting away from our biblido something myself instead of “bothering” to cal, apostolic and prophetic foundations. We can take the time to invest in someone. It can also appropriate what is both culturally relevant and highly effective for church create a heavy burden that can frustrate rather than motivate a son. Excelgrowth without eroding our foundation. lence can be maintained by training, but this will require present leaders to shift their priorities and change their schedules. This does not mean that we will avoid challenges to the way we think and operate. This is one advantage of including sons (i.e. younger leaders) in Becoming a Father our meetings. In this most recent apostolic extended team meeting Bryan A key part in raising up and transitioning leadership for the future is that Mowrey and Bo Noonan participated, bringing perspectives to our sons who are in positions of leadership make the transition to become dialogue that were both helpful and necessary. At the same time fatherly fathers. If we don’t father, who will? The answer to that question is “no values were a balancing part of the discussions. one!” The consequence of this would be a church that suffers from knowing little of what it means to be a father (much like today’s culture). To ensure our future as a family of churches, we must transition from thinking like sons to thinking like fathers. Current leaders must develop sons After clearly defining discipleship in Luke 9, Jesus appoints seventy-two who will take on the call of building missional churches. Sons likewise, anonymous disciples to proclaim the good news of God’s kingdom and must grow in their leadership activity and apostolic vision. This multisends them out. These disciples were with Jesus for at most two years and generational leadership will bring fresh expressions rooted in healthy founnot even part of his inner circle (Mark 3:14). These disciples were headed dations, connecting all of us to Christ and His mission. into a dangerous situation (10:3) without everything they would need to survive (10:4). Despite the disciples’ misunderstanding of Jesus’ ministry (9:46, 9:54-55), Jesus gives them authority to cast out demons, heal the sick, and speak for Him (10:11). Would we take the same risk? We should.
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A Closer Look:
Catalyst Church >> Charlotte, NC House of Prayer >> Langley, WA
Leadership Highlight >> Sam Poe
Soundbite from John Lanferman
Target City Spotlight Newfrontiers USA Today
Team Leader >> Newfrontiers USA
FATHERING THE NEXT GENERATION
A Look at Bob Roberts
Church leaders recently asked me about fathering young men in ministry. In 1 John 2:12-17, John the apostle instructs the churches in Asia Minor about this issue. As a wise spiritual father and grandfather, John appeals to three groups who are at three levels of understanding: children, young men, and fathers. John first addresses children or newer believers in a manner appropriate to their understanding: “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven…” (v.12 ESV). They don’t know much but are secure in the fact that their past, present, and future sin has been fully dealt with by the finished work of Jesus. As a father, John secures them in an understanding of their relationship in being part of the Father’s family: “I write to you, children, because you know the Father” (v.13). They don’t know a lot, but what they do know is foundational to their continued journey with God. Second, John speaks to fathers. Having walked with God, these individuals have a history, an understanding, and a great responsibility to children and young men. They have provided stability in the community, and likewise are a reservoir of wise counsel and an example of God’s faithfulness. When fathers tell you to “trust God,” they are not mere words. Their model of experience backs them up.
Being a Son Becoming a Father
these young men were the soldiers who carried the day on the battlefield. Paul’s letters to Timothy also provide a valuable clinic on the issue of fathers and sons. Paul uses the language of a father, addressing Timothy as “son” (2 Tim. 1:2 NASB). Paul challenges him by example: “I have fought the good fight” (2 Tim. 4:7), and exhorts him in word: “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12). He then encourages Timothy: “let no one despise you for your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12 ESV), expressing his fatherly confidence in him. Young men are vital in God’s Church. At age twenty-two Calvin wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion. In his twenties, Whitfield shook our nation and Moody, at thirty years old, shook two continents. William Cary at age twenty-five went to India, starting the modern mission movement. Spurgeon preached to thousands in his twenties.
John addresses a third group—the young men. In fact, they receive most Fathers… may I challenge you to give yourself to teach, model, and make of his attention. As a father, John has a great deal to say to this group. They room for young men to stand in your place? I believe the most fruitful years have reached a stage of spiritual development where they are expected to are the years spent fathering others. While this article seems to speak to lead and bear the burden of the church’s first line of defense and developthe male gender, scripture contains similar admoniment. John’s fathering is so evident as he affirms tion to women: “older women likewise… teach what them: “…you are strong, and the word of God abides WHEN FATHERS TELL YOU TO is good, and so train the young women…” (Titus in you, and you have overcome the evil one” (v.14). 2:3-4). “TRUST GOD,” THEY ARE NOT MERE John challenges these young lions to take the church I encourage newer followers of Jesus to remain WORDS. THEIR MODEL OF EXPERIupon their shoulders in order to see God’s kingdom secure in your relationship to the Father, and grow in advance. He says they are strong, having labored in ENCE BACKS THEM UP. order to take on more responsibility. You young men, the scripture and learned to do battle, because “the study the scripture, know what you believe and learn word of God abides” in them (v.14). I’m sure John to recognize false doctrine in order to be “a workman who does not need knew this because he had a relationship with them, spent time with them, to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15 NASB). taught them, gave himself to them, prepared them, and had listened to them teach and preach. He made room for these young men and they Fathers, scripture declares: “The glory of young men is their STRENGTH, occupied important leadership in the church. and the honor of old men is their gray hair” (Proverbs 20:29). Gray hair symThe churches in Asia Minor were in danger on account of false teachers. These young men however, had dealt with these issues because they were courageous and strong in the Word. John, aware that they had overcome the evil one, encourages them to keep fighting for God’s cause and expresses his confidence in them. As a father, John acts like a general, and
bolizes wisdom, experience, and a desire to give place to upcoming generations. Don’t hold onto a particular place. Enjoy this season of being an example—modeling, training and giving place to strong young men.
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