Where do churches come from? God’s Word is clear; the church was born in the heart of God when He sent Jesus to die for the sins of the world. Jesus Himself said,I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it(Matthew 16:18, NAS).
Now, more than 2000 years later, I believe Scripture also gives us a blueprint onhownew churches are established. The pattern in the New Testament is one of churches planting churches. In today’s world, that may involve a combination of churches, associations, a state Baptist convention, or a mission board—but ultimately, it’s existing churches that start churches.
The Salmon Valley Baptist Church (SVBC) is a prime example of a church-starting church. Tucked away in the Salmon River Valley three hours north of Idaho Falls, SVBC runs about 170 in attendance and has planted a church in Coeur d’Alene in the panhandle of Idaho. The church also has started the Lemhi River Cowboy Church. Mike Palmer, pastor of SVBC and a North American Mission Board trustee, preaches at the cowboy church on Sunday evenings. Plans are underway to send out a lay church planter to start a church in nearby Challis. All this is done in cooperation with the local association, state convention, and the North American Mission Board.
Driving 280 miles south of the Montana/Idaho border on U.S. Highway 93 would take you through 24 zip codes, 10 towns, and numerous small communities, but you would only pass by two Southern Baptist churches—SVBC and The Country Church in Moore. The Country Church, a two-year-old church nestled in the Big Lost River Valley, already has plans to plant more churches in their area.
I pray for the day when every Southern Baptist church will be involved in church planting. That involvement can be in a number of different areas:
• Church Planting Activities—Help a new church with prayer walking, backyard Bible clubs, evangelistic surveys, or Scripture distribution.
• Sponsor or Co-sponsor—Come alongside a new church with finances, prayer, and friendship.
• Core Group—You could send members out from your own congregation to help plant a church.
It will take all kinds of churches to reach the different people and places of North America. Whether it’s a church for Asian immigrants in Vancouver, a church for Hispanic migrant workers in Kentucky, a church for stressed-out college students in New York, or a church for farmers and cowboys in Nebraska, everyone needs a church that communicates the gospel in a way they can understand.
You can help provide that church. New churches come from the Lord, and they come from you, your church, and your Acts 1:8 partners. Be a part of helping to start a church. You can do it. We can help.
—Geoff Hammond, president, The North American Mission Board