Why do we throw a big party for church planters?

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Why do we throw a big party for church planters? 

On Friday, February 2nd we will throw a big party for church planters at Deermeadows Baptist Church. This is one of our biggest events of the year and we work hard make sure that it is done well. Many of our network churches give over and above their regular gifts to the JBA in order to help make this happen. I write this article to answer a question you may be asking: Why do we throw a big party for church planters? The answer: We through a big party for church planters for three big reasons.

BIG REASON #1

Church planting can be a lonely ministry. I remember sitting in my living room with my wife on the night of our first Bible study and we prayed together that someone, anyone would show up. We diligently worked to invite dozens of our friends and neighbors, but in those moments leading up to the start-time we sat alone. Eventually, people came and the group grew but we had some lonely seasons of ministry. 

Our Planting Celebration will gather church planters from all around N.E. Florida. They will fellowship together, make new contacts, and develop plans to help each other in the future. The party is a catalyst for peer-to-peer interaction, which is one of the most important determining factors for a healthy church pant.

BIG REASON #2

Many church planters and their wives do not worship together (when they are not "on duty") for the first year or two. They don't have the time or money to get away to conferences. They can't take a Sunday off because they don't have anyone to fill the void in their absence.

Our Planting Celebration includes an energizing and challenging time of worship for church planters, their wives, and leadership teams. We hope they leave encouraged and ready to continue serving the Lord.

BIG REASON #3

Our Planting Celebration provides an avenue for perspective planters and churches interested in church planting to meet others engaged in the planting ministry and to learn about next steps. Many church planters have taken their first steps toward planting a church at this event. Many churches have committed to support church planting at this event.

There is a cost for having our Church Planting Celebration, but we have counted the cost and believe it is a vital part of our network's ministry. Perhaps you would like to join us on Friday, February 2nd to see what's going on in the JBA church planting network?

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