August 16, 2007
Crown College’s August Strategic Multiplication Training was a full four-day event. Some 138 were in attendance, including 38 new lead church planters, 18 wives, and a dozen-plus team members.
Current established pastors and district staff also participated; they are looking forward to coaching their teams to multiply churches within their districts. Others were looking for some “next steps” direction in their lives.
Marty Berglund from the Metro District set the tone as he kicked off the Spiritual formation session with “Vision is Like a Baby – It Needs to Grow.” Sounds of “Live the Dream, Baby” resonated throughout the week.
John Soper, vice president for Church Ministries, enhanced the vision for evangelism and “webs of influence” with some real life, trial-and-error examples and encouragement.
New intensives were well received. Bill Armstrong shared about districts partnering to “Reach and Plant Middle Urban/Old Suburbia Incarnational Ministries.” Terry Barrett lead the discussion on “Reaching People through Sports and Outdoor Ministry.”
In the meantime, Jeremy Malick presented on the topic: Emerging Barrier Breakers and how to begin “Developing Aggressive Givers through Financial Stewardship.” Mike Phillips rounded out the breakout sessions with “Targeting Prayer for Effective Church Planting.”
Lift our church planters in prayer as they step out for the Lord and do serious battle for hearts and lives in their communities—that every man, woman, and child can have opportunity to hear the gospel.