ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Send Network is broadening its upcoming Gathering events to include anyone who is interested in church planting – from high school students to thought leaders to church planting team members — to fellowship and collaborate together in the spirit of joining God in His activity to expand His kingdom in North American and the nations.
These two-day events will take place in three locations across North America: Long Beach, California; Boston, Massachusetts and San Antonio, Texas. Attendees will be equipped to participate in God’s mission of expanding His kingdom by multiplying churches. Pastors, staff members, ministry leaders and anyone from across North America with a desire to leverage their life more powerfully are invited to glean insights from some of today’s foremost experts in church multiplication.
Vance Pitman, president of Send Network, shared, “We’re expanding the vision. We’re inviting supporting and sending and multiplying churches to be a part of these events so that we can all catch the vision together for joining in God’s kingdom activity through the multiplication of the church.”
Traditionally, Send Network Gatherings exclusively served planting couples, offering them a chance to recharge and get equipped for another year of ministry. This past year’s events were built around Send Network’s five core values. The events will still include significant content for planters, while also expanding the scope to welcome anyone interested in learning more about church planting.
Core to this event will be the opportunity for those interested in church planting to take their next step. The idea that God’s global mission demands disciples and churches that multiply is one of Send Network’s five core values that was introduced last year. To support this vision, Send Network unveiled a new Mobilization Pathway this summer during the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting. This tool aids both established churches and church plants alike in finding their place in God’s kingdom work of church planting.
At a recent Gathering, Matt Carter, Send Network’s vice president of mobilization, said, “We have to stop looking at multiplication as some strategy we may or may not do, and we need to start looking at multiplication as a calling that you and I must obey.”
Drawing from texts in Genesis and Revelation, Carter shared that multiplication has been God’s plan from the beginning of time to the end to take the message of the gospel to the nations.
All who attend a Gathering will gain inspiration and practical information to begin thinking about multiplying their churches, whether they are in the initial stages of planting or are an established congregation with a decades-long history. The Gatherings will also be a place where church planting enthusiasts can network and form relationships with other missionally-minded churches and individuals.
Tony Merida, Send Network’s vice president of planter development, said, “If you are interested in a gathering that is biblical, focused on contextualization, and is devotional, this is the space. These events are so encouraging to my soul as we hear the word, as we think about how to minister in our contexts, in our own particular cities and as we seek the Lord together in prayer. It’s very edifying as well as being very enlightening.”
Pitman shared his excitement about the Gatherings, saying, “We’re expanding them this year to invite supporting and sending and multiplying churches to be in the room cross-pollinating with our planting couples. Also, we want you to bring people in your church who are prayerfully considering church planting – high school students, college students – get them in the room with planters, let God speak to their heart to invite them to join in the multiplication of the church for the expansion of His kingdom.”
To view dates and register for a Send Network Gathering before prices increase soon, visit SendNetworkGatherings.com.
Published December 1, 2023