Ten years ago, Grace River Church was just a dream—an idea scribbled on a piece of paper in a living room. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew one thing: God was calling me to plant a church for people who didn’t love going to church.
Looking back on the last decade, I’ve learned more than I could ever put into words. Church planting has been one of the most rewarding, humbling, and challenging things I’ve ever done. As I reflect on this journey, I want to share five key lessons I’ve learned along the way with fellow pastors and church planters.
1. Be Coachable—You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know
When I planted Grace River, I was clueless. I had vision and passion, but I lacked the experience to execute the calling in front of me. Without good coaching, this church wouldn’t exist today. I had to learn to be teachable, to ask for help, and to surround myself with people who had been down this road before.
Find mentors. Seek out experienced church planters. Be open to feedback, even when it challenges your way of thinking. Pride will hold you back, but humility and a willingness to learn will set you up for long-term success.
2. Don’t Plant Alone—Build a Strong Team
From day one, Grace River had a committed team of people who believed in our mission, vision, and values. That was a game-changer.
Church planting is not a solo endeavor. You may have the calling, but without a team, you will burn out fast. I have weaknesses and blind spots, just like anyone else. Without the right people around me—people who could fill in the gaps and bring strengths where I lacked them—there is no way we would be where we are today.
If you’re planting a church, don’t do it alone. Gather people who share the vision and are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work alongside you.
3. Stay Connected—A Strong Sending Church and Church Associations Matter
I feel incredibly blessed to have been sent out by Seminole Baptist and to be part of Converge and the Baptist Bible Fellowship. I never felt alone in this process because I had strong coaching support, spiritual support, and financial support from these three groups.
If you are planting a church, don’t underestimate the importance of being connected to a strong sending church and a healthy network or association. Church planting is tough, and having the backing of a larger body can make all the difference.
4. Get Involved in Your Community—From Day One
When we planted Grace River, I wasn’t from the town we were planting in. I grew up 3.5 hours away, but I knew that if we were going to make an impact, I had to become a local.
I joined the chamber of commerce, met with community leaders, and built relationships with people who could help us launch the church. The goal was to be woven into the fabric of the community from the start. If you want to reach people, you have to genuinely care about them and their city.
If you’re planting a church, don’t just be a pastor—become a townie. Love your community, serve it well, and build real relationships.
5. Keep the Focus on People Who Aren’t Here Yet
The church exists for the people who aren’t here yet. From the beginning, we decided that while the church is made up of Christians, our mission was to reach those who hadn’t responded to the gospel yet. That meant we weren’t going to cater to Christian preferences or traditions—we were going to stay laser-focused on reaching people far from God.
If someone was a Christian and wanted to help us plant a life-giving church, we welcomed them with open arms. But we made it clear: the vision was not for sale. We were here to see lives changed, and we weren’t going to lose sight of that mission.
Because of that commitment, we’ve seen God move in incredible ways. People have found hope. Marriages have been restored. Addictions have been broken. Lives have been transformed by the gospel.
We’re Just Getting Started
As I reflect on these past ten years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. To every person who prayed, gave financially, encouraged us, or stood by us in this journey—thank you. This dream became a reality because we did it together.
But this is just the beginning. The introduction and the first few chapters have been written, but there is so much more to come. The best is yet to come.
If you’re planting a church, stay the course. Trust God. Build the team. Stay connected. Love your community. And never lose sight of the people who don’t know Jesus yet.
Let’s keep going. Let’s keep trusting. And let’s watch God do what only He can do.
