by Wayne Guinn
If I understand Matthew 28:19 and Acts 1:8 correctly, I believe a true New Testament church will have as part of its DNA a desire to reproduce itself by birthing another church. Allow me to share a real life example.
In October 2003, Bryan and Tamara Kelley left the full-time pastorate in Prospect, CT, and planted Bethel Baptist Church in Uniontown, PA. In 2008, the church purchased property and built a 7,000-square-foot building with the help of the BBF Builders, volunteers, and local businesses, and saved at least $350,000 on the project.
In their first year in Uniontown, Pastor Kelley came in contact with a high school dropout with a troubled past involving drugs and alcohol who had recently been saved. He began to invest, train, equip, and mentor Aaron Douthitt. Aaron worked to support his mother as a laborer for a block-laying crew. In addition to his full-time job, Aaron finished his high school degree and completed his Bible school training by correspondence while receiving his practical local church training under the mentorship of Pastor Kelley. With the full support of his pastor, Aaron has surrendered to the call of God to plant Bridge Baptist Church in Masontown, PA. Aaron has attended the NCPO Church Planting School and was approved as a National Church Planter in Springfield this past May. The launch date for the new church is October 16, 2011.
God has provided the Bridge church with a building that will allow them to start with a 100-seat auditorium, four classrooms, and an office. Their sending church has purchased the building for $43,000 and will be investing another $5,000 into carpeting and other minor renovations. They will also be transplanting several of their people to help in the new work.
Aaron has been trying to raise up to $3,200 a month in personal and work support, along with initial start-up costs. Whatever he does not raise, his sending church is going to assist with. The Bridge is also raising $3,500 for chairs, $500 for a sign, an additional $2,500 for building renovations and a wish list for a portable baptistery, projector, and computer. You can contact Pastor Aaron at (724) 562-6007 or Pastor Bryan at (724) 437-3090 for further questions or go to facebook.com/bridgebaptistchurchpa.
When Bryan and Tamara started back in 2003 they did so with the vision of reproducing more churches within their county and the great state of Pennsylvania. On their church’s eighth anniversary their vision will begin to come to pass with the starting of Bridge Baptist Church. By the grace of God they believe this is just the beginning of something great and look forward to the day when the Bridge will be able to join them in starting a work of their own.
This article was authored by Wayne Guinn and Bryan Kelley