When I was invited to McFarland, California to speak to the high school cross country team planting a church was not on my mind, but it was on God’s mind. The relationships that I built during that retreat served as a catalyst to launch CrossPointe Baptist Church of McFarland. God kept pulling me back to McFarland with speaking engagements. I was serving on staff at Sonrise Baptist Church in Clovis, CA with Otis Ledbetter. The more my pastor and I talked and prayed, we realized that God had opened a door and we must at least explore what the possibilities might be.
McFarland is a small community and over the years the California BBF had attempted five times to plant a church there without success. Fear struck my heart. This was a Spanish-speaking community and most churches offered worship services in Spanish. Many of the families in McFarland desire their kids to learn English as a second language, so I decided to plant an English-speaking church. It was clear that that community was ready for an exciting church plant. Many of the influential people left the city on Sunday to worship in larger cities in close proximity. The more I prayed, along with my Sonrise Church family, the more I saw God’s hand was leading me there. So I moved my family to McFarland and commuted to my job at Sonrise Baptist Church an hour and thirty minutes away.
In a strategically planned “make it or break it” meeting with the major influencers of McFarland, I told them, “We want our children to go to school here, we want our tax dollars to stay here, we want new businesses here, we want our city and schools to grow, but what are we doing in McFarland spiritually speaking?” I went on to say, “Together let’s capture our city for Christ, and do the same thing that Jim White, coach of the high school national champion cross country team and inspiration behind Disney’s movie McFarland, USA, did for this community on an athletic, and academic level. We can accomplish this same success on a spiritual level!”
After brainstorming with Pastor Ledbetter, we decided to start a Wednesday night Bible study to test the waters. Over the next nine months it grew to over 30 people on a regular basis, with the support and participation of key influencers. In a following staff meeting, Pastor looked at me and said, “Bobby, your heart is no longer here. Your heart is in McFarland.” I said, “No, no, my heart is still here at Sonrise.” And he said, “No, Bobby, your heart is in McFarland.” And I admitted, “Yes, it is.”
Using the 30 plus attendees in the Wednesday night Bible study as a core, we decided to launch Sunday morning worship services. After three exploration services, CrossPointe was birthed with 160 people attending on September 17, 2017.
McFarland is a small migrant, farm-worker community. The downside is that some of these people will only be here for a while. The upside is if we win them to Jesus, we spread them and the gospel wherever they go. I am not built for a large community.
God has put in my heart to reach this small town. The way I reach them is to build relationships with key influencers and reach them for Christ. The mayor of McFarland was a special guest on our opening Sunday. He shared, “Bobby is like nutgrass. You just can’t get rid of him.” He was right. I was determined to build relationships with the people of McFarland. Today, the mayor, the chief of police, the local legend Jim White, and cast members of the Disney McFarland, USAmovie are regular attenders and givers.
I believe the keys to successful church planting on any level is simply be obedient, available, committed and a servant of God where He calls you.
I believe the keys to successful church planting on any level is simply be obedient, available, committed and a servant of God where He calls you. Click To Tweet
