by John Gross
The Baptist Bible Fellowship has been a church planting organization for 66 years. Its purpose from the beginning has been to encourage church planting and church planters. It offers several unique avenues of personal and financial support for the church planter.
First, let’s start with the local church. Membership within the local church becomes a wonderful opportunity of fellowship for the church planter. Having a close relationship with the pastor and church family affords a fantastic opportunity for raising support.
A second avenue of support in the infrastructure of the Baptist Bible Fellowship is the state fellowship — containing chairmen, officers, and fellow pastors within the state. The state organization offers an opportunity for the church planter to seek acquaintances and personal friendships among fellow pastors and their leaders. Developing friendships and fellowshipping within the state organization are additional ways for the church planter to network and gain support personally, and financially.
A third area of support for the church planter is on the regional level. Each region is composed of several states and has a coordinator who will encourage and support the planter and his needs.
The fourth area of fellowship for the church planter is the National Fellowship. The church planter has an opportunity to introduce his project to the pastors and churches within the national organization of the Baptist Bible Fellowship. This organization of pastors and churches gives the church planter unlimited ability for fundraising, networking, and fellowship.
BBFI churches have proven themselves ready and anxious to assist our church planters wherever possible.