The church multiplication squad of the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network, in partnership with the North American Mission Board, includes (l to r, back): Marcus Redding, Rolando Castro, Michael Crawford, S.D. Abraham (photo obscured for security reasons), Michael Mattar. (front): Ron Larson, Herta and Robert Pristoop, Shelley Allen and Chrissie Redding. Not pictured above is Ron Blankenship and Robert Kim.
COLUMBIA, Md.—Michael Crawford, reporting for the Mid-Atlantic Baptist Network Church Multiplication Team, told General Mission Board (GMB) Members at the that the May 3 GMB meeting at the Network Center, that the team is focusing on coaching, cohorts and community. Crawford said team members want to know the “pulse” of the planters and what they’re going through so they can strategize how to help.
Crawford, in a written report, said there is much to be thankful for.
“Our God is on the move and doing some amazing things in our convention. People are being saved, baptized and discipled in our new churches…thank you for your service, sacrifice and prayer.
Crawford explained the team’s training cohorts. They’re broken into regions so planters can build community with one another. The first cohort was about money, the second on calling.
“God has been using these cohorts to challenge and encourage our planters. I would like to thank Marcus Redding who has been an amazing servant of God helping to set up our coaching and cohorts. We would not be where we are today without him.
“Many of you are aware that we have four initiatives in the multiplication budget. African American, Jewish, Muslim and Special needs. God is moving and opening up opportunities for us to resource individuals and local churches to reach all four groups.
“Our first special needs conference was a success and we saw over a hundred people attend. God is on the move. Tom Stolle is already beginning to receive calls and emails from our churches about how to engage the special needs community. Next week I am meeting with a man who planted a special needs church. We are dreaming of the day where our Network can team with our churches to see plants specifically designed for special needs families.
“We are encouraged by the fact that we have two planters reaching Muslims for Jesus and we are looking forward to seeing us engage them more.
Regarding the Jewish ministry, Crawford said Robert Pristoop, Jewish church planting strategist, is working with a man that God may be calling to plant a church in Baltimore to reach Jewish people.
“Post Freddie Gray, we continue to work with the local churches in Baltimore to see how we can more effectively serve and preach the gospel,” Crawford said.
“Please pray for us; we need wisdom. Pray for our planters that God would open up many doors for the gospel. Pray for our initiatives to be used by God to reach people who have never heard of Jesus. Finally I would like to say thank you to our wonderful squad: Chrissie Redding, Marcus Redding, Ron Larson, Kevin Marsico, Rolando Castro, Robert Kim, Shelley Allen, Michael Mattar, Ron Blankenship Robert Pristoop and SD Abraham.