By Michael Crawford
Church Multiplication Team Strategist
The following is a written report by Michael Crawford, on behalf of the Church Multiplication Team, to the Network’s General Mission Board (GMB) on Dec. 8.
COLUMBIA, Md.—As always I want to thank you for your prayers and support as we close out a wonderful year of church planting. The first of our values is “prayer is our primary strategy” and we have felt your prayers this year.
One of the greatest blessings I have experienced this year is the formation of our church multiplication squad. We have an unbelievable team of servants who are committed to living out our values and seeing churches planted. We began meeting every month this fall and every time we meet, we address these seven things: prayer, praise, priorities, problems, planters, plans and perspectives. Here is a list of our squad members along and their function:
Kevin Marsico – NAMB Regional Supervisor
Ron Larson – Send City coordinator
Robert Kim – church planting catalyst
Rolando Castro – church planting catalyst
Marcus Redding – church planting catalyst apprentice
Ron Blankenship – church planting strategist
Michael Mattar – African strategist
Robert Pristoop – Jewish Strategist
Samir Abraham – Muslim strategist
Shelly Allen – assessment coordinator
Kristy Murray – administrative assistant
We are currently looking to fill our African American Church Planting Catalyst position and are looking at several resumes right now. Pray that God leads us to the right person to fill this position.
One of my goals this year was to have every planter coached and cared for. Last week, we trained 20 coaches for two days. In the spring of 2016, we hope to train more. I am beyond excited to see a coaching culture develop at the network. We will see our goal of having every planter coached and cared for. One of the things that really excites me is that we had four women attend the training. I’m looking forward to being able to provide coaching for the wives of the planters.
2016 is going to be an amazing year for church planting. We are looking forward to seeing our newfound unity and momentum unleashed on our region. We are excited about the possibilities of seeing new ground taken for God’s kingdom.
Pray for our church multiplication squad. We need strength, wisdom and God to bless our plans so that we can see people saved and churches planted.