Dear Christian Friend,

A local business owner, Kevin, met a WELS home mission pastor. As they formed a friendship, he learned about the work of starting a new church and remarked, “Wow! Planting a new church is a lot like starting a business. Church planters train people, create procedures, build an online presence, meet prospective members, and navigate real estate to find ministry space. On top of that, church planters preach sermons, teach the Bible, and visit hospitalized members. The business of planting a church is a unique challenge!”

Kevin is right. The “business” of starting a church from the ground up is unlike anything else in pastoral ministry. That’s why the Board for Home Missions supports the Church Planters Network, which offers training and resources for new missionaries through the Church Planter Intensive (CPI) and Church Planter Coaching programs.

CPI is a five-day “boot camp” for missionaries and their wives that covers crucial topics such as:

• Prioritizing the spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness of the pastor, his wife, and his family.
• Pastoring the core group, reaching the unchurched, and leading both groups to unite in gospel ministry.
• Crafting compelling mission, vision, and values statements to shape a mission-minded congregational culture.
• Building ministry systems and equipping God’s “people for works of service” in those ministries “so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12).
• Faithfully stewarding the financial resources provided by Home Missions.

The Church Planter Network’s support doesn’t stop when CPI ends. Missionaries also receive encouragement through the two-year Church Planter Coaching program. They work with an experienced missionary coach monthly to implement the knowledge gained at CPI.

The generosity of God’s people provides what is needed to plant new churches and share the changeless gospel with an ever-changing and always-challenging world. Please prayerfully consider supporting WELS home missionaries with a gift to 100 Missions in 10 Years. Your offerings support the specialized training that equips home missionaries with confidence and knowledge to serve in the unique “business” of starting a church.

Kevin is not merely an insightful businessman; he is now a son of God. Through a WELS Home Mission congregation, Kevin heard from his pastor-friend that his best friend, Jesus, laid down his life to save him. Kevin, his four children, and his sister were baptized at their church plant and now serve in the “business” of starting a church. Last Christmas, Kevin’s mother was baptized too. Praise God!

Fellow friend of Jesus, we praise God for our partnership in the gospel helping people learn and love that the real business of starting church is not about the work we do. Rather, the Father’s business is all about the work Christ has done for us—laying down his life and calling us from being sin’s slaves to his friends (John 15:13,15).

Yours in Christ,
Matthew Rothe
Mission Pastor, The Way Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, Va.
Coordinator, Church Planter Intensive

Prayer: Lord, as you call workers to serve in your church we ask that you also continue to equip them for ministry. We thank you for fellow workers who are eager to share their experiences and mentor the next generation of gospel servants. May this strengthening of our leaders result in the nurturing of more members and visitors to our churches through Christ’s good news in Word and sacraments so that they may also serve you better. Amen.