Church Planting… According to Faithward, “New churches are the most effective means to reach spiritually disconnected people. Church plants are significantly more likely to draw non-Christians than established churches. A 2015 Lifeway Research study found that 42 percent of church plant attendees previously weren’t part of a church. By contrast, as high as 90 percent of new members in established churches are transfers from another congregation.” 

Joseph recently finished a time of church planting assessments with NAMB (North America Mission Board).  He is a coach overseeing the assessors of new church planters. Nine church planters were assessed over the weekend.  These planters had hearts to begin new churches in Anaheim, Nipomo, South Central Los Angeles, Los Angeles and other cities within Southern California.  The assessment gauges their readiness to become a church planter covering three main areas: their church planting capacity, personal character and marriage health (if they are married).  The planters learn about their strengths and weaknesses and through support and encouragement they talk through and are assessed in their calling, emotional and spiritual health, family dynamics, vision, leadership, communication, missional engagement, disciple-making and social skills.

One of the church planters assessed was Pastor Jofri and his wife, Michelle.  They live in Anaheim and have a huge heart to share the love of Jesus with MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters!  They have started a church at a local MMA gym through a partnership they formed with the owner of the gym.  About a week ago, at the Kings MMA Gym, Pastor Jofri and the gym owner did an outreach to reach out to the MMA community.    7 men gave their hearts to Jesus and 5 others were baptized!  2 additional men approached Pastor Jofri afterwards and said they wanted to be baptized as well.  It was a powerful night of worship, the UFC owner sharing his story and faith and Pastor Jofri sharing the gospel afterwards.  We praise God for these changed lives and that Joseph has been blessed to be a part of helping pastors like Pastor Jofri reach their communities and be encouraged and equipped as church planters.

Thank you for your prayers, support & encouragement to us! We appreciate you so very much.  Please let us know if we can be praying for you in anyway as well.