The Rise of Networks

The Holy Spirit has been up to something in Texas. Local churches and ministry agencies have been thinking more about seeing the Gospel spread exponentially. Multiplying quality and faithful ministry to reach the lost has become the laser focus all around the state. This focus has been manifested in the growth of regional church planting networks.

A church-planting network is a “church planting machine”--a ministry dedicated to and accomplishing the recruitment, training, and deployment of new workers for network generated new ministry starts.

Currently in Texas, a dozen networks have sprung up. These include:

LINC Houston, LINC North Texas, LINC San Antonio, POBLO Texas, The FiveTwo Network based out of Crosspoint in Katy, The SoulThirst Network in the greater Dallas area, the OnThisRock Network forming at St. Peter in Roanoke, The Summit Network out of St. Paul in Fort Worth, The ACTS Network emerging in the northwest Austin area, the ULC Network emerging at University Lutheran Church in Austin, the Great Commission Ministry Network developing out of Cristo El Salvador in Del Rio, and the Missional Worker Training and RioMAC network developing in the Rio Grande Valley. Other networks are emerging around the state.

In fact, from only eight of these networks, 80 new churches are expected to emerge between now and 2017!

The strength of networks involves local passion for the Gospel, local relationships, local opportunities, and local innovation. The Texas District is proud to partner with networks to fuel the expansion of God’s Kingdom.

Could your church or your circuit enter into network activity for the sake of the Gospel?