Acts 29 Network: Seattle, WA

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Crossroads Church | Morgantown, WV

Chris Priestley
Jan 27, 2012
Series: Church Profiles
Categories: Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

Through searching the Scriptures, examining the fruit of my youth ministry and receiving the wisdom and council of older, more mature men in my life, I felt certain I was called to teach the Bible. Later I started listening to Mark Driscoll and subsequently heard of Acts 29. A29 put words on the passion God had placed within me: church planting.

Laura and I partnered with a brand new church plant where the lead pastor disqualified himself devastatingly. My heart grieved for the unfinished work of the gospel in my city and my church. We visited Bethlehem Baptist church in Minneapolis and discussed the situation with a great influence in my life, Dr. John Piper. He preached a powerfully convicting sermon that day on Jesus’ statement, “I will build my church.” It was in that sermon and the providence of God bringing me to the right place at the right time that God called me to church planting, and my wife and I committed our lives to serving Morgantown, WV and Crossroads church.

How did you build up your core? What advice would you give to guys in the core-stage?

We focused on developing a few good men who could train other guys and lead community groups that would be outward faced with their words and works.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)?

The greatest challenge--and also greatest joy--has been showing the hope and renewal found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who had been burnt both in the church and outside of the church.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network?

I met Nick Nye at a conference and shared our story. Planting had felt, in many ways, like we were alone and isolated, but the brotherhood and support we immediately received from Acts 29 was incredibly life-giving. The wisdom and coaching from guys further down the road has been indispensable.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant?

If there is anyone who can talk you out of it, then you're probably not ready. If you could be content doing anything else instead, then you're probably not ready. If you're wife is not on board, you're definitely not ready.

What’s the most important thing you’d want to share with a new church planter?

Be unapologetically tethered to the word and unconditionally loving of people (John 17:15-17). On your hardest days, remember Jesus builds his church. On your best days, remember Jesus builds his church.

How do you pastor your family?

It's crucial to define the role of your wife in the church before others can for you, and then to continue to reaffirm and protect that role both in the church and for your wife. Our great joy has been scheduling date night together every week to unplug and getaway together, pray together and just pursue one another and have fun together. It's something we both have looked forward to as a highlight every week.

Outside of the Bible, what is the most helpful book you have read for church planting?

Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll

Church Profile: Corssroads Church
Launch Date: March 2010
Location: Morgantown, WV

Mission, Vision, Values of Church

Mission

Crossroads Church exists to make passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

Vision

Crossroads Church has been called by God to become

An authentic biblical community, loving, encouraging and sharpening one another daily…

We see a community that gathers in homes around the city to pray for, connect with and serve one another and their city with an authenticity that surpasses friendship, a family that is ever-growing in number and maturity in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We see a community of diverse tribes and ages united under the singular name and mission of Jesus Christ.

…with a passion for Jesus Christ bridled by the Truth…

We see a people infused with a burning passion for Jesus Christ built upon the solid framework of the timeless revelation of God through Scripture, a church that is unapologetically tethered to the Word and unconditionally loving of its city.

…where Scripture translates into life as biblical wisdom guides practical decisions…

We see a people seeking the whole counsel of God in every aspect of their lives, continuously worshiping as faithful stewards of their time, talent, and treasure for the Glory of Jesus Christ and the good of their city.

…producing favor with the city…

We see a church that builds favor in the city, serves the city, loves the city and seeks the transformation and good of the city.

…and perpetual replication.

We see a church that continuously replicates itself, making passionate followers of Jesus, training and equipping them as leaders, and sending them out to plant churches.

We love Jesus. We love our city.

We want the two to meet.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church?

From the ashes of a messy churchplant, God has called a beautiful bride. We have seen broken marriages renewed; people who were far from God meet Jesus; a pastor who was burnt-out and disillusioned revived and all three of his children became Christians and were baptized. God is faithful. Jesus builds his church.