Fellowship Bible Church Jonesboro | Jonesboro AR

• Chuck Gschwend
• Feb 12, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles

 
Planter Profile:

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

My biggest challenge was and is me. I need to trust God more.

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

A friend knew I wanted to replant our church and recommended Acts 29. As I am beginning to meet the men in our Midwest Region, I look forward to the fellowship and wisdom they can provide me.

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

Ask yourself the tough questions revolving around your heart motivations. Listen close to Acts 29 planters as to the realities of planting as it is no easy ride. Planting provides the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. You are either called or crazy.

How do you pastor your family?

Some "as you go" and some proactively. I like to gather all my family in the boys room and read the Bible and pray with all five of us before they go to bed. I also like to followup with what they are learning in church. In addition, I am now teaching my boys to read the Bible for themselves.

How can we pray for you?

Pray I develop a deeper faith in my great BIG God. Pray I grow in my skill of developing leaders. Pray I can love my wife like crazy.

Church Profile: Fellowship Bible Church Jonesboro
Launch Date: October, 2002
Loacation: Jonesboro, AR

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Our mission is to help people learn to love the adventure being on mission with Jesus.
Our vision is to not only reach Jonesboro and Arkansas State, but to reach the nations through them through church planting.
Our values are to be simple, deep and missional.

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church 

After 10 years of practicing law and five years on a church staff and going to Seminary, Fellowship Little Rock pursued me to plant a church in my hometown of Jonesboro to plant a church.

I believe I was called for several reasons. Subjectively, my wife and I just sensed God wanted us to do it. Second, others in Mobile, AL were encouraging me to pursue a Lead Pastors job because of the way God was developing me and my teaching. In addition the church planting assessors in Little Rock affirmed this calling.

What is your philosophy of community in your church and what does that look like practically in your church? Of evangelism?

We group people in small groups to give community a chance to happen. We then train our leaders to model and celebrate true community every chance they get. We teach our people about the one another’s and how the gospel being applied in our own hearts is the only way we can treat people the way Jesus treated us.

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

Too many to list. One, the mere fact we exist 7 years later is proof of God's grace not our skill, leadership or wisdom.