Frontline Church | Oklahoma City, OK

• Josh Kouri
• Mar 24, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

I was aware of my calling to plant while living in India at 9 years old. I ran from the call for years after seeing church splits and pastors suffering. Before my senior year of high school a stranger was preaching at our church. He called me out. I felt the fear of God and surrendered to the call. I did years of ministry in an established church climaxing in a year of renewal, repentance, and heart break for our city. I felt Christ's burden for His church and for my city and went all in.

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

We started in our house with a few friends and family. As the group grew too large for the home ( we literally had kids falling out of trees) we moved to a crack shack building in downtown OKC. The thing that built our core, kept people bring friends, and drew the lost, was the presence of God. My advice...cry out to God for Him to show up and change people. People need God not you. If he is moving everything changes.

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

Me. I am always the biggest obstacle. Every time we have hit a barrier it first had to blow up in my heart. Fear and control in me creates obstacles to spiritual and numeric growth in the church.

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

In year two of the church plant I hit the wall. I couldn't sleep, had horrible stress induced TMJ, and was too tired to make love to my beautiful wife ( I still can't believe it when I see it in print). I had a decent ecclesiology from 50K ft. but I didn't know what to do with it. Then I heard Mark Driscoll's talk on "Beating Burnout". He cared about the same things I'm passionate about and he was reading my mail. The biggest benefits have been my assessment and my new brothers. My assessment revealed blind spots, idols, fears, and sins. It lead me to a season of intense growth, repentance, and joy.

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

A church planter first needs to serve Jesus by serving a team of pastors and the vision God gave them. If you can't be under authority you shouldn't have authority.

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

Don't cherry pick what you will contend for in your church based on your denomination or background. By God's grace make it your prayer to embrace anything and everything the Bible says is true even if it scares you.

How do you pastor your family?

Time. Time with Jesus so he can change me. Time with my wife so I can serve her. Time with my kids so I can disciple them.

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

Alexander Strauch's Recovering Biblical Eldership

Church Profile: Frontline Church
Launch Date: Easter 2005
Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Love God.
Love People.
Push Back Darkness

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

Six years in I love Jesus more than ever. My wife is my lover and best friend. My kids are starting to see the Glory of Christ. Christ is being formed in and through Frontline. People are being saved. All kinds of people are repenting, serving, and running with the Gospel.

How can we pray for you?

Pray that I decrease and Christ increases in me and in Frontline.