Grace Bible | Bend, OR

• Phil Kooistra
• Aug 5, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

For the past 15 years I have had a deep passion to invest in the lives of students and have served as a youth pastor at a few churches in that time. The last 8 years I had the joy of serving at a Bible Church in Port Angeles as their youth pastor. My desire was to remain in Student Ministries until I felt God was calling me to something else. That change of calling came in the summer of 2009 when returning from a HS summer camp, my wife and I both felt that God was releasing us from our call to Student Ministry and calling us to something else. Through much prayer and conversations with trusted mentors in my life, it soon became clear that church planting in the NW was God's next assignment for our family. Through more prayer and research, Bend Oregon was decided upon as the location where we would plant. Little did we know God was at work long before we had made any decisions to plant in Bend and as soon as we began to move forward with those plans, God brought confirmation over and over that Bend is where he wanted us.

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

I wish that I could take some credit for building our core, but the truth is God was building our core long before we began to strategize. Our initial plans were to start a community group in our home, but by the time we landed in Bend we had over 20 people that were committed to being a part of the core and committed to the mission of Grace Bible Church. If I did anything, it was networking with people God put in my path and taking time to listen to the stories of people and share ours.

Advice... Trust God. Focus on maturing in Christ, not building a church. Utilize social tools like Facebook and twitter if you can and pace yourself. Take advantage of the relationships and tools that come with being a part of A29 Try to have at least a month of messages prepared before you launch a service, because your first month will be crazy and finding the time to study will be extremely challenging.

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

The biggest challenge we face currently is moving slowly and building trust with many people who have been wounded multiple times by previous church leadership. Another challenge I have faced personally is finding a rhythm and pace that is healthy for me and my family.

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

I originally became involved in Acts 29 by attending a boot camp where Pastor John Piper and others were preaching on contextualization. At that boot camp and subsequent boot camps I attended, I came to the conclusion that Acts 29 was very much aligned where I personally stand in core theological principles. The final step of being convinced Acts 29 was the right network for me to be a part of was a phone conversation with a friend from Seminary who had joined the network. His praises of the brotherhood and resources was and my final confirmation.

The greatest benefits of being in the network for me has been the brotherhood of friends in our region, the coaching I have received from Mike Rydman, and the resources that are available through the [Acts 29 members' site].

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

Go slow, seek the Lord in prayer, and make sure that your identity is firmly grounded in Jesus Christ. The city we are in is literally a grave yard of church plants from those who were not called for the task. Make sure your gifting is affirmed by others and you have affirmation and support from trusted spiritual leaders in your life. Don't plant with a chip on your shoulder! And don't plant out of frustration with your church!

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

Go slow, find strong accountability (financial and spiritual) early. Also look for ways you can get connected to the people in your city. My final advice would be to focus less on building the church and more on maturing those God gives you the privilege to shepherd.

How do you pastor your family?

Like most pastors, finding the balance of church and family is a constant challenge. We try to have a time of devotions and prayer at night as a family, but late nights of the summer have made that challenging. Also prayer at night with my wife is something that keeps us focused on each other and the Lord. Trying to use teachable moments to disciple our kids is critical to proper parenting, but also means that we must be vigilant to have our eyes open for those moments.

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

The Three books that have really impacted me over the past years of preparation have been "Total Church," "The Trellis and the Vine" and "Radical" Each of these books have made a significant impact on me and my vision for church planting.

Church Profile: Grace Bible Church of Bend
Launch Date: June 2011
Location: Bend, OR

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Our desire is to plant a church that would be an authentic community of believers who desire to live in gospel community as the Body of Christ and the family of God while living on mission and representing our Lord Jesus well to the people of Bend.

This community would desire to be characterized by the following values:

God’s Glory not Ours
Word driven not Fad Chasing
Family not Consumers
Body Not Professionals
Gospel centered not Fear centered
Never too big to not be small
Warfare not theater
Maturity not Size
Service not Consumption
Simplicity not Busyness

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

We are still so new as a church and yet God has given amazing signs of grace. One is the fact that we were able to take 3 different groups of people in Bend and unite them on one vision and mission. We have seen incredible unity within such a diverse group of people. Another grace we have been given has been the transition of our family. Our kids have transitioned very smoothly and God has been providing a great number of friends for our kids. This has brought great comfort and peace to my heart. Another sign of grace has been the growth we have been seeing and the strong offerings we have been receiving. It truly is a reminder that God cares for His church and is not limited in His resources. We have been overwhelmed by His generosity towards us.

How can we pray for you?

Pray that would keep my identity firmly in Jesus Christ and not allow the good and the bad of Church planting to have significant impact in my life. Pray that my family would continue to transition to Bend well.