Hope Fellowship | Lombard, IL

• Jeff Brewer
• May 9, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

After graduating college and working in the Muslim world doing evangelism we attended seminary and was plugged into a church plant that was in the initial core group development phase. After participating at this plant for 4 years during seminary, then serving as an associate pastor at a church where I oversaw the establishment of a church plant, we felt called to lead a plant into the areas of Chicagoland that are underserved with gospel-proclaiming churches. I was hired by College Church in Wheaton to serve as their church plant pastor in 2009 and have been working toward the launch of Hope Fellowship since then.

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

It is important to be as clear as you can on your vision and call to plant a church and in your ability to articulate the vision both verbally and in writing. In our core-group development I focused a lot on the distinctives of Hope Fellowship and how these distinctives would play out practically in the life of the church.
We also started a monthly worship gathering pretty early on in the development of the core group which aided greatly in being able to "show" what we were about and not merely "tell." Additionally, we connected with other churches in the area and sought to learn from them about how they planted. Having their core group talk to our core group was extremely beneficial.

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

Our biggest challenge was in utilizing the strengths of being planted from a large mother church without being saddled with expectations about how we would similar in style or have to take on similar programs, etc. It has ended up being a beautiful picture of the gospel in action that a large traditional-style church could plant a church that was different stylistically and keep the focus on the gospel.

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

The biggest strengths of being a part of Acts 29 have been for us in being around men who have planted and who have ideas about how to be as missional as possible into our variety of communities. Locally, it is encouraging to see pastors planting in areas that are very similar to ours and watching how they are seeking to contextualize the gospel.

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

Talk to your wife and see if she thinks you are a planter and if she is suited for planting. Watch her and see where she gravitates in giftedness and what she delights in naturally. Also, listen to those in leadership over you and seek out their candid advice about whether you are a planter. Specifically ask them, "if you had the money to support a planter right now, would I be at the top of your list?" If not, ask why not.

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

Your identity is not in your calling.
Your church is who is with you, not who you want with you.
Your growth in Christ must continue to be cultivated.
Your drive must be for the glory of God not personal fame.
Your success or failure does not determine who you are.
Your family will suffer if you do not daily shepherd them.

How do you pastor your family?

We eat dinner every night and then spend time around the word. Most of the time it feels like herding cats (four young girls) but we try to take the long view not evaluate every night how well we think they listened. I'm trying to ask well-placed questions rather than "teach." I guard my day off so that my wife knows we have a weekly time to get things done around the house that need to be done.

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

The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes

Church Profile: Hope Fellowship
Launch Date: April 2010
Location: Lombard, IL

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Hope Fellowship seeks to joyfully proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to ourselves, our neighbors and the world by the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.

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

Visitors who have come have told us how they have been praying for a church in their area that preaches the Word and seeks to reach out.
The partnership of another church who wants to help fund an associate pastor to serve with us.
Our business manager for the church has put in long hours and has been a great partner in ministry for me and compliments me well.
We have had visitors each week since we launched.

How can we pray for you?

Pray for me as I get used to the rhythms of the weekly preaching routine. Pray for us as we seek to rent our home and move to the area in which we planted. Pray for us as we identify and train community group leaders.