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Imago Dei | Greenville, SC

Chris Hall
Apr 7, 2011
Series: Church Profiles
Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

When I surrendered to God's call into ministry, I did so in denominational life and thought I would always serve in established churches. During my seminary experience I met my good friend Alex Early, who introduced me to the idea of church planting and Acts 29. I felt like I began to understand more clearly the mission of the church. I was challenged by Alex and the Network to think missionally. I also began to change theologically. Through all of this I began to realize I was not a great fit in established, traditional churches. In 2008 my family and I moved to Newnan to help Alex gather a core group to launch Four Corners Church. Through my time there I learned much about commitment, discipline, faith, equipping and training men, and pastoring my family. Me and the family decided to move back to Greenville, SC to pray about church planting there, as my wife and kids are gracious anchor droppers here. Through a lot of prayer and conversation s with godly men, Page and I felt God calling us to church plant through Acts 29 in Greenville, SC. We saw a need for a balanced Gospel-centered church in the middle of the Bible belt where there are two extremes of in reaching traditional churches with doctrine but no mission in their own culture, and out reaching contemporary churches with very little theological preaching and accountability. So in October 2010 we launched Imago Dei church.

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

When we moved back to Greenville from Newnan I began contacting people who were disenchanted with the apathetic worship and mission of many of the churches in our area and asked them to pray about coming on board with Imago Dei. I began a Sunday night Bible study at my sister's house. This Bible Study group developed into our core group.

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

Spiritual warfare
Keeping people focused and motivated
Insecurities

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

Alex Early introduced me to Acts 29 in seminary. The biggest benefit is the Gospel-centeredness that has greatly impacted my marriage and my relationship with my kids. I have shared with many people that even if I tank as a church planter, what I have learned through this network and my assessment process will carry me to my grave. I also love the networking among pastors where every conversation doesn't have to turn into a lecture, but they genuinely care about me and my family. I also love the accountability, where I am expected to love my wife well and shepherd my family.

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

Pray
Go through Acts 29
Raise funds

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

Keep the Gospel primary. Do not become enslaved to numbers where you might be tempted to compromise your mission. Pastor your family well.

How do you pastor your family?

By taking every opportunity to speak Gospel truth into their lives. We have weekly family devotions. I also make an intentional effort to model Gospel living for them.

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

Planting Missional Churches in a Postmodern Age by Ed Stetzer and Church Planter by Darrin Patrick

Church Profile: Imago Dei Church
Launch Date: October 2010
Location: Greenville, SC

Mission, Vision, Values of Church

Having been made in the Image of the Trinitarian God, we believe that to live in His image is to live in unified community, unceasing worship, and undying mission. Therefore, our church exists to live lives of worship before our Creator in community, as we join His redemptive plan centered on the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

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

We have seen people both churched and dechurched being loosed from the chains of Biblebelt religion. God has given us a place to worship for free at Fitzpatrick's Irish Pub. We have been intentional with building relationships with the staff and patrons there and we have had a lot of opportunity to show the love of Christ to them.