Kineo Church | Phoenix, AZ

• Jeff Skeens
• Feb 25, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

The Lord put a burden on my heart for an old church plant that Living Streams Church helped plant over 12 years ago. It was declining rapidly and the church body wasn’t actively growing or reaching out to the community that it was in. There were about 10 members in the church and they (Living Streams) owned the building with a sanctuary, classrooms and offices on the property in the middle of a working poor neighborhood in Phoenix.

During a time of fasting, it was clear to my wife and I that the Lord was leading us to that community to proclaim the truth of the Gospel and to rebuild what He had already started by placing a huge burden on our hearts. Our call to plant started with this burden that led to a broken heart for the people in that particular community who have never had a clear picture of the Gospel and who have been overlooked and given no chance to succeed in life. Our broken hearts quickly led to a plan to assemble a team of leaders to utilize the building that Living Streams owned and begin holding a Sunday morning service open to the community.

We did just that with about 15 people and tried to coral the members of the existing church to join us but they wanted to do their own thing so they left. It was disappointing, but it was clear that they did not share our vision of what it looks like to embody the Gospel and the Lord spared us a lot of dead weight as we moved forward.

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

We started building our core by sharing our vision with a handful of good and faithful friends that we had been in different ministries with over the past decade. This group was about 15 strong and we had this be our first community group that quickly grew to be about 30 people with in 6 months.

The key to our initial growth was the "clear" vision of living out the Gospel in our homes, workplace and marketplace. Every core member understood clearly that their call was to be local missionaries and they took responsibility over the ministry as if they were in a foreign land and it was their responsibility to cover their own bills while building community.

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

Our biggest challenge was figuring out how to serve and love the poor of our community without enabling them (just giving handouts) and without letting them run us ragged with their constant need. We still struggle with that, but we are much more equipped to love them by understanding their greatest needs and helping them be a part of fulfilling that need. This empowers them and gives them hope of change and opens their hearts up to the Gospel message we declare to them.

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

About 9 months into us assembling our core group I heard about Acts 29 because I was hungry for more community and networking of like minded men. I was pumped and surprised to find such a huge community and was instantly sold on being apart of the network. The biggest benefit to me and my family has been the assessment process so far. I was sent off by my church who knew and trusted me, but didn't thoroughly assess me. It proved to be a huge blessing as the assessment exposed many blindspots in my life and ministry and thrusted me into a season of introspection and learning. That was priceless!

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

Know yourself (be honest with your strengths and weaknesses). Get rid of the sexy picture in your head of being a "lead" pastor. There's nothing sexy about it. Eternity is at stake. Don't let your desire of a good reputation dictate your calling. God moves and is clear in his communication when He calls pastors and He will be faithful to confirm your calling. If you're not sure....WAIT!

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

Get your house in order before you plant (i.e. your wife is on board, happy with your imperfect love for her, and your familial priorities are set). Be the main financial provider for your fam and don't forsake building your fam because you have a selfish dream. Be yourself and don't spend all your time copying the superstar preachers. God made you with the gifts you have for the purpose of using them to reach the people He's called you to reach. Surround yourself with Godly men who know you and are honest with you. Love God and His word more than your church.

How do you pastor your family?

I'm the best model of servanthood to them and others. I am the first to sacrifice for them in decisions and plans (most of the time). I love my wife first and make sure they know daddy is called to love her first, which will let us be a better daddy and mommy. I lead them in spiritual disciplines and embody and teach the gospel in every life circumstance.

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

Total Church by Timmis and Chester

Church Profile: Kineo Church
Launch Date: January 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Our purpose is to display the beauty and worth of Jesus to the world by finding our joy and comfort in God alone and by living out our mission of planting Gospel-centered churches that plant churches. We are driven to do this because of Jesus' command to love God and people.

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

Financial provision is always amazing and humbling to experience. The Lord always provides and takes care of His people. Other than that, the Lord has allowed significant growth in number and in making disciples/converts! We have seen a whole family (starting with their son in YL) come to the Lord in the period of 9 months. The son (Ryan) was saved at a camp, came home and shared this with his parents, they began coming to church, committed their lives to Jesus. Then God saved their youngest son and then their oldest son who was hostile towards Christians and church began coming after a visit on Christmas Eve. He is now a believer, married his girlfriend (who he had 2 kids with) who God also converted and they are plugged in to community and growing through discipleship. That's always amazing to experience that kind of grace upon a family.

How can we pray for you?

That I can remain a faithful, humble, loving husband to my wife and father to my kids. Also that God's word would remain fresh and alive to me as I continue leading the church and finsihing up seminary.