North Village Church | Austin, TX

• Michael Dennis
• Sep 21, 2011
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

I remember God calling me to start a church when I trusted in Jesus' work on the cross in 1993. I didn't fully understand what was taking place at the time, but it was a call that I continued to come back to over 16 years until we started North Village Church.

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

Gathering a core team was like finding needles in a haystack. I constantly worked on casting the vision of our church to people over and over and often times the most unlikely of people would respond. If I had anything to do different I would say trust in the call to start a church and speaking confidently.

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

My biggest challenge the first year was being patient. It was easy to overlook what Jesus wasn't doing instead of enjoying all that He was doing.

Today our challenge is to mobilize the people He has gathered to move in one direction to live out the mission of our church.

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

I have heard about other friends involvement in Acts 29 and was interested in being connected to other pastors around the country / world. The biggest benefit has been the coaching relationships. I am continually humbled that other men will take time to hear my story and speak truth into my life.

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

Cling to your calling. Invite others to speak into your calling. Trust in Jesus that it is a calling to a work that He has already accomplished.

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

Have fun! Invite your family and your church to enjoy the miracle of seeing a new church birthed in the community.

How do you pastor your family?

There are a few things I do to pastor my family:

On my way home I mentally prepare to engage them where they are and the events of their day.

I make a point to weekly look at Scripture with them and talk about who Jesus is and what He is doing in our life.

I also encourage us to talk about the condition of our heart and why we "do" what we "do" so that we can see our sin, become grieved by our sin, repent of our sin, and turn to trust in Jesus.

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

Shaping of Things to Come, In the Name of Jesus, Church Planter, Nine of a Healthy Church, Christ-Centered Worship, Launch, City Reaching, and Relational Intelligence.

Church Profile: North Village Church
Launch Date: September 2009
Location: Austin, TX

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Restoring lives with the Gospel for God's glory

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

Too many to list, but the biggest picture of God's grace is that our church surpassed by gifts and talents a long time ago and yet He continues to gather people to Himself and lead us to be involved in what He is doing.

How can we pray for you?

Please pray for my family to continue to enjoy what we are doing and see Jesus drawing us to Himself and one another.