Providence Church | Denver, NC

• Ben Rudolph
• Jan 17, 2013
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles, Latest News

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

I was a youth pastor of a larger church in the Charlotte Metro area, when God started stirring in my heart to do something more.  I was approached a question during that time that rocked my world.  Here it was: If you could do anything for God and you had all the time, money and resources to do it, what would your do?  I'd never thought about that, but I answered "plant a church" in my mind.  Immediately, I felt the call from God to do exactly that.  I shared this with my wife and we prayed for 3 months to discern what should be our next steps.  We didn't share this with anyone else at the time.  

After a time of confirming this call, I sensed that daughter church planting was the best way and probably most biblical way to birth a church.  I didn't know how my Senior Pastor would react though, because most pastors care about 2 things: people and money, and you need both of those to do a daughter church plant from an existing church.  After praying for 3 months though, I knew i had to share this burden and desire with my friend and pastor.  As we sat down at the restaurant, before I could say anything to him, he shared with me that God had been working in his heart to start a church out of ours and wanted to know if I would be interested in leading it.  Needless to say, God kept doing things from there.  I'm still in awe of how much we've seen God do. 

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

We prepared our church by sharing the vision of church planting and asking our people to pray about joining us.  We had 8 family initially interested in being a part of the church plant, with about 6 actually making the leap with us into this venture. 

I would say that the best advice I could give is be patient, be prayerful, and be wise. 

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

De-programming ideas of what a New Testament church should be.

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

I loved church planting and heard about Acts 29's emphasis and vision of Church planting, so it seemed to be a good fit for us as a church.

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

Two bits of advice were given to me by men I respect and love very much, and both proved to be extremely helpful in difficult times.  Here they are:

1. Never doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.

2. it's easier to get a kit (for church planting) than to go before the King. 

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

Stay very close to Jesus.

Be very careful who you place in leadership.

Spend a lot of time praying.

There are times when you have to manage fruitfulness and times to be faithful.

How do you pastor your family in the midst of starting a church?

I set limits on how much I would be out doing ministry.  I valued my time at home as sacred and looked at the with my wife and kids as the most important parts of my day.  I also had a great role model in my father that modeled this for me because I grew up in a pastor's home. 

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

Planting post-modern churches in the 21st century by Ed Stetzer

Church Profile: Providence Church
Launch Date: September 2006
Location: Denver, NC

Mission, Vision, Values of Church 

Our Mission

Providence Church exists to spread God's fame by multiplying disciples of Jesus and multiplying churches in our community and around the world. 

Our Values

Mission – Our life mission is to take the Gospel to our world (Acts 1:8)

Community - Together we can accomplish more (Acts 2:42-47)

Truth – The truth of Scripture changes lives (John 14:6)

Grace – Grace is the greatest commodity that we can receive and give (Ephesians 2:4-10)

Worship – Worship is a lifestyle not a location (John 4:24)

Prayer – The power behind our ministry must be prayer (James 5:16)

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

I've seen God start and grow this church in spite of my many mistakes as  it's pastor. 

I've seen men and women come to know Jesus.

I've seen sheep become shepherds.  

I've become more aware of my own weaknesses and sins than ever before, yet have experienced greater grace to see God overcome them.

How can we pray for you?

Pray that I would be faithful to the vision God gave me in the beginning.  That I would keep making it about God's glory and church multiplication.  

Prayer for wisdom to lead my family and church well.