Vision Church | Raleigh, NC

• Jerome Gay
• Feb 19, 2010
• Series: Church Profiles
• Categories: Church Planting Articles

Planter Profile:

Briefly describe your story of your call to plant a church

I felt God's call on my life at the age of 16, fast forward to 1997 I began my journey at St. Augustine's College, while attending SAC my passion for the gospel increased and I started a campus ministry. I noticed a lack of sound doctrine and I thought I was the answer, God quickly humbled my and after graduating I became an elder of a new church plant. After 5 year of doing that God began to show me how I was leaning on the lead guy and not walking in what HE wanted me to do in the city and that was to plant a gospel-centered, doctrinally sound church in the urban context. After a church split I was left without an option I knew God has called me and my wife and I began to pray seek the Lord and God gave me a vision to plant Vision Church.

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

It's funny I'm replanting a church I started, A29 has been instrumental in my growth because prior to finding out about you guys I had no idea of a core group, so my advice is probably mainly to those in the traditional African-American setting and I would say sit down and make sure you know the vision, values and mission and clearly communicate to your core group. Realize that your core group will be sinful like you so don't look for perfection but people who will acknowledge their brokenness and are teachable, I meet with my core bi-weekly and we always talk vision and mission so that this will become the DNA of our church. I'm walking several guys through Grudem's Systematic Theology and preparing them for leadership and our other pastor is leading our small group ministry.

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

The biggest challenge was realizing that I needed to replant it because I was the problem. In the assessment I was challenged to take more risk, I realized that I wanted people to be perfect even though I wasn't. There was a silent expectation in the atmosphere that you had to be a bible scholar to lead or serve and it was crippling my church plant, I publicly repented and gave people opportunities and our church is growing and people are stepping up like never before.

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

I listen to Dr Eric Mason a lot and while listening to him I found out about Acts 29. I went to the website and read about the theological stance and I applied. Since I've been on this journey I have grown as a son to God, husband to Crystal, Father to Jamari and Pastor to VIC. I have been rebuked more than ever and I love it, I have been praying for a network like this and thank God it exist.

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

Pray, Pray, Pray and talk to your wife if you're married and make sure she is dong it for God and not you. If you're not married get married first, LOL. Seriously if you're a single dude talk to some men that have a high regard in your life and let them honestly speak into your life, it's better to wait than to move too soon because people are affected by how we lead. Realize it's God' church and not your so when people leave rejoice and when people join rejoice. Don't believe all your hate mail or fan mail, but consider wait people say when and why they leave, it will be great for shaping you and reminding you that you're not as great as you think.

How do you pastor your family?

I organically pastor my family by loving God with all I have, as God reveals who I am in him, he shows me how love, listen, like and romance my through his gospel. I spend time with my wife and daughter in the word and family time is uninterrupted with phones and TV off so we can grow into the image of Christ.

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

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazarro

How can we pray for you?

Pray that I mature as a man of God and Husband and that teh gospel define me and not numbers, pray that the church I pastor matures and that we continue to seek God for identity, sustenance and provision.

Church Profile: Vision Church
Launch Date: February, 2008
Location: Raleigh, NC

Mission, Vision, Values of Church

Our Mission: Missionally engaging Southeast Raleigh and the world with gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Philosophy: You grow the church from the outside in, you change lives from the inside out
Our Motto: Looking up, Looking in and Looking out!
Our Aim: To Love God, to love others and to serve our city
Our Core Values: Christocentrism Missionality Evangelism

What is your philosophy of community in your church and what does that look like practically in your church? Of evangelism?

I believe community starts with the Trinity and should be reflected in life. Since God is a community within Himself he has created us to dwell and desire a community of faith known as the church. The way we flesh that our church to to push community, preach community and raise up leader through our small groups which we call Vision Groups. Evangelistically we plan events to remind our church that Christians by identity are missionaries and as a church community we should consistently engage our city with the gospel.

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

The fact that God showed me that we had a better plan that I did to build HIS church and he didn't just end it is his grace. Replanting a church you started bruises your ego and that's what I needed. We are slowly seeing more men join, fellowship has increase, we are growing numerically and there is an authentic enthusiasm about Christ and sharing the gospel.