ANKENY, Iowa—The GARBC has long been committed to supporting church planters. These people know that as communities grow, the need for churches also grows. But “church planting is not for the faint of heart,” John Greening, GARBC national representative, has said. Planting a church takes assistance—the right kind of assistance from those who share the same beliefs and aspirations.
That’s where Baptist Builders Club, a ministry of the GARBC, comes in. Speaking to church planters and their wives at a church-planting seminar, Michael Nolan, director of Baptist Builders Club, shared the value of being part of the GARBC. Fellowhipping with the GARBC gives church planters access to valuable resources through Baptist Builders Club.
Churches are planted, and sometimes they need help, Nolan says. And when one of those churches contacts Baptist Builders Club, rather than simply sending a check for financial assistance, the organization comes alongside with a three-year plan tailored to meet the church’s changing needs in its first three years. Nolan spent about two years interviewing church planters and mission agencies to come up with the innovative program.
In the first year, BBC–USA helps the church gain community support by canvassing the target area, facilitates the design of a website and brochures (and paying printing costs), and organizes “boot-camp training” to make sure the church planter is prepared for the church’s launch. The next year includes strategic planning and financial planning assistance, teacher training, and one year of Regular Baptist Press curriculum. In the third year, BBC–USA gives follow-up strategic planning and financial planning assistance, helps acquire furniture and equipment, and and equips volunteer teams. And, yes, each year comes with financial assistance, aimed at reducing the cost of advertising and rent, securing land, or purchasing a permanent building.
- See BBC–USA’s full list of assistance for church plants.
After a church’s official organization, Baptist Builders Club also funds registrations to the GARBC Annual Conference for the entire congregation. “We’re trying to connect the GARBC to them, and them to the GARBC,” Nolan says. “We desire to help them, support them, and pray for them.”
Nolan encourages church planters to think outside the box, encouraging them to make use of the vast network of contacts available through the GARBC and its publishing arm, Regular Baptist Press. One church plant, for example, was able to get materials printed at half the usual cost after Baptist Builders Club stepped in to help.
“We see church planting as a necessity,” Nolan says. “We’re not going to grow if we don’t plant churches.”
- Read the Baptist Bulletin‘s coverage of church planting.
