At Westwood Baptist Church, Fresno, California, an M3 Conference helped churches get on a path of multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches.
The conference, led by Generate, is “more of a workshop than a conference, which is why it is so beneficial,” says Pastor Chips Ross.
People from eight churches attended, sitting at round tables to allow for discussion. “Over the course of the M3 Conference, we had multiple discussion times, plus lunch, a prayer walk, reflection moments, and a challenge to take out our phones and text one person to encourage him or her with what we see God doing in that person,” Chips says.
Clare Jewell, director of Generate, began the conference by pointing out that only about 7 percent of North American churches have planted another church. Yet God is a multiplying God. From the beginning, He commanded His creation to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Joining Clare in leading the conference was Thad Bergmeier of EveryEthnē, a ministry of ABWE.
Attendees’ first assignment was to assess where their churches are in ministry and consider where God wants them to go. A second assignment was to identify one step to reach unbelievers, make disciples who make disciples, and develop leaders. Attendees from each church had extensive time to discuss what they had learned and to identify two or three steps to get on a path of multiplication.
The conference closed in a prayer of dedication, asking that God would do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
“I highly and wholeheartedly recommend the M3 Conference to churches, pastors, and church leaders,” Chips says. “To maximize God’s working, church leaders can plan to attend together, looking at the M3 Conference as a Great Commission workshop.”
