Exponential Update

Exponential Church Planting Conference

This past week my mentor and team lead Joe Wilson and I met up with most of the New Thing Global Catalyst team in Orlando.  We also had several of the leaders we work with from Thailand, the Philippines, and Uganda in attendance.  It was a great opportunity for our team and our leaders to network, build relationships, and plan for the future.  In this picture Joe and I are are having dinner with leaders from Uganda and the Philippines.

Hero Maker!

Dave Ferguson is the president of Exponential and New Thing.  Taking New Ground partners with New Thing as part of the Global Catalyst Team.  Dave and Joe Wilson met up years ago at a European church planting conference and have worked together ever since.  The main theme at Exponential this year was Hero Maker, and Dave highlights Joe’s story of being a Hero Maker on page 150 of his new book.  At the conference I was asked to do a quick video interview on the theme.  I spoke about how Joe’s story, and his ministry impact in my life, led me to start Taking New Ground!

Developing Regional Strength: East Asia

The Global Catalyst team tends to focus on broader regions as well as individual countries. In East Asia we have been working in Thailand and the Philippines.  When we are in Thailand we invite key Philippine leaders to participate, and when we are in the Philippines we invite the Thais.  This cross pollination is helping these two teams to develop a shared passion and vision for reaching the broader East Asia region together!

Catalyst Community in Liberia

As the experience of our team members grows we are able to do more in more places.  Matt Millar is part of our New Thing Global Catalyst team.  Matt led the Uganda Catalyst Community earlier this year, and more recently, one in Liberia.  The Liberian conference had pastors from Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Guinea in attendance!  They were inspired and equipped to dream big!

Full Time with Taking New Ground!

I began working full time with Taking New Ground on March 1st.  Here are 3 ways you can come alongside us as we work to catalyze movements of reproducing churches in hard to reach parts of the world.

• Pray for my family.  On day 1 of my Dominican trip Kara had to take Maddie to the Emergency Room for an accident requiring 9 stitches.
• Pray for funding.  We are raising 100% of our financial support.  We are trusting God in a huge way as we follow this call.  Maybe He is calling you to help through funding?
• Pray for the continued favor of God.  Over the years this team has helped plant over 400 churches in about 17 countries.  God has used this team in astounding ways, pray He continues to do so!