The words of Jesus still ring through history: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). For many churches, this verse is foundational, but how it’s lived out often varies. Some see missions as sending money. Others focus on programs, outreach events, or short-term trips. But throughout Scripture and church history, one truth remains clear:
Church planting is not an optional ministry. It’s the biblical pattern for fulfilling the Great Commission.
The Local Church is God’s Plan A
At EveryEthne, we are committed to seeing every people group in North America reached with the gospel. But how does that happen? Not through disconnected efforts or isolated evangelism. It happens through the establishment of healthy, reproducing local churches. It is through churches that proclaim the gospel, disciple believers, and send others to do the same.
We don’t plant churches. We help churches plant churches. Why? Because God has entrusted the mission of multiplication not to parachurch ministries or solo missionaries, but to His Church, the bride of Christ, the household of God (1 Timothy 3:15).
When churches multiply, mission multiplies. When churches plant churches, the gospel advances.
A Biblical Mandate, Not a Ministry Preference
Too often, church planting is seen as something for trendy church startups or fast-growing urban ministries. But it’s not a trendy ministry niche. It’s a mandate.
Paul’s missionary journeys were, in many ways, church planting expeditions. In Acts, we see a relentless pattern: preach the gospel, make disciples, form a church, raise up leaders, and move on to the next place. Paul didn’t just evangelize; he left local churches behind as outposts of gospel ministry. For him, church planting wasn’t a ministry style. It was the fulfillment of Jesus’ command.
The early church understood this: discipleship and church planting were inseparable. We should recover that conviction today.
Why It Still Matters Today
In North America, we face a unique challenge. Cultural Christianity is fading. Urban centers are filled with people who have never heard the true gospel. Immigrant and refugee communities are growing. And many rural towns are home to aging, shrinking, or closing churches.
In this environment, we don’t need more church programming. We need new churches:
- Churches planted near immigrant communities with gospel witnesses who speak their language and understand their culture.
- Churches in college towns that disciple the next generation of leaders.
- Churches in rural areas that bring gospel vitality back to spiritually dry places.
- Churches that reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods they serve.
We are not called to manage decline. We are called to multiply.
Every Church Can Multiply
Church planting isn’t just for “big” churches or trendy networks. Every church can play a role:
- Sending churches can raise up planters from within and support them with prayer, finances, and teams.
- Partnering churches can offer their experience, resources, and facilities to help new churches get started.
- Supporting churches can generously give to help new churches be established.
- Planting churches can step out in faith to reach a specific community or people group with the gospel.
At EveryEthne, our mission is to help churches take these steps. We come alongside local congregations with training, coaching, strategy, and vision to help them discern their unique calling and become a multiplying church.
We don’t replace the church. We desire to activate you.
You Can Do It
If we believe the gospel is the hope of the world, then we must also believe that planting gospel-preaching churches is essential to that hope. It’s for you. It’s for every community. Every neighborhood. EveryEthne.
The Great Commission wasn’t a suggestion. And the pattern we see in Scripture isn’t optional.
So, here’s the challenge: What is your church doing to multiply?
- If your church has never considered planting, we invite you to start the conversation.
- If you’re a pastor wondering how to begin, we are here to help.
- If you’re a layperson with a burden for your community, bring it to your leaders.
Let’s not treat church planting like a niche ministry. Let’s treat it like what it is: the natural outflow of disciple-making obedience.
At EveryEthne, we believe in the local church. We believe in your church!
