When we were deciding to remodel our facility back in 2019, one of our main factor was that we wanted to be a resource church for other churches who are doing House Church Ministry. That vision unified us and moved us forward in one year expansion/remodel of our church campus. Church construction took place in 2021 and we have been enjoying our new facility very much.
I wanted to host the lay leader seminar in 2025 and I felt God was saying wait. As we have entered 2025, I confidently and prayerfully shared with many leaders at our church and God is giving us many “green lights” in this matter. I am excited that we are taking a huge step in becoming and growing to be a resource church.
One of huge reason for hosting this is that I think the west coast people will be more willing to come to a seminar in the west coast. It will be easier for them to drive (or fly). As we are located 3 hours north of L.A., the shepherds in L.A. will be able to drive to San Luis Obispo. Shepherds from northern California (S.F. bay area, Davis, Sac) will be able to come as well. This opportunity will help the shepherds to experience the house church ministry and further their growth as a shepherd.
Another reason is that New Life Fellowship in Houston is way further along than any other church so that people may feel so small that New Life Fellowship will not be able to serve as a good model for them to follow, but we are small and provide a good next step as we have been doing house church ministry little more than 10 years now. God has been faithful in growing us as we have baptized 8 people so far this year.
Last big reason is that this is a good step for us to take to practice sacrifice and giving our 5 loaves and 2 fish. As we commited to house church ministry and taking this huge step in hosting lay leader seminar, we are keeping our promises to become a resource church for other churches for house church ministry. I think this will grow us to next level and I am very excited to see how God will do that.
Please pray for us in this. We don’t have many people who have large houses who can provide housing. We need to be creative in this, but I know God will provide. Pray that people who wouldn’t fly to attend to drive here to attend to experience house church ministry and be impacted by establishing New Testament church in 21st century. Pray that every member of our church will serve well in every small matter in hosting. Pray that we will be blessed as the Word says, “it is more blessed to give than to receive”. Pray that we will become a bigger channel of blessing to the world.
I love our church and God loves our church.