Church Plant
More than 600,000 people live in the St. Louis Metro East. According to recent studies, more than 85 percent of these individuals do not have any relationship to any type of church. Church planting is about evangelism and discipleship and the need here is great. Study after study shows that new church plants are the most effective means available for reaching unchurched people. If we, as as followers of Jesus Christ, are to impact this area for His Kingdom, the planting of many new churches is key to reaching the over 500,000 unchurched here.
The Bethel Network exists for one reason: to facilitate the making of new disciples of Jesus through the planting of new churches. Local Southern Baptist churches have voluntarily banded together to accomplish what no one church could do on its own. Churches in the Network have covenanted with each other to share prayer, people and resources to enable new church plants to be successful.
Affiliating with the Network provides a number of resources and advantages:
- Teamwork: We believe it takes a team to plant a church. Network affiliated church planters work together in teams as they plant new churches.
- People: Churches affiliated with the Network covenant together to support new church plants with human resources, whether as short-term attendees or through short-term missions opportunities.
- Equipping: The Network is a part of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Great Commission Equipping Center program. Through this partnership, the Network offers accredited classes applicable to certificate, baccalaureate and Masters of Divinity level study.
- Financial Resources: The Network provides assessed and approved planters with a significant portion of their financial support.
- Accountability: The covenants of affiliation between the Network and its planters provides for mutual accountability: in our joint efforts to evangelize and disciple and in our personal lives as well.
- Mentoring: The pastors and leaders of the Network’s affiliate churches are there for our church planters with many years of practical life and ministry experience. No one serves alone.
Ready to take the next step toward planting a church?
Those individuals or groups of individuals called to plant new works and wishing to affiliate with the Bethel Network will need to consider meeting a set of criteria.
Interested individuals should also complete the Prospective Church Planter Application and Assessment Tool.
The relationship between the Network and a Church Plant is based on a covenant. This document will be signed by both parties and will inform all aspects of the relationship.
Church Affiliate
There are a number of ways your church can be a part of the Network. Churches of all sizes and capability are welcome to join with us as we intentionally go about the planting of new churches.
Ready to take the next step toward becoming an affiliate?
Those churches wishing to affiliate with the Bethel Network for the purposes of assisting in church planting, and taking advantage of the benefits of mutual assistance among the network churches, should consider a set of criteria.
The relationship between the Network and an Affiliate is based on a covenant. This document will be signed by both parties and will inform all aspects of the relationship.