Waxahachie, Texas – March 22, 2017 – Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) recently hosted the Church Multiplication Network’s (CMN) Start conference.
The conference focused on Assemblies of God church planting throughout the United States and overseas. The event also provided an opportunity for students to learn how they can participate in church planting regardless of their chosen career path.
“There was a really good response,” says Dr. Mike Clarensau, Dean of Bible and Church Ministries. “A good number of students responded to the events and there was strong interaction with the church planters. There were probably over 100 students that were engaged in the opportunities to connect with church planters.”
The event kicked off with a free coffee hour at Einstein Bros. Bagels on campus on Tuesday, March 7. Students were able to sit down with special guests and church planters one-on-one. On Wednesday, CMN hosted a meet-the-planters session. This provided an opportunity to schedule time to talk with the CMN team and church planters on campus to discuss church planting and upcoming opportunities to get involved in even after graduation.
Special chapel speakers during the conference included:
- John Davidson, Discovery and Development Director for CMN
- Adelita Garza, Lead Pastor of Puente de Vida Church in Santa Paula, California
- Jeremiah Feicht, SAGU alumnus & church planter in Jackson, Wyoming
Also, area church planters such as Pastor Jason Exley (Midlothian), Truston Baba (Mansfield) and Preston Ulmer, who recently planted Doubters Church in Denver, were also a part of the event.
CMN has been reaching out to Assemblies of God universities to promote church planting for a number of years including SAGU. SAGU has a number of graduates that have gone on to be successful church planters and is more than happy to continue to promote the importance of church planting and its vital role in ministry.
In response to what he is most excited about regarding this event for the future, Dr. Clarensau says, “elevating the awareness of church planting opportunities. Also, helping students connect with national leaders and the opportunities for them (students) to be a part of a church planting team. I am looking forward to this event again next year.”
The event was also a great way to promote SAGU’s own student-led church planting ministry called “Rooted.” This ministry equips and disciples students who are interested in church planting. It connects them with resources, speakers and churches to further their involvement and knowledge.
To learn more about CMN, click here .
About SAGU:
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
