Waxahachie, Texas – November 2015 – Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) hosted Church Multiplication Network’s (CMN) free #CMNSTART Event on October 27-29, 2015. The event highlighted the challenges and opportunities of planting new, healthy churches. Speakers included Jeff Leake, Scott Wilson, Earl Creps and Dary Northrop. Additionally, numerous church planters spoke in nearly 30 SAGU classes during the three-day event.
Dean for the College of Bible & Church Ministries Dr. Michael Clarensau added, “We look forward to the START event each year here at SAGU. It provides an opportunity for our students to connect with great leaders who know what it means to live by faith. And we believe that any student can join a church planting team, finding a place for their skills and unique gifts that promises significant kingdom impact.”
The Church Multiplication Network is dedicated to planting healthy, Spirit-empowered churches in every community in the United States. CMN’s role in accomplishing this goal is to effectively equip, fund, and network new faith communities.
CMN believes that every community deserves a healthy church, not just any church, but a church that has been adapted to the needs of the community and led by someone who is passionate about that community. CMN believes that God works through a variety of church models, whether in the city, the suburb, or the country, God still wants to work in the community.
Day 1: On Tuesday, October 27, Jeff Leake opened the event by speaking in the chapel service about the primary method God uses to change the world, which is the local church. Leake gave testimonials about churches that are reaching into the broken places and in turn see life go forward and the power of God released. He said, “There is nothing greater you can give your life to than to the life of a local church that is committed to changing the world.” Leake also spoke in SAGU professor Darren Daugherty’s Family Ministry class.
Leake is the lead Pastor at Allison Park Church in Allison Park, Pennsylvania . In 1996, God began calling him to reach the 350,000 people that live in the North Hills area. As the vision began to materialize, a plan was developed to plant 5 churches in 5 years in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh.
Leake now serves CMN by providing vision, direction and insight as the network moves forward in multiplication.
Day 2, Session 1: On Wednesday, October 28, Scott Wilson, long-time pastor of The Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak, Texas , spoke about beliefs and how they influence life. He used the first Christians in the book of Acts as an example to demonstrate how their strong beliefs led them to win over thousands of souls for Christ. Wilson advised and encouraged the student body to have that same strength in their beliefs and use it as a guide for their lives.
Wilson graduated from SAGU in 1992 with a bachelor’s in Church Ministries and a minor in Pastoral Ministries. He established several organizations that help fellow leaders enable themselves to become their full potential. Scott Wilson Consulting offers instruction for fellow pastors and church leaders; and partners with SAGU to provide the LEAD program as a part of the College of Bible and Church Ministries that specializes ministry training school within the College of Bible and Church Ministries at SAGU.
Wilson has authored several books including, ” Steering Through Chaos: Mapping a Clear Direction in the midst of transition and change ” and ” Clear the Stage: Making room for God .”
Follow Scott Wilson on Twitter.
Day 2, Session 2: At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, Earl Creps, Ph.D., spoke at the “Super Session.” Dr. Earl Creps is the pastor of the 360church in Berkeley, California , and a visiting professor of Leadership and Spiritual Renewal at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary . Dr. Creps is a specialist on missional Christianity, postmodernism, communication and leadership.
Dr. Creps served as the adult ministries consultant for The General Council of the Assemblies of God and has been a member of various General Council committees. He is the author of ” Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders ” and ” Reverse Mentoring .” He currently serves as the CMN Start Event Coordinator.
Folllow Dr. Creps on Twitter .
Day 3: On Thursday, October 29, Dary Northrop concluded the #CMNStart event by speaking over the topic of fear as a hindrance and how to overcome it. He shared how having fear in ministry can be a dream killer, using some of his own life experiences to demonstrate the fear others and himself had felt and how they overcame it through obedience to the spirit. He also spoke in SAGU professor Dr. Hayes’ Leadership in Ministry class and Dean of Bible and Church Ministries Dr. Clarensau’s Church Health and Revitalization class.
Northrop is the lead pastor of Timberline Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, since 1986. He communicates with an authentic, vulnerable style, being very transparent and real with people. He mixes humor and biblical truth that impacts people toward healthy changes. Northrop has a passion to help pastors lead their churches in making changes that are healthy and that will lead them to be able to impact their cities. He has a love for unchurched people and has become very involved in the community in which he lives, taking an active role in service organizations
Experience each session free on SAGU.tv !
Click here to Learn More about CMN.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) 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 60 associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
