US Mennonite Brethren

What's next means thinking and planning for the future so that it doesn't just happen.  At Mission USA, we have a desire to see our existing church plants reproduce, beginning their own daughter churches quickly within the life of the church.

Specifically, here's what we believe God is calling us to do:(see notes for how these have panned out!)

Plant at least six new churches each year in the U.S.  Plus, we dream of planting six new MB churches every year for the next ten years.

The resources it takes to start a new church is significant.  But, with the limited resources available, we can plant several new churches and it's our goal to plant those churches in strategic locations.  We make these decisions in conjunction with district church planting boards/committees.  Often, we hear from church planters that they have been called to plant a church in a specific location.  That means a lot!  When God is at work in calling people, often He places a burden for a community on those He calls.  Mission USA wants to get behind those planters  and give them the help they need.  To join God where He's working.

• We plan to plant another new church in the Southern District Conference within the next year.

• MUSA would like to help plant a new church in the LAMB district, and begin moving toward that reality by the end of 2012.  - Note: Grulla MB Church (La Grulla, TX) is aggressively pursuing a multisite church plant with the partnership of Mission USA.

• We plan to initiate the process of planting an additional church in either the Central District Conference or the Pacific District Conference, whichever works out first.  These district church planting boards will meet soon to discuss possibilities.

• Be watching for unfolding details about a possible new plant in Portland, Ore.

We've also thought about planting in Wichita, central valley California, south Kansas City and elsewhere.  Those church plants are just in the dreaming phase right now, but it all begins with a vision - God's vision. - Note: There have been continuing discussions about some of these possibilities.  We need your prayers as discernment continues.

Encourage church plants and existing churches to reproduce, creating daughter churches:

In addition, we hope to continue planting more new churches in the vicinity of our current church plants to create clusters of churches that can serve the community together.  Currently, that would mean planting more churches in Denver, Sioux Falls, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Omaha and Portland.  Our new church planters are encouraged to plant another church within just a few years of the original plant.  Reproduction is a crucial aspect of a church plant movement.  We can reach more people that way.  Why not?

Recruit and train gifted individuals for church planting: 

In the MB world, if we are going to be successful at planting new churches and being highly aggressive in starting many more reproducing churches, then we must have highly qualified church planters for the work involved. Mission USA searches for qualified individuals who have the necessary gifts needed for successful planting. Along with the involvement of district representatives, this is an ongoing discernment process that requires diligent attention. 

Potential church planters are always assessed for church plant readiness by an independent church planter assessment agency. These three to four day assessments are crucial in determining next steps in the path of church planting. Currently, Mission USA and the districts are focusing on a few new church plant couples who may soon be ready to plant new MB churches.