Breaking Church Growth Barriers | Andrew Hopper

[Music] [Music] we're not going to do this thing where we're not going to do this thing where we're not going to do this thing where we divorce growing and going you know um we divorce growing and going you know um we divorce growing and going you know um that's what we want to do want to talk that's what we want to do want to talk that's what we want to do want to talk about growing we don't want to talk about growing we don't want to talk about growing we don't want to talk about or we want to talk about going we about or we want to talk about going we about or we want to talk about going we don't want to talk about growing and we don't want to talk about growing and we don't want to talk about growing and we had just become convinced like man had just become convinced like man had just become convinced like man churches can grow without going that's I churches can grow without going that's I churches can grow without going that's I mean that happens all the time but you mean that happens all the time but you mean that happens all the time but you cannot go without growing if you're cannot go without growing if you're cannot go without growing if you're going to be an if you're going to be a going to be an if you're going to be a going to be an if you're going to be a church that has any type of Rhythm to church that has any type of Rhythm to church that has any type of Rhythm to your actual sending whether that's once your actual sending whether that's once your actual sending whether that's once every year once every 5 years whatever every year once every 5 years whatever every year once every 5 years whatever it is there's you know there's an it is there's you know there's an it is there's you know there's an assumption there that the Harvest like assumption there that the Harvest like assumption there that the Harvest like there's something being replenished there's something being replenished there's something being replenished you're listening to episode 161 of the you're listening to episode 161 of the you're listening to episode 161 of the missional marketing podcast my name is missional marketing podcast my name is missional marketing podcast my name is Bart Blair thanks for tuning in to this Bart Blair thanks for tuning in to this Bart Blair thanks for tuning in to this week's episode if you happen to be new week's episode if you happen to be new week's episode if you happen to be new to the show checking it out for the to the show checking it out for the to the show checking it out for the first time thanks for doing so uh if you first time thanks for doing so uh if you first time thanks for doing so uh if you get all the way to the end of this get all the way to the end of this get all the way to the end of this episode and you found it to be helpful episode and you found it to be helpful episode and you found it to be helpful I'd love for you to do two things one I'd love for you to do two things one I'd love for you to do two things one please share this episode with a friend please share this episode with a friend please share this episode with a friend someone that you know who you think someone that you know who you think someone that you know who you think might benefit from it and please might benefit from it and please might benefit from it and please subscribe wherever you listen to your subscribe wherever you listen to your subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts so that you don't miss favorite podcasts so that you don't miss favorite podcasts so that you don't miss any future episodes we've been producing any future episodes we've been producing any future episodes we've been producing this podcast since 2020 with the goal of this podcast since 2020 with the goal of this podcast since 2020 with the goal of helping churches grow by leveraging helping churches grow by leveraging helping churches grow by leveraging digital marketing and effective digital marketing and effective digital marketing and effective Communications and while 95% of the time Communications and while 95% of the time Communications and while 95% of the time on this podcast our conversations are on this podcast our conversations are on this podcast our conversations are centered around marketing and centered around marketing and centered around marketing and Communications in the local church today Communications in the local church today Communications in the local church today our conversation is focused on Church our conversation is focused on Church our conversation is focused on Church growth less so about marketing and growth less so about marketing and growth less so about marketing and Communications and more so about Mission Communications and more so about Mission Communications and more so about Mission and culture Our Guest today is Pastor and culture Our Guest today is Pastor and culture Our Guest today is Pastor Andrew Hopper who is the founding and Andrew Hopper who is the founding and Andrew Hopper who is the founding and Lead pastor at Mercy Hill Church in Lead pastor at Mercy Hill Church in Lead pastor at Mercy Hill Church in North Carolina it's a church that I've North Carolina it's a church that I've North Carolina it's a church that I've absolutely loved track in with the last absolutely loved track in with the last absolutely loved track in with the last few years as God has just been doing few years as God has just been doing few years as God has just been doing some great things in and through their some great things in and through their some great things in and through their Ministry and you're going to hear today

Ministry and you're going to hear today Ministry and you're going to hear today the story of how Mercy Hill got planted the story of how Mercy Hill got planted the story of how Mercy Hill got planted and what God has been doing over the and what God has been doing over the and what God has been doing over the course of the last Dozen Years but more course of the last Dozen Years but more course of the last Dozen Years but more so you're going to hear uh how Pastor so you're going to hear uh how Pastor so you're going to hear uh how Pastor Andrew and his team at Mercy Hill are Andrew and his team at Mercy Hill are Andrew and his team at Mercy Hill are now making some efforts to walk now making some efforts to walk now making some efforts to walk alongside other churches to learn some alongside other churches to learn some alongside other churches to learn some of the lessons they've learned along the of the lessons they've learned along the of the lessons they've learned along the way and help those churches make maximum way and help those churches make maximum way and help those churches make maximum Kingdom impact where God has called them Kingdom impact where God has called them Kingdom impact where God has called them to do so I really really enjoyed getting to do so I really really enjoyed getting to do so I really really enjoyed getting to know pastor Andrew it was a great to know pastor Andrew it was a great to know pastor Andrew it was a great conversation for me if you are a regular conversation for me if you are a regular conversation for me if you are a regular listener of our show you will notice listener of our show you will notice listener of our show you will notice that Mr Hamrock Jason Hamrock our CEO that Mr Hamrock Jason Hamrock our CEO that Mr Hamrock Jason Hamrock our CEO who does co-host this podcast with me who does co-host this podcast with me who does co-host this podcast with me was not able to be on this particular was not able to be on this particular was not able to be on this particular episode sorry Jason you're lost he was episode sorry Jason you're lost he was episode sorry Jason you're lost he was traveling this week uh doing some traveling this week uh doing some traveling this week uh doing some on-site work with some Churches and he on-site work with some Churches and he on-site work with some Churches and he missed out on this conversation but missed out on this conversation but missed out on this conversation but maybe just maybe he's listening after maybe just maybe he's listening after maybe just maybe he's listening after the fact I don't know I know you're all the fact I don't know I know you're all the fact I don't know I know you're all going to miss hearing Jason's voice but going to miss hearing Jason's voice but going to miss hearing Jason's voice but I think it's very much made up for with I think it's very much made up for with I think it's very much made up for with Pastor Andrew and the cont that he Pastor Andrew and the cont that he Pastor Andrew and the cont that he shared with us uh please make sure that shared with us uh please make sure that shared with us uh please make sure that you check out the show notes uh after you check out the show notes uh after you check out the show notes uh after you've listened to this episode so that you've listened to this episode so that you've listened to this episode so that you can get the links uh to his podcast you can get the links uh to his podcast you can get the links uh to his podcast and the other resources that he mentions and the other resources that he mentions and the other resources that he mentions in this podcast episode and uh without in this podcast episode and uh without in this podcast episode and uh without any further Ado uh let's Tee It Up any further Ado uh let's Tee It Up any further Ado uh let's Tee It Up here's my recent conversation with here's my recent conversation with here's my recent conversation with Pastor Andrew Hopper from Mercy Hill Pastor Andrew Hopper from Mercy Hill Pastor Andrew Hopper from Mercy Hill Church well Pastor Andrew Hopper thanks Church well Pastor Andrew Hopper thanks Church well Pastor Andrew Hopper thanks so much for joining me today on the so much for joining me today on the so much for joining me today on the missional marketing podcast yeah man missional marketing podcast yeah man missional marketing podcast yeah man glad to be here uh I have uh been I I'll glad to be here uh I have uh been I I'll glad to be here uh I have uh been I I'll just say I've been a little bit of a just say I've been a little bit of a just say I've been a little bit of a fanboy of you your church uh for the fanboy of you your church uh for the fanboy of you your church uh for the last few years as I've had an last few years as I've had an last few years as I've had an opportunity to kind of get to know Mercy opportunity to kind of get to know Mercy opportunity to kind of get to know Mercy Hill uh a number of the people on your

Hill uh a number of the people on your Hill uh a number of the people on your staff uh full disclosure this is the staff uh full disclosure this is the staff uh full disclosure this is the first time you and I have ever had a first time you and I have ever had a first time you and I have ever had a chance to meet although I've I've I've chance to meet although I've I've I've chance to meet although I've I've I've been kind of following you online for been kind of following you online for been kind of following you online for the last few years um I'm really excited the last few years um I'm really excited the last few years um I'm really excited to kind of dig into your own story today to kind of dig into your own story today to kind of dig into your own story today a little bit church planting Journey uh a little bit church planting Journey uh a little bit church planting Journey uh the Journey of Mercy Hill over the the Journey of Mercy Hill over the the Journey of Mercy Hill over the course of the last uh season and also to course of the last uh season and also to course of the last uh season and also to uh to talk about uh some St that you are uh to talk about uh some St that you are uh to talk about uh some St that you are offering now to other churches to just offering now to other churches to just offering now to other churches to just kind of help them get healthier grow uh kind of help them get healthier grow uh kind of help them get healthier grow uh and just take take take more back for and just take take take more back for and just take take take more back for God's kingdom I know that that's your God's kingdom I know that that's your God's kingdom I know that that's your heart and uh so I'm excited to have that heart and uh so I'm excited to have that heart and uh so I'm excited to have that conversation with you today um for our conversation with you today um for our conversation with you today um for our audience that maybe well they probably audience that maybe well they probably audience that maybe well they probably don't know much about you personally why don't know much about you personally why don't know much about you personally why don't we start with just a little bit of don't we start with just a little bit of don't we start with just a little bit of your personal story share a little bit your personal story share a little bit your personal story share a little bit about how you got called into Ministry about how you got called into Ministry about how you got called into Ministry and a little bit of your uh background and a little bit of your uh background and a little bit of your uh background before coming into uh the the season at before coming into uh the the season at before coming into uh the the season at Mercy Hill that you're in yeah well man Mercy Hill that you're in yeah well man Mercy Hill that you're in yeah well man I I certainly am appreciative of being I I certainly am appreciative of being I I certainly am appreciative of being here and um man we've been we've been here and um man we've been we've been here and um man we've been we've been big fans of y'alls y'all have helped us big fans of y'alls y'all have helped us big fans of y'alls y'all have helped us a ton over the last couple years so uh a ton over the last couple years so uh a ton over the last couple years so uh yeah we um I grew up in a small but yeah we um I grew up in a small but yeah we um I grew up in a small but strong Southern Baptist Church and what strong Southern Baptist Church and what strong Southern Baptist Church and what at that time was kind of a rural part of at that time was kind of a rural part of at that time was kind of a rural part of North Florida um it's not now North Florida um it's not now North Florida um it's not now Jacksonville has just totally taken over Jacksonville has just totally taken over Jacksonville has just totally taken over everywhere but um it was uh it was a everywhere but um it was uh it was a everywhere but um it was uh it was a good church man we learned you know good church man we learned you know good church man we learned you know Bible and missions and just the whole Bible and missions and just the whole Bible and missions and just the whole the whole deal very normative kind of the whole deal very normative kind of the whole deal very normative kind of upbringing with the southern baptist um upbringing with the southern baptist um upbringing with the southern baptist um and in high school school I really and in high school school I really and in high school school I really started feeling the call to Ministry started feeling the call to Ministry started feeling the call to Ministry kind of had the old school call um in uh kind of had the old school call um in uh kind of had the old school call um in uh at a mission trip actually in Montana at a mission trip actually in Montana at a mission trip actually in Montana when I was 16 years old and kind of set

when I was 16 years old and kind of set when I was 16 years old and kind of set me on a trajectory I didn't know if I me on a trajectory I didn't know if I me on a trajectory I didn't know if I wanted to do that full-time um like you wanted to do that full-time um like you wanted to do that full-time um like you I thought maybe I may I may do some kind I thought maybe I may I may do some kind I thought maybe I may I may do some kind of job and then also do ministry you of job and then also do ministry you of job and then also do ministry you know um but I uh that the Lord just kind know um but I uh that the Lord just kind know um but I uh that the Lord just kind of shaped that through college and I of shaped that through college and I of shaped that through college and I just kept preaching and kept having just kept preaching and kept having just kept preaching and kept having opportunities I led worship some and um opportunities I led worship some and um opportunities I led worship some and um and preaching kind of became my my real and preaching kind of became my my real and preaching kind of became my my real heart and so yeah we got me and my wife heart and so yeah we got me and my wife heart and so yeah we got me and my wife got married I played football at college got married I played football at college got married I played football at college so that's how I got to North Greenville so that's how I got to North Greenville so that's how I got to North Greenville College I went there and then uh we got College I went there and then uh we got College I went there and then uh we got married and um you know we ended up at married and um you know we ended up at married and um you know we ended up at The Summit Church in Raleigh Durham The Summit Church in Raleigh Durham The Summit Church in Raleigh Durham which I didn't know a lot about it I which I didn't know a lot about it I which I didn't know a lot about it I mean the largest church I had ever been mean the largest church I had ever been mean the largest church I had ever been a part of was probably less than 200 and a part of was probably less than 200 and a part of was probably less than 200 and so then we walk into this monster that so then we walk into this monster that so then we walk into this monster that was a couple thousand and uh just was a couple thousand and uh just was a couple thousand and uh just thought man how do you ever connect to a thought man how do you ever connect to a thought man how do you ever connect to a place like this but realized pretty fast place like this but realized pretty fast place like this but realized pretty fast like it's it's um man if you serve and like it's it's um man if you serve and like it's it's um man if you serve and get in a group and I mean just it get in a group and I mean just it get in a group and I mean just it doesn't really matter how big the church doesn't really matter how big the church doesn't really matter how big the church is it just gets really small really fast is it just gets really small really fast is it just gets really small really fast if you throw yourself in and so I was if you throw yourself in and so I was if you throw yourself in and so I was really blessed to be there for 5 years I really blessed to be there for 5 years I really blessed to be there for 5 years I end up doing a bunch of different staff end up doing a bunch of different staff end up doing a bunch of different staff roles there and uh they began to talk roles there and uh they began to talk roles there and uh they began to talk about church planning with me pretty about church planning with me pretty about church planning with me pretty early on which they didn't know but I early on which they didn't know but I early on which they didn't know but I had been involved with some Church Plant had been involved with some Church Plant had been involved with some Church Plant stuff when I was a student Pastor in stuff when I was a student Pastor in stuff when I was a student Pastor in college and I was like man I know I college and I was like man I know I college and I was like man I know I don't want to do that um it just was it don't want to do that um it just was it don't want to do that um it just was it felt hard it just wasn't I was very felt hard it just wasn't I was very felt hard it just wasn't I was very mature at that I mean you know 24 25 mature at that I mean you know 24 25 mature at that I mean you know 24 25 years old they're talking about this years old they're talking about this years old they're talking about this stuff stuff stuff in my head I was like no I'm going to go in my head I was like no I'm going to go in my head I was like no I'm going to go be a pastor of a real church not a not a be a pastor of a real church not a not a be a pastor of a real church not a not a church plant you know that meets in a church plant you know that meets in a church plant you know that meets in a park or whatever but obviously God park or whatever but obviously God park or whatever but obviously God matured me in that and five years later

matured me in that and five years later matured me in that and five years later we were willing to leverage every single we were willing to leverage every single we were willing to leverage every single thing in our life every relationship thing in our life every relationship thing in our life every relationship leave a job that we loved um ask people leave a job that we loved um ask people leave a job that we loved um ask people to come with us and all that and we to come with us and all that and we to come with us and all that and we landed and planted Mercy Hill in landed and planted Mercy Hill in landed and planted Mercy Hill in 2012 okay so uh 2012 what what were the 2012 okay so uh 2012 what what were the 2012 okay so uh 2012 what what were the early days of Mercy Hill look like what early days of Mercy Hill look like what early days of Mercy Hill look like what it and and let's talk about it and and let's talk about it and and let's talk about geographically where did you Mercy hell geographically where did you Mercy hell geographically where did you Mercy hell and you know what what was sort of the and you know what what was sort of the and you know what what was sort of the uh the initial stages of that church uh the initial stages of that church uh the initial stages of that church plan what did that look like yeah so we plan what did that look like yeah so we plan what did that look like yeah so we so the summit you know they were wanting so the summit you know they were wanting so the summit you know they were wanting to plant they you know they have a big to plant they you know they have a big to plant they you know they have a big vision of planting churches and um The vision of planting churches and um The vision of planting churches and um The Summit Church in Raleigh Durham Pastor Summit Church in Raleigh Durham Pastor Summit Church in Raleigh Durham Pastor jie Greer is kind of my mentor SL you jie Greer is kind of my mentor SL you jie Greer is kind of my mentor SL you know kind of older brother in Ministry know kind of older brother in Ministry know kind of older brother in Ministry very good friend of mine um not you know very good friend of mine um not you know very good friend of mine um not you know not old enough to be a dad but maybe a not old enough to be a dad but maybe a not old enough to be a dad but maybe a little older than an older brother so little older than an older brother so little older than an older brother so he's kind of Uncle maybe to me a little he's kind of Uncle maybe to me a little he's kind of Uncle maybe to me a little bit but um he uh you know they wanted to bit but um he uh you know they wanted to bit but um he uh you know they wanted to plant churches and and they started plant churches and and they started plant churches and and they started talking to me about it and um the the talking to me about it and um the the talking to me about it and um the the thing was man you probably remember this thing was man you probably remember this thing was man you probably remember this I mean in 20091 it was it was a29 and I mean in 20091 it was it was a29 and I mean in 20091 it was it was a29 and Keller and go to the city and all this Keller and go to the city and all this Keller and go to the city and all this stuff and um I mean back then it was stuff and um I mean back then it was stuff and um I mean back then it was like if you ain't going to San Francisco like if you ain't going to San Francisco like if you ain't going to San Francisco don't even worry about it you know if don't even worry about it you know if don't even worry about it you know if you're if you're not going to Boston you're if you're not going to Boston you're if you're not going to Boston don't even and I just that's just not don't even and I just that's just not don't even and I just that's just not who I am man I grew up on a dirt road in who I am man I grew up on a dirt road in who I am man I grew up on a dirt road in North Florida my wife is from North Florida my wife is from North Florida my wife is from powersville South Carolina um I mean we powersville South Carolina um I mean we powersville South Carolina um I mean we live on a little farm here produce a lot live on a little farm here produce a lot live on a little farm here produce a lot of our own food now I mean that's who we of our own food now I mean that's who we of our own food now I mean that's who we are like in our heart and I was like are like in our heart and I was like are like in our heart and I was like dude if an angel tells me to go to like dude if an angel tells me to go to like dude if an angel tells me to go to like La I'll go but I mean I don't want to La I'll go but I mean I don't want to La I'll go but I mean I don't want to and and I had a lot of um yeah I felt a

and and I had a lot of um yeah I felt a and and I had a lot of um yeah I felt a little like and you know almost like little like and you know almost like little like and you know almost like guilty about that but they they were guilty about that but they they were guilty about that but they they were really cool about saying hey man just really cool about saying hey man just really cool about saying hey man just why don't you look in North Carolina and why don't you look in North Carolina and why don't you look in North Carolina and see if there's a good spot that you feel see if there's a good spot that you feel see if there's a good spot that you feel like you can land we read a good book um like you can land we read a good book um like you can land we read a good book um called Church in the making by Ben arm called Church in the making by Ben arm called Church in the making by Ben arm met um it's it wasn't I mean I didn't go met um it's it wasn't I mean I didn't go met um it's it wasn't I mean I didn't go back to my hometown but kind of the idea back to my hometown but kind of the idea back to my hometown but kind of the idea was was was can you know go somewhere where you feel can you know go somewhere where you feel can you know go somewhere where you feel like you can actually Thrive as a family like you can actually Thrive as a family like you can actually Thrive as a family and all that and so that you know and all that and so that you know and all that and so that you know Raleigh Durham's probably an hour and a Raleigh Durham's probably an hour and a Raleigh Durham's probably an hour and a half away I'm not from North Carolina my half away I'm not from North Carolina my half away I'm not from North Carolina my wife isn't but we um you know we felt wife isn't but we um you know we felt wife isn't but we um you know we felt like the culture here was close enough like the culture here was close enough like the culture here was close enough to home that we felt like we could be to home that we felt like we could be to home that we felt like we could be successful and so yeah we packed it up successful and so yeah we packed it up successful and so yeah we packed it up and moved about an hour and a half down and moved about an hour and a half down and moved about an hour and a half down the road um to Greensboro North Carolina the road um to Greensboro North Carolina the road um to Greensboro North Carolina so if you're looking at North Carolina so if you're looking at North Carolina so if you're looking at North Carolina we're dead middle of the state north I we're dead middle of the state north I we're dead middle of the state north I Pro I probably live right now 30 minutes Pro I probably live right now 30 minutes Pro I probably live right now 30 minutes from the Virginia border um and so yeah from the Virginia border um and so yeah from the Virginia border um and so yeah so we we we moved here I was 28 years so we we we moved here I was 28 years so we we we moved here I was 28 years old when we moved in 2012 so we were old when we moved in 2012 so we were old when we moved in 2012 so we were pretty young uh we had 30 people that pretty young uh we had 30 people that pretty young uh we had 30 people that moved with us um and that was really moved with us um and that was really moved with us um and that was really cool Mo you know about a third of them cool Mo you know about a third of them cool Mo you know about a third of them were college students most of them were were college students most of them were were college students most of them were young Pros I would say me and my wife young Pros I would say me and my wife young Pros I would say me and my wife were the most seasoned people in terms were the most seasoned people in terms were the most seasoned people in terms of just life like we had both worked of just life like we had both worked of just life like we had both worked full-time for years we had you know we full-time for years we had you know we full-time for years we had you know we had two kids they were very young two had two kids they were very young two had two kids they were very young two and one um so we were a very young team and one um so we were a very young team and one um so we were a very young team and sometimes I look back I'm like dang and sometimes I look back I'm like dang and sometimes I look back I'm like dang that was a lot at 28 but you don't you that was a lot at 28 but you don't you that was a lot at 28 but you don't you know you're just dude you're so know you're just dude you're so know you're just dude you're so passionate and ready to go and so we passionate and ready to go and so we passionate and ready to go and so we landed man and uh we we we landed landed man and uh we we we landed landed man and uh we we we landed started doing kind of the deal at my started doing kind of the deal at my started doing kind of the deal at my house the summer of

house the summer of house the summer of 2012 and then we moved to a park at 2012 and then we moved to a park at 2012 and then we moved to a park at night we didn't really have any money so night we didn't really have any money so night we didn't really have any money so we started meeting at a park park we started meeting at a park park we started meeting at a park park clubhouse at night and U the Lord just clubhouse at night and U the Lord just clubhouse at night and U the Lord just started to grow our church we launched started to grow our church we launched started to grow our church we launched that September in 2012 and we probably that September in 2012 and we probably that September in 2012 and we probably had 250 people come to our launch we had had 250 people come to our launch we had had 250 people come to our launch we had really gotten after it and we had really gotten after it and we had really gotten after it and we had invited everybody that we could in the invited everybody that we could in the invited everybody that we could in the whole city and you know how church plans whole city and you know how church plans whole city and you know how church plans go you launch big and then you kind of go you launch big and then you kind of go you launch big and then you kind of decline for the next like three months decline for the next like three months decline for the next like three months straight every single week it's very straight every single week it's very straight every single week it's very depressing um so that happened to us so depressing um so that happened to us so depressing um so that happened to us so we um you know we probably bottomed out we um you know we probably bottomed out we um you know we probably bottomed out maybe running 100 150 or something like maybe running 100 150 or something like maybe running 100 150 or something like that maybe in October November of 2012 that maybe in October November of 2012 that maybe in October November of 2012 and then honestly man this is It's I and then honestly man this is It's I and then honestly man this is It's I know it doesn't sound uh the most know it doesn't sound uh the most know it doesn't sound uh the most exciting but because there's not like exciting but because there's not like exciting but because there's not like some big moment but it just feels like some big moment but it just feels like some big moment but it just feels like for the last 11 years we've just kind of for the last 11 years we've just kind of for the last 11 years we've just kind of grown month by month by month by month grown month by month by month by month grown month by month by month by month um you know Co we got cut in half like um you know Co we got cut in half like um you know Co we got cut in half like everybody but we're back from that and everybody but we're back from that and everybody but we're back from that and and you know beyond where we were and so and you know beyond where we were and so and you know beyond where we were and so um the Lord's just added added to our um the Lord's just added added to our um the Lord's just added added to our number but yeah early on it was it was number but yeah early on it was it was number but yeah early on it was it was boot it was bootstrap you boot it was bootstrap you boot it was bootstrap you know I was driving the trailer you know know I was driving the trailer you know know I was driving the trailer you know with all the stuff in it I was the only with all the stuff in it I was the only with all the stuff in it I was the only one that had a truck and we I mean you one that had a truck and we I mean you one that had a truck and we I mean you know I've got all the origin stories you know I've got all the origin stories you know I've got all the origin stories you can think of uh when it comes to church can think of uh when it comes to church can think of uh when it comes to church plant starts with nothing so yeah so a plant starts with nothing so yeah so a plant starts with nothing so yeah so a dozen years ago a few dozen people dozen years ago a few dozen people dozen years ago a few dozen people meeting in a park uh to to a very meeting in a park uh to to a very meeting in a park uh to to a very different footprint uh regionally today different footprint uh regionally today different footprint uh regionally today uh tell us a little bit about what Mercy uh tell us a little bit about what Mercy uh tell us a little bit about what Mercy Hill looks like in Hill looks like in Hill looks like in 2024 yeah so um man God is just really

2024 yeah so um man God is just really 2024 yeah so um man God is just really blessed you know we um we grew pretty blessed you know we um we grew pretty blessed you know we um we grew pretty fast uh we broke a thousand attendants fast uh we broke a thousand attendants fast uh we broke a thousand attendants on our second birthday um that was a big on our second birthday um that was a big on our second birthday um that was a big milestone for us we went multide on our milestone for us we went multide on our milestone for us we went multide on our third or fourth birthday um now we're third or fourth birthday um now we're third or fourth birthday um now we're probably I think we have we meet in five probably I think we have we meet in five probably I think we have we meet in five campus five location six campuses campus five location six campuses campus five location six campuses because one of them is is a espanol because one of them is is a espanol because one of them is is a espanol campus they meet together with our campus they meet together with our campus they meet together with our Clifton Road campus so uh five locations Clifton Road campus so uh five locations Clifton Road campus so uh five locations though um six though um six though um six campuses uh man we probably in a summer campuses uh man we probably in a summer campuses uh man we probably in a summer like this we'll probably run about 3,000 like this we'll probably run about 3,000 like this we'll probably run about 3,000 on the weekends maybe a little north of on the weekends maybe a little north of on the weekends maybe a little north of that um and we've just seen a lot of that um and we've just seen a lot of that um and we've just seen a lot of evangelism a lot of Evangelistic fruit evangelism a lot of Evangelistic fruit evangelism a lot of Evangelistic fruit um we've probably seen close to 2,000 um we've probably seen close to 2,000 um we've probably seen close to 2,000 baptisms in the last 12 years so a lot baptisms in the last 12 years so a lot baptisms in the last 12 years so a lot of it is really from the Harvest and a of it is really from the Harvest and a of it is really from the Harvest and a lot of it it's from people you know they lot of it it's from people you know they lot of it it's from people you know they grew up religious but they're finding grew up religious but they're finding grew up religious but they're finding the gospel now and and that kind of the gospel now and and that kind of the gospel now and and that kind of thing so the biggest thing that we get thing so the biggest thing that we get thing so the biggest thing that we get excited about is um you know we're very excited about is um you know we're very excited about is um you know we're very sending oriented church so um in 2019 we sending oriented church so um in 2019 we sending oriented church so um in 2019 we we partnered with church plants our we partnered with church plants our we partnered with church plants our entire Ministry I mean literally our entire Ministry I mean literally our entire Ministry I mean literally our first three months on the ground you first three months on the ground you first three months on the ground you know we had partnered and we were giving know we had partnered and we were giving know we had partnered and we were giving money and going on mission trips and money and going on mission trips and money and going on mission trips and stuff but um in 2019 we made a real stuff but um in 2019 we made a real stuff but um in 2019 we made a real switch and we said man we're moving from switch and we said man we're moving from switch and we said man we're moving from partnering with church plants to partnering with church plants to partnering with church plants to parenting say Church plants and it's a parenting say Church plants and it's a parenting say Church plants and it's a big difference you know for us when we big difference you know for us when we big difference you know for us when we say we planted a church we don't mean we say we planted a church we don't mean we say we planted a church we don't mean we gave money or went on a mission trip um gave money or went on a mission trip um gave money or went on a mission trip um you know we're like dude they were you know we're like dude they were you know we're like dude they were birthed from within and that takes years birthed from within and that takes years birthed from within and that takes years of getting people ready and and that

of getting people ready and and that of getting people ready and and that kind of thing and so since 2019 we've kind of thing and so since 2019 we've kind of thing and so since 2019 we've planted five churches from within um planted five churches from within um planted five churches from within um Halifax Nova Scotia Northfolk Virginia Halifax Nova Scotia Northfolk Virginia Halifax Nova Scotia Northfolk Virginia Ron Oak Virginia Waynesville North Ron Oak Virginia Waynesville North Ron Oak Virginia Waynesville North Carolina um and Tampa Florida and um Carolina um and Tampa Florida and um Carolina um and Tampa Florida and um we're about to PL another one in we're about to PL another one in we're about to PL another one in Greensboro which is the first time we've Greensboro which is the first time we've Greensboro which is the first time we've done that so we're going to plant a done that so we're going to plant a done that so we're going to plant a church like you know five or seven church like you know five or seven church like you know five or seven minutes from a campus that we have um minutes from a campus that we have um minutes from a campus that we have um we're excited about that we've been we're excited about that we've been we're excited about that we've been we've known that the guy that's going to we've known that the guy that's going to we've known that the guy that's going to plant that church we've known him uh plant that church we've known him uh plant that church we've known him uh since he was a sophomore in college and since he was a sophomore in college and since he was a sophomore in college and now it's 10 years later and he's ready now it's 10 years later and he's ready now it's 10 years later and he's ready to go so he's come through all the way to go so he's come through all the way to go so he's come through all the way through the pipeline so um you know through the pipeline so um you know through the pipeline so um you know there's that there's the church planning there's that there's the church planning there's that there's the church planning arm that's a real heartbeat for us and arm that's a real heartbeat for us and arm that's a real heartbeat for us and then we just commissioned our our 52nd then we just commissioned our our 52nd then we just commissioned our our 52nd our 50th through 53rd International our 50th through 53rd International our 50th through 53rd International missionary uh this past last week and missionary uh this past last week and missionary uh this past last week and that's the adults a lot more kids than that's the adults a lot more kids than that's the adults a lot more kids than that have moved but the baptized that have moved but the baptized that have moved but the baptized Believers that have moved out so we have Believers that have moved out so we have Believers that have moved out so we have a big goal of sending 500 people by 2032 a big goal of sending 500 people by 2032 a big goal of sending 500 people by 2032 we want to send them on either Church we want to send them on either Church we want to send them on either Church plants or missions um International plants or missions um International plants or missions um International missions and so we're about close to 200 missions and so we're about close to 200 missions and so we're about close to 200 on that number and over 50 of them have on that number and over 50 of them have on that number and over 50 of them have been International workers so that been International workers so that been International workers so that that's just a snapshot of what God has that's just a snapshot of what God has that's just a snapshot of what God has done in 12 years and um man we we are I done in 12 years and um man we we are I done in 12 years and um man we we are I always tell our church like we praise always tell our church like we praise always tell our church like we praise God for it we know it's not quote normal God for it we know it's not quote normal God for it we know it's not quote normal um but I also really believe God is just um but I also really believe God is just um but I also really believe God is just scratching the service of what he wants scratching the service of what he wants scratching the service of what he wants to do here in our generation so we're to do here in our generation so we're to do here in our generation so we're excited about the future for for a guy excited about the future for for a guy excited about the future for for a guy like me it's it it's very inspiring uh like me it's it it's very inspiring uh like me it's it it's very inspiring uh you know I don't Aspire as a pastor you know I don't Aspire as a pastor you know I don't Aspire as a pastor church planter myself I don't aspire to

church planter myself I don't aspire to church planter myself I don't aspire to honestly I don't p i don't aspire to honestly I don't p i don't aspire to honestly I don't p i don't aspire to Pastor a large church but I aspire to Pastor a large church but I aspire to Pastor a large church but I aspire to pastor and be a part of a discipl making pastor and be a part of a discipl making pastor and be a part of a discipl making church that is an equipping and sending church that is an equipping and sending church that is an equipping and sending church and that to me is is one of the church and that to me is is one of the church and that to me is is one of the the things that I admire uh the most the things that I admire uh the most the things that I admire uh the most about your ministry it's not NE NE size about your ministry it's not NE NE size about your ministry it's not NE NE size it's not the number of campuses that you it's not the number of campuses that you it's not the number of campuses that you have as as those of us in the church have as as those of us in the church have as as those of us in the church World say you know it's more about your World say you know it's more about your World say you know it's more about your seating capacity than is your sending seating capacity than is your sending seating capacity than is your sending capacity we I love the fact that you're capacity we I love the fact that you're capacity we I love the fact that you're sending you've got numbers tied to that sending you've got numbers tied to that sending you've got numbers tied to that you have a number of people that you you have a number of people that you you have a number of people that you want to send because most churches never want to send because most churches never want to send because most churches never get there and so uh I just I praise the get there and so uh I just I praise the get there and so uh I just I praise the Lord for what he's done in your church Lord for what he's done in your church Lord for what he's done in your church and and through your leadership and uh and and through your leadership and uh and and through your leadership and uh uh excited excited for what God has in uh excited excited for what God has in uh excited excited for what God has in the the the future yeah me too man me too future yeah me too man me too future yeah me too man me too let let's talk about the the this let let's talk about the the this let let's talk about the the this reality I for a lot of pastors who have reality I for a lot of pastors who have reality I for a lot of pastors who have planted churches that have grown to be planted churches that have grown to be planted churches that have grown to be very large churches on one level I can very large churches on one level I can very large churches on one level I can say although you are pastoring what we say although you are pastoring what we say although you are pastoring what we consider to be a fairly large church now consider to be a fairly large church now consider to be a fairly large church now you've pastored churches of variety of you've pastored churches of variety of you've pastored churches of variety of different sizes it's all been the same different sizes it's all been the same different sizes it's all been the same church uh but you've pastored a church church uh but you've pastored a church church uh but you've pastored a church of a few dozen people a few hundred of a few dozen people a few hundred of a few dozen people a few hundred people you know a thousand people now people you know a thousand people now people you know a thousand people now into the thousands with multiple into the thousands with multiple into the thousands with multiple campuses um I want to talk a little bit campuses um I want to talk a little bit campuses um I want to talk a little bit about sort of your your your experience about sort of your your your experience about sort of your your your experience your strategies some of the things that your strategies some of the things that your strategies some of the things that practically you've had to do to flex to practically you've had to do to flex to practically you've had to do to flex to get there but before we get to that part get there but before we get to that part get there but before we get to that part of the conversation I really want to of the conversation I really want to of the conversation I really want to talk a little bit about I'm I'm just talk a little bit about I'm I'm just talk a little bit about I'm I'm just going to assume that a lot of people in

going to assume that a lot of people in going to assume that a lot of people in our audience if they if they think of our audience if they if they think of our audience if they if they think of North Carolina they're probably thinking North Carolina they're probably thinking North Carolina they're probably thinking Bible belt buckle of the Bible Belt Bible belt buckle of the Bible Belt Bible belt buckle of the Bible Belt there are a lot of churches in in North there are a lot of churches in in North there are a lot of churches in in North Carolina in your area there are a lot of Carolina in your area there are a lot of Carolina in your area there are a lot of good churches yet you're reaching people good churches yet you're reaching people good churches yet you're reaching people who are far from God you're not just who are far from God you're not just who are far from God you're not just reaching other churched people now in reaching other churched people now in reaching other churched people now in the area where you are there's certainly the area where you are there's certainly the area where you are there's certainly a lot of people moving there for for a lot of people moving there for for a lot of people moving there for for High-Tech jobs and that that's probably High-Tech jobs and that that's probably High-Tech jobs and that that's probably news to some people that there is a lot news to some people that there is a lot news to some people that there is a lot of high-tech work in North Carolina uh of high-tech work in North Carolina uh of high-tech work in North Carolina uh so there are a lot of new people moving so there are a lot of new people moving so there are a lot of new people moving to the area what do you guys do what do to the area what do you guys do what do to the area what do you guys do what do you think that your U sort of strengths you think that your U sort of strengths you think that your U sort of strengths are as a church to sort of uniquely are as a church to sort of uniquely are as a church to sort of uniquely position yourself to connect with people position yourself to connect with people position yourself to connect with people who are maybe unchurched or dechurched who are maybe unchurched or dechurched who are maybe unchurched or dechurched what are the things that make Mercy Hill what are the things that make Mercy Hill what are the things that make Mercy Hill effective in those areas well I would effective in those areas well I would effective in those areas well I would say dechurched more than unchurched um say dechurched more than unchurched um say dechurched more than unchurched um you know I kind of you we Greensboro is you know I kind of you we Greensboro is you know I kind of you we Greensboro is growing Winston Greensboro Winston Salem growing Winston Greensboro Winston Salem growing Winston Greensboro Winston Salem High Point that's the Triad the triangle High Point that's the Triad the triangle High Point that's the Triad the triangle you know Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill you know Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill you know Raleigh Durham Chapel Hill there there is a lot more of what you're there there is a lot more of what you're there there is a lot more of what you're talking about in terms of people moving talking about in terms of people moving talking about in terms of people moving in for you know truly from the Northeast in for you know truly from the Northeast in for you know truly from the Northeast California that kind of thing um but you California that kind of thing um but you California that kind of thing um but you know where we are and I and I I know where we are and I and I I know where we are and I and I I challenge people with this you know a challenge people with this you know a challenge people with this you know a lot is like man if you're part of a lot is like man if you're part of a lot is like man if you're part of a church in the South you know not I don't church in the South you know not I don't church in the South you know not I don't have numbers but 99% of everybody who have numbers but 99% of everybody who have numbers but 99% of everybody who ever walks through the door of your ever walks through the door of your ever walks through the door of your church it ain't the first church they've church it ain't the first church they've church it ain't the first church they've ever been to so this whole idea of like ever been to so this whole idea of like ever been to so this whole idea of like you know I had I knew a church planner you know I had I knew a church planner you know I had I knew a church planner that was like you know he wanted to know that was like you know he wanted to know that was like you know he wanted to know how many people they were reaching that how many people they were reaching that how many people they were reaching that were brand new I'm like bro that you're

were brand new I'm like bro that you're were brand new I'm like bro that you're ve it's very hard for you to even meet ve it's very hard for you to even meet ve it's very hard for you to even meet somebody in the South that has has no somebody in the South that has has no somebody in the South that has has no background with church you know um now background with church you know um now background with church you know um now maybe that's true in other parts of the maybe that's true in other parts of the maybe that's true in other parts of the country or whatever but it's just it's country or whatever but it's just it's country or whatever but it's just it's just not here you know and so um but we just not here you know and so um but we just not here you know and so um but we do a lot of people that have what we do a lot of people that have what we do a lot of people that have what we call the Jesus vaccine you know they call the Jesus vaccine you know they call the Jesus vaccine you know they were sort of inoculated as a kid and were sort of inoculated as a kid and were sort of inoculated as a kid and they became resistant to the real thing they became resistant to the real thing they became resistant to the real thing later and um you know they had religion later and um you know they had religion later and um you know they had religion they didn't have the gospel that was they didn't have the gospel that was they didn't have the gospel that was really why we came here uh I think what really why we came here uh I think what really why we came here uh I think what has if you want to say set us apart in has if you want to say set us apart in has if you want to say set us apart in our area and man there are there are our area and man there are there are our area and man there are there are really good churches even right here in really good churches even right here in really good churches even right here in our area um definition church is a good our area um definition church is a good our area um definition church is a good church Pleasant Garden is a good church church Pleasant Garden is a good church church Pleasant Garden is a good church Life Community is a good church King's Life Community is a good church King's Life Community is a good church King's cross is a good church I I could I could cross is a good church I I could I could cross is a good church I I could I could just name a bunch of them that are right just name a bunch of them that are right just name a bunch of them that are right here um but I do think for us one of the here um but I do think for us one of the here um but I do think for us one of the big things has been um you know we we big things has been um you know we we big things has been um you know we we have really tried to put the gospel at have really tried to put the gospel at have really tried to put the gospel at the very center week in week out every the very center week in week out every the very center week in week out every single week for 12 years you know and uh single week for 12 years you know and uh single week for 12 years you know and uh for growth and or for you know for for growth and or for you know for for growth and or for you know for salvation and for sanctification for salvation and for sanctification for salvation and for sanctification for getting in and for growing and so I I do getting in and for growing and so I I do getting in and for growing and so I I do think that you know when you're in a think that you know when you're in a think that you know when you're in a Southern context like this a lot of the Southern context like this a lot of the Southern context like this a lot of the preaching is it's morality with a lot of preaching is it's morality with a lot of preaching is it's morality with a lot of you know with kind of a Jesus Juke at you know with kind of a Jesus Juke at you know with kind of a Jesus Juke at the end that we're trying to put a the end that we're trying to put a the end that we're trying to put a little bit more of a gospel centered if little bit more of a gospel centered if little bit more of a gospel centered if you want to think Keller or JD Greer you you want to think Keller or JD Greer you you want to think Keller or JD Greer you know into our ministry there the other know into our ministry there the other know into our ministry there the other thing I would say man is um and we get thing I would say man is um and we get thing I would say man is um and we get we get sideways with the conference we get sideways with the conference we get sideways with the conference circuit a lot on this um but we just circuit a lot on this um but we just circuit a lot on this um but we just absolutely believe that the Gathering is

absolutely believe that the Gathering is absolutely believe that the Gathering is the place where you're going to see the the place where you're going to see the the place where you're going to see the most life change happening um so we most life change happening um so we most life change happening um so we think the Gathering the the crowd the think the Gathering the the crowd the think the Gathering the the crowd the the you know the preaching event um it the you know the preaching event um it the you know the preaching event um it feels like I've lived in a stream for feels like I've lived in a stream for feels like I've lived in a stream for about 20 years where everything was about 20 years where everything was about 20 years where everything was trying to deconstruct the Gathering and trying to deconstruct the Gathering and trying to deconstruct the Gathering and it just feels like to me like man we it just feels like to me like man we it just feels like to me like man we we've just had no problem saying hey um we've just had no problem saying hey um we've just had no problem saying hey um invite people here it's not the only invite people here it's not the only invite people here it's not the only thing we do but it is a huge part of thing we do but it is a huge part of thing we do but it is a huge part of what we do and if God's moving in your what we do and if God's moving in your what we do and if God's moving in your life here maybe your friend maybe life here maybe your friend maybe life here maybe your friend maybe they're if they get in the Stream they're if they get in the Stream they're if they get in the Stream they're going to move here and people they're going to move here and people they're going to move here and people are like yeah I want that I want that are like yeah I want that I want that are like yeah I want that I want that for them and so we try to make you know for them and so we try to make you know for them and so we try to make you know the Sunday Gathering um the highest the Sunday Gathering um the highest the Sunday Gathering um the highest Evangelistic moment we can the highest Evangelistic moment we can the highest Evangelistic moment we can the highest discipleship moment we can now what we discipleship moment we can now what we discipleship moment we can now what we say at Mercy Hill is I used to say what say at Mercy Hill is I used to say what say at Mercy Hill is I used to say what happens during the week is more happens during the week is more happens during the week is more important than what happens on the important than what happens on the important than what happens on the weekend I don't say that anymore what I weekend I don't say that anymore what I weekend I don't say that anymore what I say is what happens during the week is say is what happens during the week is say is what happens during the week is kicked off by what happens on the kicked off by what happens on the kicked off by what happens on the weekend or uh we you know that that kind weekend or uh we you know that that kind weekend or uh we you know that that kind of idea like man what happens during the of idea like man what happens during the of idea like man what happens during the week is really fueled by what happens on week is really fueled by what happens on week is really fueled by what happens on the weekend so I think we have this kind the weekend so I think we have this kind the weekend so I think we have this kind of divorcing of gathering versus like of divorcing of gathering versus like of divorcing of gathering versus like discipleship I just totally think that's discipleship I just totally think that's discipleship I just totally think that's wrong and uh we've tried to really keep wrong and uh we've tried to really keep wrong and uh we've tried to really keep those things together you know and uh those things together you know and uh those things together you know and uh maybe those are some things that have maybe those are some things that have maybe those are some things that have helped us yeah I I think to me I helped us yeah I I think to me I helped us yeah I I think to me I I think it's pretty cyclical you're I think it's pretty cyclical you're I think it's pretty cyclical you're right I think for a lot of people when right I think for a lot of people when right I think for a lot of people when they come into a worship gathering on a they come into a worship gathering on a they come into a worship gathering on a Sunday morning and they hear God's word Sunday morning and they hear God's word Sunday morning and they hear God's word preached in truth and a a call to preached in truth and a a call to preached in truth and a a call to response to the gospel it does kick off response to the gospel it does kick off response to the gospel it does kick off what happens during the week but as

what happens during the week but as what happens during the week but as God's word and that experience continues God's word and that experience continues God's word and that experience continues to transform them it builds the momentum to transform them it builds the momentum to transform them it builds the momentum in their lives it helps them actually in their lives it helps them actually in their lives it helps them actually expand their own influence to other expand their own influence to other expand their own influence to other people's lives which again better fuels people's lives which again better fuels people's lives which again better fuels what you're doing on the weekend right what you're doing on the weekend right what you're doing on the weekend right so if people if people are experiencing so if people if people are experiencing so if people if people are experiencing the life change that they're hearing the life change that they're hearing the life change that they're hearing God's word they're having a they're God's word they're having a they're God's word they're having a they're having a spiritual experience on Sunday having a spiritual experience on Sunday having a spiritual experience on Sunday which they ought to right because we're which they ought to right because we're which they ought to right because we're gathering corporately in the presence of gathering corporately in the presence of gathering corporately in the presence of God to worship together and to sit under God to worship together and to sit under God to worship together and to sit under the teaching of the word and it should the teaching of the word and it should the teaching of the word and it should fuel us for what happens during the week fuel us for what happens during the week fuel us for what happens during the week but what's happening during the week but what's happening during the week but what's happening during the week ought to fuel us back to that Gathering ought to fuel us back to that Gathering ought to fuel us back to that Gathering of the weekend tot kind cyclical thing of the weekend tot kind cyclical thing of the weekend tot kind cyclical thing that's that's the way I would put that that's that's the way I would put that that's that's the way I would put that anyway um let's talk a little bit about anyway um let's talk a little bit about anyway um let's talk a little bit about just sort of the seasons in Mercy Hill just sort of the seasons in Mercy Hill just sort of the seasons in Mercy Hill and and and the reason I want to do this and and and the reason I want to do this and and and the reason I want to do this is because ultimately just for full is because ultimately just for full is because ultimately just for full disclosure for our audience uh we're disclosure for our audience uh we're disclosure for our audience uh we're going to be talking about some resources going to be talking about some resources going to be talking about some resources and things that you've been working on and things that you've been working on and things that you've been working on and continue to work on to help other and continue to work on to help other and continue to work on to help other pastors uh make the kingdom impact that pastors uh make the kingdom impact that pastors uh make the kingdom impact that they want to make and uh you've got a they want to make and uh you've got a they want to make and uh you've got a conference coming up you've got a conference coming up you've got a conference coming up you've got a podcast that you've been doing and we're podcast that you've been doing and we're podcast that you've been doing and we're going to get to those details in just a going to get to those details in just a going to get to those details in just a few minutes but let's talk a little bit few minutes but let's talk a little bit few minutes but let's talk a little bit about your experience in leading your about your experience in leading your about your experience in leading your church through the different seasons church through the different seasons church through the different seasons that it's been through over the course that it's been through over the course that it's been through over the course of the last Dozen Years years uh going of the last Dozen Years years uh going of the last Dozen Years years uh going from that you know House Church from that you know House Church from that you know House Church Gathering to a park to you know your Gathering to a park to you know your Gathering to a park to you know your first full-time facility to now multiple first full-time facility to now multiple first full-time facility to now multiple campuses what have been some of the sort campuses what have been some of the sort campuses what have been some of the sort of barriers that You' felt that you've of barriers that You' felt that you've of barriers that You' felt that you've had to overcome over the course of the had to overcome over the course of the had to overcome over the course of the last Dozen Years yeah I think that um I

last Dozen Years yeah I think that um I last Dozen Years yeah I think that um I think that one that comes to mind think that one that comes to mind think that one that comes to mind immediately is the communication immediately is the communication immediately is the communication barriers your team is growing so Larry barriers your team is growing so Larry barriers your team is growing so Larry osor does a really good you know talk on osor does a really good you know talk on osor does a really good you know talk on this where it's like you know when you this where it's like you know when you this where it's like you know when you when you go from one sta to two um you when you go from one sta to two um you when you go from one sta to two um you know you're only adding one additional know you're only adding one additional know you're only adding one additional line of communication but when you start line of communication but when you start line of communication but when you start going to three four five six because going to three four five six because going to three four five six because they all have to communicate with each they all have to communicate with each they all have to communicate with each other you thought you were adding lines other you thought you were adding lines other you thought you were adding lines of communication when actually you were of communication when actually you were of communication when actually you were multiplying lines of communication and multiplying lines of communication and multiplying lines of communication and so I think that you know when when a so I think that you know when when a so I think that you know when when a church is small everybody's sort of on church is small everybody's sort of on church is small everybody's sort of on the same page and then you start growing the same page and then you start growing the same page and then you start growing and then at some point you start getting and then at some point you start getting and then at some point you start getting you know a team together that whether you know a team together that whether you know a team together that whether they're staff or whether they're they're staff or whether they're they're staff or whether they're high-end volunteers or Elders or high-end volunteers or Elders or high-end volunteers or Elders or whatever um and you're just adding one whatever um and you're just adding one whatever um and you're just adding one more but you don't you don't realize more but you don't you don't realize more but you don't you don't realize that every time you add one you multiply that every time you add one you multiply that every time you add one you multiply the lines of communication and it's very the lines of communication and it's very the lines of communication and it's very easy for things that you thought were easy for things that you thought were easy for things that you thought were very simple and were um you know very simple and were um you know very simple and were um you know everybody was on the same page about to everybody was on the same page about to everybody was on the same page about to not be and so I think every time the not be and so I think every time the not be and so I think every time the church grows there's there's an issue church grows there's there's an issue church grows there's there's an issue there that that causes some adjustment there that that causes some adjustment there that that causes some adjustment it maybe even a restructure a lot of it it maybe even a restructure a lot of it it maybe even a restructure a lot of it is communication oriented Michael is communication oriented Michael is communication oriented Michael Fletcher told me who who pastor's Mana Fletcher told me who who pastor's Mana Fletcher told me who who pastor's Mana Church in fville North Carolina uh great Church in fville North Carolina uh great Church in fville North Carolina uh great church thousands of people they got to church thousands of people they got to church thousands of people they got to reach 500 people a year just to stay reach 500 people a year just to stay reach 500 people a year just to stay flat because um they're in fville and flat because um they're in fville and flat because um they're in fville and the military you know pulls people out the military you know pulls people out the military you know pulls people out of their congregation every year and of their congregation every year and of their congregation every year and sends them all over the world which is sends them all over the world which is sends them all over the world which is kind of cool um but you know he said hey kind of cool um but you know he said hey kind of cool um but you know he said hey man every time your uh your organization man every time your uh your organization man every time your uh your organization Grows by between 20 and 30% you're going Grows by between 20 and 30% you're going Grows by between 20 and 30% you're going to have to restructure it well the thing

to have to restructure it well the thing to have to restructure it well the thing is like for for our organization now I is like for for our organization now I is like for for our organization now I mean 20% that's that's that's a lot of mean 20% that's that's that's a lot of mean 20% that's that's that's a lot of people you know and that that might be a people you know and that that might be a people you know and that that might be a year from now or maybe 18 months from year from now or maybe 18 months from year from now or maybe 18 months from now if if God if God continues to grow now if if God if God continues to grow now if if God if God continues to grow but like when you're a church plant you but like when you're a church plant you but like when you're a church plant you know when you go from like 20 to 30 you know when you go from like 20 to 30 you know when you go from like 20 to 30 you just you know or or 30 to 60 you just just you know or or 30 to 60 you just just you know or or 30 to 60 you just went 100% and you don't think about it went 100% and you don't think about it went 100% and you don't think about it like that what we think about is hey a like that what we think about is hey a like that what we think about is hey a few more families joined it's like no no few more families joined it's like no no few more families joined it's like no no no this whole thing needs to be no this whole thing needs to be no this whole thing needs to be restructured um in order to you know be restructured um in order to you know be restructured um in order to you know be able to effectively serve and and be a able to effectively serve and and be a able to effectively serve and and be a leader in this um this environment I I leader in this um this environment I I leader in this um this environment I I think another thing that comes to my think another thing that comes to my think another thing that comes to my mind is um you know I think one of the mind is um you know I think one of the mind is um you know I think one of the things that that takes a while but once things that that takes a while but once things that that takes a while but once you can once you can do when I when I you can once you can do when I when I you can once you can do when I when I look back a lot of the problems that we look back a lot of the problems that we look back a lot of the problems that we had at different stages came back to not had at different stages came back to not had at different stages came back to not adequately um outlining the culture that adequately um outlining the culture that adequately um outlining the culture that we wanted to have and sort of um you we wanted to have and sort of um you we wanted to have and sort of um you know allowing there to be such a wide know allowing there to be such a wide know allowing there to be such a wide tent which I I love the idea of wide tent which I I love the idea of wide tent which I I love the idea of wide tent but allowing there to be such a tent but allowing there to be such a tent but allowing there to be such a wide tent that whenever you do start to wide tent that whenever you do start to wide tent that whenever you do start to clarify the vision there's there's clarify the vision there's there's clarify the vision there's there's people that are not involved with it people that are not involved with it people that are not involved with it they're not they're not down with it and they're not they're not down with it and they're not they're not down with it and there's cultural things that are just there's cultural things that are just there's cultural things that are just constantly coming up and constantly constantly coming up and constantly constantly coming up and constantly rubbing and so um I think that at every rubbing and so um I think that at every rubbing and so um I think that at every turn you know we've sort of every time turn you know we've sort of every time turn you know we've sort of every time we've gotten you know a little bit we've gotten you know a little bit we've gotten you know a little bit bigger or gotten a couple more years bigger or gotten a couple more years bigger or gotten a couple more years down the road it's a good time to to down the road it's a good time to to down the road it's a good time to to really try to focus in and write down really try to focus in and write down really try to focus in and write down the things that culturally are true of the things that culturally are true of the things that culturally are true of us because what it helps you do there's

us because what it helps you do there's us because what it helps you do there's not to me there's no way to do that not to me there's no way to do that not to me there's no way to do that other than look back but once you can do other than look back but once you can do other than look back but once you can do it because you're looking back then you it because you're looking back then you it because you're looking back then you have a chance to write those things down have a chance to write those things down have a chance to write those things down and start looking forward as people are and start looking forward as people are and start looking forward as people are coming in what does it mean you know coming in what does it mean you know coming in what does it mean you know what is a culture of a group leader here what is a culture of a group leader here what is a culture of a group leader here what is a culture of an elder here what what is a culture of an elder here what what is a culture of an elder here what is a culture of a new staff member here is a culture of a new staff member here is a culture of a new staff member here and I think that those things are really and I think that those things are really and I think that those things are really helpful but you know you just you just helpful but you know you just you just helpful but you know you just you just go through some bumps trying to get get go through some bumps trying to get get go through some bumps trying to get get those things you know lined out you those things you know lined out you those things you know lined out you don't you could write a bunch of stuff don't you could write a bunch of stuff don't you could write a bunch of stuff in a I mean you know this you've planted in a I mean you know this you've planted in a I mean you know this you've planted three churches you can write a bunch of three churches you can write a bunch of three churches you can write a bunch of stuff down in a uh perspec this but you stuff down in a uh perspec this but you stuff down in a uh perspec this but you don't know if it was true or not until don't know if it was true or not until don't know if it was true or not until you get down the road a little ways and you get down the road a little ways and you get down the road a little ways and see who you actually are you know yeah I see who you actually are you know yeah I see who you actually are you know yeah I I you hit the nail on the head I you hit the nail on the head I you hit the nail on the head you know with with this is uh what they you know with with this is uh what they you know with with this is uh what they didn't teach you in seminary 101 and didn't teach you in seminary 101 and didn't teach you in seminary 101 and that is that every Pastor whether you that is that every Pastor whether you that is that every Pastor whether you like it or not one of your primary like it or not one of your primary like it or not one of your primary responsibilities is to be an architect responsibilities is to be an architect responsibilities is to be an architect of culture uh that culture is what of culture uh that culture is what of culture uh that culture is what really ultimately determines the really ultimately determines the really ultimately determines the fruitfulness of of your ministry and so fruitfulness of of your ministry and so fruitfulness of of your ministry and so the things that define your church are the things that define your church are the things that define your church are the things that are ultimately going to the things that are ultimately going to the things that are ultimately going to drive relationships and the things that drive relationships and the things that drive relationships and the things that drive relationships are going to drive drive relationships are going to drive drive relationships are going to drive the impact that you're going to make in the impact that you're going to make in the impact that you're going to make in your community and and in in the region your community and and in in the region your community and and in in the region that God has called you to reach so I that God has called you to reach so I that God has called you to reach so I appreciate you saying that let me let me appreciate you saying that let me let me appreciate you saying that let me let me ask a very pointed question over the ask a very pointed question over the ask a very pointed question over the course of the years as you evaluated the course of the years as you evaluated the course of the years as you evaluated the culture at Mercy Hill are there any culture at Mercy Hill are there any culture at Mercy Hill are there any times and and Seasons that you can look times and and Seasons that you can look times and and Seasons that you can look at it to say our culture was unhealthy at it to say our culture was unhealthy at it to say our culture was unhealthy or it wasn't what we thought it was or it wasn't what we thought it was or it wasn't what we thought it was going to be can you can you name those

going to be can you can you name those going to be can you can you name those things and then talk through how you things and then talk through how you things and then talk through how you went about identifying them calling them went about identifying them calling them went about identifying them calling them out and redirecting the out and redirecting the out and redirecting the church well I think um I think you know church well I think um I think you know church well I think um I think you know maybe everybody would point to this at maybe everybody would point to this at maybe everybody would point to this at this point because we're not that far this point because we're not that far this point because we're not that far away from it but I think Co revealed um away from it but I think Co revealed um away from it but I think Co revealed um some things for us that were maybe some things for us that were maybe some things for us that were maybe different than what I hear other people different than what I hear other people different than what I hear other people talk about but you know for me I think talk about but you know for me I think talk about but you know for me I think that I think that there was a little that I think that there was a little that I think that there was a little fuzziness around our ecclesiology that fuzziness around our ecclesiology that fuzziness around our ecclesiology that never would have come out if somebody never would have come out if somebody never would have come out if somebody didn't say you can't meet um I just had didn't say you can't meet um I just had didn't say you can't meet um I just had never considered it I mean I don't know never considered it I mean I don't know never considered it I mean I don't know I you know I've just never thought about I you know I've just never thought about I you know I've just never thought about what if we just can't meet next week you what if we just can't meet next week you what if we just can't meet next week you know and so then you start thinking know and so then you start thinking know and so then you start thinking about the value of the about the value of the about the value of the Gathering and trying to put language Gathering and trying to put language Gathering and trying to put language around that um so I you know I wouldn't around that um so I you know I wouldn't around that um so I you know I wouldn't say that was it was unhealthy but I do say that was it was unhealthy but I do say that was it was unhealthy but I do think it was a little fuzzy like if I think it was a little fuzzy like if I think it was a little fuzzy like if I would have had a little more of the would have had a little more of the would have had a little more of the thoughts that I have now around that thoughts that I have now around that thoughts that I have now around that then I think I would have been able to then I think I would have been able to then I think I would have been able to navigate those first few months a lot navigate those first few months a lot navigate those first few months a lot more clear because I would have known more clear because I would have known more clear because I would have known who we are when it comes to that rather who we are when it comes to that rather who we are when it comes to that rather than trying to figure out a little bit than trying to figure out a little bit than trying to figure out a little bit of who we are like what does exactly the of who we are like what does exactly the of who we are like what does exactly the Gathering mean for us um so I think Gathering mean for us um so I think Gathering mean for us um so I think that's one thing I think that um you that's one thing I think that um you that's one thing I think that um you know I think that our culture at at know I think that our culture at at know I think that our culture at at times has gotten a little bit chasing times has gotten a little bit chasing times has gotten a little bit chasing the news cycle you know and you know the news cycle you know and you know the news cycle you know and you know Spurgeon thing about have a Bible in one Spurgeon thing about have a Bible in one Spurgeon thing about have a Bible in one hand newspaper in the other I really hand newspaper in the other I really hand newspaper in the other I really believe that for a pastor because I believe that for a pastor because I believe that for a pastor because I think we got to be sharp but I think think we got to be sharp but I think think we got to be sharp but I think people have used that to say man we need people have used that to say man we need people have used that to say man we need to be like using the newspaper as a to be like using the newspaper as a to be like using the newspaper as a litmus test for like what we should be

litmus test for like what we should be litmus test for like what we should be speaking speaking speaking into and um so I think there's been some into and um so I think there's been some into and um so I think there's been some times where our culture was bad around times where our culture was bad around times where our culture was bad around expecting immediate responses and just expecting immediate responses and just expecting immediate responses and just and man we've just moved way away from and man we've just moved way away from and man we've just moved way away from that and and man people that love that that and and man people that love that that and and man people that love that kind of stuff they move away from Mercy kind of stuff they move away from Mercy kind of stuff they move away from Mercy Hill I mean they don't that's not you Hill I mean they don't that's not you Hill I mean they don't that's not you know that's not our um that they want to know that's not our um that they want to know that's not our um that they want to be somewhere that's highly reactive and be somewhere that's highly reactive and be somewhere that's highly reactive and is going to speak to a million things is going to speak to a million things is going to speak to a million things and um we've tried to say no we're and um we've tried to say no we're and um we've tried to say no we're getting back to I think who we really getting back to I think who we really getting back to I think who we really are which is there are a very few amount are which is there are a very few amount are which is there are a very few amount of things that are on the top of the of things that are on the top of the of things that are on the top of the list I mean the gospel is the priority list I mean the gospel is the priority list I mean the gospel is the priority getting it to the ends of the Earth getting it to the ends of the Earth getting it to the ends of the Earth that's what we're about um and so we're that's what we're about um and so we're that's what we're about um and so we're not you know we're not chasing new not you know we're not chasing new not you know we're not chasing new Cycles we don't respond right away we Cycles we don't respond right away we Cycles we don't respond right away we want to respond the right way to things want to respond the right way to things want to respond the right way to things not right away to things and usually not right away to things and usually not right away to things and usually those are two different things when you those are two different things when you those are two different things when you read The Book of Proverbs so you know I read The Book of Proverbs so you know I read The Book of Proverbs so you know I think that there was some times a little think that there was some times a little think that there was some times a little bit we were kind of chasing our tail bit we were kind of chasing our tail bit we were kind of chasing our tail some with some of that stuff and I think some with some of that stuff and I think some with some of that stuff and I think we've really um clarified and and been a we've really um clarified and and been a we've really um clarified and and been a and not everybody loves that you know and not everybody loves that you know and not everybody loves that you know not everybody loves it but it is I think not everybody loves it but it is I think not everybody loves it but it is I think a lot healthier yeah for sure well let's a lot healthier yeah for sure well let's a lot healthier yeah for sure well let's talk a little bit about uh the season talk a little bit about uh the season talk a little bit about uh the season that you you've you are in now the last that you you've you are in now the last that you you've you are in now the last uh couple of years you've been I think uh couple of years you've been I think uh couple of years you've been I think processing thinking been inspired to processing thinking been inspired to processing thinking been inspired to take some of the lessons that you've take some of the lessons that you've take some of the lessons that you've learned and that your team has learned learned and that your team has learned learned and that your team has learned and and try to actually help other and and try to actually help other and and try to actually help other churches make the kingdom impact that churches make the kingdom impact that churches make the kingdom impact that they want to make and can you talk a they want to make and can you talk a they want to make and can you talk a little bit about uh just sort of where little bit about uh just sort of where little bit about uh just sort of where the idea of breaking barriers came from the idea of breaking barriers came from the idea of breaking barriers came from what you've been doing for the last what you've been doing for the last what you've been doing for the last couple of years and then we'll talk a couple of years and then we'll talk a couple of years and then we'll talk a little bit about the the conference little bit about the the conference little bit about the the conference that's coming up yeah so it it feels to

that's coming up yeah so it it feels to that's coming up yeah so it it feels to me like um and this is this may just be me like um and this is this may just be me like um and this is this may just be my stream in the SBC World on I don't my stream in the SBC World on I don't my stream in the SBC World on I don't know um but we started feeling a real know um but we started feeling a real know um but we started feeling a real rub maybe um three or four years ago rub maybe um three or four years ago rub maybe um three or four years ago that churches that were very like ours that churches that were very like ours that churches that were very like ours in terms of like man we're very growth in terms of like man we're very growth in terms of like man we're very growth oriented I have no problem saying we oriented I have no problem saying we oriented I have no problem saying we want to baptize 5,000 people by 2032 who want to baptize 5,000 people by 2032 who want to baptize 5,000 people by 2032 who want to send 500 but man you're not want to send 500 but man you're not want to send 500 but man you're not going to do that if you don't baptize going to do that if you don't baptize going to do that if you don't baptize 5,000 I got no problem saying that out 5,000 I got no problem saying that out 5,000 I got no problem saying that out loud and we put numbers around things loud and we put numbers around things loud and we put numbers around things and we just man this is what it's about and we just man this is what it's about and we just man this is what it's about and I'll routinely tell our church if and I'll routinely tell our church if and I'll routinely tell our church if you're the type of person that gets you're the type of person that gets you're the type of person that gets rubbed the wrong way when we talk about rubbed the wrong way when we talk about rubbed the wrong way when we talk about like you know you're like oh it's not like you know you're like oh it's not like you know you're like oh it's not about the numbers it's like dude numbers about the numbers it's like dude numbers about the numbers it's like dude numbers are people you know I mean that's just are people you know I mean that's just are people you know I mean that's just kind of our kind of our kind of our ethos and um I don't know we started ethos and um I don't know we started ethos and um I don't know we started feeling like there's a little bit of a feeling like there's a little bit of a feeling like there's a little bit of a not a lane for that right now um in in not a lane for that right now um in in not a lane for that right now um in in sort of our our world at least and sort of our our world at least and sort of our our world at least and there's a lot of people that are that there's a lot of people that are that there's a lot of people that are that way there's a lot of people that have way there's a lot of people that have way there's a lot of people that have that culture but they just don't they that culture but they just don't they that culture but they just don't they want to they don't talk about it they want to they don't talk about it they want to they don't talk about it they talk we we shout about sending but when talk we we shout about sending but when talk we we shout about sending but when it talks about growth it's like hush it talks about growth it's like hush it talks about growth it's like hush tones you know and well we use this idea tones you know and well we use this idea tones you know and well we use this idea of well there's front stage of well there's front stage of well there's front stage conversations and there's backstage conversations and there's backstage conversations and there's backstage conversations the front stage conversations the front stage conversations the front stage conversation is constantly the same it's conversation is constantly the same it's conversation is constantly the same it's church planning it's multiethnic church planning it's multiethnic church planning it's multiethnic Ministry it's you know sometimes Ministry it's you know sometimes Ministry it's you know sometimes adoption foster care stuff um it's you adoption foster care stuff um it's you adoption foster care stuff um it's you know I mean a lot of churches have gone know I mean a lot of churches have gone know I mean a lot of churches have gone way into you know it's starting to way into you know it's starting to way into you know it's starting to social justice type stuff whatever if social justice type stuff whatever if social justice type stuff whatever if that's what we want to talk about but that's what we want to talk about but that's what we want to talk about but the backstage about what I you know

the backstage about what I you know the backstage about what I you know firsttime guest and website views and firsttime guest and website views and firsttime guest and website views and man how do you you know how do you man how do you you know how do you man how do you you know how do you actually start a new series with a hook actually start a new series with a hook actually start a new series with a hook to try to get people to stay I mean just to try to get people to stay I mean just to try to get people to stay I mean just all that feels very icky for people I all that feels very icky for people I all that feels very icky for people I mean not for me but for for a lot of mean not for me but for for a lot of mean not for me but for for a lot of people they're just like o I don't like people they're just like o I don't like people they're just like o I don't like that that feels corporate and you know that that feels corporate and you know that that feels corporate and you know and we just started realizing that and and we just started realizing that and and we just started realizing that and so um part of it was a real uh un you so um part of it was a real uh un you so um part of it was a real uh un you know we just had a bit of know we just had a bit of know we just had a bit of a an unrest around like man churches a an unrest around like man churches a an unrest around like man churches that were kind of like ours um I also um that were kind of like ours um I also um that were kind of like ours um I also um you know in our denomination is widely you know in our denomination is widely you know in our denomination is widely purported that 70 to 80% of the churches purported that 70 to 80% of the churches purported that 70 to 80% of the churches are plateaued or are plateaued or are plateaued or declining and I can't help but think declining and I can't help but think declining and I can't help but think that we're sort of Designing some of the that we're sort of Designing some of the that we're sort of Designing some of the results we get by the way we talk about results we get by the way we talk about results we get by the way we talk about this stuff um I can't I mean we have this stuff um I can't I mean we have this stuff um I can't I mean we have figured out how to mourn decline without figured out how to mourn decline without figured out how to mourn decline without celebrating growth how does that make celebrating growth how does that make celebrating growth how does that make any sense we will stand up and say can any sense we will stand up and say can any sense we will stand up and say can you believe how bad it's going but then you believe how bad it's going but then you believe how bad it's going but then when there's something growing it's like when there's something growing it's like when there's something growing it's like oh no we don't really want to talk about oh no we don't really want to talk about oh no we don't really want to talk about that that's that's you know and so we that that's that's you know and so we that that's that's you know and so we just man we we kind of had all that just man we we kind of had all that just man we we kind of had all that unrest and then part of and a part unrest and then part of and a part unrest and then part of and a part partly in a response to that about two partly in a response to that about two partly in a response to that about two years ago man I just feel like God bir years ago man I just feel like God bir years ago man I just feel like God bir the vision in me I was I mean I don't the vision in me I was I mean I don't the vision in me I was I mean I don't want to say that too spiritually but I I want to say that too spiritually but I I want to say that too spiritually but I I just I felt like we were talking about just I felt like we were talking about just I felt like we were talking about it and man it just just kind of came and it and man it just just kind of came and it and man it just just kind of came and I said man we're I said man we're I said man we're gonna we're GNA help 20 churches over gonna we're GNA help 20 churches over gonna we're GNA help 20 churches over the next five years break a thousand in the next five years break a thousand in the next five years break a thousand in attendance and send 100 missionaries attendance and send 100 missionaries attendance and send 100 missionaries each because we're not going to do this

each because we're not going to do this each because we're not going to do this thing where we divorce growing and going thing where we divorce growing and going thing where we divorce growing and going you you know um that's what we want to you you know um that's what we want to you you know um that's what we want to do want to talk about growing we don't do want to talk about growing we don't do want to talk about growing we don't want to talk about or we want to talk want to talk about or we want to talk want to talk about or we want to talk about going we don't want to talk about about going we don't want to talk about about going we don't want to talk about growing and we have just become growing and we have just become growing and we have just become convinced like man churches can grow convinced like man churches can grow convinced like man churches can grow without growing that's I mean that without growing that's I mean that without growing that's I mean that happens all the time but you cannot go happens all the time but you cannot go happens all the time but you cannot go without growing if you're going to be an without growing if you're going to be an without growing if you're going to be an if you're going to be a church that has if you're going to be a church that has if you're going to be a church that has any type of Rhythm to your actual any type of Rhythm to your actual any type of Rhythm to your actual sending whether that's once every year sending whether that's once every year sending whether that's once every year once every five years whatever it is once every five years whatever it is once every five years whatever it is there's you know there's an assumption there's you know there's an assumption there's you know there's an assumption there that the Harvest like there's there that the Harvest like there's there that the Harvest like there's something being something being something being replenished and so we want to keep those replenished and so we want to keep those replenished and so we want to keep those things together so we started this things together so we started this things together so we started this cohort four churches in North Carolina cohort four churches in North Carolina cohort four churches in North Carolina One Church in One Church in One Church in Georgia they were all sort of in that Georgia they were all sort of in that Georgia they were all sort of in that range you know 500 or so they we you range you know 500 or so they we you range you know 500 or so they we you really help man we walked them for 18 really help man we walked them for 18 really help man we walked them for 18 months once a quarter brought them in months once a quarter brought them in months once a quarter brought them in and uh man we saw just such growth such and uh man we saw just such growth such and uh man we saw just such growth such sending mindset shift I mean these guys sending mindset shift I mean these guys sending mindset shift I mean these guys are just rocking and rolling and they're are just rocking and rolling and they're are just rocking and rolling and they're seeing incredible things in their seeing incredible things in their seeing incredible things in their churches I mean baptisms are up givings churches I mean baptisms are up givings churches I mean baptisms are up givings up first time guesser of I mean there's up first time guesser of I mean there's up first time guesser of I mean there's everything that you can think of we just everything that you can think of we just everything that you can think of we just we prayed that God would do it and he's we prayed that God would do it and he's we prayed that God would do it and he's blessed it and so so all of that it was blessed it and so so all of that it was blessed it and so so all of that it was kind of I'm giving you I'm a context kind of I'm giving you I'm a context kind of I'm giving you I'm a context number one strengths finder so cut me number one strengths finder so cut me number one strengths finder so cut me off if you don't want all this off if you don't want all this off if you don't want all this background but um all of that has kind background but um all of that has kind background but um all of that has kind of swirled together where we ended up of swirled together where we ended up of swirled together where we ended up launching a Ministry called breaking launching a Ministry called breaking launching a Ministry called breaking barriers that kicked off with a barriers that kicked off with a barriers that kicked off with a conference last year uh the conference conference last year uh the conference conference last year uh the conference has coming up again in September and has coming up again in September and has coming up again in September and it's also a podcast and it's also a it's also a podcast and it's also a it's also a podcast and it's also a private Facebook group where we there's private Facebook group where we there's private Facebook group where we there's the whole point where we talk in the whole point where we talk in the whole point where we talk in positive terms about church positive terms about church positive terms about church growth and um you know and and we don't

growth and um you know and and we don't growth and um you know and and we don't demonize it and we then link it to the demonize it and we then link it to the demonize it and we then link it to the ultimate and you said it earlier man if ultimate and you said it earlier man if ultimate and you said it earlier man if you're you know discipl making has sort you're you know discipl making has sort you're you know discipl making has sort of an end that end is sending that's why of an end that end is sending that's why of an end that end is sending that's why we want to celebrate it so much and so we want to celebrate it so much and so we want to celebrate it so much and so whether people live sent in their whether people live sent in their whether people live sent in their neighborhood or they actually get sent neighborhood or they actually get sent neighborhood or they actually get sent to the Nations it's that eyes up to the Nations it's that eyes up to the Nations it's that eyes up mentality we want to connect the growth mentality we want to connect the growth mentality we want to connect the growth to the going and so that's what man to the going and so that's what man to the going and so that's what man that's kind of the background of it and that's kind of the background of it and that's kind of the background of it and and it's where it all came from it's and it's where it all came from it's and it's where it all came from it's fabulous absolutely I love your heart in fabulous absolutely I love your heart in fabulous absolutely I love your heart in it it and just you know for the sake of it it and just you know for the sake of it it and just you know for the sake of uh clarity the people that are listening uh clarity the people that are listening uh clarity the people that are listening to the missional marketing podcast are to the missional marketing podcast are to the missional marketing podcast are not people who are typically afraid of not people who are typically afraid of not people who are typically afraid of looking at numbers right now you're looking at numbers right now you're looking at numbers right now you're you're right though uh that you know you're right though uh that you know you're right though uh that you know there there is there is a a a lane in there there is there is a a a lane in there there is there is a a a lane in the church world where you know looking the church world where you know looking the church world where you know looking at numbers and and celebrating numbers at numbers and and celebrating numbers at numbers and and celebrating numbers can feel a little bit icky a lot of it can feel a little bit icky a lot of it can feel a little bit icky a lot of it comes from motivation right what is your comes from motivation right what is your comes from motivation right what is your motivation what's the reason that you motivation what's the reason that you motivation what's the reason that you want to have bigger numbers I mean for want to have bigger numbers I mean for want to have bigger numbers I mean for me personally I've always felt like the me personally I've always felt like the me personally I've always felt like the the the the the more my church is the the the the more my church is the the the the more my church is growing the more people who are saying growing the more people who are saying growing the more people who are saying yes to Jesus and choosing to follow him yes to Jesus and choosing to follow him yes to Jesus and choosing to follow him and getting baptized it means that the and getting baptized it means that the and getting baptized it means that the kingdom is expanding and that's the kingdom is expanding and that's the kingdom is expanding and that's the whole purpose here it's not growing my whole purpose here it's not growing my whole purpose here it's not growing my church as much it is is grow as it is church as much it is is grow as it is church as much it is is grow as it is growing God's kingdom and that's that's growing God's kingdom and that's that's growing God's kingdom and that's that's exciting for me so let's talk a little exciting for me so let's talk a little exciting for me so let's talk a little bit about the conference you did it last bit about the conference you did it last bit about the conference you did it last year we're coming up inide September year we're coming up inide September year we're coming up inide September 17th and 18th uh in Greensboro is the 17th and 18th uh in Greensboro is the 17th and 18th uh in Greensboro is the the next conference uh talk to us a the next conference uh talk to us a the next conference uh talk to us a little about what the what happens at

little about what the what happens at little about what the what happens at the conference and who it's for so can I the conference and who it's for so can I the conference and who it's for so can I say one thing about the miss the miss say one thing about the miss the miss say one thing about the miss the miss Market abely people that are in Market abely people that are in Market abely people that are in marketing he you know what I wonder marketing he you know what I wonder marketing he you know what I wonder about your a your typical audience I about your a your typical audience I about your a your typical audience I know you guys have Pastor executive know you guys have Pastor executive know you guys have Pastor executive pastor but a lot of people that are in pastor but a lot of people that are in pastor but a lot of people that are in church comms I wonder if they feel what church comms I wonder if they feel what church comms I wonder if they feel what I'm saying though BEC because here's the I'm saying though BEC because here's the I'm saying though BEC because here's the thing like a lot of the churches that thing like a lot of the churches that thing like a lot of the churches that are Dynamic enough to to have like a are Dynamic enough to to have like a are Dynamic enough to to have like a comm's team also have bought into a lot comm's team also have bought into a lot comm's team also have bought into a lot of that conference speak where they're of that conference speak where they're of that conference speak where they're doing a lot of stuff in the back end doing a lot of stuff in the back end doing a lot of stuff in the back end that we all know you need to do but they that we all know you need to do but they that we all know you need to do but they won't talk about it positively you know won't talk about it positively you know won't talk about it positively you know sometimes so I want and and I just sometimes so I want and and I just sometimes so I want and and I just wonder if they feel that sometimes and wonder if they feel that sometimes and wonder if they feel that sometimes and what we're trying to do is like pop that what we're trying to do is like pop that what we're trying to do is like pop that balloon like hey man I am a total balloon like hey man I am a total balloon like hey man I am a total pragmatist I wear it as a banner because pragmatist I wear it as a banner because pragmatist I wear it as a banner because here's the deal we all are yeah if you here's the deal we all are yeah if you here's the deal we all are yeah if you have a website if you have an email have a website if you have an email have a website if you have an email address if you do you know if you have address if you do you know if you have address if you do you know if you have air conditioning in your building you're air conditioning in your building you're air conditioning in your building you're a pragmatist the Bible doesn't tell it a pragmatist the Bible doesn't tell it a pragmatist the Bible doesn't tell it doesn't tell us to do any of those doesn't tell us to do any of those doesn't tell us to do any of those things we just want I I bet a lot of things we just want I I bet a lot of things we just want I I bet a lot of churches that are that are you know have churches that are that are you know have churches that are that are you know have Comm team we just want to do it well we Comm team we just want to do it well we Comm team we just want to do it well we don't want to suck at it you know like don't want to suck at it you know like don't want to suck at it you know like Let's do let's do the prag pragmatic Let's do let's do the prag pragmatic Let's do let's do the prag pragmatic part really well hey so the conference part really well hey so the conference part really well hey so the conference um I'm gonna apolog for just one second um I'm gonna apolog for just one second um I'm gonna apolog for just one second because man you you that was huge and because man you you that was huge and because man you you that was huge and then you're just gonna run on okay so if then you're just gonna run on okay so if then you're just gonna run on okay so if you happen to be watching this video on you happen to be watching this video on you happen to be watching this video on our YouTube channel I want you to answer our YouTube channel I want you to answer our YouTube channel I want you to answer the question or respond to what Pastor the question or respond to what Pastor the question or respond to what Pastor Andrew just pitched right there how do Andrew just pitched right there how do Andrew just pitched right there how do you feel about it if you're in church you feel about it if you're in church you feel about it if you're in church Communications maybe maybe it's your job Communications maybe maybe it's your job Communications maybe maybe it's your job maybe you're a volunteer you've got the maybe you're a volunteer you've got the maybe you're a volunteer you've got the responsibility of driving new visitors

responsibility of driving new visitors responsibility of driving new visitors to your website so that you can get new to your website so that you can get new to your website so that you can get new visitors on Sunday um let's let's open visitors on Sunday um let's let's open visitors on Sunday um let's let's open up this dialogue on our YouTube channel up this dialogue on our YouTube channel up this dialogue on our YouTube channel or on Facebook Channel Wherever you're or on Facebook Channel Wherever you're or on Facebook Channel Wherever you're you're you're watching you're you're you're you're watching you're you're you're you're watching you're you're consuming this and I'd love to know what consuming this and I'd love to know what consuming this and I'd love to know what people are actually experiencing it's a people are actually experiencing it's a people are actually experiencing it's a very good question because I I interface very good question because I I interface very good question because I I interface with churches every single day mostly with churches every single day mostly with churches every single day mostly comm's directors and people in that comm's directors and people in that comm's directors and people in that space and honestly I've never asked that space and honestly I've never asked that space and honestly I've never asked that question I've never asked the question question I've never asked the question question I've never asked the question about what do you do we talk about about what do you do we talk about about what do you do we talk about numbers what is it like for you to be numbers what is it like for you to be numbers what is it like for you to be talking about numbers in the other talking about numbers in the other talking about numbers in the other context of your church the staff and context of your church the staff and context of your church the staff and then the church as a whole so it's a then the church as a whole so it's a then the church as a whole so it's a it's a it's a very interesting uh it's a it's a very interesting uh it's a it's a very interesting uh question that you posed there okay now question that you posed there okay now question that you posed there okay now yeah I mean marketing marketing people yeah I mean marketing marketing people yeah I mean marketing marketing people in churches I mean they will I mean they in churches I mean they will I mean they in churches I mean they will I mean they can end up like being the punchline of can end up like being the punchline of can end up like being the punchline of some of this bad thinking I think where some of this bad thinking I think where some of this bad thinking I think where it's like you know we don't we don't it's like you know we don't we don't it's like you know we don't we don't need more marketing departments we need need more marketing departments we need need more marketing departments we need more people on their knees praying or more people on their knees praying or more people on their knees praying or you know that kind of that kind of idea you know that kind of that kind of idea you know that kind of that kind of idea and it's just like dude and I I just and it's just like dude and I I just and it's just like dude and I I just wonder sometimes how it might make wonder sometimes how it might make wonder sometimes how it might make people feel it's like no we're all people feel it's like no we're all people feel it's like no we're all running is hard and you're right the running is hard and you're right the running is hard and you're right the motivation thing someone could have a motivation thing someone could have a motivation thing someone could have a bad motivation that's fine like I can't bad motivation that's fine like I can't bad motivation that's fine like I can't call that for them that's between them call that for them that's between them call that for them that's between them and the Lord but like you know what we and the Lord but like you know what we and the Lord but like you know what we need to be doing is marketing to the need to be doing is marketing to the need to be doing is marketing to the glory of God like I'm trying to get a glory of God like I'm trying to get a glory of God like I'm trying to get a thousand people to come to Mercy Hill thousand people to come to Mercy Hill thousand people to come to Mercy Hill next week off a marketing campaign I next week off a marketing campaign I next week off a marketing campaign I want you know whatever so anyway I think want you know whatever so anyway I think want you know whatever so anyway I think it's it's a I think it's a really good it's it's a I think it's a really good it's it's a I think it's a really good discussion I just wonder if some of them discussion I just wonder if some of them discussion I just wonder if some of them feel that but yeah the conference feel that but yeah the conference feel that but yeah the conference started last year and um man we we just started last year and um man we we just started last year and um man we we just said hey dude we're just going to we got said hey dude we're just going to we got said hey dude we're just going to we got to jump man we just felt really like to jump man we just felt really like to jump man we just felt really like burdened by this and we want to create

burdened by this and we want to create burdened by this and we want to create kind of a not not like a tribe or not kind of a not not like a tribe or not kind of a not not like a tribe or not like another Network or something but like another Network or something but like another Network or something but sort of a a lane for people to come and sort of a a lane for people to come and sort of a a lane for people to come and be equipped and this type of stuff and be equipped and this type of stuff and be equipped and this type of stuff and that want to be equipped in this type of that want to be equipped in this type of that want to be equipped in this type of stuff and don't want to feel bad about stuff and don't want to feel bad about stuff and don't want to feel bad about being equipped in this type of stuff you being equipped in this type of stuff you being equipped in this type of stuff you know and um and so we we just threw the know and um and so we we just threw the know and um and so we we just threw the doors open planned to comish for like doors open planned to comish for like doors open planned to comish for like two months it was great man we had 50 two months it was great man we had 50 two months it was great man we had 50 churches come we had 150 people come churches come we had 150 people come churches come we had 150 people come that were just and that was pretty much that were just and that was pretty much that were just and that was pretty much just and you know it's a very Niche just and you know it's a very Niche just and you know it's a very Niche thing but we felt like that was really thing but we felt like that was really thing but we felt like that was really positive for um as quickly as we were positive for um as quickly as we were positive for um as quickly as we were you know putting it together we didn't you know putting it together we didn't you know putting it together we didn't have a podcast at that time we didn't have a podcast at that time we didn't have a podcast at that time we didn't have the Facebook group or any of that have the Facebook group or any of that have the Facebook group or any of that stuff at that time and so uh you know we stuff at that time and so uh you know we stuff at that time and so uh you know we we've done we've taken some cues from we've done we've taken some cues from we've done we've taken some cues from you guys I mean we have sort of the the you guys I mean we have sort of the the you guys I mean we have sort of the the the the conference is the top of the the the conference is the top of the the the conference is the top of the funnel I mean it's a real you know funnel I mean it's a real you know funnel I mean it's a real you know there's a lot of people that are going there's a lot of people that are going there's a lot of people that are going to connect to that from a lot of to connect to that from a lot of to connect to that from a lot of different places and it kind of you know different places and it kind of you know different places and it kind of you know it kind of whittles down we have it kind of whittles down we have it kind of whittles down we have different different ways to connect um different different ways to connect um different different ways to connect um from there people can get into the from there people can get into the from there people can get into the Facebook group from there people might Facebook group from there people might Facebook group from there people might start wanting to come we do a quarterly start wanting to come we do a quarterly start wanting to come we do a quarterly one day event we've done three of those one day event we've done three of those one day event we've done three of those they're great you know 20 30 churches they're great you know 20 30 churches they're great you know 20 30 churches come together to learn about Weekender a come together to learn about Weekender a come together to learn about Weekender a Weekender that's our assimilation Weekender that's our assimilation Weekender that's our assimilation process or learn about something with process or learn about something with process or learn about something with generosity or just you know and then generosity or just you know and then generosity or just you know and then finally you know it kind of boils all finally you know it kind of boils all finally you know it kind of boils all the way down to now one of those the way down to now one of those the way down to now one of those churches that did our first cohort churches that did our first cohort churches that did our first cohort they're doing a cohort 18 months they're doing a cohort 18 months they're doing a cohort 18 months churches learn all the you know a lot of churches learn all the you know a lot of churches learn all the you know a lot of this stuff and then we we we kick this stuff and then we we we kick this stuff and then we we we kick another one off in October with another another one off in October with another another one off in October with another five churches um and the cool thing is five churches um and the cool thing is five churches um and the cool thing is the guy that went through our first the guy that went through our first the guy that went through our first cohort their cohort is set up for cohort their cohort is set up for cohort their cohort is set up for smaller churches um you know so it's

smaller churches um you know so it's smaller churches um you know so it's it's we're trying to get it like man it's we're trying to get it like man it's we're trying to get it like man just because your church is 100 people just because your church is 100 people just because your church is 100 people or 200 people but if you have if you're or 200 people but if you have if you're or 200 people but if you have if you're thinking this way like growth is not bad thinking this way like growth is not bad thinking this way like growth is not bad we want to send we want to grow so we we want to send we want to grow so we we want to send we want to grow so we can go then we we you know we want to can go then we we you know we want to can go then we we you know we want to try to help that's excellent so the try to help that's excellent so the try to help that's excellent so the conference is uh it's two days September conference is uh it's two days September conference is uh it's two days September 17th and 18th um what what's the 17th and 18th um what what's the 17th and 18th um what what's the conference look like is it keynote conference look like is it keynote conference look like is it keynote speakers is it workshops is it cohorts speakers is it workshops is it cohorts speakers is it workshops is it cohorts seminars what's what's sort of the seminars what's what's sort of the seminars what's what's sort of the makeup it's it's both um I do think the makeup it's it's both um I do think the makeup it's it's both um I do think the conference is going to grow into like conference is going to grow into like conference is going to grow into like more of a keynote kind of idea but L but more of a keynote kind of idea but L but more of a keynote kind of idea but L but we wanted to keep you know I've been to we wanted to keep you know I've been to we wanted to keep you know I've been to conferences where you get some of these conferences where you get some of these conferences where you get some of these guys in and you ask them to speak on a guys in and you ask them to speak on a guys in and you ask them to speak on a certain thing and then they just give certain thing and then they just give certain thing and then they just give the same stick that they give they gave the same stick that they give they gave the same stick that they give they gave at the last four conferences um and had at the last four conferences um and had at the last four conferences um and had nothing to do with the the topic or nothing to do with the the topic or nothing to do with the the topic or whatever so we we decided last year and whatever so we we decided last year and whatever so we we decided last year and this year man we're just not we're not this year man we're just not we're not this year man we're just not we're not doing that so um our team is controlling doing that so um our team is controlling doing that so um our team is controlling it from the top down so we you know uh it from the top down so we you know uh it from the top down so we you know uh we'll do main we'll do main stage and we'll do main we'll do main stage and we'll do main we'll do main stage and and breakouts but it's all going to be and breakouts but it's all going to be and breakouts but it's all going to be from our team did that last year we were from our team did that last year we were from our team did that last year we were able to control you know exactly what able to control you know exactly what able to control you know exactly what the thrust of the conference was and the thrust of the conference was and the thrust of the conference was and we'll do the same thing this year um we'll do the same thing this year um we'll do the same thing this year um it'll be practical man there'll be a it'll be practical man there'll be a it'll be practical man there'll be a bunch you know we'll do some mainstage bunch you know we'll do some mainstage bunch you know we'll do some mainstage stuff that is around Church growing and stuff that is around Church growing and stuff that is around Church growing and going same ideas different you know turn going same ideas different you know turn going same ideas different you know turn the diamond on it and then there'll be the diamond on it and then there'll be the diamond on it and then there'll be breakouts that are highly practical breakouts that are highly practical breakouts that are highly practical highly practical um you know around highly practical um you know around highly practical um you know around these topics and people can go to those these topics and people can go to those these topics and people can go to those there'll be a hang that night we'll come there'll be a hang that night we'll come there'll be a hang that night we'll come back together the next morning there's back together the next morning there's back together the next morning there's also a pre-conference on Monday that also a pre-conference on Monday that also a pre-conference on Monday that pre-conference is all about uh pre-conference is all about uh pre-conference is all about uh generosity in your church and learning

generosity in your church and learning generosity in your church and learning to talk about generosity as a pathway to to talk about generosity as a pathway to to talk about generosity as a pathway to maturity not only a fruit of maturity maturity not only a fruit of maturity maturity not only a fruit of maturity and how we disciple people through and how we disciple people through and how we disciple people through talking about generosity and that kind talking about generosity and that kind talking about generosity and that kind of thing so that'll be really strong for of thing so that'll be really strong for of thing so that'll be really strong for anybody who's thinking about the the anybody who's thinking about the the anybody who's thinking about the the church finance side of things okay church finance side of things okay church finance side of things okay that's a really really good one and I that's a really really good one and I that's a really really good one and I love that that addresses a very specific love that that addresses a very specific love that that addresses a very specific pain point that a lot of churches would pain point that a lot of churches would pain point that a lot of churches would be experiencing for the rest of the be experiencing for the rest of the be experiencing for the rest of the conference can you bullet point two or conference can you bullet point two or conference can you bullet point two or three other pain points that might be three other pain points that might be three other pain points that might be addressed at the conference yeah we will addressed at the conference yeah we will addressed at the conference yeah we will we we do feel again like we want to we we do feel again like we want to we we do feel again like we want to reframe Church growth positively I'll reframe Church growth positively I'll reframe Church growth positively I'll probably do that um and then there's probably do that um and then there's probably do that um and then there's going to be a couple of other uh going to be a couple of other uh going to be a couple of other uh mainstage things that are are are uh mainstage things that are are are uh mainstage things that are are are uh kind of more around how to assimilate kind of more around how to assimilate kind of more around how to assimilate people that are coming in uh that idea people that are coming in uh that idea people that are coming in uh that idea of you know it's it's the Larry Osborne of you know it's it's the Larry Osborne of you know it's it's the Larry Osborne idea of doesn't really matter how many idea of doesn't really matter how many idea of doesn't really matter how many people are coming to your front door if people are coming to your front door if people are coming to your front door if your back door is wide open you know and your back door is wide open you know and your back door is wide open you know and so we're going to be talking about some so we're going to be talking about some so we're going to be talking about some different ways different ways different ways programmatically uh to do that and um programmatically uh to do that and um programmatically uh to do that and um and you know we we call at Mercy hill we and you know we we call at Mercy hill we and you know we we call at Mercy hill we call it the church growth call it the church growth call it the church growth flywheel um you know gather groups give flywheel um you know gather groups give flywheel um you know gather groups give go a lot of churches have things like go a lot of churches have things like go a lot of churches have things like that although I don't think they really that although I don't think they really that although I don't think they really believe in them or run them um and so believe in them or run them um and so believe in them or run them um and so we're gonna we're going to you know try we're gonna we're going to you know try we're gonna we're going to you know try to open up our flywheel and and try to to open up our flywheel and and try to to open up our flywheel and and try to hit those those things that's phenomenal hit those those things that's phenomenal hit those those things that's phenomenal uh breaking growth barriers. comom is uh breaking growth barriers. comom is uh breaking growth barriers. comom is the website we'll link to that uh in the the website we'll link to that uh in the the website we'll link to that uh in the show notes uh there's also a podcast so show notes uh there's also a podcast so show notes uh there's also a podcast so if you just want to maybe going to the if you just want to maybe going to the if you just want to maybe going to the conference this year isn't in your

conference this year isn't in your conference this year isn't in your budget or you're not going to work with budget or you're not going to work with budget or you're not going to work with your schedule uh subscribe to the your schedule uh subscribe to the your schedule uh subscribe to the podcast I'm sure you get some really podcast I'm sure you get some really podcast I'm sure you get some really really excellent uh uh content there and really excellent uh uh content there and really excellent uh uh content there and uh and then you can plan on attending uh and then you can plan on attending uh and then you can plan on attending the conference in 2025 if you can't make the conference in 2025 if you can't make the conference in 2025 if you can't make it in 2024 but we hope that you will it in 2024 but we hope that you will it in 2024 but we hope that you will make it um Pastor Andrew anything that I make it um Pastor Andrew anything that I make it um Pastor Andrew anything that I didn't ask you that I should have asked didn't ask you that I should have asked didn't ask you that I should have asked you about the conference about uh Church you about the conference about uh Church you about the conference about uh Church breaking barrier if I can give you one breaking barrier if I can give you one breaking barrier if I can give you one quick one quick anecdotal thing I mean quick one quick anecdotal thing I mean quick one quick anecdotal thing I mean because I I think someone might be like because I I think someone might be like because I I think someone might be like okay do I really need this or not is okay do I really need this or not is okay do I really need this or not is there that big of a connection between there that big of a connection between there that big of a connection between growing and going and man I have beta growing and going and man I have beta growing and going and man I have beta tested this against I mean just a dozen tested this against I mean just a dozen tested this against I mean just a dozen churches and it's certainly our story in churches and it's certainly our story in churches and it's certainly our story in in 2022 our church was 10 years old I in 2022 our church was 10 years old I in 2022 our church was 10 years old I knew these numbers were going to be knew these numbers were going to be knew these numbers were going to be close but they're they're like this in close but they're they're like this in close but they're they're like this in every Church man if if you're if you're every Church man if if you're if you're every Church man if if you're if you're a first-time guest Orient if you have a a first-time guest Orient if you have a a first-time guest Orient if you have a first-time guest tent that you put push first-time guest tent that you put push first-time guest tent that you put push people to every week and you're trying people to every week and you're trying people to every week and you're trying to send missionaries whether you do it to send missionaries whether you do it to send missionaries whether you do it very well or not you're trying to it'll very well or not you're trying to it'll very well or not you're trying to it'll be very close to this um I looked at our be very close to this um I looked at our be very close to this um I looked at our numbers and what we realized at that numbers and what we realized at that numbers and what we realized at that time was a 10:1 10:1 ratio okay for time was a 10:1 10:1 ratio okay for time was a 10:1 10:1 ratio okay for every missionary we had baptized 10 every missionary we had baptized 10 every missionary we had baptized 10 people and for everybody we baptized we people and for everybody we baptized we people and for everybody we baptized we had s seen 10 firsttime had s seen 10 firsttime had s seen 10 firsttime guests so for 10 first- time guests one guests so for 10 first- time guests one guests so for 10 first- time guests one baptism 10 baptism is one sent one and baptism 10 baptism is one sent one and baptism 10 baptism is one sent one and so what you end up with is 100 first so what you end up with is 100 first so what you end up with is 100 first time guests to one sent one and I you time guests to one sent one and I you time guests to one sent one and I you know to me like I think just a lot of

know to me like I think just a lot of know to me like I think just a lot of times it's like it feels very spiritual times it's like it feels very spiritual times it's like it feels very spiritual to focus on the the one sent one when to focus on the the one sent one when to focus on the the one sent one when really it's like man the input the lead really it's like man the input the lead really it's like man the input the lead measure is the first time guests you measure is the first time guests you measure is the first time guests you know and so we need to be trying really know and so we need to be trying really know and so we need to be trying really hard to think about that and then that hard to think about that and then that hard to think about that and then that flows into baptism it flows into um are flows into baptism it flows into um are flows into baptism it flows into um are you know our sent ones and so man I you know our sent ones and so man I you know our sent ones and so man I think if people get that image in their think if people get that image in their think if people get that image in their mind breaking barriers is all about mind breaking barriers is all about mind breaking barriers is all about trying to help people on the front into trying to help people on the front into trying to help people on the front into that process you know so that they can that process you know so that they can that process you know so that they can flow into that back end and we can get flow into that back end and we can get flow into that back end and we can get the results and sending that we the results and sending that we the results and sending that we want the result the results are not want the result the results are not want the result the results are not going to come without an intentional going to come without an intentional going to come without an intentional effort so I I appreciate your heart effort so I I appreciate your heart effort so I I appreciate your heart behind this and I appreciate what you behind this and I appreciate what you behind this and I appreciate what you guys are doing to to help and equip guys are doing to to help and equip guys are doing to to help and equip other churches and uh I thank you for other churches and uh I thank you for other churches and uh I thank you for your time thanks so much uh for sharing your time thanks so much uh for sharing your time thanks so much uh for sharing uh your story and and your experience uh your story and and your experience uh your story and and your experience and uh we appreciate uh the partnership and uh we appreciate uh the partnership and uh we appreciate uh the partnership that we have with Mercy Hill I was that we have with Mercy Hill I was that we have with Mercy Hill I was sharing with you I'll go ahead and say sharing with you I'll go ahead and say sharing with you I'll go ahead and say it out loud maybe maybe one or two of it out loud maybe maybe one or two of it out loud maybe maybe one or two of your staff members have actually your staff members have actually your staff members have actually listened to this podcast and they get listened to this podcast and they get listened to this podcast and they get all the way to the end you have an all the way to the end you have an all the way to the end you have an amazing staff I love working with Nate amazing staff I love working with Nate amazing staff I love working with Nate and Ashley and Wes and uh just a great and Ashley and Wes and uh just a great and Ashley and Wes and uh just a great group of people and they're just like a group of people and they're just like a group of people and they're just like a very small fraction of your staff you very small fraction of your staff you very small fraction of your staff you got a great group of people there and uh got a great group of people there and uh got a great group of people there and uh I yeah I hope that uh hope that this I yeah I hope that uh hope that this I yeah I hope that uh hope that this conference is uh is super successful conference is uh is super successful conference is uh is super successful just helping encourage and equipping just helping encourage and equipping just helping encourage and equipping pastors who are who just looking to be pastors who are who just looking to be pastors who are who just looking to be in that lane that you're in love it in that lane that you're in love it in that lane that you're in love it awesome man thank you guys so much well awesome man thank you guys so much well awesome man thank you guys so much well thanks so much if you've made it all the thanks so much if you've made it all the thanks so much if you've made it all the way to the end of the this episode of

way to the end of the this episode of way to the end of the this episode of the mission marketing podcast thank you the mission marketing podcast thank you the mission marketing podcast thank you this has been a little bit of a long L this has been a little bit of a long L this has been a little bit of a long L but hopefully you found the content to but hopefully you found the content to but hopefully you found the content to be uh helpful if you haven't yet be uh helpful if you haven't yet be uh helpful if you haven't yet subscribed wherever you're listen to subscribed wherever you're listen to subscribed wherever you're listen to your favorite podcast make sure that you your favorite podcast make sure that you your favorite podcast make sure that you do that uh we've got new episodes coming do that uh we've got new episodes coming do that uh we've got new episodes coming every Friday and we don't want you to every Friday and we don't want you to every Friday and we don't want you to miss any future content and again if you miss any future content and again if you miss any future content and again if you happen to be watching on our YouTube happen to be watching on our YouTube happen to be watching on our YouTube channel U make sure that you leave us a channel U make sure that you leave us a channel U make sure that you leave us a comment we'd love to engage with you comment we'd love to engage with you comment we'd love to engage with you here on this channel until the next time here on this channel until the next time here on this channel until the next time I'm Bart Blair this has been Pastor I'm Bart Blair this has been Pastor I'm Bart Blair this has been Pastor Andrew Hopper from Mercy Hill Church Andrew Hopper from Mercy Hill Church Andrew Hopper from Mercy Hill Church [Applause]