Covenant Church of Spring
COMMUNITY/COMUNIDAD: Share a description of the community you are called to reach.
- John believes that God has called him to reach anyone and everyone in his home community. He shares that the Lord has placed in his path young families as well as a considerable population of teen moms, and the Lord has given this new church plant some introduction into their lives.
CALLING/LLAMADO: Share about your experience of God leading you to start a church.
John shares that one of the very first things that awoke his heart to Christian maturity was when he heard Tom Billings speak at his church. He heard Tom say that it was time for our generation to stand up and stop looking for other people to lead. This was a watershed moment for John, and he was greatly encouraged by that. - John recounts that he was on staff at Houston’s First Baptist Church for 5 years. Then as he and his family began to live in Spring, TX, about 25 miles from the church, they began to develop a sense of community in their neighborhood and felt that the Lord was placing people in their lives to be ministered. He explained that according to Acts 17:26, God has appointed places to live, so John believed that God was calling them to serve in their area. He added that there are many churches in their area, but he felt that there could never be too many gospel-believing churches. He believes that starting a new church in each community would better meet the needs of each community.
VISION/VISIÓN: Tell us 5 words that are key elements of your vision.
- Discipleship
- Reflecting the character of Christ
- Commitment to the Word of God
- Commitment to authentic fellowship
- Commitment to family discipleship
REACHING THE LOST/ALCANZANDO A LOS PERDIDOS: Share the story of someone who has come to know Christ and is now a part of the church.
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This new church is only seven weeks into the ministry, and the people they are gathering with are previously uninvolved in church, so they are just beginning to build relationships. John explains that they want this new church to be a fruit inspection cooperative where they give each other permission to look into their lives, where there is evidence of grace, and where people get close to one another in God's love to work through their problem areas.
GOD AT WORK/DIOS TRABAJANDO: What is the most exciting thing God has done in the church?
- For John, the most exciting thing that God has done at Covenant Church of Spring is the way that God has taken a group of folks who really did not have any interest at all in starting a new church, and He has given them a passion, a commitment and a resolve. The Lord has given them a heart for the people and blessed them with families that have the same passion of following Him, and John believes that God’s strength is made perfect in their weakness.
LOOKING AHEAD/MIRANDO HACIA EL FUTURO: What would you like to see God do during the next year?
- John would like to see this new church grow in unity, in faith, and as Colossians 2:2-5 says, that their hearts will be encouraged, knitted together in love as they begin to know more of Him and delight more in His kingdom. That they would encourage each other in all the areas of life (work, school, swim team), and reflect the character of God. He would like to see more church planters who have a passion for the area. They are praying for different churches to start in their area and want to help others plant more and more churches.
EXPERIENCE/EXPERIENCIA: What has been the most challenging or surprising thing you've experienced in church planting?
- John shares that the most challenging thing in planning this church has been going against the grain everyday. Since he considers himself not to be at front type leader, he believes that it is going to take work. He says that “it has been a very strengthening time to be able to say to God, ‘this is not my church, do what You want, lead us in this, lead our core group in this’, so God has been truly feeding us moment by moment.” He feels the challenge to look not for the quick fix but to wait and trust God’s lead. His greatest joy is the way God has given them a shepherd’s heart for the people. He explains that it is one thing to be on staff at a church where you understand the responsibility to care and pray for the congregation; however, it is another thing with this group, he feels that God has entrusted individuals for them to care and feed. He finds it a privilege to take care, pray, and feed them. He finds unbelievable joy in ministering to his community.
WISDOM/SABIDURIA: What resource or words of wisdom would you pass on to other church planters?
- John believes that the Word of God is sufficient, so there is no need for gimmicks. He encourages church planters and pastors to spend a significant amount of time during the week in the Word, finding theological rich songs, praying the Word, preaching the Word, and reading the Word in their sermons.
NEED/NECESIDAD: How can people pray for you or partner with you?
- John is very thankful. He shares that between his church, Houston’s First Baptist Church, and his Sunday School class, this new church plant received $10,000 to purchase chairs, tables, and high chairs. Also, the Faith Bridge United Methodist Church, which is less than ½ mile away from their community, sent 10 ladies to babysit their children during their first bible study, donated a 20ft trailer to store equipment, loaned them sound equipment and provided wisdom, labor, and equipment for the ministry. John shares that through this great generosity, all their material needs have been met.
- John’s prayer is for increased leadership. They want to have a plurality of elders serving, so they need wisdom in identifying them. He also prays that they would take the long view of things and realize that this is worth doing for the rest of their lives.
| Current Contact Information: | UBA Directory Listing website: www.covenantspring.org |
| Pastor: | John Young |
| Location for Worship Services: | 17315 Stuebner Airline, Spring, TX 77379 |
| Date of First Worship Service: | September 25, 2011 |
| Type of Facility: | Dance Studio |
| Discipleship Structure: | Small Groups |
| Language of Worship: | English |
Interview conducted by Alex Martinez, UBA Staff.