house church planting
Walk This Way
|
Making Disciples - Planting House
Churches
|
| "Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19) Cody and Sol Smith, and daughter Paloma are living their dream; following the vision that God has put before them to use the church planting strategies of intimate house churches to raise up disciples of Christ. Currently they are working in the states of Nayarit and Jalisco, near the Pacific coast of Central Mexico. |
 |
|
House churches are modeled after the first century church mentioned in the book of Acts. There are no church buildings, no sound systems, no paid clerics, just groups of 12-15 people who meet, worship, fellowship, and eat together in their homes. In Mexico as in many developing nations there is often a shortage of funds for traditional church growth. In the past this lack has usually been picked up by loving churches from the U.S. Unfortunately this often creates an unhealthy dependence and a model that can only be multiplied with more cash from America. House church members regularly participate in interactive Bible study where, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they learn and discover truth together. This, then founds a basis of intimacy that grows into accountability and loving community. While there is an obvious house church movement that is thriving in many parts of the world today, Cody and Sol are pioneers in discovering how to present this concept in the context of Latin Culture. With more than ten years experience they are both bi-lingual, widely traveled and well prepared for the challenge of growing this remnant church. |
Tepic, Nayarit Mexico; May 2008 While continuing to meet in our home we are also working on a strategy to facilitate what we believe will soon become a national house church movement. Our new Spanish website (www.iglesia-en-casas.org) is an essential tool for connecting with others who already have the house church vision. It also provides some free resources to enable people to begin churches in their own homes. Simultaneously We have also begun hosting small conferences in the Guadalajara, Jalisco area. These conferences represent what seems to be an ever expanding territory (that Jabez prayer again). We are now casting our net far and wide to find the others that God is calling to lead this house church planting movement. At the same time we continue to drop our net in shallow water, right here in our own neighborhood, as we endeavor to discover a house church DNA most appropriate for this culture. We welcome your friendship, Cody, Sol and Paloma Smith
|
|
|
| Proudly Affiliated With |  |