Mars Hill Church aspires to be a church that continues to be known for starting more churches (not just campuses).

The main purpose of a multiplying church is twofold:

1. To plant the gospel so that new churches exist where none existed before.
2. To bring missional renewal to existing churches.

The New Testament tells the story of the local church in Antioch that sent Baranabas and Saul on the first missionary journey (Acts 13). They took John Mark as a young man in order to train him.

The Holy Spirit was central to this process:

• The Holy Spirit called them (Acts 13:2)
• The Holy Spirit sent them (Acts 13:4)
• The Holy Spirit filled them (Acts 13:9)
• The Holy Spirit directed them (Acts 16:6–7)

A multiplying church comes alongside a church planter to participate with the Holy Spirit’s work in that man and in the community of believers. Mars Hill seeks to inspire men to plant new churches and then commends men as they are sent out.

Western culture promotes and encourages the personal call and entrepreneurial spirit of the planter. In contrast, the New Testament stresses the corporate initiatives of congregations—communities—in selecting qualified men for Gospel ministry.

For example, when the church in Jerusalem heard of the need in Antioch, together as a congregation they expressed their sense of responsibility and they sent Barnabas (Acts 11:23; 14:22).

Instead of leaving the initiative solely up to the individual, we want to deliberately approach our best, most gifted Christian leaders to send them to places of greater need. In this way, the individual’s subjective sense of call is confirmed by the objective call of the church body, which recognizes his gifts and qualifications. This reinforces the assurance of the Holy Spirit’s call upon a man.

At Mars Hill we want to select our best men (Acts 11:24) and send them.

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Acts 29 Network
Pastor Scott Thomas leads the Acts 29 Network, which exists to start churches that plant churches. More information at the Acts 29 website.