Investing for Missional Expansion: Thinking Beyond Ourselves

“I’m excited to let you know that you will be a ‘grandmother church’ soon!”

This is how I opened my sermon at Grace Anglican Church in Fleming Island, where I was invited to preach about a month ago. In 2020, my family was sent out by Grace Anglican to plant The Table Church on the outskirts of St. Augustine in one of Florida’s fastest growing counties. Now, almost five years later, we’re getting ready to welcome the Roman family from Pittsburgh, PA, who we will be training as church planters over the next three years. Once those three years are complete, if the Lord wills, they will lead a new church plant elsewhere in our diocese!

Gabriel and Elaina Roman came to our diocesan church planting assessment in 2023. We loved their obvious passion for Jesus and their desire to reach the lost and the broken. Gabriel finished seminary a few months ago and, after a year of prayer and discernment following the assessment, the Romans decided to move to Florida to join our church planting efforts. They just found a house and are planning on moving here in September! Please pray for them, including their two boys, Enoch (2) and Mateo (<1), as they raise funds, say goodbye to their loved ones in Pittsburgh, and get ready to move. Transitions like these can be hard.

For multiple reasons, this story is a fruit of wise stewardship. 

First of all, Grace Anglican Church has beautifully leaned into what Bishop Alex calls “being faithful to give generously beyond the congregation.” Sacrificial giving is wisdom in the economy of the Kingdom of God. Without Grace’s prayers, practical help, and financial support, The Table Church would not have survived, especially in 2020 and 2021 during the height of Covid. Despite having to navigate through a pandemic themselves, they looked beyond their own needs and strengthened us. 

Secondly, the diocesan church planting support system is a wonderful example of wisely stewarding diocesan resources. It does take a village to raise a child, and the Gulf Atlantic Diocese has been a great village to raise The Table Church in! Support has not only included finances, but also coaching, peer-to-peer encouragement, training, and regular check-ins to make sure we’re healthy.

Thirdly, both the Diocese and Grace Anglican have wisely planted a vision in us to look and think beyond ourselves from the beginning. In other words, multiplication and planting more churches has been part of The Table’s “church DNA” since day one. We’re grateful to see this vision coming to fruition now.

Are you excited about equipping the next generation of leaders to plant more Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered, sacramental churches? 

Would you join us in praying for God’s wisdom and guidance as we continue to steward the vision and resources he has given us? 

And would you consider giving financially to the Romans’ church plant or to the diocese for future church plants?

The Rev. Lenny Konschewitz is the Associate for Church Planting of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese, and a seasoned church planter.