Church Multiplication

Studies show that planting new churches is one of the most effective ways to bring people into the family of God. So, church planting and multiplication is a crucial area of mission and ministry for USMB.

Our USMB national church multiplication vision is to plant churches that will in turn produce new disciple-making, reproducing Mennonite Brethren churches. The USMB’s Church Planting Council (CPC) connects with local churches and district conferences to provide a national vision, cohesion and collaboration for planting new MB churches. The CPC is made up of members Brian Harris (SDC), Aaron Hernandez (LAMB), Christian Kohs (CDC), Henri Ngolo (EDC), Andy Owen (SDC) and Aaron Box.

We are working to create regional and cultural networks that collaborate together for church multiplication. An American church planting expert said, “Networks and collectives are the primary church planting force in evangelicalism today.” Consider these networks as the parents of the plants. Each network is called to discover, develop and deploy church planters.

To move forward with planting more churches, we are actively praying
and searching for committed and gifted church planters.

Mennonite Brethren have always been a missionary people. While our church-planting initiatives have varied over the years, our mission remains the same. In 1996, USMB established Mission USA as its church planting and church renewal arm. Under the direction of Ed Boschman (1996-2001) and Don Morris (2004-2016), many churches were planted.

We retired Mission USA in 2016 in favor of a church planting connection with Multiply. In October 2019, Multiply ceased church planting operations in the U.S., creating a church planting leadership void. So in 2020, the USMB Leadership Board launched the CPC to continue our efforts to plant churches and renew existing congregations.

We unabashedly ask for much-needed funds to invest in this eternity-changing vision. Furthermore, we’re seeking prayer warriors who will commit to pray for direction, wisdom and protection. And we ask for prayers for increased connections with people who don't know Jesus…yet.

Partner with us as we seek to live out the Great Commission by spreading the Good News in our own communities and around the world.

SEE ALL USMB CHURCH PLANTS

USMB Church Plants

Church Planting Spotlight

Martin Box Chapel

Martin Box Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas, began as a church plant in the late 1940’s when Tabor College students came to the Ozarks to host summer Bible camps and revival meetings. Martin Box was officially organized in July 1957, and Rev. Floyd Born was called as pastor in October 1957.

The church has a rich history of ministry through Sunday school, Bible studies, music, crafts and storytelling.

Pastor Jesse “J. E.” Wadkins and his wife, Marian, came to Martin Box in September 2019, and attendance has grown from a dozen people in 2019 to around 50 in 2023. Half of those attending are in their 30’s and younger. Young women coming out of addictions are wanting to be baptized. The life and love of Jesus shines in the congregation, bringing hope to new families, widows, professionals, laborers, farmers and retirees.

The Wadkins’. have been intentional to not try to build programs but to build relationships with others.

“It is so refreshing to rest in the Lord, not be anxious about this or that, trust in the Lord, and just pour myself into the lives of those around me,” J. E. Wadkins says.

The congregation practically serves its community by hosting home Bible studies, gathering for worship and intercession, helping single parents, teaching in a program for women coming out of addictions and providing quilts for new mothers. As church leadership models hospitality, that flavor of love and life catches on with families in the church body.

Please pray for the Wadkins as they joyfully love on their congregation. To learn more about the ministry of Martin Box Chapel, follow them on Facebook @martinboxchapel.