In early November, Steve and Courtney Cohen began a six-month residency at Lakeview Church, where, under the guidance of lead pastor and church planter Phil Wiebe, they are walking through a hands-on training process that includes both assessment and practical ministry experience. From preaching to serving the congregation to balancing budgets, they’re learning what it means to reach people with the Gospel and lead a church in discipleship.

“Our church planting residencies train people and prepare them on the front end before we commit to a project," says USMB National Director Aaron Box. "It gives us an opportunity to invest in the people that we're pursuing planting with."

Phil knows firsthand how hard planting can be.

“We don't want to throw people into something that's going to hurt them,” he says. “More importantly, there are few things more harmful to either new believers or Christians than a failed church plant.”

That’s why USMB pastors like Phil are partnering with USMB—to train, mentor and support future church planters before they launch. It’s leadership development leading to lasting churches.

Will you give to help prepare church planters like the Cohens for successful ministry?