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Read these inspiring stories to discover how Leadership Network is helping innovative churches and church leaders better realize their vision and maximize their impact.
 
 

The Well Community Church, Fresno, California

Next Generation Pastor Brad Bell sees the ‘fun’ in ministry and encourages others to exercise their creativity for Kingdom causes. Read how one simple idea of hosting neighborhood sports—mixed with a “let’s do more” kind of thinking—exploded into a multi-level system of life transformation.

 


Grace Church, Greenville, South Carolina

God is always at work, as Next Generation pastor Matt Williams can attest. Read how a thriving elementary school ministry was born from a single conversation between two men from different sides of the country.
 

Henderson Hills Baptist Church, Edmond, Oklahoma

Part of Leadership Network’s Recovery Ministry Leadership Community, this church is touching the lives of hurting people through its Ministry of Jesus recovery program. Read this inspiring story to see how God turned a man’s life around through the obedience of one young girl, who refused to let societal taboos limit her personal ministry.
 

National Community Church, Washington, D.C.

When this church's meeting place suddenly closed, Pastor Mark Batterson followed God's lead to a new venue. Now, National Community Church is catching crowds through the big screen at historic Union Station in Washington D.C. Read on to see how this church is using their location to meet people "in the marketplace."
 

Healing Place Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

From those looking for a warm welcome to those facing hard times emotionally, physically or financially, Healing Place Church offers a welcoming space to experience God’s love. This church is acting out that love at home and abroad in some inspiring ways.
 

Mars Hill Church, Seattle, Washington

Namesake of the hill where the apostle Paul spoke a life-changing message to the lost, Mars Hill Church is continuing the legacy. Read on to see how this dedicated church is arming people with Biblical knowledge, finding unique venues for fellowship and winning Seattle from the inside, out.
 

Cross Timbers Community Church, Argyle, Texas

From their small beginnings to grand vision, Cross Timbers Community Church is following God's lead into every person's world, empowering people to sharpen their natural gifts. This self-proclaimed "unchurchy church" is a home to anyone who needs one.
 
Other Connections Stories
 
Christ Fellowship Church, West Palm Beach, Florida – For this church, adding campuses means a growing outreach impact. Read on to see how Christ Fellowship is reaching out to groups of all kinds and seeing a powerful return in souls.
 
LifeChurch.tv, Edmond, Oklahoma – Crossing city and state lines, LifeChurch.tv is expanding its influence across the nation and around the world. Read on to see what God is doing in and through LifeChurch.tv and how they maintain a unified vision.
 
Creekside Community Church, San Leandro, California –The members of Creekside Community Church are so passionate about reaching out to those in need that they answered God's call to create a prison ministry and an after-school faith-based program. Find out how church members are helping transform lives in their community.
 
Word of Grace Church, Mesa Arizona – Instead of being "a mile wide and an inch deep," Word of Grace is "half a mile wide and several feet deep," says Karl Mueller, associate minister of outreach. Read this Connections story to find out how members are making deep impacts in the lives of others, both close to home and thousands of miles away.
 
NewSong Community Church, Irvine, California – Strong relationships have been developed through NewSong's involvement with Leadership Network. Find out how these relationships helped this church quickly help Hurricane Katrina victims and create a long term plan to continue the outreach efforts.
 

Seacoast Church, Charleston, South Carolina – Established in 1998 with fewer than 70 people, Seacoast today worships in 10 venues. They are a model for a successful multi-site church. Read this Connections story to learn how Seacoast has remained "one church" even though it meets in many locations.
 

First Baptist Church, Elk Grove, California – After becoming involved with Leadership Network's Externally Focused Leadership Community, First Baptist began to think more about focusing their efforts on improving the world around them. Read this Connections story to find out how First Baptist met the challenge of serving its community.
 

Halftimer Lan Bentsen, One Life Touched...Thousands of Lives Saved – Lan Bentsen was longing for more than financial and business success; he desired eternal significance. Read this Connections story to find out how Lan was challenged after attending a Collaborative Day event and what he did with that challenge.

 
Halftimer Dale Dawson, Building a Bridge to the World's Poor – This successful businessman is using his entreprenurial skills to reach out to children and adults in poverty-stricken Rwanda. Don't miss this inspirational story of someone who is following Jesus' call to serve the poor.
 
The Fellowship at Cinco Ranch, Katy, Texas – This outreach-focused church asks its members "If we were to close our doors today, would the community be worse off as a result?" Learn how they answer that question.
 
The Garden, Indianapolis, Indiana – A "blossom" site of a larger, more traditional church, The Garden reaches out to people who haven't yet found a church home. Read here to learn how this non-traditional church uses technology and unconditional love to serve God's people.
 

New Song Community Church, Oceanside, California – New Song’s mission is to reach every home and family in its neighborhood. Read here to learn what this congregation discovered about the needs of those closest to them!

 

Livingwater United Methodist Church, Englewood, Ohio – Read here to learn how this church embraced the unexpected and acted on an opportunity to grow its ministry through a unique partnership.

 

Christ Community Church, Omaha, Nebraska – This flourishing church emphasizes service. Find out how church members found a way to “Embrace Teachers” in their community and beyond.

 

Lifebridge Christian Church, Longmont, Colorado – The members of this compassionate church have made a difference in the lives of young women at risk.

 

Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, Gulf Breeze, Florida – The church and its members survived Hurricane Ivan, emerging stronger than ever. Read on to find out how focusing externally ensured their survival—and that of their community.