This past week we had our monthly Church Planting Forum at Oscars in Temecula. Besides having a great time of connecting, worship, and training, we heard great news of a new church planting process in Venice, California by Alex & Jody.

Jody sent us this story as an example of what God is doing in Venice. Check it out.

Here is something you can be praying about. Pray for Jim*. I have been hanging out with [him] at a local pub here for a little while. Last night I saw him and we talked for a long time about LA and its history. He is an investigative reporter for a station here in LA and is an interesting guy. So the conversation transitioned when he asked what I did. My answer, I am a theology student, which I am. So he began to ask me why theology? My response, of all the answers in this world, it is the only one that make sense. For almost 2 and half hours I presented the truth of scripture to [him], allowed him to rebut whenever he liked, and we had a great time. His response was amazing. He left saying that he has ran into a lot of “Christians” who cram the Bible down his throat but had never met someone who who so normal yet could carry on such a deep conversation and challenge him in areas he had never been challenged. I take no glory in this because I am only able to challenge him because God has revealed the truth. It was an amazing time that he made sure we would have again. So pray for Jim. Pray that God would allow us time again to talk and for me to explain to [him] his greatest need is Christ.

What a cool story of being real and meeting people right where they are with the love and truth of the Gospel. Please keep Alex & Jody in prayer as they continue to seek God’s will for a new church plant in Venice. If you’d like to contact them click here.

*name has been changed to protect identity.

The Blog is up! Please check back soon for updates on our forums, leadership training, stories of church planting, and just general information on church planting. We’re hoping to create a place that will be a resource to encourage church planters.