Our Recent Trip to Spain
Vision Matters
The vision statement of Gospel City Church reads, “To see the far off brought near and to grow into Christ as we plant churches from Long Beach to the nations.” But it didn’t always read like that. In the early stages of praying and considering what God was calling us to as a new church plant, we hadn’t stated anything about the nations in all of the drafted statements. We were pretty hyper focused on our local context.
It wasn’t until I shared the rough draft with a close friend that I was struck with the oversight. A dear friend of mine with a greater understanding of God’s global mission read it, paused, and respectfully asked, “What about the rest of the world?” It was in this moment that the Lord graciously humbled me and reminded me that planting a church in Long Beach isn’t just about Long Beach. Primarily, it’s about Jesus. And Jesus loves the nations. All across the pages of Scripture, God reveals his heart for the nations to see His glory.
Genesis 18:18 – “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.”
Joshua 4:24 – “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”
Psalm 96:2-3 “Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!”
Matthew 28:19 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations”
Revelation 7:9 – “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb
Building Relationships
We want to be aligned with the heart of God. We want to be about not just reaching our city and the multitude of nations represented here, and we also want to be part of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. You might ask, like I did, “How can a new, small church with limited resources possibly reach the nations?” As I pondered that question and prayed about it, it was clear to me: if our church is going to help bring the gospel to the nations, it’s going to start with…relationships. We need global relationships, friendships, partnerships if we are going to meaningfully be involved in such a massive endeavor.
Jaci attending Acts 29 Global Gathering
In light of that we decided to prioritize resources in order for Jaci and I to attend a Global Church Planting Conference, put on by our network Acts 29. So, last month we hopped on plane to Spain with a simple prayer: “Jesus, help us cultivate relationships with whoever you desire.” The Lord answered that prayer in abundance as we got to rub shoulders with over 350 people from 30+ countries all with a passion to plant gospel-centered, multiplying churches. We met folks from Albania, France, Scotland, Turkey, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Ireland, and so many other countries. We got to sit for hours and listen to story after story of God’s goodness. We wept tears of worship as we heard testimonies of God’s miraculous power to provide for his church. We beamed with joy as we listened to the stories of a church in Turkey, despite every possible hurdle, just now baptizing their very first 2nd generation Christian. We ached with eagerness as an Albanian pastor pleaded for us to tell our friends to come help plant more churches in his country. We celebrated with planters from rural and desolate places the abundant faithfulness of God to sustain their churches as the only Christian witness for miles. God is moving everywhere! The gospel is spreading everywhere!
A Church in Czech
Pastor Vasek (left) and his team from Kostel Jinak
Out of all the relationships formed, one in particular really stands out—a church in Sumperk, Czech Republic. The more we heard their story, the more this church sounds like so much of what we hope Gospel City Church to be — humble, faithful, multiplying, and generous. The Czech Republic is one of the most atheistic countries in all of the world. And so eight years ago, a group of four Christians who knew nothing about how to start a church, planted with the simple mission of being a gospel-centered church that plants more churches. Eight years later they are doing just that! Kostel Jinak, which means “different church”, is a small church of about 60-70 people and is made up of 90% first generation Christians. They have minimal resources compared to American churches and yet are in the process of sending out a team to plant another church in the next town over. And they aren’t just sending a team, they are sending the BEST team they can—elders, worship leaders, admins, etc. They are sacrificing for the sake of the kingdom, trusting that God will provide the people to fill the gaps left behind. They’re doing all of this while also fundraising for a new building that God has miraculously given them access to purchase. Jesus is on the move through this church!
I asked their pastor, Vasek Andrs, how we could come alongside them and help—knowing full well that they have a very tangible need of financial support. He said this to me, “More than anything, we’re hoping for friendship.” Friends, I’ve been part of A LOT of fundraising meetings, and never once did I say or hear, “You know what would be better than financial support, just your simple friendship.” In that humble answer, I not only heard a pastor who trusts Jesus to provide, but one who knows just how much we need relationships and friendships with other churches around the world. They need us, and we need them.
Recent baptism at Kostel Jinak (every church member participates)
As we’ve arrived back home, we have continued the conversation with Kostel Jinak and are eager to not just support them however we can, but also to cultivate friendship between our churches (Pastor Vasek and his family are even planning to come out to Long Beach this September!). We’re excited about how God will help us spur one another on to faithful church planting and faithful gospel witness. Let’s pray for Kostel Jinak, and for God to continue to help us develop global relationships for the sake of Jesus’ glory among the nations!
-Nick Ranieri
