The Possibilities Are Endless

Aug 26, 2019

Every parent can attest to the love/hate relationship with LEGOs. But even after the 10th time stepping on a misplaced brick on the way to the bathroom at midnight, the creativity and unlimited possibilities outweighs the pain. When we first introduced LEGOs to our oldest son we started with a small kit, carefully keeping track of the pieces and preserving the instructions. We were neat and precise and organized. We could build one small alligator. And then one day my husband brought home a 20 pound haul of random pieces. Creativity exploded. Worlds only imagined came to life. The possibilities were endless.

As I kneeled on the floor this week, scooping pile after pile of bricks into their container, Stadia came to mind. I have the privilege of serving church plants and church planters as a Stadia Bookkeeper. And as a partner in Stadia’s More and Better Day of Giving, I’ve been mulling over how to describe what Stadia is doing to plant more and better churches. Once again, these bricks provided inspiration.

See, Stadia has decided to spill out the 20 pounds of building bricks. They’re setting aside the boxed kit and opening the door to unlimited possibilities by providing their services to church planters at no cost. So now those builders are not only equipped with the necessary tools, they’re unhindered to start building.

Our research shows that Stadia strategies equip church plants to thrive. 90% of churches planted in partnership with Stadia are still on mission 5 years after launching, which is far beyond the US average of 60% at year three. And Stadia’s commitment to church planting and multiplication has seen 168 churches planted last year, nearly 250 this year, and a projection of 500 churches in 2020. But the pursuit of planting not only more but better churches requires one key element – the builders. Through my work I’ve gotten to know some amazing builders – church planters, who with their families have followed God’s call to plant churches where people belong, where families are cared for, where communities are pursued and cultivated. And there are so many more women and men responding to God’s call. Stadia wants to partner with them, will you partner with us? We need people who will pray, who will encourage, and who will give to plant more and better churches.

When I play with my son, I don’t actually do a lot of building. He is the builder, I am his partner, and together we both get to see what he’s able to create. And even though I don’t always have time to play or the capacity in that moment, what gets to me is his simple invitation, “mom, build with me.”

At Stadia we know we can’t all be church planters, but we can all plant churches. You are invited to partner with Stadia in planting more and better churches. Will you build with us?

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”(Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)

A Puget Sound native, Sarah Perez prefers the rain and overcast skies. Her current priority is nurturing and educating her two young boys, and she values the work Stadia does to support churches that intentionally care for children. She holds a Masters in Theology from Fuller Seminary. Sarah has worked in many support roles, most recently at Seattle Pacific University and First Free Methodist Church Seattle.  Her husband is a pastor at Bethany Community Church and they live in Everett, WA.

Sarah Perez

Project Bookkeeper, Stadia