How do you reach North America—perhaps even the entire world—with the gospel simply starting with one church plant? Start with New York City.
“What’s so good about Send North America is the way the local coalition is created to match up churches of all sizes that want to plant churches,” says Wood. “A small church can join in with other churches and pool resources to plant churches. At the same time, the local coalition matches up these sending churches with the church planters who are being identified, trained and validated.”


Through Send North America: New York City, Shades Mountain has mobilized to partner with Maranatha Grace Church, the multi-ethnic, English-speaking congregation—running about 100 each week—pastored by Kwak. That includes on-site missions work by Shades Mountain members as well as financial support.


Having a supporting church and other partners has made all the difference for Maranatha Grace, says Kwak. Their partners provide not just essential financial support, but more importantly, the care, council and prayer that planters need to continue the difficult work ahead. Partnerships are key to their success and growth.


Wood is the first to concede that not all SBC churches have the vision, priority and will to plant new churches. So, how did he persuade his members to jump on the church-planting bandwagon?


“We just looked at the New Testament,” says Wood. “Look at what Paul, Barnabas and others did, how they traveled to plant new churches—usually in major cities. We have to plant churches in major cities. That’s how the multiplication of the gospel takes place.” Wood says Shades Mountain members quickly embraced church planting.


Won Kwak and his family planted Maranatha Grace Church in Fort Lee, N.J., a stone’s throw from upper Manhattan. The Kwaks’ work shows the miracle and power of partnership.


16 Winter 2012 • onmission.com

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