The membership of First Baptist Church Collierville, Tenn., is literally standing behind Matt Hess and his family. Hess served on staff with the suburban Mem- phis church as church planter in residence while the family prepared for a Toronto move and church plant launch.


really got our hearts,” Herring says. “We wanted to be a part of that.” As Herring and his team prayed over


what role they would play in this chal- lenge, God presented them with an an- swer in the form of former staff member and Mississippi pastor Matt Hess. Hess and his wife, Arrica, were in the


process of fasting and praying over an increased burden for the lost in North America that was steadily growing in their hearts. “Arrica and I just started to pray


through what God wanted us to do in re- sponse to this lostness,” Matt recalls. “We knew God was calling us to a place where there was just adamant, apparent need.” The Hess family found their focus specifically drawn to Canada, a populous yet severely underserved region in North


America. After a trip to Toronto con- firmed their love for the nation, Matt and Arrica decided to step out on faith and set to work preparing themselves for a move to the city to plant a church. But they would not do it alone. Herring, Hess’ longtime friend and


mentor, saw in Matt and Arrica not just the answer to prayers for the lost in Toronto, but the answer to his prayers for Collierville First Baptist as well. “As we were talking with Matt and


Arrica as they felt led to plant in Canada, our team here began to feel that this was something our congregation could get involved in as well,” Herring explains. “They knew that God had called them to go to Toronto to plant a church, and we knew He was calling us to support that in our own church.” Now Herring and his congregation are


actively supporting Hess and his family as they prepare to plant a church in Toronto. Hess left his position in Mississippi to return to Collierville First Baptist to serve as church planter in residency, a position created specifically for this endeavor. The church provides Hess with an office to work in, books to read, weekly opportunities to preach and lead small groups, and many chances to meet and talk with other


13 Fall 2012 • onmission.com


PHOTOS BY KYLE KURLICK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24