Church planting is not for boys. It is for men of calibre and character who have been tried and tested, shaped and moulded, not by life but by the Holy Spirit through the truth as it is in Christ.

But we need to become proficient at identifying and envisioning the next generation of planters now.  We need to see those in their late teens and early twenties become disciples of Jesus, and alert to the need to reach people for Christ and so see new churches spring in GPA’s (Gospel Priority Areas) around Western Europe. Now is the time to start investing in young lives and as we point them to Jesus, expose them to the opportunities and train and mentor them for the future.

Which is why I am very excited about the visit of Lecrae to the UK this autumn and particularly what’s happening on September 22nd. Acts 29 Europe along with Lecrae are running a Day Conference called Priority. This is taking place at Holy Trinity, Platt in Manchester. It is being followed by an evening concert (his only ‘date’ in the UK) at which Lecrae will launch his new EP, the venue being HMV Ritz, again in Manchester.

Let me explain why this is so significant.

(1) Lecrae is a gifted artist, who uses his gifts well for the glory and fame of Jesus. In his lyrics, he consistently and relentlessly makes much of the Saviour.

(2) Because of his love for Christ, Lecrae is passionate about encouraging young men in particular to take the gospel seriously, and give their lives in making it known.

Church planting is not for boys, but neither is it the exclusive preserve of MAWG’s (middle-aged, white guys!). We want to see the next wave of church planters begin to rise up so that over the next 5-10 years they start being used by the Lord to change the shape of the coastline.

So, book the date in your diary, and help us get the word out.