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“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow worers; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds” —1 Corinthians 3:8-10, NIV
Church planting is a needed and challenging Christian ministry. Through the new church plant, a community is impacted by the witness of Christ’s righteousness and truth. There are many tangible reasons why new churches should be planted

1. Church planting is the most effective evangelism tool (see Acts 6:7).
Across Nigeria, the local church owes its existence to Christians that pioneered unreached areas.

2. Church planting is a Great Commission mandate.
Multiplication is at the heart of Jesus’ commission to believers, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20, NIV). Many individuals live out this call as church planters.
Church planting is a supernatural work that only God can do. Joining God in Great Commission work means planting new churches. In Colossians 1:29 (NKJV), Paul writes, “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” Church planting is a demonstration of a passionate love for God, a priority for lost souls, and a place of specific service. The Great Commission provides the biblical motivation for the work of church starting.

3. There is a longing to establish new life and to break new ground.
In John 4:35 (NKJV), Jesus states, “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” The ground is rich and ready for harvesting. For those called to plant churches, an overwhelming conviction comes from the Lord to overcome complacency and enable believers to seize the opportunities that are available.
Throughout Acts, there are numerous admonitions to break new ground, gather people, transform lives, and develop leaders. New churches have a great opportunity to do all three as they establish an evangelistic presence in an unreached community. Planters love to see God raise new leaders from the harvest fields.

4. New churches grow much faster than established churches.
If the field is fertile, abundant fruit will be produced, because increase is imminent whenever God is involved. God desires to bless the work that is done in obedience and will give the increase whenever believers follow His leading (see Deut. 7:13).

5. It is a privilege for believers to exercise their gifts through growing new churches.
Paul depicts church planting as breaking new ground. Any call to church planting must begin with the clear understanding that new life will be established. Church planters are seen as gardeners and cultivators of spiritual life. Like a gardener, the church planter sows the seed of God’s Word into the soil of people’s hearts. The truth of the Word begins to take root, and, after a season, a beautiful new life buds forth (see Ps. 126:5).

6. New churches produce more ministry leaders (see Acts 16:5).
Paul preached the gospel to everyone he came in contact with, and as soon as they received Jesus Christ, he put them to work. When Paul and Silas visited Lystra, they met a young man named Timothy and added him to the team.
New churches must welcome young converts into the work of the ministry. As a result, leaders will benefit when they train and disciple these young, willing ministry partners. Far too often, new believers are expected to be as mature in the faith as Paul. Instead of rejecting them for their faults, church planters should help young believers grow into strong leaders.

7. Lost people matter to God.
God is motivating and inspiring His people to plant churches that will reach the lost. Lost people matter to God, and He allow believers to join Him in the important mission of bringing the lost into a saving relationship with Him.

8. Church planting gives life to the vision that God gives believers.
Church planting requires sensitivity to the will of God. Planting must be supervised and handled in a timely manner. That is why Paul visited the churches—he wanted to make sure that they were healthy, well-nourished, and reproducing. He also wanted to rejoice in the growth of the churches.
Ecclesiastes reminds believers that timing is essential and planting is seasonal. It is exciting to watch as the Holy Spirit directs His servants (see Acts 16:6-8). Sometimes a planter’s way will seam blocked.
However, that does not mean that God is not leading and guiding the planter. It may mean that He is preparing the planter for another tremendous task, or that He is preparing the way for the vision to really bloom.

9. Church planters have more fun.
Church planting is so much fun that it is amazing that people get paid to do such great things for God!There is a unique joy that comes from fulfilling God’s will and seeing God’s power at work. Church planters have the privilege of experiencing this joy, and of seeing God do miraculous things through them.

10. The family’s faith will grow.
Because of the unique challenges that arise from church planting, faith is constantly being exercised. God grows the planter’s faith, and his or her family experiences how good God is.

11. Church planting is relational and enables planters to make many new friends for Christ. Planters should love people and be effective in forming good relationships. They will have amazing opportunities to impact people’s lives for Christ.

12. Planters have people praying for them.
Planters always have people praying for the new work and their families. It is wonderful to know that people are lifting one’s name and needs up to God in prayer.

13. Church planting is complete evangelism.
Why did the apostle Paul plant and water the harvest field? It was because he desired to obey and please the Lord. The title of church planter means nothing unless lives are changed and God is glorified.
Church planting is complete evangelism because almost all of its growth comes from reaching lost people with the gospel. Church planters who do not save souls and start other new works are like farmers who never produce a crop.

14. Future planters and pastors are called to ministry through the church planter’s investment (see Prov. 11:24).
As church planters care for the harvest field, they nourish and sustain that which was planted. Using the Word of God, they water the fields and skillfully teach precepts that produce faith and lead to growth. After a time, God calls others from the harvest.
Isaiah 55:10 (NKJV) states, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater.” It is exciting to see new leaders emerge from the church to become church planters. It is natural for the original church plant to provide the finances necessary for the new leaders to begin new work efforts.

15. There is no clean up necessary when one starts from scratch.
“Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matt. 15:13, NKJV). As the Lord of the harvest, Jesus is not obligated to bless anything He has not initiated. Though it may seem easier to begin a ministry at an established church, often the ministry is limited by the opinions and preconceptions of others.
Many believers sense God’s call to go and start something new because of how difficult it is to get an existing church to grow and move forward. They prefer obeying God by launching a new work.

16. Church planters are not afraid of hard work (see Prov. 13:11).
Hard work is wonderful when it is rewarding. When a church planter works hard, they lead others to Christ. The hours are long, but the joy of the work helps them pass quickly. Whenever the apostles moved out in faith, there were always victories (see Acts 16:5). Likewise, when the believer grows in his or her personal faith, God blesses that faith by showing how He is working through them.
It is the believers who are ready to roll up their sleeves and reach the lost that will grow the kingdom of God. As God demonstrates His life-changing power, apostolic individuals labor together to draw lost people to God, and will receive their great reward.

17. New churches are open for creative planning.
When planting a new church, a planter can be creative in planning and structuring it. That is far more enjoyable than inheriting another person’s design, which will not necessarily fit the church planter’s gifts and vision.

18. A person can live his or her dreams right now.
When a believer invests everything he or she has into a new plant, God blesses the effort by making their dreams become reality. Like Paul and other apostles that invested their lives, when a Christian obeys God, there will be abundant fruit (see Prov. 11:24).
Believers should never settle for the wisdom of man, which often suggests that a person’s dreams are impossible to achieve. They should only seek the wisdom of God. When God is actively involved in a person’s life and ministry, nothing is impossible. And when a believer trusts God to plant a church, the new work comes together in harmony and growth.

19.The perceived “competition” of new congregations encourages existing congregations forward toward spiritual vitality
While competition does not at the outset sound very spiritual it has proven to be an effective motivator for existing congregations as they are compelled to examine themselves in light of the spiritual growth of new congregations in their community. This can lead to a spirit of resentment and bitterness toward the new group and even the Lord (for “blessing them and not us”) but it can also be impetus for change and awakening. C. Peter Wagner said

“Some are reluctant to start new churches for fear of harming those churches that are currently located in the target community. They feel that doing so could create undesirable competition between brothers and sisters in Christ. I mention here that in more cases than not, a new church in the community tends to raise the religious interest of the people in general and if handled properly can be a benefit to existing churches. That which blesses the kingdom of God as a whole also blesses the churches that truly are a part of the Kingdom”

If you a pastor or you have the call of God on your life:I want to encourage you to forge ahead and plant that church,especially if the Lord has been laying it on your heart.