New Church Plant
By God’s grace, Providence is seeking to plant a church early next year (target date: January 2026)! This is a significant undertaking. Church planting can’t be accomplished by an enterprising leader, a committed core team, or even by a generous sending church–though all of these are important. We want to be “fellow workers” with God: striving to cultivate gospel renewal, even while acknowledging that God must cause the growth (1 Cor. 3:5-9). We hope you will be encouraged by what God is doing and eager to partner with us in the work ahead.
Meet the Bowmans
God has called our family (Brady and Kristyn Bowman) to lead this endeavor. We have deep roots in Austin and a burden to see the city renewed by the gospel. Currently, we are gathering a core team of people from Providence to help launch this new church, and we would love for you to pray about joining us. If you are interested, please let me know!
Contact BradyWhy Plant Churches?
The main reason is because of the pattern set forth in the New Testament:
- The Great Commission necessarily involves churches (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).
- In the book of Acts, the disciples carry out this commission by gathering believers into local expressions (Acts 2:42-47, 11:19-26).
- Paul’s entire missionary strategy revolved around church planting (Acts 13-20).
In our modern context, Tim Keller has argued that vigorous and continual church planting is the only way to truly reach a city with the gospel and renew the entire body of Christ. Moreover, as we live through what Jim Davis and Michael Graham have called “the great dechurching,” we have added motivation to plant more churches.
Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation and a growing center of cultural influence. But, apart from Christ, all this creative energy and cultural vibrancy will prove hollow and ultimately unsatisfying. Our city needs churches all over that are providing a faithful gospel witness: proclaiming the good news of Jesus and embodying the kind of sacrificial love and unity made possible by the gospel.
Where Will the New Church Be Located?
Our aim is to plant a church in North Austin (between Koenig Ln and Parmer Ln). The primary reasons for targeting this part of town revolve around need, familiarity, and relational connections. Providence is also well-positioned: several GCs currently meet in North Austin and a sizable portion of our congregation lives, works, and plays in this part of the city. If you are part of Providence, and especially if you live in North Austin, we would love for you to pray about joining the core team.
What Kind of Church Will It Be?
It will be a lot like Providence in terms of theology, values, and practices. However, the way those commitments are articulated and expressed will necessarily be different, owing to the context and people. Our aim is to help people become deeply rooted in Christ (Col. 2:6-7). We’ll pursue this mission through many of the same strategies: liturgical, gospel-centered worship; multiplying small groups; covenant membership; venues for equipping; and partnerships with churches and organizations in the city (and beyond).
Road to Launch
Spring & Summer 2025
- Host info meetings and monthly newsletters
- Gather core team and build leadership staff
- Finish prospectus and raise funds
Fall 2025
- Solidify core team and begin meeting together
- Complete website, legal documents, etc.
- Secure a space and finalize launch plans
Spring 2026
- Launch initial set of small groups
- Core team begins gathered worship services
What Can I Do?
Learn. The more conversant we are about the vision and the plans, the more momentum we can build.
Pray. Make this something you pray for regularly. The more we pray, the more attentive we will be to God’s grace at work.
Give. Brady is raising funds for the new church even now, and you can give directly to those efforts.
Go? We should all ask: “Lord, do you want me to go?” God loves when we are open-handed. Whatever the answer, he will use it to strengthen our faith and our commitment to his mission.