A still small voice keeps telling you, “Start a new church.” You’ve tried ignoring it, resisting it, even arguing with it, but it won’t go away. So, you have become a church planter. You’re convinced you must plant a new church, not just another church. This church needs to sprout from the seed of the gospel planted in the soil of the culture. The fruit it bears will be unique— transformed lives re-presenting Jesus everyday in the context of their lives, their relationships, and their culture. This is not like anything you have done before. It will not be easy. How will you begin? More importantly, who will help you cultivate the soil…

Our purpose at ELI is to mobilize emerging leaders to start new churches for successive generations. We have seen the numbers, read the reports, and sadly watched as this generation has moved farther and farther away from God. We believe thousands of local churches, formed out of the culture, must be started if we are to reverse this trend. If God has called you to start one of these churches, we share that passion and want to help you cultivate a new church out of this culture. Here’s how…

Cultivate Church Planter Gathering

The catalyst event for Cultivate will bring together a small group of planters for a 5 day cultural and relational experience at Gateway Community Church in Austin. You will:

• experience a variety of Gateway services, meetings and events
• learn vital ingredients for creating a church out of the culture
• collaborate with other planters on a unique growth plan for your new church

Cultivate Monthly Planter Conference

This monthly live video conference, with all of the Cultivate group members, will provide:

• interaction with key leaders around topics vital to new churches
• ongoing training in leadership and strategy as you work towards birthing a new church
• a network of supportive relationships for the Cultivate group

Cultivate Coaching

You will interact with your coach one-on-one each month to:

• encourage your ongoing skill development
• maintain accountability for timeline, tasks and milestones

Cultivate Funding

Participants in Cultivate will be eligible for matching funds through ELI. Cultivate funding is:

• available for startup expenses only
• given on a matching basis
• part of a reciprocal program that will support the multiplication of new churches