REAL LIFE MINISTRIES TEXAS chuRch plant prospectus

Welcome to Real Life Ministries Texas!

Our church is off to a great start! We are meeting weekly in small groups in the Tomball/Northwest Houston area and gathering once a month for worship.

For our regular attenders and anyone who wants to help us get started, online giving is now available! Just click the button below to get it set up!

We're new in town and we'd love to tell you a little something about us!

  • WHY we are planting a new church
  • WHAT we are about
  • WHO we are
  • WHERE we will be located
  • WHEN we will launch
  • HOW you can partner with us

WHY we are planting a new church

To follow the New Testament method of making disciples

The missionary strategy of Paul to fulfill the great commission was to plant churches in areas of influence to reach as many people groups as possible. In this pattern the Gospel is brought to an unreached area and new believers are equipped and encouraged to make disciples themselves as the church community grows. Afterwards the process of planting a new church begins again; this pattern best aligns with the New Testament example of making disciples.

  • Acts 14:21-23, 16:9-15, 12
  • Titus 1:5
  • Romans 15:19-21

To make new disciples among the lost

Studies confirm that the average new church plant gains 1/3 to 2/3 of its members from those not attending any worshipping body. Churches over ten to fifteen years of age gain 80 to 90 percent of new members by transfer from other congregations. While many established churches are effectively reaching the lost there are simply not enough ministries making an overall impact in discipleship. The average new church will bring lost people into God’s Kingdom at six to eight times the rate of an established church of the same size.

To effectively reach the diverse Northwest Houston area

In general new church plants are nimble enough to identify and reach the emerging populations and new people groups in a changing cultural landscape. Younger adults are typically found in higher percentages in newer congregations. Ethnic and immigrant groups can be more effectively reached by a new church whose makeup reflects the overall demographics of the city.

Because God's Kingdom is about MULTIPLICATION!

WHAT we are about

Our Vision

We will be a church that develops people to go impact the world for Jesus Christ.

Our Mission

We will be a church that cultivates disciples in relational environments.

Our Methodology and Strategy

Using the message and method of Jesus Christ, we will follow His model to share, connect, equip to minister and release people to disciple others.

Our definition of the word "disciple" comes straight from Matthew 4:19.

He said “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, is being changed by Jesus and is committed to the mission of Jesus.

Organizational Values

We will:

  • Abide in Christ
  • Reach the lost
  • Connect the unconnected
  • Chase the strays
  • Intentionally shepherd our people towards spiritual maturity
  • Identify, equip, and release disciple makers
  • Function as a team
But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

1 John 2:5-6

Community Values

  • We will be a place of unity
  • We will be a church that holds Jesus’ message and method central
  • We will be elder governed
  • We will hold the ordinances in high regard
  • We will baptize immediately upon confession
  • We will take communion every Sunday
  • We will be a church that is committed to relationship and working out our differences
  • We will do life together
  • We will raise up, develop and intentionally build teams of people with the goal of planting new churches
  • We will reach both internationals here in Houston and take Relational Discipleship to the International Church, both domestic and abroad
  • We will be part of the larger movement of discipleship
  • We will reach out to the hurting in our immediate area and be open to reaching those with addiction issues
  • We will be non-denominational
  • We will focus on qualitative measurements over quantitative measurements
  • Making disciples of Jesus in small groups is “who we are”
Houston is the 4th largest city in the U.S. and there are many opportunities for ministry. We will intentionally go after the lost, hurting and disillusioned, which aligns consistently with the methods of Christ. Core to our mission as a church plant will be not simply to make converts, but to make disciples who can make disciples of others.

Ministry Focus

Small Groups

We will build a clear, simple small groups ministry that promotes Jesus’ methods of disciple making. The structure of this ministry will follow a basic 1-8-32 ratio of leadership (1 staff, 8 volunteer coaches, 32 small group leaders.) The DNA of our small groups will be highly evangelistic.

Benevolence and Recovery

The Christian culture “talks” about the poor and hurting, but avoids dealing with the issues. Often, para church organizations are formed because churches have fallen short in caring for those needs. The need is massive and we will be a leading church in this area and set an example for others to follow by developing a strong benevolence and restoration ministry.

Human Trafficking

Houston is a major hub for human trafficking. Thousands of young boys and girls are abducted and destroyed by this evil trade. Many are forced into prostitution and sold on a black market. Awareness and restoration are a huge void. We will explore how to serve our city in this area.

Ministry to Men

A common complaint from men about the church is that “There is no place for me to serve.” Unless you can sing on a worship team, hand out a bulletin or greet at the door there is little to no place for you. Many men in Houston are business leaders, business owners, highly educated and want to make significant impact. They want to use their gifts, but find the church frustrating. We believe God wants us to address this issue and get men involved. Not by programming a men’s ministry but by teaching them to invest in the lives of others, and get involved in things like service projects.

Church Planting

Houston is the most culturally diverse city in the USA. For example, near our plant will be 30,000 Indian Hindus. Within 8 miles of our plant over 26 different languages are spoken. We must be open to helping these people groups plant their own churches. We can become a massive missionary-sending church by equipping internationals in our own back yard. Along with international churches we will not overlook opportunities to just plant churches in the Houston area.

WHO we are

Lead Pastor - Brandon Guindon

Lead Pastor Brandon Guindon has over 15 years experience leading churches to become disciple-making bodies of Christ. His experience as an executive team member at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, ID and at The MET in Houston, TX have uniquely equipped him to plant a strong, disciple making church.

Brandon holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Linfield College and a Master of Arts Church Leadership and New Testament Theology from Hope International University. He was ordained at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, ID. He is a published author and a member of the Board of Directors for the Relational Discipleship Network.

The Guindons (Brandon and Amber, Emma, Olivia, Grady, and Garrett) moved to Houston in 2012 from their home state of Idaho. Amber is an Executive Assistant at Thrivent Financial and enjoys cooking for her family and friends. Emma is an artist and Olivia loves hanging out with her friends. The girls both play elite Fast Pitch Softball. Grady is a football player and a huge Seahawks fan, and Garrett plays soccer and a mean game of Mario Kart.

Launch Team

The Launch Team (21 adults) is already meeting as a small group and is united in purpose and passion to plant a new church in Northwest Houston that makes disciple-making disciples. This group is made up of varied ages, talents, cultures, and passions that make a tribe of people perfectly fitted for this adventure.

WHERE we will be located

The church will be located northwest of Houston, Texas, outside of Highway 99, also known as The Grand Parkway. The northwest segment of The Grand Parkway just opened in February 2016 and exponential growth in this culturally and economically diverse area is sure to follow.

The following demographic information was compiled for the corner of Hwy 249 and the Grand Parkway.

  • Located approximately 12 miles from the new 385 acre Exxon Mobil World HQ with over 12,000 employees.
  • 5,090 – annual housing starts over the past 5 years surrounding the site.
  • Current population of 148,000 in a 5 mile radius representing more than 30% growth in the past 5 years.

Traffic Counts

  • 112,000 cars per day on Hwy 249 south of Boudreaux
  • 7,010 cars per day on Boudreaux west of Hwy 249
  • 12,240 cars per day on Boudreaux east of Hwy 249

Source: Texas Department of Transportation, 2012 counts

  • Traffic counts should exceed 80,000 cars per day on the Grand Parkway when opened in early 2016

Estimated Median Income

  • 1 mile radius (249 and Grand Parkway): $77,289
  • 3 mile radius (249 and Grand Parkway): $73,463
  • 5 mile radius (249 and Grand Parkway): $88,342

WHEN we will launch

Preparation Phase

(January 2016 – September 2016)

With our launch team we will continue inviting people to small group and multiplying groups. We will begin meeting for monthly chapel gatherings.

  • Develop relationships within the core team by meeting together and praying together regularly
  • Grow and multiply small groups
  • Equip and grow launch team
  • Write by-laws, file for articles of incorporation and establish a 501c3
  • Establish website and social media presence
  • Continue to build financial partnerships
  • Identify, equip and onboard launch staff
  • Connect with other local pastors and leaders within the city
  • Build relationships with local businesses
  • Finalize our marketing campaign & strategy
  • Raise funds for all the equipment that needs to be purchased
  • Secure a location for our worship services

Launch Phase

(October 2016 – December 2016)

Throughout our preparation phase, we will continue growing and multiplying our small groups in preparation for a kick off worship service on October 16, 2016.

  • Invite friends, neighbors, and family to the service
  • Implement marketing and advertising strategy
  • Follow up with guests and new members to connect them with small groups
  • Have processes for membership, connection and giving in place
  • Cultivate relationships
  • Continue outreach efforts

Growth Phase

(January 2017 – December 2018)

Once we have launched we will continue to disciple our people, equip our leaders, and multiply small groups. We will continue to work towards financial self-sufficiency.

  • Continue to multiply small groups
  • Establish coaching structure
  • Participate in community events
  • Continue outreach efforts
  • Achieve financial independence

HOW you can partner with us

Real Life Ministries Texas is a church plant of Real Life Ministries Post Falls and will be under the eldership of RLM Post Falls until our eldership is established.

Real Life Texas is part of a larger movement of discipleship through affiliation with the Relational Discipleship Network, a cooperative network of like-minded disciple making churches that relationally support each other through coaching, training and equipping. The RDN is committed to having a worldwide impact by planting churches that follow Jesus’ model and method of intentional discipleship in relational environments.

For a church plant to flourish, the support of many people and organizations is essential. There are three ways you can play a key role in helping Real Life Ministries Texas.

Give

We are seeking approximately $270,000 per year in external funding over the first three years to launch this church and grow it to be self-sustaining.

We are seeking individuals, churches and organizations to partner with us in planting Real Life Ministries Texas through financial giving.

Join

If God has called you to be part of a disciple making local church with a heart to spread the gospel to the international church, both domestically and abroad, to reach the lost and hurting please join us for small group.

Contact Mark at mshilling@reallifetexas.org or 281-635-3896 to find a group near you.

Pray

Our ministry is founded and sustained through prayer and we covet your prayer support throughout the planting process and beyond. Our ongoing prayer requests are:

  • That we will be unified in the mission Christ has given us to make disciples
  • That we would follow closely behind God as He leads us
  • That we will be a body who welcomes the lost and hurting
  • That God will bring us the right staff and families to launch the church
  • That we will locate a facility for corporate weekly worship
  • That God will abundantly provide financial resources to meet all of our needs

For more information, contact info@reallifetexas.org

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is — when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

John 15:5-8 (MSG)

Credits:

Created with images by alexindigo - "Tree planting" • SMBCollege - "SMBC graduates serve as cross-cultural missionaries and ‘tent makers’ in locations around the world" • FirstBaptistNashville - "Family Mission Trip" • FirstBaptistNashville - "2002-Italy-Mission-Trip-097" • jjsala - "photo.JPG" • cortneymartin82 - "Welcome to Old Town" • Unsplash - "living room couch sofa" • Theodore Scott - "Wings Spread" • pixajen - "DSC_0736" • Hans - "grapes plant wine"

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