Multiplication For Vertical Encounters

For many years, God had given my wife and I a strong burden for multiplication. Although we didn’t know what that would like exactly, we took the first step in launching our church, Vertical Encounter in 2015, with mostly young, second generation immigrants on our team. About a year and a half later, we began to notice that the parents of these young folks began to call Vertical Encounter their home, but because of a language barrier found it difficult to become active and use their God given gifts more fluently. Multiplication has always been part of our culture and vision at Vertical Encounter, but starting a Spanish church didn’t seem to be a part of what God had called us to initially although there was an obvious need for it. After some trial and error, we realized that our call wasn’t to start a new Spanish church, but to empower and parent a new Spanish team who would in turn plant this Spanish church in Waukegan, IL. It was then in early 2018 we began to develop this team and evangelize the Spanish speaking demographic of Waukegan in order to move forward in this new plant. One tool that has helped us continue to build a strong team and reach people has been the Dinner Church model. We enjoyed having about 70 families join us during our pre-launch Dinner Church gatherings and launched Vertical Encounter - Español with over 150 people in attendance and celebrated with 14 people as they gave their lives to Christ on April 7, 2019.

As a second generation immigrant myself, I continue to learn about the cultural differences that are included in this new plant and appreciate the challenges that come with that. I enjoy the PAC relationship because it allows me to have a road map to health and continue the vision of multiplication with intentionality. At this point, we are praying about and exploring a downtown Waukegan campus, jail campus, French campus, and after school student “Hope Homes” as a small part of the near future multiplication process at Vertical Encounter.

For any leader struggling with the thought or process of multiplication, I would say to begin with seeking a Word from God. In a culture that looks at multiplication as a style, fad, or cool word to throw around, God wants to empower His Church to spread like wildfire. Seek His Word and understand what the Bible says about it. After that, talk about it all the time! Talk about multiplication around your peers, leaders, family, and finally congregation/community. Since day one we have talked about multiplication although it didn’t happen until three and a half years later. It is a process that God wants, but there is a healthy way to pursue this call. Remember, it all starts and ends with Jesus!