Welcome to Tennessee North American Missions Podcast with your host Hank Hayes with Landon Spann! We are here to discuss the unique challenges that come with doing mission work in North America. Our goal is to share stories, strategies, resources, and encouragement for those who have answered the call of God to be missionaries right here at home.

Today our guest is Bro. Tim Richmond. Bro. Richmond has planted 3 churches and is currently planting a metro-missions work in Detriot, Mi.

Hank's Questions

1. Tell us your story & your call to ministry
2. What is Metro Missions and why plant a Metro Work?
3. Most effective methods for getting traction/growth in a new area? Certain tools work best?
4. How to prioritize where to focus when just getting started?
5. Suggestions for handling volunteers from larger churches that aren't necessarily committed to staying long term?
6. What was your plan for services with no new members (or all of the member were staff)?
7. What percentage of your week, assuming you have a full time job as well, was dedicated to preparing/running/being at the church?

Landon’s Questions

1. Have you seen any differences or difficulties with renting a shared place like a school versus having a place that is dedicated for a church? Are there any benefits?
2. What are some ways we can make a school a church in the minds of the community. To clarify, when people see the school their first though is about the school. Is there a way to help change the perception so that the school become synonymous with our church?
3. What are some things you have tried that failed or was not as successful in planting a church and what were somethings that were successful?
4. What are some of the best approaches to starting a church plant from where the church is located to who or what you start the church with? Are there some things and/or people you recommend to start a church with that will give you a jumpstart? For an example, is there a benefit to having a bigger worship team or a  team that can do something with the kids during a portion of the service? What are some ministries that you believe are vital to growth from a church plant perspective?
5. What are some things that can be missing from a church plant startup that can hold back or delay growth?

Closing

1. What advice would you give a young person wanting to plant?
2. How do you stay fresh/fight burnout?
3. What are three books or resources that you’d recommend to my audience and why?