A Father ’ s
Transformation Through Multi-Generational
Church Planting
By Dean Davis , Village Church Planting Architect
Ibamondo came to know Christ in a newly planted church in the heart of Togo . He embraced his newfound faith with joy as he trusted Christ as his Savior . He discovered that Jesus offers a salvation far greater than the magical powers , fetishes , and appeasement of ancestral spirits his animistic family members had sought out .
Ibamondo ’ s father was not happy with his son . Nevertheless , Ibamondo remained faithful to the Lord and his church . A disciple of an OMS Village Church Planting
( VCP ) student , trained through a VCP training center , planted his church . We call Ibamondo ’ s church a second-generation church ; it began when Daniel , a student church planter , invited Nifo — a disciple from his own first-generation church , to go and plant it . Nifo , the second-generation church planter , discipled Ibamondo . The young disciple proved himself faithful in the second-generation church . Seeing Ibamondo ’ s dedication , Nifo asked him to consider prayerfully planting a third-generation church . Grateful for God ’ s work in his life , Ibamondo accepted the challenge and extended God ’ s blessing to a neighboring village .
Twice a year , VCP training centers across Africa host gatherings where church planters celebrate what God has done . During these celebrations , they create “ generational maps ” showing the connections between the first- , second- , third- , and fourth-generation churches planted so far . The generational maps display each church ’ s size and health . They give clear evidence that the disciplemaking and training ministry of the VCP training center is bearing fruit across generations . All church planters linked to the center come together for times of rejoicing , giving thanks to God , food , fellowship , and coaching for further growth .
VCP leaders in Ibamondo ’ s region invited him , Nifo , Daniel , and more than 40 other church planters related to their VCP training center to celebrate what God had done . However , Ibamondo ’ s father , still re-
16