From the Ground Up: The Relational Art of Church Planting
Stephen Leston
Jun 2025 · WestBow Press
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184
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About this ebook
In the pursuit of making disciples of all nations, it’s essential to remember the core of our mission: gospel-centered relationships. It’s not about numbers or visible success. Instead, it’s about the deep, personal connections we form to make disciples. Yet in a world where globalism clashes with nationalism and tribalism, and civilizations clash with civilizations, missionaries face tough challenges to overcome hate and distrust and authentically engage believers. In a comprehensive guide filled with wisdom and personal stories, pastor and missionary Stephen Leston relies on his professional experience in cross-cultural church planting in complex regions to share a groundbreaking approach to church planting and discipleship. He frames discipleship as a lifelong journey for followers of Jesus, not at the moment of conversion or teaching doctrine. Included are strategies to navigate diverse and hostile environments while fostering vibrant communities, practical methods to build trust and ensure the church blends seamlessly with the local culture without compromising the gospel, and reminders to measure discipleship impact through the lens of relationships and multiplication, not attendance, buildings, or cash. From the Ground Up offers a revolutionary approach and practical strategies that guides church planters and missionaries to first love people, then make disciples, and then form those disciples into local churches.
In the pursuit of making disciples of all nations, it’s essential to remember the core of our mission: gospel-centered relationships. It’s not about numbers or visible success. Instead, it’s about the deep, personal connections we form to make disciples. Yet in a world where globalism clashes wit...
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About the author
Dr. Stephen Leston is Vice President of Training at To Every Tribe, a mission agency that equips and deploys missionary teams to establish churches in complex and unreached regions worldwide. His three decades of experience includes work as a pastor, church planter, and trainer in church planting. Dr. Leston and his wife, Heather, have four children.
Dr. Stephen Leston is Vice President of Training at To Every Tribe, a mission agency that equips and deploys missionary teams to establish churches in complex and unreached regions worldwide. His three decades of experience includes work as a pastor, church planter, and trainer in church planting...
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