Joe Jewell

LEAD PASTOR at vintage church

“Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.”

-C. Peter Wagner

Five years ago, I began a new ministry assignment in the Bay Area, sensing that church planting was in my future but uncertain of the timing or location. I’ve been in pastoral ministry for 14 years now, yet God placed the call to plant a church on my heart as early as 16 years old. For years, I wrestled with this calling, waiting on His timing. Four years ago, a close friend and colleague encouraged me to consider planting in Livermore. Their words stirred something deep within me, and as I prayed and served in the city, I grew burdened for its spiritual climate—a place marked by a pursuit of vain spirituality for personal gain rather than a genuine seeking after the Living God.

When I discovered there is only one church for every 3,259 people in Livermore, God broke my heart for this city. He made it clear that I was called to plant a gospel-centered, reformed, missional church to bring gospel renewal to Livermore.

Why Plant in Livermore?

Ten years ago, church planters would often parachute into the Bay Area from other regions. But the ground has hardened spiritually, and the complexities of the COVID era have made that virtually nonexistent. This only amplifies the need for new churches to be planted by those who understand the area and its challenges.

Our calling isn’t novel; it is the same commission Jesus gave over 2,000 years ago. We are here to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission through our mission: Love God, multiply disciples, and serve our city.

Our vision is rooted in the question, “What will the future look like if we fulfill our mission?”

We envision a gospel-centered community in Livermore that multiplies disciples who grow in biblical fluency and actively engage the city and beyond with the gospel. We aim to complement the faithful churches already serving Livermore as the city continues to grow.

New churches are vital for reaching new generations and new residents, and the need has never been greater. The Bay Area is 97% unchurched, making it the most unchurched region in the U.S.

The Vision: Reaching Livermore and Beyond

Our vision is to reach 1% of Livermore’s population through church planting and kingdom collaboration. Livermore has a population of over 95,000 people, which will increase in the next 5 years. Reaching 1% is about 950 people. Now imagine if that 950 people doubled because disciples were actively making disciples.

By His grace, in 10 years, we aim to surpass this 1% goal by planting additional churches in the Tri-Valley and the greater Bay Area. To reach 1% of the Bay Area’s 7.3 million residents (73,000 people), we envision a collaborative effort with other churches in the Bay Area to plant 200 churches, each engaging 150 attendees. If each church multiplied just once, we could reach this goal.

How You Can Be Involved

We would be honored if you would partner with us in this mission. Whether through prayer, financial support, or joining our core team, your involvement could help bring gospel renewal to Livermore and beyond.

If you’d like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to request our prospectus. This document outlines our mission, vision, values, community demographics, and financial needs.

Together, by God’s grace, we can see lives transformed and the gospel advanced in Livermore, the Bay Area, and beyond.