Notes from Our Leaders
Letter from the Executive Director
“Our God is worthy, and our mission is urgent. There’s no greater cause we can give ourselves to than making disciples of the nations.”
― Brian Howard
2020 was a momentous year for the world and for Acts 29. By the time we rang in the New Year on December 31, I think we were all tired of hearing the word “unprecedented.” After last year, “unprecedented” brings to mind globally spreading disease, grief, isolation, economic collapse, struggling churches, canceled plans, divisive politics, natural disasters, racial injustice, protests and rioting, turbulent elections . . . the list goes on. But what if we choose a different perspective? What if we hear “unprecedented” and turn our minds to the unforeseen—even unimaginable—good that our sovereign Lord accomplished last year? Yes, 2020 was a weird, exhausting, and often heartbreaking year. But Jesus is on his throne continuing to build his church. Acts 29 delights to be part of this great work. Last year, by God’s grace, we planted 25 brand new churches in 6 countries! We witnessed astounding giving in response to acute needs. We provided resources and content to encourage, support, and guide our community of churches through an emotionally exhausting time, including online global prayer meetings, Pastor-to-Pastor calls, and COVID-19 town hall meetings. We held our first-ever virtual conference—free for attendees—with a theme of “Remain Faithful.” We responded to racial tensions with a series of articles offering a biblical view of race and resources for expanding our understanding of these issues. COVID-19 forced us to get creative in our fundraising efforts, and we saw the thrilling generosity of our friends, churches, and donors through Vision Dinners and two relief funds. We transitioned from five separate networks in the United States to one US network of five regions. We’ve moved from a level of financial uncertainty to a place of stability, and we’ve hired many excellent people to support our work.
In our 2020 Annual Report, we’ll focus on stories that highlight the ongoing work of Jesus to uphold and grow his great and global church. I pray that you enjoy celebrating the unprecedented good the Lord accomplished in and through Acts 29 in 2020.
Brian Howard, Executive Director
Letter from the Board
“Truly, God's plan of redemption is about more than you and your neighbor. It's about people from every tribe, tongue, and nation on earth.”
― Matt Chandler
"Remain Faithful" was the theme of our 2020 (virtual) conference, and what an urgent exhortation it is for today's church. Acts 29 exists to see faithful, disciple-making, Jesus-enjoying churches multiplying all over the globe. We long to be faithful to God's Word, faithful in preaching and prayer, faithful in our laboring together by the Spirit's power, and faithful to lean into the promises of our Savior in whatever suffering he calls us to face. The Acts 29 Board has been deeply encouraged to witness so many churches walking faithfully, by God's grace, through a year beset by troubles. We pray that the following report of Jesus's ongoing work through our global community in 2020 stirs your heart with affection for our triumphant Savior.
Matt Chandler, President
On behalf of the Acts 29 Board