7 Reasons why we are starting Heirloom Church

7 Reasons why we are starting Heirloom Church

7 Reasons why we are starting Heirloom Church

Cafe front
Cafe front
Cafe front

1. God is sending the world to Texas

It is true that everything is bigger in Texas- including the spiritual needs. The world is coming to Texas in unprecedented numbers. Specifically Austin, Texas, and the surrounding metropolitan area make up the fastest-growing communities in the country. Over the last decade, three counties surrounding the Austin-San Antonio corridor (Comal, Hays, and Williamson) have seen the most growth in the state, averaging 48.8% growth. 

The City of Kyle, strategically located along the bustling I-35 corridor, has experienced remarkable growth, multiplying its population sevenfold from 5,000 citizens in 2000 to over 56,500 in 2023. Positioned just 7 miles south of Austin and 39 miles north of San Antonio, Kyle is now more than a bedroom community, evolving into a thriving city. Sadly, church growth has not kept up with this population growth. Even more tragic is the fact that there are fewer than 12 churches in Kyle, Texas with 60,000+ residents. In 2020, Hays County ranked 249th out of 254 Texas Counties in churches per capita while Travis County (Austin) was 252. What does this data tell me? The harvest is PLENTIFUL, but the laborers are FEW! (Matthew 9:37-38) We need MORE churches in Kyle and Hays County!

It is true that everything is bigger in Texas- including the spiritual needs. The world is coming to Texas in unprecedented numbers. Specifically Austin, Texas, and the surrounding metropolitan area make up the fastest-growing communities in the country. Over the last decade, three counties surrounding the Austin-San Antonio corridor (Comal, Hays, and Williamson) have seen the most growth in the state, averaging 48.8% growth. 

The City of Kyle, strategically located along the bustling I-35 corridor, has experienced remarkable growth, multiplying its population sevenfold from 5,000 citizens in 2000 to over 56,500 in 2023. Positioned just 7 miles south of Austin and 39 miles north of San Antonio, Kyle is now more than a bedroom community, evolving into a thriving city. Sadly, church growth has not kept up with this population growth. Even more tragic is the fact that there are fewer than 12 churches in Kyle, Texas with 60,000+ residents. In 2020, Hays County ranked 249th out of 254 Texas Counties in churches per capita while Travis County (Austin) was 252. What does this data tell me? The harvest is PLENTIFUL, but the laborers are FEW! (Matthew 9:37-38) We need MORE churches in Kyle and Hays County!

1. God is sending the world to Texas

It is true that everything is bigger in Texas- including the spiritual needs. The world is coming to Texas in unprecedented numbers. Specifically Austin, Texas, and the surrounding metropolitan area make up the fastest-growing communities in the country. Over the last decade, three counties surrounding the Austin-San Antonio corridor (Comal, Hays, and Williamson) have seen the most growth in the state, averaging 48.8% growth. 

The City of Kyle, strategically located along the bustling I-35 corridor, has experienced remarkable growth, multiplying its population sevenfold from 5,000 citizens in 2000 to over 56,500 in 2023. Positioned just 7 miles south of Austin and 39 miles north of San Antonio, Kyle is now more than a bedroom community, evolving into a thriving city. Sadly, church growth has not kept up with this population growth. Even more tragic is the fact that there are fewer than 12 churches in Kyle, Texas with 60,000+ residents. In 2020, Hays County ranked 249th out of 254 Texas Counties in churches per capita while Travis County (Austin) was 252. What does this data tell me? The harvest is PLENTIFUL, but the laborers are FEW! (Matthew 9:37-38) We need MORE churches in Kyle and Hays County!

2. The average church across America is in decline

Church research Kent Hunter says that the US is the third-largest mission field in the English-speaking world and the fifth-largest globally. North America and Europe are the only continents where Christianity is on the decline. Trends show that 4,000 churches close their doors every year in the United States with only 2,500 new churches starting. This gap becomes even more disparaging when you factor in that the un-churched population continues to increase. 

It is tempting to think that Texas, located in America's "Bible Belt", has plenty of churches and Christians. However, when you consider the number of spiritually disconnected and disinterested moving to Texas coupled with the thousands of churches declining or closing their doors, you quickly realize the urgent need we have to reach people and plant churches. That is the sobering picture of Texas- too many people are lost and too few are sharing the good news.

Church research Kent Hunter says that the US is the third-largest mission field in the English-speaking world and the fifth-largest globally. North America and Europe are the only continents where Christianity is on the decline. Trends show that 4,000 churches close their doors every year in the United States with only 2,500 new churches starting. This gap becomes even more disparaging when you factor in that the un-churched population continues to increase. 

It is tempting to think that Texas, located in America's "Bible Belt", has plenty of churches and Christians. However, when you consider the number of spiritually disconnected and disinterested moving to Texas coupled with the thousands of churches declining or closing their doors, you quickly realize the urgent need we have to reach people and plant churches. That is the sobering picture of Texas- too many people are lost and too few are sharing the good news.

2. The average church across America is in decline

Church research Kent Hunter says that the US is the third-largest mission field in the English-speaking world and the fifth-largest globally. North America and Europe are the only continents where Christianity is on the decline. Trends show that 4,000 churches close their doors every year in the United States with only 2,500 new churches starting. This gap becomes even more disparaging when you factor in that the un-churched population continues to increase. 

It is tempting to think that Texas, located in America's "Bible Belt", has plenty of churches and Christians. However, when you consider the number of spiritually disconnected and disinterested moving to Texas coupled with the thousands of churches declining or closing their doors, you quickly realize the urgent need we have to reach people and plant churches. That is the sobering picture of Texas- too many people are lost and too few are sharing the good news.

3. New churches reach people no one is reaching

It’s a proven fact that existing churches tend to reach existing Christians, but new churches are positioned to reach people who would never step foot in a church building. It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. New churches best reach new generations, new residents, and new people groups. That's why we start new churches. According to Dr. Peter Wagner, "The single most effective evangelistic method under heaven is planting new churches." That’s what we’re after. 

It’s a proven fact that existing churches tend to reach existing Christians, but new churches are positioned to reach people who would never step foot in a church building. It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. New churches best reach new generations, new residents, and new people groups. That's why we start new churches. According to Dr. Peter Wagner, "The single most effective evangelistic method under heaven is planting new churches." That’s what we’re after. 

3. New churches reach people no one is reaching

It’s a proven fact that existing churches tend to reach existing Christians, but new churches are positioned to reach people who would never step foot in a church building. It takes all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. New churches best reach new generations, new residents, and new people groups. That's why we start new churches. According to Dr. Peter Wagner, "The single most effective evangelistic method under heaven is planting new churches." That’s what we’re after. 

4. There's no church too great for the need

One church cannot reach everyone. First, as mentioned before, many churches have either plateaued or have been in a state of decline for many years. Second, the church-to-population ratio of South Austin and Central Texas are staggeringly low. Third, if the majority of existing churches in the community are not set up to be effective harvesters, the lost will not come. And fourth, without more faithful Gospel-preaching churches in our city, many will go without the good news of Jesus Christ. At Heirloom, we don't believe we're the only solution to the lostness in South Austin, but rather another expression of the gospel coming alongside other local churches to be part of the mission of Jesus. 

One church cannot reach everyone. First, as mentioned before, many churches have either plateaued or have been in a state of decline for many years. Second, the church-to-population ratio of South Austin and Central Texas are staggeringly low. Third, if the majority of existing churches in the community are not set up to be effective harvesters, the lost will not come. And fourth, without more faithful Gospel-preaching churches in our city, many will go without the good news of Jesus Christ. At Heirloom, we don't believe we're the only solution to the lostness in South Austin, but rather another expression of the gospel coming alongside other local churches to be part of the mission of Jesus. 

4. There's no church too great for the need

One church cannot reach everyone. First, as mentioned before, many churches have either plateaued or have been in a state of decline for many years. Second, the church-to-population ratio of South Austin and Central Texas are staggeringly low. Third, if the majority of existing churches in the community are not set up to be effective harvesters, the lost will not come. And fourth, without more faithful Gospel-preaching churches in our city, many will go without the good news of Jesus Christ. At Heirloom, we don't believe we're the only solution to the lostness in South Austin, but rather another expression of the gospel coming alongside other local churches to be part of the mission of Jesus. 

5. To be a training center for new leaders

When a new church begins, God turns bench sitters into leaders. There are no varsity and junior varsity Christians, but we believe God has called every follower of Jesus to play a part. New churches have more space on a team for people to serve, lead, and use their gifts to make a difference in God’s Kingdom.

When a new church begins, God turns bench sitters into leaders. There are no varsity and junior varsity Christians, but we believe God has called every follower of Jesus to play a part. New churches have more space on a team for people to serve, lead, and use their gifts to make a difference in God’s Kingdom.

5. To be a training center for new leaders

When a new church begins, God turns bench sitters into leaders. There are no varsity and junior varsity Christians, but we believe God has called every follower of Jesus to play a part. New churches have more space on a team for people to serve, lead, and use their gifts to make a difference in God’s Kingdom.

6. It's what Jesus commanded

From one generation to the next, there have been many whose hearts were stirred by Jesus’s last words and final marching order: 


“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). 

Jesus passed the baton to every single believer to join him in disciple-making by going to the lost, baptizing them in his name, and teaching them His commandments. Church planting is part of the Great Commission.

From one generation to the next, there have been many whose hearts were stirred by Jesus’s last words and final marching order: 


“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). 

Jesus passed the baton to every single believer to join him in disciple-making by going to the lost, baptizing them in his name, and teaching them His commandments. Church planting is part of the Great Commission.

6. It's what Jesus commanded

From one generation to the next, there have been many whose hearts were stirred by Jesus’s last words and final marching order: 


“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). 

Jesus passed the baton to every single believer to join him in disciple-making by going to the lost, baptizing them in his name, and teaching them His commandments. Church planting is part of the Great Commission.

7. People need Jesus

Here is the reality- Jesus will return. Refuse it. Resist it. Ignore it. It does not matter what we might think or believe- Jesus Himself has said that He will come. And when he does, He will come as Judge. And every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In anticipation of that day, we have an opportunity in the here and now to reach lives for the gospel.

John Stott has famously said, “Our God is a missionary God.” Therefore, God desires that we join him on this significant endeavor of being a part of the most powerfully transformative work in the history of the universe. This means that God didn’t save you to be an enthusiastic bystander, but he called you to be a faithful participant in His work to draw all people to Himself. That is wild that God wants to use me and you (yes you!) to be a part of His work to advance His Kingdom. Therefore, we invite you to join us in our mission so that together we can push back darkness and advance God's Kingdom in Central Texas.  Sign up here!

Here is the reality- Jesus will return. Refuse it. Resist it. Ignore it. It does not matter what we might think or believe- Jesus Himself has said that He will come. And when he does, He will come as Judge. And every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In anticipation of that day, we have an opportunity in the here and now to reach lives for the gospel.

John Stott has famously said, “Our God is a missionary God.” Therefore, God desires that we join him on this significant endeavor of being a part of the most powerfully transformative work in the history of the universe. This means that God didn’t save you to be an enthusiastic bystander, but he called you to be a faithful participant in His work to draw all people to Himself. That is wild that God wants to use me and you (yes you!) to be a part of His work to advance His Kingdom. Therefore, we invite you to join us in our mission so that together we can push back darkness and advance God's Kingdom in Central Texas.  Sign up here!

7. People need Jesus

Here is the reality- Jesus will return. Refuse it. Resist it. Ignore it. It does not matter what we might think or believe- Jesus Himself has said that He will come. And when he does, He will come as Judge. And every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In anticipation of that day, we have an opportunity in the here and now to reach lives for the gospel.

John Stott has famously said, “Our God is a missionary God.” Therefore, God desires that we join him on this significant endeavor of being a part of the most powerfully transformative work in the history of the universe. This means that God didn’t save you to be an enthusiastic bystander, but he called you to be a faithful participant in His work to draw all people to Himself. That is wild that God wants to use me and you (yes you!) to be a part of His work to advance His Kingdom. Therefore, we invite you to join us in our mission so that together we can push back darkness and advance God's Kingdom in Central Texas.  Sign up here!

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