| This article was updated Feb. 14 to clarify Thomas is the interim mobilizer.
The USMB Church Planting Council (CPC) has contracted with Scott Thomas to serve part-time as the USMB interim church planting mobilizer. Thomas began work Feb. 1, 2024. As church planting mobilizer, Thomas will provide regular one-on-one coaching for all USMB church planters, cast vision and provide training for regional church networks and encourage “organic” church planting development. This includes collaborating with districts and networking MB churches for development of multiple church plant projects, while understanding the unique values, culture and realities of each district. In addition, he’ll provide “Church Planter Residency” groups for mutual encouragement, training and connection and will facilitate church planter assessments. “What a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with the MB family, committed to fueling our church planters and pastors as they inject vitality into their congregations through multiplication,” Thomas says. “For our established churches, deeply anchored in our shared confession of faith, the call is clear: we have both the privilege and the profound duty to plant new MB churches with fresh vigor.” Thomas was involved with USMB church planting from mid-2016 to 2018. He resigned due to his wife’s ongoing illness and the need to be home instead of on the road. His wife’s health has improved, and he now has freedom for travel as needed. Thomas is currently Lead Servant of Church Planting Partners and will continue in that role in addition to the new contracted role with USMB. Previously, Thomas served as president of Acts 29 for many years, has started three churches and was a lead pastor for 17 years. His pastoral ministry spans 42 years. Thomas is the author of The Gospel Shaped Leader, Gospel Coach Workbook, The Gospel Shaped Leader Workbook, Twenty Great Truths and Redeeming Grace. He is the founder of Gospel Coaching and co-author of Gospel Coach: Shepherding Leaders to Glorify God. When Brian Harris resigned in January as the church planting mobilizer to serve as the Southern District Conference minister, the CPC began looking for the right person to fill the open position. Harris looks forward to working with Thomas. “Scott Thomas brings to the conference the experience and the passion that can propel us forward,” Harris says. “We are massively blessed to have his level of skill and experience in our family of churches.” USMB national director Don Morris says, “When Brian Harris resigned as church planting mobilizer, I and others began praying and asking God for someone with the right skill set to be able to step into this vital role. God has provided. Scott brings a wealth of experience, plus he knows our MB family well. He has great passion for church planting as a whole, and probably even greater fervor for coming alongside individual church planting couples to help them flourish. I’m delighted that Scott is joining our USMB church planting team.” Scott lives in Nashville, Tenn., with his wife of 41 years, Jeannie. They have two adult sons and four grandchildren. |
