E a s t C o a s t C o n f e r e n c e o f t h e E v a n g e l i c a l C o v e n a n t C h u r c h • e a s t c o a s t c o n f . o r g

2 0 1 2 A s s o c . S u p e r i n t e n d e n t & D C P • R e v . J a s o n R . C o n d o n • A p r i l 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 • p g . 1 o f 4

Balancing Family, Faith, and Ministry DemandsEven with the significant, though fulfilling, demands of ministry, Lisa, Jaron (14), Bryn (11) and I are committed to making margin for what feeds our souls. We’re blessed with protected family time, refreshing vacations, involvement at Trinity, our home church in Manchester CT, and engaging the surrounding community of our new home in Columbia, CT.

REPORT2012 Dir. of Church Planting

Well Underway… Still Getting Started!Laying the foundation for the greater works God has in store

With a little over a year-and-a-half in this role, it’s just starting to feel like I’m establishing a rhythm and pace in this relatively new adventure. These past 20 months God has provided an incredible time of deepening relationships, establishing a new home for my family, and building ministry momentum.

It continues to be a joy to work with our Superintendent, Howard Burgoyne, as we serve the Covenant pastors and congregations of the East Coast Conference. The addition of our Office Manager, Alicia Sturdy, has also been a huge blessing. And now rounding out the team, we have the exciting addition of Kreig Gammelgard, our new Director of Congregational Vitality! While I’ve gladly played a small role in serving that area, I’m thrilled that our pastors and churches now have a fully dedicated Director of Congregational Vitality to come alongside them in their healthy, missional pursuits.

As you peruse all these reports, materials, and online resources, I hope you’ll be blessed in knowing your prayers, support, and shared ministry are bearing truly amazing fruit. Thank you for the privilege of joining together with you in this work here on the East Coast Conference!

Much grace,

Jason R. CondonAssociate Superintendent & Director of Church Planting

E a s t C o a s t C o n f e r e n c e o f t h e E v a n g e l i c a l C o v e n a n t C h u r c h • e a s t c o a s t c o n f . o r g

2 0 1 2 A s s o c . S u p e r i n t e n d e n t & D C P • R e v . J a s o n R . C o n d o n • A p r i l 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 • p g . 2 o f 4

PLANTING A MOVEMENTClear Purpose

The vision and purpose I

established early on for our

approach to church planting

intentionally emphasizes the

church planting pastor. Everything

rises and falls on

called, gifted, and

godly leadership.

Yet our church

planters would be

the first to say

nothing goes

further without an

impassioned

launch team and congregation

fleshing out the unique calling

God has for that particular church

and community. A rigorous

assessment process, specialized

training, and robust support

system all serve this clear purpose.

Growing MomentumA new season of planting

churches began in earnest soon

after the 201l Annual Meeting.

Since then we’ve signed 6 church

planter Covenant Agreements,

with 3-4 more

likely by year’s

end. It’s a huge

encouragement

and confirmation

that every church

plant has truly

shown faithful

fruitfulness in

these early months of their

projects, including: baptizing new

believers before launching fully,

finding incredible favor in their

neighborhoods, surpassing tough

benchmarks, needing to launch

with two worship services, and more!

OUR LATEST CHURCH PLANTING PROJECTSOUR LATEST CHURCH PLANTING PROJECTSOUR LATEST CHURCH PLANTING PROJECTSOUR LATEST CHURCH PLANTING PROJECTSChurch Plant (City, State) Planting Pastor Project Start Full Launch

Elements Church (Bronx, NY) Efrain Alicea Aug 2011 July 2012

New Season Church (Bronx, NY) Phil Bonano Nov 2011 April 2012

Sanctuary Church (Providence, RI) Andrew Mook Jan 2012 Fall 2012

Hope Church NYC (Astoria, NY) Drew Hyun Feb 2012 Fall 2012

Highrock North Shore (Salem, MA) Aaron Engler Feb 2012 Fall 2012

Highrock Quincy (Quincy, MA) Stephen Sharkey May 2012 Fall 2012

Seasoned CoachesTo keep pace with God’s work and be good stewards we’ve strategically added trained Coaches to the mix

Michael Carrion coaches our new Bronx church planters in the NY/NJ Metro Cohort

Josh Throneburg coaches our new church planters in Greater Boston in Greater Boston/New England Cohort

Future Coaches: we plan to add 2-4 more coaches by year’s end

VISION: “ encourage, equip,

and multiply church planters for

a sustaining church

planting movement”

E a s t C o a s t C o n f e r e n c e o f t h e E v a n g e l i c a l C o v e n a n t C h u r c h • e a s t c o a s t c o n f . o r g

2 0 1 2 A s s o c . S u p e r i n t e n d e n t & D C P • R e v . J a s o n R . C o n d o n • A p r i l 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 • p g . 3 o f 4

EQUIPPING THE “SAINTS”

Greater Boston/New England Cohort at Quincy Covenant Congregational Church

NEW: Launch Team Training DaysPreparing those who show up and get it done!

The first major task of a church planter is to gather a committed Launch Team. These are the leaders and hard workers who will flesh out the vision and values with key ministries and create a healthy, missional culture. Their preparation and equipping is critical.

Our newest strategic initiative is to train entire Launch Teams in one day with the principles and practices of Covenant Church Planting. This way as many as possible are excited and equipped to fully support the planting pastor and each other in the launch of their new church.

Currently the Covenant holds 2 national training events, held over 2.5 days, for teams of 3-4 gathered from current plants. This may shift as more DCPs bring Launch Team training in-Conference, and perhaps be replaced by a national “boot camp” of more intensive training for church planters only.

Our new approach has arguably higher impact by reaching entire Launch Teams, while covering the most vital and relevant content in one day. The saving

of kingdom resources is also very significant. The two events we’ve already held cost less combined than just the flights for a team to attend a national event.

The response from this first round of trainings was overwhelmingly positive from both the planting pastors and their launch team members, and is already producing results in their projects. We’re excited to add this approach to the growing toolbox for effective church planting here on the East Coast Conference!

Regional CohortsBecause no one should go it alone

Pastoring of any sort, including church planting, can be a lonely work

at times. More than one ministry has been undone by isolation, frustration,

and stagnation in personal growth. Creating Regional Cohorts is a simple

way to support our church planter pastors in their challenging roles.

We have two in place, going strong: Greater Boston/New England

and NY/NJ Metro. Planters and invited friends meet monthly about 9x

per year, with both DCP-directed and Peer-Led formats. It’s a powerful

time of bonding, equipping, resourcing, and encouragement, as well as a

great introduction to our culture for those exploring church planting.

In early March over 140 people from 7 diverse church planting projects gathered across two locations for our inaugural round

E a s t C o a s t C o n f e r e n c e o f t h e E v a n g e l i c a l C o v e n a n t C h u r c h • e a s t c o a s t c o n f . o r g

2 0 1 2 A s s o c . S u p e r i n t e n d e n t & D C P • R e v . J a s o n R . C o n d o n • A p r i l 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 • p g . 4 o f 4

Snapshots of God’s Grace at Work

Sanctuary Providence: Easter “Soft Launch”, 4 baptisms, 180 attendance

Launch Team Training #1: Elements, Hope Church NYC, Promised Land - Willis Campus, New York Covenant (host) - Manhattan Campus

Elements Church: praying to receive Christ; new Sunday worship space

Launch Team Training #2: Highrock Northshore, Highrock Quincy, Sanctuary Providence; hosted by East Bridgewater Covenant Church

Three New Church Planters: meeting ECConf Board, signing Agreements

New Season: Easter musical, over 500 adults, 200 children, 118 “decisions”

FORWARD FAITHFULLY“ Be strong in the grace that is in

Christ Jesus; and what you have heard

from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be

able to teach others as well.” – The Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 2:2)

These words from a veteran church planter to his

younger apprentice carry the privilege and the

promise of the Gospel. It is each one’s responsibility

and true privilege to share the life of Jesus so that it

multiplies across the generations. Christ’s grace is

more than sufficient and effective in that high calling.

We are the recipients of an unbroken chain of

faithfulness that shared the gospel in our own lives

and planted every church where we worship, serve,

and receive blessing. Our church planting efforts are

simply grateful obedience to not let it end with us.

If you or your church would like to know more

about partnering directly in church planting on the

East Coast Conference, we welcome the invitation!

Contact Info:jason@eastcoastconf.org

(860) 479-2020facebook.com/jasoncondon

Feel free to connect

online and follow along

as I post highlights from

church visits, ministry

travel, special events, and more:

www.facebook.com/jasoncondon

Find resources and

materials from our

monthly Cohort

gatherings, training

events, teachings, and more:

www.jasoncondon.com

Find hi-res images from

church visits and events

at our ECConf Flickr

photo sets. Feel free to use

them for your church communications:

www.flickr.com/photos/ecconf