My 2012 Annual Report as Director of Church Planting for the East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church.

1. East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church • eastcoastconf.org
2012 Dir. of Church Planting
REPORT
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
Balancing Family, Faith,
a huge blessing. And now rounding out the team, we have the exciting addition
and Ministry Demands
of Kreig Gammelgard, our new Director of Congregational Vitality! While
Even with the significant,
I’ve gladly played a small role in serving that area, I’m thrilled that our pastors
though fulfilling, demands of
and churches now have a fully dedicated Director of Congregational Vitality to ministry, Lisa, Jaron (14),
come alongside them in their healthy, missional pursuits. Bryn (11) and I are
As you peruse all these reports, materials, and online resources, I hope you’ll committed to making margin
for what feeds our souls.
be blessed in knowing your prayers, support, and shared ministry are bearing
We’re blessed with protected
truly amazing fruit. Thank you for the privilege of joining together with you in family time, refreshing
this work here on the East Coast Conference! vacations, involvement at
Trinity, our home church in
Much grace,
Manchester CT, and
engaging the surrounding
community of our new
Jason R. Condon
Associate Superintendent & Director of Church Planting home in Columbia, CT.
2012 Assoc. Superintendent & DCP • Rev. Jason R. Condon • April 21, 2012 • pg. 1 of 4

2. East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church • eastcoastconf.org
P LA N TIN G A M O V EM EN T
Clear Purpose Growing Momentum Seasoned Coaches
To keep pace with God’s work and be
The vision and purpose I A new season of planting
good stewards we’ve strategically
established early on for our churches began in earnest soon added trained Coaches to the mix
approach to church planting after the 201l Annual Meeting.
intentionally emphasizes the Since then we’ve signed 6 church
church planting pastor. Everything planter Covenant Agreements,
rises and falls on with 3-4 more
VISION:
called, gifted, and likely by year’s
godly leadership. “
encourage, equip, end. It’s a huge
Yet our church and multiply encouragement Michael Carrion coaches our new
planters would be and confirmation Bronx church planters in the NY/NJ
church planters for Metro Cohort
the first to say that every church
nothing goes a sustaining church plant has truly
further without an planting movement” shown faithful
impassioned fruitfulness in
launch team and congregation these early months of their
fleshing out the unique calling projects, including: baptizing new
God has for that particular church believers before launching fully,
Josh Throneburg coaches our new
and community. A rigorous finding incredible favor in their church planters in Greater Boston in
assessment process, specialized neighborhoods, surpassing tough Greater Boston/New England Cohort
training, and robust support benchmarks, needing to launch Future Coaches: we plan to add 2-4
system all serve this clear purpose. with two worship services, and more! more coaches by year’s end
O U R L A TES T C H U RC H P L A N TI N G P RO J EC TS
Church 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
2012 Assoc. Superintendent & DCP • Rev. Jason R. Condon • April 21, 2012 • pg. 2 of 4

3. East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church • eastcoastconf.org
EQUIP P ING TH E “ S A INTS ”
NEW: Launch Team Training Days
Preparing 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
In early March over 140 people from 7 diverse church planting
support the planting pastor and each other in the
projects gathered across two locations for our inaugural round
launch of their new church.
Currently the Covenant holds 2 national training of kingdom resources is also very significant. The two
events, held over 2.5 days, for teams of 3-4 gathered events we’ve already held cost less combined than
from current plants. This may shift as more DCPs just the flights for a team to attend a national event.
bring Launch Team training in-Conference, and The response from this first round of trainings was
perhaps be replaced by a national “boot camp” of overwhelmingly positive from both the planting
more intensive training for church planters only. pastors and their launch team members, and is already
Our new approach has arguably higher impact by producing results in their projects. We’re excited to
reaching entire Launch Teams, while covering the add this approach to the growing toolbox for effective
most vital and relevant content in one day. The saving church planting here on the East Coast Conference!
Regional Cohorts
Because 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
Greater Boston/New England Cohort at time of bonding, equipping, resourcing, and encouragement, as well as a
Quincy Covenant Congregational Church great introduction to our culture for those exploring church planting.
2012 Assoc. Superintendent & DCP • Rev. Jason R. Condon • April 21, 2012 • pg. 3 of 4

4. East Coast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church • eastcoastconf.org
F O RWA RD F A I TH F U L L Y
“
Be strong in the grace that is in
Snapshots of God’s Grace at Work
Christ Jesus; and what you have heard
from me through many witnesses
entrust to faithful people who will be
Sanctuary Providence: Easter “Soft Launch”, 4 baptisms, 180 attendance
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 Launch Team Training #1: Elements, Hope Church NYC, Promised Land -
Willis Campus, New York Covenant (host) - Manhattan Campus
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. Elements Church: praying to receive Christ; new Sunday worship space
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 Launch Team Training #2: Highrock Northshore, Highrock Quincy,
Sanctuary Providence; hosted by East Bridgewater Covenant Church
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!
Three New Church Planters: meeting ECConf Board, signing Agreements
Contact Info:
jason@eastcoastconf.org
(860) 479-2020
New Season: Easter musical, over 500 adults, 200 children, 118 “decisions”
facebook.com/jasoncondon
Feel free to connect Find resources and Find hi-res images from
online and follow along materials from our church visits and events
as I post highlights from monthly Cohort at our ECConf Flickr
church visits, ministry gatherings, training photo sets. Feel free to use
travel, special events, and more: events, teachings, and more: them for your church communications:
www.facebook.com/jasoncondon www.jasoncondon.com www.flickr.com/photos/ecconf
2012 Assoc. Superintendent & DCP • Rev. Jason R. Condon • April 21, 2012 • pg. 4 of 4