We start with global cities because this mission strategy is able to transcend the regions in which we are working. In every region, there are cultural capitals that impact the entire area. When Christianity began, the key to its success was the city. Because of the new Roman roads, cities became melting pots of different cultures and centers of commerce. Paul and his fellow missionaries went to the cities first, and when they did, great things happened in the surrounding areas.

Today urban centers are expanding rapidly so that we see a similar environment to that which existed in the first 100 years A.D. Due to this growth, the people in these cities have also developed an unusual openness to the gospel As a result, it is important that Cedar Springs reaches major cities around the world. In determining our strategy, it became clear that the leader in understanding how to reach global cities is Redeemer City to City in New York, where Dr. Tim Keller ministers. It was, therefore, an easy decision to partner with Redeemer.

New Feature

Al Barth

“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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
-Matthew 28:19-20

Al Barth, a former Cedar Springs member and ordained PCA minister, has traveled from Knoxville to the ends of the earth serving global missions. Several years ago, Cedar Springs sent Al and his wife Rene to Florida for their first church plant. Today, he serves as the global network coordinator for church planting in Europe and Africa via Redeemer City to City – an organization affiliated with Tim Keller and supported by Cedar Springs. On these continents, he serves as a coach, trainer and mentor for local church planters. In Africa, eight church plants are in development in three of the leading urban areas of South Africa…two in Cape Town, one in Durban, and five in the Johannesburg/Gauteng area. By the grace of God, Al and his partners have developed deep relationships with many of the Church of England South Africa (CESA) leaders and pastors, as well as several others from various denominations, theological institutions, and networks. Al’s latest report back to Cedar Springs is encouraging. He fully expects dozens of churches will be launched in the next few years. Through diligent partnerships, support and prayer, it’s possible this will also lead to additional church plants in many of the other leading cities in the countries of South Africa. Because we know the gospel changes everything, please wrap your hearts around the African church planting movement and pray for these churches, cities and the nation as a whole. They continue to struggle to free themselves from the effects of the Apartheid; suffer from AIDS-related complications and an orphans crisis; face insecurities with the future of their political leaders; and are bombarded with confusion as it relates to the gospel and their previous beliefs system.

Church Planting in Europe

“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” -Mark 16:15

Redeemer City to City, a Cedar Springs church planting partner, has helped plant 52 churches in Europe. Because the gospel is spreading and these churches are becoming important transformers in the lives of locals, it is important to pray for continued growth and development. Christians must have a heart for the gospel everywhere – in our neighborhoods, community, state, country, and for our brothers and sisters in other nations.

Jacques and Lindy met at seminary in 2003 and were married in March 2005. They are both South African citizens, with Lindy English speaking and Jacques Afrikaans.

Since 1999 he has been involved with a non-governmental, non-profit, faith-based organization working with people in need in Cape Town and surrounding areas, which included Sea Point. During his ministry involvement he attended seminary and received his Bachelors in Theology. This opened the doors towards church ministry where he spent one year on staff at St. John's Church of England in South Africa (CESA) and currently is on staff at Holy Trinity (CESA).

In February 2008, the leadership of Holy Trinity approached Jacques and Lindy with an opportunity to lead the church plant in Sea Point In the fall of 2008 they attended a church planting intensive at Redeemer City to City.

Leonardo & Valeria De Chirico

Leonardo ( born 1967) is planting a church in Rome city center. The name of the church plant is "Breccia di Roma", a name that means “breach". The hope is that God will breakthrough with the Gospel in the spiritual walls of the city.

Prior to his move to Rome (2009), Leonardo served as a church planter and then pastor of the Evangelical church in Ferrara, a Renaissance town in the North-East area of Italy (1997-2008). He also is a pastor- theologian who lectures at IFED, an Evangelical theological center in Padova.

He is editor of the theological journal Studi di teologia which provides pastors and students Catholic relations since Vatican II. So he joins theological expertise and church planting passion.

Since 2004, he is also vice-chairman of the Italian Evangelical Alliance, an umbrella organization which facilitates the relationship of Evangelicals with state authorities and media. He is married to Valeria and they have two teenage sons, Filippo and Akille. leonardo.dechirico@ifeditalia.org

New Update!

Highlights/Praises from the De Chirico Family and their church plant, Breccia Di Roma:

Highlights/Praises from the Nelson Family and their church plant, Eglise des Ternes:

Born in a bilingual, bi-cultural family (French mother, American father), Edward grew up in Indiana, but spent his summers in France (seeing grand- parents and extended family). He met Laura, also studying theology at Oxford, and they both stayed on after finishing degrees to do pastoral internships at St Ebbe's, an evangelical anglican church.

Edward is the pastor of a church plant in the west of central Paris. He previously taught the Bible to students with the GBU national student ministry in France. He also helped launch an evening service project at another central Paris church, which is now led by a local team. He is married to Laura and the proud father of three boys and a girl, Nicolas, Samuel, Alexandre, and Lucie.

They are planting a gospel- preaching and gospel-living church at Porte Maillot, in partnership with a central Paris Baptist church. They currently have the clear support of a solid sending church, two french co- workers have joined in a paid capacity from January 2008. Amazingly they located a church building to use, a few minutes walk from the Porte Maillot.

Finding a venue for an evangelical church which is suitable, well-located, available, affordable, and welcoming is humanly impossible in central Paris. It is a real sign of God moving and blessing this church plant effort. leonardo.dechirico@ifeditalia.org

Rue de Ternes Praises and Prayer Requests

• A member baptism was witnessed by several visitors and served as a great testimony. May those visitors and others in the church be struck by what they heard.
• Several church events were well-attended…even by families who have never participated in past social gatherings.
• A new Mom's group is studying the Bible and exploring how to reach out to others.
• Laura and the kids enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family.
• Paris is beautiful this time of year - praise God for His creation!

• The church is launching an informal, casual evening service to reach even more people. The church's hope is that a committed group passionate about this new service will stand united and be wise in structuring this service, while ultimately feeding attendees with God's word.
• May the Lord bless upcoming events. For instance, on May 27, Parisians celebrate the "Fête des Voisins" where street parties are held. The church asks the Lord to open opportunities to invite people to church as it hosts an aperitif event.
• Please pray for Edward as he serves as a guest speaker at a church and represents Rue de Ternes outside its doors. Church neighbors have recently complained of noise and of projects such as adding another fire exit. May there be peace and God bless good relationships in a city where people live in such close proximity.

New Update!

Highlights/Praises from the Nelson Family and their church plant, Eglise des Ternes:

• Stable attendance by visitors and members has led to a regular group of children who attend Sunday School. Eglise des Ternes now splits into two groups of kids/teachers each Sunday! The older group just started a 10-part series on the Kings while the younger group is receiving a Bible overview. Please pray for loving and effective communication with these kids and their families.


• A new men’s group, Le Bon Combat, is experiencing growing interest in the gospel and excellent discussions/friendships.


• Eglise des Ternes’ staff team has grown to two full-time workers and two part-time. The staff desires that they can encourage and help each other with Godly priorities, faithful teaching and humble service.


• The church is planning/considering several special events and new opportunities to reach non-believers, visitors and members: a jazz concert with a musician/theologian (April 7); a Family Fun Day focused on the Easter theme (April 9); a possible regular, evening worship service; and a new church plant in the west of Paris where there is hardly any evangelical witness.

Please surround Eglise des Ternes with love in lifting up these praises/prayers to ultimately reach more Parisians with God’s Good News!