When "Yes" Is Enough
How often have we stopped to think about why church planters do what they do?
Especially in a city as vast and expensive as Los Angeles, planting a new church without the security or resources of an established church can seem daunting and, at times, downright crazy.
This fall, Pastor Colton Moore will launch Restored Church West Valley on October 4th. As we spoke about this new season, I expected to hear about a specific moment or a defining moment that led him to church planting. Instead, Colton laughed and said, "I wish I had a more compelling reason."
The truth was much simpler.
Colton and his wife, Mallory, have lived in Woodland Hills for several years. They love their community, they love Jesus, and when the opportunity came to plant a church, they simply said yes.
Especially in a city as vast and expensive as Los Angeles, planting a new church without the security or resources of an established church can seem daunting and, at times, downright crazy.
This fall, Pastor Colton Moore will launch Restored Church West Valley on October 4th. As we spoke about this new season, I expected to hear about a specific moment or a defining moment that led him to church planting. Instead, Colton laughed and said, "I wish I had a more compelling reason."
The truth was much simpler.
Colton and his wife, Mallory, have lived in Woodland Hills for several years. They love their community, they love Jesus, and when the opportunity came to plant a church, they simply said yes.
As a husband and father of young children, Colton has every reason to feel the weight of this calling. Church planting comes with financial uncertainty, long hours, and countless unknowns. Yet throughout our conversation, what stood out most was not anxiety or strategy. It was a quiet confidence that God had already gone before him.
Even before officially launching, Colton has watched God begin to build the church. Their prelaunch gatherings have brought together a remarkably diverse group of young adults all from different walks of life. Rather than claiming credit for a ministry strategy, Colton simply described it as God bringing the right people together.
Perhaps the most memorable moment of our conversation came when I asked how we could pray for him personally.
His answer wasn't about attendance, a successful launch, or the power to handle it all.
Instead it was simply: "I just want to grow deeper in friendship with Jesus."
That answer stayed with me long after our conversation ended.
Sometimes we assume that effective ministry requires the perfect strategy, the perfect story, or the perfect church. Colton reminded me that the Gospel has never depended on any of those things. It has always depended on ordinary people faithfully saying yes to Jesus.
The Great Commission belongs to all of us. Some are called to plant churches. Others are called to faithfully serve where God has placed them. But each of us is invited to make disciples, love our neighbors, and point people toward Christ.
Sometimes, a simple yes is enough.
"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.'"
Matthew 9:37–38
Even before officially launching, Colton has watched God begin to build the church. Their prelaunch gatherings have brought together a remarkably diverse group of young adults all from different walks of life. Rather than claiming credit for a ministry strategy, Colton simply described it as God bringing the right people together.
Perhaps the most memorable moment of our conversation came when I asked how we could pray for him personally.
His answer wasn't about attendance, a successful launch, or the power to handle it all.
Instead it was simply: "I just want to grow deeper in friendship with Jesus."
That answer stayed with me long after our conversation ended.
Sometimes we assume that effective ministry requires the perfect strategy, the perfect story, or the perfect church. Colton reminded me that the Gospel has never depended on any of those things. It has always depended on ordinary people faithfully saying yes to Jesus.
The Great Commission belongs to all of us. Some are called to plant churches. Others are called to faithfully serve where God has placed them. But each of us is invited to make disciples, love our neighbors, and point people toward Christ.
Sometimes, a simple yes is enough.
"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.'"
Matthew 9:37–38
Prayer
Please join us in praying for Pastor Colton, Mallory, Aza, Felix, and their growing family as they prepare to launch Restored Woodland Hills. Pray for God's provision, protection, and wisdom during this season. Most of all, pray that many lives would be transformed by the Gospel and that, through it all, Colton would continue growing deeper in friendship with Jesus.
Please join us in praying for Pastor Colton, Mallory, Aza, Felix, and their growing family as they prepare to launch Restored Woodland Hills. Pray for God's provision, protection, and wisdom during this season. Most of all, pray that many lives would be transformed by the Gospel and that, through it all, Colton would continue growing deeper in friendship with Jesus.
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