One of the reasons I’m most excited to work for The Gospel Coalition is that I get to hear from church leaders around the country and world about what God is doing to advance his kingdom. Our TV broadcasts and news websites so often tell the discouraging stories of human depravity. But in the church, we also have the privilege of telling stories of redemption, reconciliation, and cooperation. I recently learned about one encouraging story in Arizona, where two growing, healthy megachurches have decided to merge. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of anything like this before. East Valley Bible Church, founded by pastor Tom Shrader in 1991, and Praxis Church, founded by pastor Justin Anderson in 2004, did not need each other. They weren’t in danger of failing. Their leadership is strong. Nevertheless, they discovered shared affinities and vision, so they are combining to form Redemption Church, which will become one of the three or four largest churches in the Acts 29 network. Shrader and Anderson tell their stories in this compelling video.

Redemption Church has a vision to fill Arizona with gospel-centered, Reformed, missional churches. The merger will facilitate these efforts to start missions and church plants that will bring the redemption of Jesus Christ to a diverse, influential state. Just watching these videos stirs me to pray that God will glorify himself by blessing this unique effort.

The Gospel Coalition has been blessed to play a supporting role in this merger. Redemption Church has adopted our foundation documents (Confessional Statement and Theological Vision for Ministry) as their own. These documents emerged from the careful consideration and fervent prayer of our council members, and we’re grateful that their collaboration could serve this dynamic, faithful church. Indeed, Redemption Church demonstrates on a local level the hope for evangelical unity and faithfulness that we cherish at The Gospel Coalition.

Churches often ask us if they can use TGC’s Confessional Statement and Theological Vision. Yes! We encourage this practice with attribution to TGC, even as we acknowledge you may need to add content here and there to suit your own local church’s specific beliefs on issues such as baptism. Especially new churches need strong foundation documents from the beginning that will help guide them and maintain a sharp focus in the challenges that inevitably arise with time. If TGC can serve churches in this way, then we’re fulfilling a key aspect of our vision.

So please pray with us for Redemption Church and celebrate what the Lord is doing to unify his church in common cause to make disciples of Jesus Christ.