Learn About NAM
Educate yourself about the work of North American Ministries by reading about the church planters and their works across North America. Contact church planters and encourage them to share their experiences. Call the NAM office and ask questions about this ministry.
Consider Planting With NAM
How do you know if you are the right person to plant a church? You can visit this page for a simple guide to help you answer this question. We also can help!
Assessment
Every church planter interested in planting a church through NAM must go through our assessment process. The three-day on-site assessment is held at our office in Antioch, TN. Click here for a brief testimonial about our assessment process.
Approval
Final approval for lead planters is the decision of the board based on the recommendation from the NAM CEO and CTO (Chief Executive and Training Officers).
Training
Several levels of training are required for all planters including:
- Orientation Training: This is a four-hour training, usually done on Zoom, for the new church planter and spouse outlining policies, procedures, and fundraising.
- Boot Camp Training: This is a four-day training held at our office for the planter and spouse. Over 25 hours of classroom training is provided for getting started—best practices and the nuts and bolts of church planting. This is presented by NAM’s CTO and several guest speakers.
- Team Training: This is a 4-6 hour training provided for the church planting team (usually on location) and covers conflict management, communication, and other important team issues.
- Internship: NAM provides a 6-month non-resident internship program for all new church planters. This internship runs concurrently with the first six months of fundraising. Three on-site visits to a NAM-appointed field are required, as well as weekly video meetings with a NAM mentor.
- Planter Plan: An extensive step-by-step manual is provided to help walk a new church planter through the entire church planting process.
- On-going Training Opportunities: Several ongoing training opportunities are provided by NAM. The Biennial Church Planter Summit is held for the church planter and spouse. Each February of even years, NAM hosts this three-day event full of learning, mentoring, encouragement, and fun. The Biennial Regional Church Planter Summit or ReCaps is held in the spring of odd years for the planter only (not spouse). ReCaps is held in regions around the country and provides training, mentoring, and encouragement. Other: NAM provides many other forms of ongoing training throughout the tenure of a church planter.
Coaching
Every NAM planter chooses a coach to meet with (in-person or video) at least once a month.
Support
NAM church planters are supported financially, emotionally, and spiritually by our entire denomination. NAM makes every effort to support the whole family through encouragement, meetings, and special events.
Request an Application From NAM
If, after considering these guidelines and answering the questions, you still wish to pursue the ministry of church planting, it is time to take the next step. Complete the form below to request an application from North American Ministries.
Full Church Planter Application (password required; contact NAM)