We've learned a few things recently about hope, courage, and what leaders need to move forward and have mission impact.

1. Some Recent Discoveries
Late this summer we began partnering with leaders in the PLI family to
host regional catalyst gatherings. Church leaders have been bringing:
 Formal and informal leaders
 Young adults who hold the keys to reaching the millennial and
Gen Z generations
 People of any age who
 Know the world is a dark place.
 Know they should do something
(more/different…something).
 But they don’t know how.
 And, they don’t know what.
 So, they don’t do anything.
Basically addressing:
 Why did we lose so many members through Covid?
 Why is the western church model that we just know as “church”
exhausting our leaders and increasingly ineffective at impacting our
communities?
 Why it is critical that our churches, and some of their people, can
gain some early “wins” in marking a new, vibrant path forward.

2.  And, maybe most importantly, offering some practical, simple
steps forward.
We just finished gatherings in Appleton, WI, Palestine, IL, Holdrege, NE,
and Mission, KS. Sioux Falls, SD, is coming in a few weeks.
We’ve discovered a few things:
 Pastors and their formal/informal leaders need some common
language and understanding of the scope of the challenge.
 Hope and courage show up around the Word of God in
community.
 Everybody needs some short term “wins” to fuel the long road
ahead.
 1,000 Young Leaders and Multipli’s Genesis Leader are showing up
with testimonies of transformed lives and real mission impact.
If you’re in the PLI family and if you’re interested in hosting one of these
gatherings, please let us know.
Next week, be sure to read the ENews. I want to share an absolutely
amazing development in our training in Africa!
But today…a thank you to Matt Hewitt.
Almost five years ago, Matt Hewitt joined our team as Chief Financial
Officer. Matt and his Twin Cities congregation had participated in the
first Discipleship to Missional Community. Matt has accepted a call to
Pathfinder Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Obviously, we’re sad to see
Matt leave, but more importantly we’d like to invite you to join us in
saying thanks to Matt. Matt has revolutionized data systems across PLI.
He’s aligned and automated registration processes. He’s provided

3. counsel for interfacing with PLI’s 1,000 Young Leaders and PLI’s
companion ministry Multipli. All while working with accountants,
auditors, etc., etc. Some of you have experienced Matt as a trainer and
coach in our learning communities and can speak personally of the ways
he lives out his faith in his family, neighborhood and congregation.
So, if you’ve been personally touched by Matt’s ministry at PLI, please
join in saying “thanks!” Matt towed a trailer to Nashville when he
arrived. We celebrate that he will leave with his wonderful wife Jill and
new young son! Thank you, Matt.