NETS Center for Church Planting Campus Prospectus

THE NETS CENTER FOR

CHURCHPLANTING

A Vision for the Future of ChurchPlanting in New England and Beyond

Since 2000, The NETS Institute for Church Planting has been equipping men to plant gospel-driven churches.And God has granted us a measure of success. Each week NETS churchesproclaim Christ and Him crucified to thousands of people in the mostgospel-parched regions of the United States and Africa. Gospel seed isbeing sown and watered, and it’s bearing gospel fruit. Now we’re beseeching Him to do more. We’re asking God to strengthenand expand our gospel reach, that we might establish more gospel-proclaiming churches and equip others to do the same. And we want toposition NETS for longevity, to be used of God to make disciples of all nations for generations to come. As you read these pages, please consider how you can be a part of thework God is doing in New England and beyond through NETS.

TABLE OF CONTENTSThe Need..........................................2

About NETS......................................3

A Vision for the Future....................6

The Opportunity ..............................8

Campus Timeline...........................10

Campus Budget ............................1 1

How Can You Help?........................1 1

Who’s Behind NETS?.....................12

Planting churchesin New Englandtakes faith andtraining, courageand conviction,strength andstability. I can’tthink of a betterplace to learnwhat is neededthan NETS.Tom SchreinerAssociate Dean & Professor, The SouthernBaptist TheologicalSeminary

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“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whomthey have not heard?And how will they hearwithout a preacher?How will they preach unless they are sent?Romans 10:14-15

OUR MISSION is to equip men to plantand establish gospel-driven, reproducingchurches throughout New England andbeyond.OUR VISION is to be used of God in themission of the church, proclaiming thegospel until the earth is filled with theknowledge of the glory of the Lord.

About NETS

In January of 1991,Wes and Sue Pastor

packed their four young childreninto the family station wagon andheaded to Vermont. They weretrusting in God's power to savesouls even in gospel-resistant NewEngland. In 1992, Christ MemorialChurch launched with fewer than5O people. Now at nearly 4OO, it’sthe largest Baptist church in thestate. In 1998, Wes recruited Don and Dori Willeman to Vermont to be mentored inchurch planting. Two years later, Don launched Christ Redeemer Church near Dartmouth

College in New Hampshire. Christ Redeemer now sees over 3OO at their main site, with nearly 7O more attheir recently launched local satellite. In 2OOO, Christ Memorial gave birth to NETS out of a desire to see more gospel-driven churches planted throughout New England and abroad. With seven daughter churches and more on the runway,God has been graciously answering those prayers.

In the Beginning

Our model isinvesting for life.

OurChurchPlants

REDEEMINGGRACE

CHURCH

CHRIST MEMORIAL

CHURCH

CHRISTREDEEMERCHURCH

CHRISTFELLOWSHIP

CHURCH

REDEEMERFELLOWSHIP

CHURCH

CHRISTPROCLAMATION

CHURCH

The Need

But church planting is risky business. After four years, the average planthas just over 80 people. Only 68% of churches last that long. NETS minimizes the risks of church-plant failure bystrengthening planters and churches where they’remost vulnerable: leadership, funding, family & faith.Churches fail when they fail to faithfully proclaim the gospel. Recentstudies by Ed Stetzer (Lifeway Research) and the NAMB identified additional factors critical to church-planting success: funding, leadership,realistic expectations, network support, and family health. Stetzer concluded his 2011 report with a call tocreate more effective planter supportsystems. Since 2000, NETS has been thatsolid support system. We pro-vide comprehensive training,coaching and funding for theplanter and his wife from residency through launch and beyond.

evangelical church plantsclose their doors

nearby. Mostlasted 3 years

or less.Over halfwere fully supported bytheir denomination.

CHURCH ATTENDANCE26 to 42% 5 to 12%15 to 25% 2 to 4%13 to 14%

The Northeast is the least Bible-minded andmost post-Christian region of the nation.

1992since

NETS planters have seen over2 dozen No one

should plant a church alone.”

Tom NebelDirector of Church PlantingConverge Worldwide

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GOSPELBAPTISTCHURCH

REDEEMERBAPTISTCHURCH

3

NEW ENGLAND

AFRICA

2

For more on the need in New England and how NETS is making a difference, visit netsnetwork.org.

NETS providescomprehensive trainingand care for the planterand his wife from residency through launch and beyond.

New England needs more gospel-proclaiming churches. There are fewerchurches per person in New England than in any other region of theUnited States. And few people are going to church: Less than 4% of NewEnglanders attend an evangelical church. NETS wants to see that change.

Most Post-Christian Cities1. Albany, New York2. Burlington, Vermont3. Portland, Maine4. Providence, Rhode Island5. Hartford, Connecticut7. Boston, Massachusetts

Least Bible-Minded Cities1. Providence, Rhode Island2. Albany, New York3. Boston, Massachusetts7. Hartford, Connecticut9. Burlington, Vermont10. Portland, Maine

Planted 7 churches in 14 years.

Trained and sent planters to Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont and West Africa.

Facilitated partnerships with local churches and denominations.

Raised nearly $4 million for our plants.

Designed, purchased, renovated and constructed churches and parsonages in New England and Africa.

Organized 5 mission trips of5O-1OO+ people.

Coordinated teamsfor construction, outreach, music and more.

NETS invests inthe life of each

church and eachchurch planter.

First, we select couples for our Residency Program.NETS residents are elder-qualified seminary graduates, godly men withsolid marriages and the potential to succeed in the most gospel-resistantregions of our nation and world.

Next, we mentor them in a healthy church plant.Couples are mentored for at least two years. They lead ministries and facilitateBible studies. They address critical issues in their character and marriage. Men serve as assistant pastors. They learn to preach the gospel effectively, accurately, and from every book of the Bible. It’s hands-on, pedal-to-the-metal,life-on-life mentoring. Then, we send them into the field.But not alone. NETS works with theplanter on a location, timeline andbudget for the project. Our banquetsraise at least 50% of church start-upcosts. We provide significant coachingand funding for the first four yearsthrough our Field Program, and for thelife of the church through our network.

Church planting takes time, especially in New England. We’re in this for the longhaul. We want to see every NETS church plant succeed and reproduce, bearinggospel fruit for generations to come.

I do not know of a better model of

people who get in and absolutely

support the church until it’s established.

Mark DeverPresident, 9Marks

NETShas…

Stephen UmAssociate TrainingDirector, RedeemerCity to CitySenior Pastor,Citylife Church,Boston

A tuition-free residency at a New Englandchurch plant for the planter and his wife.

Mentoring in everything from preaching to recruitingto protecting your marriage to buying property.

Substantive financial support and coaching for thecouple through launch and beyond.

Experienced staff to help with fundraising, publicity,planning, budgeting, and other essentials.

Professional legal, financial and real estate counsel.{NETS PROVIDES

“ “Wes & Sue move

to Vermont

1991

1992

Christ Memorial,NETS Flagship

Church, launches in Vermont

1998NETS pilot resident

Don Willeman arrives

2000NETS incorporates

Christ Redeemer Church, New Hampshire

2005

Redeeming GraceChurch, Vermont

First Conferencefor Pastors andLay Leaders

2007

Executive DirectorDave Appenzeller

hired

Redeemer FellowshipChurch, Boston

2009

Redeemer Baptist Church, Cameroon,

West Africa

2010

Preaching MentorCraig Combs hired

201 1

Gospel BaptistChurch, Cameroon,

West Africa

First Plant New EnglandConference with TGC,9Marks and SGM

Christ FellowshipChurch, Maine

2012

2014

Christ Redeemer(N.H.) launches local

satellite church

Christ ProclamationChurch, Connecticut

2015

Gospel Baptist(Cameroon)

launches daughterchurch

NETSpurchasescampus

By God’s grace, thousands hearthe gospel in NETS churcheseach week. That gospel seed isbearing gospel fruit.But we are asking Him to do more.

2017

First NETSchurch plant inNew York state

NETSlaunchesPastoralInternship

First NETSchurch plant

in India

2018

We need to sendmore church planters to [NETS].I think it’s a

great model.

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A Vision for the Future:The NETS Center for

Church Planting

Why a church planting center? Because New Englandneeds more gospel-proclaiming churches.

I love the visionbecause of its humble, Christ-exalting, gospel focus... ,its dogged commitment to plow

the hard soil of New England,[and] its love for

biblically faithfullocal churches.

John Piper, Founder, Desiring God

Ministries

Recreational WildernessThe campus encompasses 127 acres with an extensive

trail system maintained by the town and available

to both NETS and the community year-round.

ApartmentsThese three buildings could house 25-30couples. The infrastructure is already inplace for a fourth building. That’s ample

space for residents, interns and summer-session pastors – and their families!

GymnasiumThe perfect location for year-

round recreation, this climate-controlled gym and auditorium

will also be ideal for regularpreaching practice.

Classes & SeminarsThese classrooms are ideal for group instruction, from resi-dent and intern training to summer seminars. In addition,

seminaries have asked us to consider hosting extension cen-ters here. The building will also house the NETS Library.

Administration, Dining & GuestsThe lower level of this former inn

has been converted to offices.There’s also a full commercial

kitchen and dining room, with up-stairs lodging for guest lecturers,

missionaries on furlough, orplanters on retreat.

FutureParking

Entrance

FutureParking

The NETS Center for Church Planting will promote the spread of the gospel inNew England and beyond through church planting.

THE NETS INSTITUTE will continue to train, send and support selected couples through our Residency and Field programs. In 2015, we willlaunch a pre-residency, seminary-accredited Pastoral Internship. We willalso add a Multiplication Track to our Field Program to help networkchurches plant daughter churches.NETS EQUIP will provide planting-related seminars, workshops, weekenders, and publications to established churches and church planters bothwithin and outside of our network.

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Southern Seminary isexcited to partner with NETS.

[The internship] will givestudents critical experience

as they pursue God’s callto multiply churches.

Jim StitzingerDirector, Bevin Center for

Missions Mobilization, SBTS

Stronger Recruiting and TrainingNETS plants on average one church every two years. All our plants arehealthy. But 50% of our recruits never launch a church. We’d like to cutthat rate in half. In 2006, our board of directors recommended adding an internship tostrengthen our recruiting process. In 2015, NETS will launch a nine-monthPastoral Internship accredited through Southern Seminary. The campus pro-vides the infrastructure to make that internship a reality: housing for singlesand families; private and communal dining space; administrative and teachingbuildings; guest residences; and a climate-controlled gym - all on 127 NewEngland acres. This internship will broaden our pool of recruits and give NETSmentors and potential residents more time to evaluate one another beforecommitting. NETS will also add a Multiplication Track to our Field Program for networkchurches that want to plant daughter churches. This will strengthen in-churchapprenticeships, pairing on-the-job training with top-notch instruction. Thistrack will be integrated with NETS Equip.Expanded Gospel ReachThere is no regional New England church planting center. Even the largestchurch planting networks have virtually no presence here. Yet New Englandremains the least churched, least Bible-minded, and most post-modern regionof our nation. NETS is interdenominational. We cooperate with major denominations andnetworks to promote the spread of the gospel in New England andabroad. We've partnered with the SBC, Converge Worldwide, and theSpanish River Church Planting Network. And we’ve partnered in train-ing: In 2011, we organized the biennial Plant New England conferencein cooperation with The Gospel Coalition, 9Marks and Sovereign GraceMinistries. This two-day event attracted 250 pastors and planters fromthroughout New England in its inaugural year. Clearly, we were filling aneed.This campus is an attractive, convenient and cost-effective way to expandthat partnership and training. We’ll offer weekend sessions and seminars topastors and planters from multiple denominations and networks. NETS willprovide what NETS does best: personal, practical mentoring by couples thathave successfully navigated the twists and turns, road blocks, and land minesalong the church-planting road. More Gospel-Proclaiming ChurchesThe Internship and Multiplication Track will strengthen and expand ourgospel reach by improving recruiting and expanding our network of churches.NETS Equip will offer our church planting experience and expertise to estab-lished pastors and planters outside the network.And where men are trained, churches multiply. The NETS Center forChurch Planting will bring seminary students to the heart of the neediestmission field in the nation and give established churches the skills andconfidence to reproduce.

The result? More gospel-proclaiming, church-plantingchurches in the darkest regions of our nation and world.

Why a Church Planting Center?The NETS Institute is equipping men to plant churches in New England and beyond.The NETS Center will strengthen and expand our already effective programs.

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Why Here?Prime LocationThe training offered at the NETS Center for Church Planting will build onour existing programs and our ties to Christ Memorial Church, just minutesaway. This vibrant and financially solid congregation has a warm relationshipwith NETS and a history of embracing residents into the life of the church. The campus is also centrally located. It’s 15 minutes from Burlington International Airport, five minutes from I-89, and less than four hours bycar from any NETS church. The town has all the amenities of a big city withthe feel of a New England getaway. And it’s in the heart of our nation’sneediest mission field.Prime PropertyThe campus boasts ampleresidential, instructional andadministrative space, withroom to grow. Building a new campus, particularly forreligious use, would be nearlyimpossible in secular andconstruction-wary Vermont. Exceptional ValueAnd it would be expensive.To construct any one buildingon this campus would costover $1 million. Elsewhere in New England, the pricemultiplies exponentially. Thecampus was originally listedat $2.8 million; our purchaseprice will be $1.5 million. Even with the added cost of renovations, thisproperty is an exceptional value.Why Now?God has granted NETS a measure of regional and international church-planting success. We’re ready to position ourselves for long-term viability. Strengthening and expanding our programs is part of that process. So isstrengthening and expanding our staff: Executive Director Dave Appenzelleris pursuing his MBA; Preaching Mentor Craig Combs is completing his DMinin preaching; and we’re training a growing cache of lay mentors. Over thenext few years, Wes Pastor will be transitioning out of his role as seniorpastor of Christ Memorial to serve full time as president of NETS. And inyears to come, we’ll be transitioning to our next president. This campus will create a sense of destination and permanence. It’s a place for future pastors and their families to learn and grow in community. It’s a home for the future president of NETS. It’s classrooms and conferencerooms and dining rooms and hiking trails filled with men and women with a heart for church planting in New England and beyond.

NETS is on the move. Ourplants are growing, multi-plying and bearing fruit.It's time to put down rootsand spread our branches,to strengthen and expandour programs and laydown a tangible foundationfor the future. But we need your help.

TheOpportunity

Timeline for Campus

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How Can You Help?Become a Monthly Partner. We need $15,000 per month in additional giving to fund campus operations. If 300 partners invested just $50 permonth, we’d reach our goal. Will you consider becoming one of those 300?

Give a Large One-Time Gift. Some of you are in a position to make a considerable investment to help NETS purchase and renovate this campus.Will you consider a gift of $1000, $10,000, $100,000, or even $500,000?

Thank you for prayerfully considering an investment in NETS.

For more information or to partner with us, contact Executive DirectorDave [email protected]

I have known of the work of this innovative, church-based, church planting movement for several years.This is a ministry model andteam worthy of trust

and support. Rob Martin

Senior Associate for Global Philanthropy,

Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization

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Funding the NETS Center for Church PlantingPURCHASE & RENOVATION: $3,000,000

Sources of RevenueFoundations $500,000Churches $1,000,000Individuals $1,500,000

Total Sources $3,000,000

Uses of RevenuePurchase Price $1,500,000Renovation Costs $1,000,000Rental Property Debt $200,000Insurance & Taxes (2 years) $200,000Staff (2 years) $100,000

Total Uses $3,000,000

Monthly RevenueChurches & Individuals $15,000Rental Property Income $3,000Seminar Fees $1,000

Total Revenue $19,000

Monthly ExpensesStaff $7,000Internship $3,000Property Taxes $3,000Insurance $2,000Utilities $2,000Maintenance $2,000

Total Expenses $19,000

CAMPUS OPERATIONS: $19,000

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Who’s BehindNETS?

NETS President Wes PastorMBA, MAR, MTh Wes launched Christ Memorial Churchin 1992 and founded NETS in 2000. Hehas nearly 40 years of experience inpastoral and campus ministry andteaching. Wes and his wife, Sue, are theprimary NETS mentoring couple. Theyhave five adult children and threegrandchildren (and counting).• MBA, MAR (Westminster Theological Seminary, Phil.), MTh (University of Wales)• Founder & President of NETS• Planter & Senior Minister of Christ Memorial Church• Adjunct Professor at RedeemerTheological Seminary (Dallas)• Former Adjunct Professor at Wales Evangelical School of Theology and Westminster Theological Seminary• Conference Speaker in the US and Canada• Former Accounting Instructor at Miami University (Ohio)

“Wes Pastor is a provenand wise church planter,wedding theology andpractical ministry in apowerful combination.”

Tom Schreiner Associate Dean,

Southern Seminary

Preaching Mentor Craig CombsMAR & MDiv, Westminster Theological SeminaryDMin in Preaching (WTS - 2015)Craig has over 25 years of experience as a pastor, preacherand preaching advisor. In 2003, he and his wife, Betsy,moved to Vermont and helped launch Redeeming GraceChurch. Craig and Betsy have been married for over 20years and have five children.

Executive Director Dave Appenzeller, BS/EEDave spent 13 years at IBM, advancing to the level of executive program manager. In 2007, he left that promising career to become executive director of NETS.Dave is now pursuing his MBA. He and his wife, Audrey, have four children.

Jay Abramson, PhDSenior Pastor, Valley CommunityBaptist Church, Avon, CT

Dale Burke, ThM, DDFounder, Leverage LeadershipLead Pastor, SeacoastCommunity Church, CA

D.A. Carson, PhDResearch Professor ofNew Testament, TEDS

Bryan Chapell, PhDPresident Emeritus, Covenant Theological SeminarySenior Pastor, Grace PresbyterianChurch, Peoria, IL

Sinclair Ferguson, PhDProfessor of Systematic Theology, Redeemer Seminary

John Hannah, ThD, PhDDist. Prof. of Hist. Theology & Research Prof. of Theo. Studies, DTS

George Hill, MAFounder, Focused Management, Inc.

Paul Hubley, MDivFormer District Executive Minister, Converge Northeast

Paul Johnson, MDivSenior Pastor, Woodridge Church, Medina, MN

Dana Olson, MDivSenior Pastor, Faith Baptist Fellowship, Sioux Falls, SD

Thomas Schreiner, PhDProf. of NT Interp. & Assoc. Dean of Scrip. & Interp., SBTS; PreachingPastor, Clifton Baptist, Louisville, KY

Gerald Sheveland, DMinFormer President, Converge Worldwide

Lindsay Whaley, PhDProfessor of Classics and Linguistics &Associate Provost for International Initiatives, Dartmouth College

Our Board of Advisors

Dave Appenzeller, BS EEExecutive Director, NETS

Renée Bittner, MADirector of Student Affairs, NETS

Rick Bloom, JDNETS Legal Counsel

Ed Cooney, PhDSenior Engineer, IBM

Jon Fick, BSSenior Hardware Engineer, VEEDIMS, Inc.

Steve Jones, BAIT Applications Support Manager, People’s United Bank

Paul Maffin, MDivFounding Pastor, Redeeming Grace Church, VT

Wes Pastor, MBA, MAR, MTh (Chairman)President, NETS; Founding Pastor, Christ Memorial Church, Williston, VT

Laurie Spaulding, MDAssociate Professor of Surgery, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Kenny Stokes, MDivLead Pastor, Downtown Campus, Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN

Don Willeman, ThMFounding Pastor, Christ Redeemer Church, Hanover, NH

Our Board of Directors

NETS is not simply planting congregations by investing in leaders. It’s committed to

standing alongside those leaders in the

churches. Jerry Sheveland

Former PresidentConverge Worldwide

(Baptist General Conference)

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NETS is a very effectivechurch planting and

training network.

Luder WhitlockExecutive Director,

CNL Charitable Foundation, Inc.

““In a region where many well-intentionedchurch plants come to die, NETS is launching

congregations that live, evangelize, and

flourish.

Owen StrachanExecutive Director, Council on

Biblical Manhood & Womanhood

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I was impressed by the caliber of

people who are leading this work.

Judge Paul Pressler IIITexas Court of Appeals (ret.)

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“The mentoring that we experience as church planters, not only for ourselves butalso for our wives, is just invaluable. It’s safe tosay that, without NETS, Christ Redeemer wouldnot be where we are today as a church.”

Don Willeman, Church Planter, Christ RedeemerChurch, New Hampshire

“The greatest thing I gained was the centralityof the gospel. … My vision for Redeemer Baptist isto help the people to understand the gospel ofgrace and to apply it in their homes, in the commu-nities in which they live, and in the city generally.”

Sam Jato, Church PlanterRedeemer Baptist Church, Cameroon

“We’ve had some challenges…but NETS hasbeen there to work with us and our leadership. …What a blessing to know that I can get on thephone and tap into Wes’s church planting savvyany time.”

Paul Maffin, Church Planter Redeeming Grace Church, Vermont

“We praise God that, once NETS sent usout, we weren’t out there on our own. … Ican honestly say that without this training,I'm not sure we'd still be standing.”

Chris Bass, Church Planter Redeemer Fellowship Church, Boston

“Our methodology is faithfulness to the gospel.It’s not cutting edge – in fact, it’s the oldestchurch planting strategy there is.”

Scott Terry, Church Planter Christ Fellowship Church, Maine

“Seeing the Bible as one book with onecentral message of salvation has beensomething that has been thrilling and empowers the evangelistic zeal in me.”

Shadrach Vegah, Church Planter Gospel Baptist Church, Cameroon

“The NETS Residency Program is the best on-the-job training a church planter can get.”

Steve Thiel, Church PlanterChrist Proclamation Church, Connecticut

“Jesus is building Hischurch, and He's usingNETS in New England.”

Jim HamiltonAssociate Professor of

Biblical TheologySouthern Seminary

“Most churches in Cameroonask people to clean up

themselves, but [Rev. Jato]exhorts people to let

Jesus Christ cleanse them.”Redeemer Baptist attendee

“Pastor Chris preaches the Word straight from the

Bible without fluff.” Gordon, Redeemer Fellowship, Boston

“It’s wonderful to have a church we can invite people to and know they will hearthe gospel every week.”

Joseph, Christ Fellowship, Maine

“We need to sacrifice to help this work inNew England. The future of America

depends on the evangelization of America.If we neglect New England, we are

neglecting the future of our nation.” Judge Paul Pressler III

Texas Court of Appeals (ret.)

Planting Gospel-Driven Churches in New England and Beyond

802.878.9922 • netsnetwork.org