Episode 668: The past couple of years have been a difficult season for church planters and too many have thrown in the towel. Host Clint Clifton and veteran church planter Peyton Jones open up about their most discouraging moments in church planting and why they persevered.

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Charles Spurgeon was once asked by a student, “Did you ever think of quitting?” And he answered, “Yes, about once a fortnight.” — PeytonJones

In my first year of one plant, I drove to church on Sunday morning and there were hardly any cars in the parking lot. But there was this lady named Pam who said, “But Jesus is here,” and it gave me what I needed to keep going. — PeytonJones

I remember this Sunday where nobody showed up to help me unload the trailer. I set everything up and greeted people. I was so sweaty I had to change my clothes. I sang the songs, said the prayers, preached the sermon and greeted people as they left. Then I packed up the trailer. I told my wife, “I’ll never drive back in this parking lot again.” @ClintJClifton

I think a lot of planters may feel condemned by feeling discouraged. But that is normal. It comes with it. — PeytonJones

Every marriage goes through rough times. You’re going to have some real pain and at times you’re going to see things in yourself you don’t want to see. But you tough it out. — PeytonJones

In those moments, it feels so terminal. But it’s against that dark backdrop that the light of the gospel shines brightest. God shows He can redeem even the darkest despair. He can still use our lives for His glory, even when we are a mess. @ClintJClifton

If you are a church planter in that season, I want you to know there is only one thing you can do to ensure you won’t fail as a church planter and that’s to not give up. Trust in Jesus, put one foot in front of the other each day. Down the road, you’ll be grateful you did. @ClintJClifton

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