The CKNB Barnabas Team recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the North American Mission Board (NAMB) Replant AMS Practitioner’s Lab at NAMB Headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia. This three-day intensive training, designed to equip Associational Mission Strategists (AMS) with the tools to serve their churches more effectively, was a transformative experience for our team and the pastors who joined us.
Leading this trip were David Stokes and David Barron, who took a group of local pastors deeply invested in the work of revitalization and replanting. These pastors included CJ Pearce of White Sulphur Baptist in Georgetown, Derek Holmes of Living Hope Fellowship in Lexington, Jonathan Jones of Salvisa Baptist, Josh Ancello of Central Baptist in Paris, and CJ Machinack of Bethel Baptist in Harrodsburg. Together, they engaged in hands-on training, discussions, and strategies aimed at fostering church health and renewal.
The AMS Practitioner’s Lab is not just about learning—it’s about equipping. It provides AMS leaders and their teams with practical tools for assessing church health, implementing revitalization strategies, and leading replanting efforts. The goal is clear: to reclaim the glory of Christ’s church by strengthening and restoring congregations in need. Throughout the training, the team explored real-world case studies, worked through potential challenges churches face, and engaged in collaborative discussions to develop strategies for addressing church decline and fostering spiritual growth.
At CKNB, we have been engaged in the vital work of church revitalization and replanting for nearly a decade through the dedicated efforts of the Barnabas Team. The need is great—statistics indicate that 85% of Southern Baptist Churches could benefit from some form of church health assistance. Recognizing this, our team remains committed to ongoing training and preparation, ensuring that when a church needs help, we are ready to respond with wisdom, experience, and a heart for renewal.
The trip also provided an invaluable opportunity for the pastors to build deeper relationships, share their own experiences in ministry, and encourage one another in the mission of strengthening local churches. It was a time of fellowship, learning, and spiritual renewal that will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on their congregations and communities.
For a deep dive into what our team learned this year, take a listen to the latest Together for the Bluegrass podcast episode, Live at NAMB 2025, where CJ and David talked with the team for a debrief of the week.
As we move forward, the Barnabas Team is more committed than ever to walking alongside churches in need, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support to those seeking revitalization. If you would like to know more about the CKNB Barnabas Team or explore how we might assist your church in revitalization or replanting efforts, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact David Barron at david.barron@cknb.org to start the conversation. We would love to partner with you in strengthening the work of Christ’s church in our region.