Types of churches

Affirm the Lausanne Covenant as a broad statement of doctrinal clarity.

- From the beginning of our Christian journey to the end, we affirm that the good news of Jesus’ death in our place and the Spirit’s work in our lives is our only hope for salvation, life, and ministry. (Galatians 3:1-3, John 15:1-5)

- God’s special creation is humanity. We are created as male and female image bearers. As image bearers, males and females have inherent dignity, value, and worth. Men and women are equal as image bearers and each have vital roles to play in God’s mission in the world. God also designed marriage to be the covenant union of one biological male and one biological female. (Genesis 1-2, Matthew 19)

Affirm the principle and practice of male servant leadership in the home and church.

- Every Christian is to reflect and represent Christ as a sacrificial servant (Philippians 2). Men and women are both called to this in every sphere of life – including the home and the church.

- Additionally, husbands have the unique role of sacrificial servant leader in the home (Ephesians 5). Husbands are to lead like Jesus who sacrificed for those entrusted to him. Husbands are to love their wives and treat them as such. Husbands lead by sacrificing and serving.

Likewise, elders have a unique role of sacrificial servant leaders in the church. These men must lead as sacrificial servant leaders who exercise oversight, but not in a domineering way (1 Peter 5). Among other responsibilities, elders are given responsibility for teaching sound doctrine and leading God’s people. For this reason, we affirm that the preaching of God’s Word in the primary gathering of God’s people is for biblically qualified men only (1 Timothy 2).

Work toward gospel advancement by faithful preaching, fervent prayer, financial generosity, and focused evangelism.
- Faithful Preaching – 23 Project partners with churches that value faithfully preaching God’s Word (2 Timothy 4).
- Fervent Prayer – 23 Project partners with churches that are humble in prayer and hungry in their ambition to advance the gospel in their neighborhoods and to the nations (Ephesians 6).
- Financial Generosity – 23 Project partners with churches that seek to be a conduit of God’s resources rather than a container. Our partner churches agree to be generous toward other 23 Project partner churches (2 Corinthians 9:10-11)
- Focused Evangelism – 23 Project partners with churches that seek to reach those who are far from God with the life changing gospel of Jesus (Matthew 28:16-20).

For church planting applicants only: In your core gathering stage and moving toward a public launch in 12-18 months.

We do not fund existing churches or those preparing to plant while they are in residency/internship. When you are ready to move forward on your planting journey and are launching in the next 12-18 months, we are excited to hear more.