An Update from Heartland Gospel Initiative
Jim Murphy | Heartland Gospel Initiative
My family and I relocated to the small town of Mount Ayr, Iowa in June 2021 to be on mission with God. Both my wife and I grew up in small towns in the Midwest and have had a deep desire to see God’s mission advance in the many small towns and often forgotten places of our region. Places like Mount Ayr are in significant need of the Gospel and of connection to God’s broader mission in the world. The Heartland Gospel Initiative is driven by the vision to see a Gospelcentered, mission-driven, healthy congregation in every county of the Midwest. We want to then help these congregations connect together toward this same end so that all of Christ’s people are mobilized. In this way, every man, woman, and child in the Midwest will be reached with the Good News of Jesus.
This first year has been a foundation laying year. We are blown away by how the Lord is moving but there is still much to be done. Our first goal was to plant a new congregation in Mount Ayr that exists to do what God wants done in our town, county, and region. In January 2022, we began bringing a core group together to see this happen. Missio Church Mount Ayr now has a core group approaching 60 people. In July, we celebrated our first baptisms and have begun to actively reach out to our community. It is a tremendous encouragement to see this new Body come together, grow as followers of Jesus, and reach out to their lost friends and family. We are in the very early stages of planting; however, Missio is beginning to take shape for the glory of God and the advancement of His mission in the Midwest.
Our next goal was to begin building relationships in the 21 counties that make up the Southwest corner of Iowa. Today we are seeing several congregations awaken to the idea of locking arms together. We celebrate that at least four core congregations are at the table. Additionally, there are several others who are regularly engaged and curious. We have taken our first steps in actively praying for new churches to be planted in key towns, and are reaching out to more leaders to unite together around Gospel advancement.
Our third and final goal was to begin coaching other leaders and congregations in places outside of Iowa. Thanks to a wonderful partnership with the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination, this goal has become a reality. I am coaching congregations in Minnesota, Ohio, and Kentucky around God’s vision and mission in the world, the nature and purpose of the church, and on how to live out all of this where they live.
Please continue to pray for the Midwest and the Heartland Gospel Initiative. We are thankful for all the Lord has done! But the work has just begun. Please pray for Missio Church. Pray for the 21 counties that make up Southwest Iowa, and for the broader Midwest. Pray for more leaders. Pray all of Christ’s people are fully mobilized to be salt and light. Pray for His will to be done in the Midwest as it is in heaven!
