Dear Friend on Mission,
Last summer, a couple close friends and confidants asked me a question that got me thinking: ‘Have you ever considered Exponential and NewThing joining together?’
NewThing was born out of a simple dream shared by five friends who started COMMUNITY Christian Church 35 years ago. By God’s kindness, that dream grew beyond anything we could have imagined, multiplying churches and leaders across the globe. As the Founder of NewThing, alongside Jon Ferguson, and the Lead Pastor of COMMUNITY—as well as the Co-founder and CEO of Exponential—I had never seriously considered bringing these two movements together.
But then, an unexpected moment gave me pause. And as it settled in my heart, I knew I needed to take it to God in prayer. Isn’t it often the unanticipated moments that open the door to the biggest opportunities?
One day, while running on the prairie path near my house—a space I often invite Jesus to run with me in conversation—I felt Him impress something profound on my heart: “Kingdom over Castle.” It has always been about God’s Kingdom over any individual church, leader, or ministry. And in that moment, the clarity was undeniable: If this is what’s best for the Kingdom, then we must wholeheartedly pursue it!
With this conviction in my heart and that question regarding NewThing and Exponential joining together lingering in my mind, I shared the idea, with both leadership teams and boards, inviting them to pray, discuss, and discern. After a 90 day season of prayer and discernment, I am thrilled to announce that NewThing is officially joining Exponential as one unified organization beginning April 1, 2025!
This is more than a strategic decision—it’s a Kingdom opportunity! By coming together, we are stepping into a new chapter of greater impact, deeper collaboration, and accelerated church multiplication. Together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone. Here’s what excites me most about this new chapter:
This bold step forward isn’t just about organizational alignment; it’s about getting closer to the vision Jesus laid on our hearts—the 16% Mission. Only 7% of U.S. churches are reproducing or multiplying. That is not enough! By equipping more leaders to prioritize multiplication, we’re trusting God to transform not just churches, but communities, cities, and nations. Imagine what could happen if every leader fully embraced the mission of making disciples who make disciples who plant churches that plant churches! That is what compels us to act.
For years, both Exponential and NewThing have been equipping leaders to move from addition to multiplication. Now, together, we are forging new pathways for even greater Kingdom impact. Our heart has always been: “You can do it, we can help!” And that doesn’t change. If anything, this new chapter strengthens our ability to come alongside leaders, churches, denominations, and networks in an even bigger way.
Now, more than ever, the opportunities before us are significant. Through prayer, partnership, and perseverance, I believe we will witness a Kingdom movement unlike anything we’ve seen before. This is why I’m inviting you to join us. Pray with us, partner with us, and help us step forward into all that God is calling us to.
The best is still ahead, and we are so grateful to share this moment with you. With humble hearts and eager anticipation, we can’t wait to see what God does next!!
Your friend on mission,
Dave Ferguson
CEO, Exponential
NewThing has a long history of training churches, leaders, and small church planting networks. As part of Exponential, it strengthens our ability to amplify impact and better serve our community with a cause. Currently, Exponential supports you as leaders, churches, networks, and denominations through initiatives for the future church, offering convening opportunities such as Global and National conferences, learning communities, Roundtables, and other curated events designed to help leaders multiply effectively. With NewThing integrated into Exponential, we’re able to offer even more robust resourcing and collaboration.
The two organizations will start fully working together across all Exponential U.S. areas by April 1, 2025.
As we move forward, here’s what to expect:
No, NewThing is joining Exponential to better serve our ministry partners while seeking to more effectively fulfill and achieve our 16% mission. Our role is similar to that of a Chamber of Commerce…but for ministries—we aim to accelerate multiplication through church planting efforts, but we are not directly planting churches ourselves. Our commitment remains: You can do it, we can help.
No, NewThing will be fully integrated into Exponential and will no longer operate as a separate entity. We will leverage the training, staff, and expertise of the NewThing team to more effectively fulfill and advance our 16% mission.
Expressions of NewThing like Chicago, Kansas. City, Atlanta, etc. accomplish their mission as local churches come together as friends on mission. Those expressions will continue to start, sustain, and scale church-planting networks and will determine what they are called.
All Exponential staff will continue to function in their positions. We are currently working to create a combined organizational structure. We will integrate many of the NewThing staff into our combined organization.
Yes, Patrick will take on the role of Executive Director of Practice, leading the “Practice” ministry area within our ministry strategy. As one of four Executive Directors, he will also serve on our Leadership Team. The “Practice” ministry area focuses on convening, collaborating, and networking with individuals who are active church multiplication practitioners through a new Community of Practice initiative.
No. Exponential will continue the posture of “You can do it. We can help!” As has been the case for two decades now, Exponential does not plant churches and sees its responsibility to help others—future church planters, teams, churches, city leaders, networks, denominations, etc.—plant churches.
No. With the expertise acquired from NewThing, Exponential is now better equipped to support you—and other leaders in cities, networks, and denominations—in creating relational micro-networks of Friends on Mission. Together, we can foster Kingdom collaboration, accelerate church planting, and drive gospel saturation like never before.
Exponential International, led by CEO Dave Ferguson and Chief of Staff Raj Pillai, is focused on refining and expanding Exponential’s global reach. Their goal is to take the best practices and lessons learned from previous efforts, by both Exponential and NewThing, and develop a better strategy. This strategy will include two key components: launching new expressions of Exponential and organizing an international global roundtable to further strengthen global connections and collaboration.
NewThing, started out of COMMUNITY Christian Church over two decades ago, has become a global network dedicated to catalyzing movements of reproducing churches. They have gone beyond traditional church planting by focusing on building scalable networks and city movements, empowering leaders to create lasting Kingdom impact. More recently, what has made NewThing so remarkable is their focus on reproducing networks and city movements. Their global reach (across almost 70 nations), proven strategies, and supportive community has equipped leaders to fulfill their calling and amplify their impact for God’s Kingdom.
With expertise in reproducing systems, NewThing’s resources and expertise will allow Exponential to create more offerings in their strategy to equip and mobilize Multipliers through networks and movements, addressing a key need in the North American church landscape.
