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Multiply222 Network

Author: Bob Crow

  • January 2023 Ministry Update

    Laurie Woodward
    Orrin Woodward
    January 19, 2023

    Happy New Year.  Welcome to 2023.  We hope you are well.  

    The “Gospel” is foundational to Multiply222 Network.  It is the “good news.”  The news that is better than anything else.  And, oh, how our world needs to hear this good news.

    St. Paul, once dedicated to destroying the Gospel, was radically changed by the Lord Jesus.  And in Romans 1:16-17 he laid out his new mission:

    “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  For in the gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness  that is by faith from the first to the last, just as it is written:  ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”

    We are invigorated, even compelled, by this same Gospel passion as we “multiply disciples and multiply churches.”  

    We are honored to join you in this work! You are multiplying disciples. You are multiplying churches.

    We’ll share more in the future, but we have set some very ambitious goals for 2023. One of these is to train 450 disciples, both in the US and around the world in 222Disciple.

    Here are two more compelling testimonies. (Click on their names below open 2-minute video.)

    The first (above, left) is Laurie Woodward.  The second (above, right) is Orrin Woodward.  And you guessed correctly, they are spouses who are thoroughly enlivened by the Gospel.  Orrin and Laurie are just two of the over 850 people who have been trained in 222Disciple and are now investing in making other disciples.

    Founded upon 222Disciple, a second goal we have in 2023 is to launch 222Leadership Seminary!  In partnership with Calvin Theological Seminary and MINTS (Miami International Theological Seminary), we have undertaken a new seminary training program.  Through Calvin’s Empower program, we are able to offer an accredited Master of Arts in Congregational Leadership degree.  It officially began this month with 17 students.  It is a wonderful collaborative effort between two seminaries and our ministry in order to strategically train new church leaders.

    Disciples and churches are being multiplied because of your continued investment in the Multiply222 Network.  We are grateful!  This is good news!  The Gospel is on the move!

    In Christ,

    Bob Crow
    Multiply222 Network

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner.   Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network 
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com

    Laurie Woodward
    Orrin Woodward

  • December 2022 Ministry Update

    December 2022 Ministry Update

    Advent is a time of waiting, of hoping.  Both carry with them a looking forward, standing on tiptoe.  We are eager to celebrate the mystery of Christmas, even as we long for Christ to come again.  Until then, though, we are active, not passive.  Until then, we continue our partnership to “multiply disciples and multiply churches.”

    To that end, while waiting, let’s celebrate.  Here are two brief highlights.
    First, you are making disciples!  

    Check out this wonderful 2-minute video of Jerry Elsworth (pictured above) about her involvement in 222Disciple.  Jerry is one of the 850 people using this robust, one-on-one discipleship tool.  If you would like more information regarding 222Disciple click here!

    Second, you are strengthening churches!

    The Center for Church Renewal recently received this award from Holland, MI area businesses. The award notice read in part, 

    “We are happy to announce that Center for Church Renewal has been selected as the Winner for the 2022 Best of Holland Awards in the category of Religious Organization…The Holland Award Program’s purpose is to support and offer public recognition of the contributions of businesses and organizations in and around Holland.”

    This is a wonderful recognition of the good and hard work of Keith Doornbos and the CCR team that continue to faithfully “Develop intentional missional congregations that make more and better disciples who transform lives and communities for Christ.”

    Thank you for allowing us to partner with you, as together, we multiply disciples and multiply churches.  

    It is not too late to make a year-end donation to the ministry?  You can easily submit your tax-deductible investment online at multiply222.com/general-donation.  Your support is vital as we close out 2022, “the year of the disciple.”

    Advent and Christmas blessings to you as you wait, hope, and celebrate.

    Sincerely,

    Bob Crow

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner.   Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network 
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com

  • November 2022 Ministry Update

    Gomes Family
    As we near Thanksgiving, we have much for which to give thanks to God.

    2022 has been “the year of the disciple” and has been another very exciting year for Multiply222 Network.  Here are two brief highlights.

    You are making disciples!  

    Because of your support, there are now over 800 people involved in the 222Disciple movement.  One of them is Jean Gomes.  This past May he graduated with a Ph.D. from Calvin Seminary and currently serves as Pastor of Discipleship at First CRC of Byron Center.  Concerning 222Disciple, Jean says,

    “I don’t know of a more effective discipleship strategy for training people in Christian conviction and character than 222Disciple’s one-on-one model.”

    This is a remarkable statement from Jean, who also had his 700-page book written in Portuguese launch.  The title:  Reformando O Discipulado (Reformed Perspective on Discipleship) is an in-depth treatise on discipleship throughout the Bible.

    Jean and his family are pictured above.  Additionally, Jean will be the face of the 222Disciple program in Brazil in 2023. This winter, he will begin recording all of the 77 videos in his native language of Portuguese!

    2022 also saw the completion of the new wing of Sunlight Christian Academy (SCA).  Exactly two years after breaking ground in 2020, we moved into the 17,000-square-foot addition with deep gratitude and joy on January 5, 2022.  Emily Hayes (family pictured below) who has three children at SCA, says,

    “Our family is so grateful for the new addition at Sunlight Christian Academy.  Not only is it a beautiful building, but what happens inside those walls is far more precious. Children are learning about how much Jesus loves them while receiving a phenomenal education…Words can not express how grateful we are.”

    You are making disciples and training children.  

    Will you continue to build up future disciples by giving a year-end gift?  You can easily make your tax-deductible investment online here.  Your support is vital as we close out 2022, “the year of the disciple.”

    Gratefully,

    Bob Crow

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner.   Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network 
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com

    Hayes Family

  • October 2022 Ministry Update

    I hope this finds you well.

    The above picture was taken recently at the newest church plant, our 9th, in Manager Island near Lagos. These brothers and sisters now have a church home because of your investment in church planting!

    Because of your faithful partnership with Multiply222 Network, I wanted to share the huge difference that you are making.  Since 2015, together we have joined the Lord in His good work in Nigeria, helping to plant nine churches with a 10th coming, Lord willing, in 2023!

    Here is part of a letter we recently received from Rev. Dauda Anto, pastor of the first church plant in Benin City: 

    “We are grateful to Sunlight Community Church, Multiply222 Network, and their supporters for financially and prayerfully partnering with HEKAN to plant nine churches over the course of seven years. I am privileged to be the first Pastor to plant the first of these nine churches…HEKAN Benin City started with just nine people but now has weekly attendants of 170 people…By the grace of God, HEKAN Benin City has forty-seven new converts over the seven years. All these successes would not have been recorded if not for Sunlight Community Church and Multiply222 Network. I highly appreciate the members, church council, and all the donors for partnering with HEKAN in Nigeria. May the Lord bless and keep you all. May we continue to do his work of reaching the unreached.  Thank you.  Rev. Dauda M. Anto.”


    Rev. Anto and his family

    By the Grace of God, look at what we have accomplished together!

    2015:  Benin City, Edo State 2020:  Sabon Garin Babanlalah, Kwara State
    2016:  Lafiya, Nassarawa State 2021:  Bauchi, Bauchi State
    2018:  Sabon Gari Danauta, Niger State 2021:  Port Harcourt, Rivers State
    2018:  Kangulu, Kebbi State 2022:  Manager Island, Lagos Stat
    2019 Gamfu, Taraba State 2023: Kontagora, Niger State (Lord willing)



    These 10 churches would not exist without you.  

    Thank you for your investment in these Nigerian churches through Multiply222 Network.  Together, we will continue this Kingdom work of “multiplying disciples and multiplying churches.” 

    Gratefully,

    Bob Crow

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner.   Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network 
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com

    A recent picture from the newest church plant, our 9th, in Manager Island near Lagos. These brothers and sisters now have a church home because of your investment in church planting!
  • September 2022 Ministry Update

    September 2022 Ministry Update

    Pastors Dirk VanEyk and Elaine May
    September 15, 2022

    Let’s celebrate God’s faithfulness to the Center for Church Renewal (CCR)!

    With your support, the CCR continues its mission to “develop intentional missional congregations that make more and better disciples who transform lives and communities for Christ.” 

    Look at what you are doing through this important church renewal ministry.

    On August 25, we had a wonderful CCR Banquet at Calvin Theological Seminary.  As you may recall, that is where the CCR was birthed in 2013 before coming to Multiply 222 Network in 2019.  

    Here are the 4 short videos shared at the banquet that illustrate the impact of the CCR:

    Video of Mayfair/Encounter CRC, Grand Rapids, MI
    Video of Calvary CRC, Holland, MI
    Video of Gibson CRC, Laketown, MI
    Video or Bridge Church, Alberta, Canada

    Our goal was to raise $90,000 for the CCR.  To date, we have received or have been pledged by 12/31/22, $82,300, just $7,700 shy of our goal.  If you would like to help us reach our goal, please feel free to go online here or send a check made out to the Center for Church Renewal to Bob Crow, 1015 Iroquois Dr., SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 by October 1, 2022.

    Here is another way your investment is paying off.  On September 15, another cohort of 9 churches began their 2-year Church Renewal Lab journey.  Please pray for them right now, that God would use this experience to bring renewal.

    Because of you churches are being renewed, the Gospel is being shared, and disciples are being made.  

    Let’s celebrate!

    Bob Crow

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner.   Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network 
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com

  • August 2022 Ministry Update

    August 2022 Ministry Update

    August 18, 2022

    “If I rise on the wings of the dawn…even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”  (Ps. 139: 9-10).


    This is what greeted us this past Monday morning at the site of our 4th annual 222Disciple golf outing at Pilgrim’s Run in Pierson, MI.  It reminds me of David’s words in Psalm 139.  Oh, what a beautiful morning it was!  I literally squealed with delight as I parked my car to begin setting up for the day.  Wow!  We caught God doing some of His best work.  It was to be a foretaste of what was to come throughout our day together.

    It was a day dripping with blessing.  Sixty-three golfers enjoyed a nearly perfect day on a gorgeous course—all for a great cause:  to raise support for 222Disciple.  We had forty-two sponsors and donors.  And at day’s end, after paying all of our expenses, over $23,000 was raised to support the work of 222Disciple.

    Now with 780 people using 222Disciple, look how your prayer and financial support are multiplying disciples of Jesus Christ!  Moreover, your investments in this movement have led to 222Disciple being nearly ready to launch in Hausa (for use in Nigeria) and Spanish.  All of the written materials have been translated into Portuguese and we expect to begin all the video recordings this fall (77 total, so quite a task!).  

    Because of you, disciples of Jesus Christ are being multiplied.  Glory be to God for the things He is doing, from painting a breathe-taking sunrise to multiplying disciples of Jesus.

    With gratitude, let’s continue to “multiply disciples and multiply churches.” 

    Bob Crow

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner.   Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network 
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com




    Sunrise for 222Disciple golf outing
  • July 2022 Ministry Update

    July 2022 Ministry Update

    Recent baptisms at Sunlight Miami
    July 19, 2022

    I have two highlights I would like to share with you about what you are doing in Miami and with the Center for Church Renewal!  Both of these are evidence of God’s blessings and faithfulness and your support as partners in ministry.

    First, we absolutely love baptisms. They are joyful celebrations, packed full of meaning. Baptisms hold forth hope. They are life-giving, not just to the one being baptized, but to the community of faith in which they happen.

    Baptisms are a sign and seal of “God’s promise to claim us as his own, unite us to his Son, wash away our sins, and give us the gift of the Holy Spirit as we embrace these promises by faith.”

    Please enjoy this one-minute video of the recent baptisms at Sunlight Miami. 

    You may recall that Sunlight Miami launched in May 2020 during the height of Covid.  Pastor John and Lourdes Granada have been faithfully sewing seeds, the fruition of which is evidenced in these baptisms!  Thanks be to God!

    Second, I am eager to give an update on the Matching Gift Campaign during the month of June.  You may recall that a couple of generous donors had pledged up to $25,000 that could be matched, dollar for dollar, to raise support for the Center for Church Renewal (CCR).  Our goal, then, was $50,000.

    Thanks be to God and to the over 75 donors who invested during the month of June, as we raised over $55,000 for the CCR!  This is wonderful.  We rejoice.  And we are eager to steward these needed resources to continue to “develop intentional missional congregations that make more and better disciples who transform lives and communities for Christ.”  
    As always, thank you for your continued support of Multiply 222 Network.  We are grateful for your partnership as together we “multiply disciples and multiply churches.” 

    In Christ,
    Bob Crow

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner.   Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network 
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com



  • June 2022 Ministry Update

    June 2022 Ministry Update

    June 17, 2022

    I am blessed with an 8-month-old granddaughter who recently stopped by for a visit.  What a joy and deep delight she is.  Normally.  But that day she was not quite herself, a bit cranky after getting an injection at the doctor’s office.  Obviously, the purpose of the injection is to help her to be healthy, which means fighting off disease and enabling her to be strong, healthy, and full of vitality.

    This reminds me of the work of the Center for Church Renewal (CCR).

    Since 2013 the CCR has helped nearly 100 congregations and over 1,000 church leaders to fight off disease and be strong, healthy, and full of vitality.  The CCR exists to “develop intentional missional congregations that make more and better disciples who transform lives and communities for Christ.”  

    We do this in a number of ways, including assessments, coaching, and conferences, but particularly through our Church Renewal Labs (CRL).  A read a statistic this week that 72% of churches that had gone through the 2-year CRL journey reported evangelistic growth.  In an age that is seeing a dramatic decline in church membership, the CCR is prepared to help churches to be strong, healthy, and full of vitality.

    As you may remember, for the month of June, a couple of generous donors have agreed to provide up to $25,000 for a Matching Gift Campaign to support the ministry of the CCR.  Until June 30, every dollar you give will be matched, doubling the impact of your gift in support of this important work with churches.

    Might you help us this month by making an investment in the Center for Church Renewal?  Click here to do so.

    As always, thank you for your continued support of Multiply 222 Network.  We are grateful for your partnership to “multiply disciples and multiply churches.” 

    Grace and peace to you,

    Bob Crow

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner, as together, we “multiply disciples and multiply churches.”  Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com




  • May 2022 Ministry Update

    May 2022 Ministry Update

    May 16, 2022

    Two weeks ago I had the privilege of participating in the Great Lakes Cohort of the Church Renewal Lab.  We had our final session after having met quarterly over the last two years.  It became an offering to God, a celebration of the ways God has been renewing these churches.  

    We spent time looking at Ephesians 3:10 – 21 where Paul talks about the church:

    v. 10:  “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known…”

    v. 20:  “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen.”

    The church plays a vital role in representing Christ to the world!

    Friends, this is why Multiply 222 Network exists:  “to multiply disciples and multiply churches.”  

    Let me share two quick blessings:

    First, here is a great little video from Calvary CRC in Holland, MI about the impact of the Holy Spirit’s work through the Church Renewal Lab.  The focus of the video was on the “listening” phase of their renewal journey.

    Second, please help us next month by making an investment in the Center for Church Renewal.  

    For the month of June, a couple of donors have agreed to provide up to $25,000 for a Matching Gift Campaign to support the ministry of the Center for Church Renewal.  

    Please consider investing in this important ministry working to revitalize churches anytime between June 1 – 30.  For every dollar you give, it will be matched by these donors, doubling the impact of your gift in support of this important work with churches.

    As always, thank you for your continued support of Multiply 222 Network.  We are grateful for your partnership to “multiply disciples and multiply churches.” 

    In Christ,

    Bob Crow

    P.S.  Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group.  Become a regular giving partner, as together, we “multiply disciples and multiply churches.”  Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.”  It is that simple!

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com




  • April 2022 Ministry Update

    April 2022 Ministry Update

    April 15, 2022
    (Good Friday of Holy Week)

    This is the most important weekend in the universe. We travel through the gathering shadows of Gethsemane, the torturous pain of Golgotha, the deep loss and disappointment for the disciples, culminating in an empty tomb. I love how The Message puts it in I Corinthians 15:55

    Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
    Who got the last word, oh, Death?
    Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?

    As you know, Multiply 222 Network is “Gospel-based and discipleship-oriented.” The Gospel, and shaping disciples of Jesus Christ, is at the heart of what we do, why we exist.

    Here are just two quick highlights of how the Gospel is on the move:

    On Sunday, April 3, Sunlight Community Church held another beach baptism. Twenty (20!) people were baptized. Check out this exciting video.

    Thanks to God’s faithfulness and your generosity, we reached our fundraising goal for the Church Planting Initiative. We wanted to raise $22,000. $12,000 to give to the two churches we helped to plant last year (Bauchi City and Port Harcourt) and $10,000 to launch a new church in Tarkwa Bay. With the Tarkwa Bay church commencing later this fall, we will have helped to plant 9 churches in Nigeria!

    As you may recall, too, we are nearly done translating all of the 222Disciple materials into Hausa. We are eager to have 10 pastors from Nigeria travel to Port St. Lucie in early November to be trained in 222Disciple. This will be a great tool for them to use in their own language!



    Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Have a wonderful Easter celebration.

    As always, thank you for your continued support of Multiply 222 Network. We are grateful for your partnership in this important work to “multiply disciples and multiply churches.”

    In Christ,

    Bob Crow

    P.S. Please consider joining our growing Monthly Multiplier group. Become a regular giving partner, as together, we “multiply disciples and multiply churches.” Click here to donate, then click on “monthly.” It is that simple

    Bob Crow
    Multiply 222 Network
    1015 Iroquois Dr, SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
    616-446-3009
    rcrow@multiply222.com




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