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Wes Pastor, NETS President

Top: Garet and Heidi and their daughters; Left: Proclamation sends the Halberts to Manchester; Right: Christ Redemption Church building

Garet and Heidi Halbert entered the NETS Residency Program in 2020. There Garet connected with Steve Thiel, NETS graduate and founding pastor of Christ Proclamation Church near Hartford, Connecticut. Proclamation called Garet as a church planting resident in 2023, then sent him, along with 80 of the church's regular attendees, to plant in nearby Manchester. On September 29, 2024, Christ Redemption Church launched with 143 in attendance. We caught up with Steve and Garet to talk about the plant. Their thoughts are summarized below.

Why three years in the NETS Residency Program instead of jumping directly

into ministry?

Garet - New England is the least religious region in America. It's often referred to as a church planter's graveyard. We knew we needed rigorous training, deep relationships, and a village behind us to raise up a new church here.

How did NETS equip you to plant this church?

Garet - God used NETS to crystalize my "why." There are many attractive things about church planting, like being a pioneer and evangelizing a church into existence. None of those keep you in ministry for the long haul or lead you to buy a burial plot in your community. Wes helped me cultivate a heart to love only God, hate only sin, and preach only Christ.

Steve - NETS did a great job of persuading Garet that the gospel is sufficient to save and sanctify God's people. Yes, he needs to get up early, plan and prepare, labor and love, give and be gracious. But he also needs to trust the sovereignty of God, the preaching of the gospel, and the work of the Spirit. God has given us a glorious seat on the 50-yard line to watch Him work in people's lives.

Why choose Garet to plant Proclamation's first church? And Garet, why Proclamation?

Steve - Garet is a gospel-centered man with the clarity, courage, and conviction to preach the gospel which was once for all delivered to the saints. He knows God will build this church and make sure the gates of hell do not prevail against it. He understands the delicate balance between laboring for the Kingdom and trusting God to do the work only He can do.

Garet - Steve is an example of what it means to pour yourself out for the gospel. He's constantly coached me that my personal holiness is the greatest gift I can give my people, and reminded me to enjoy the process of being poured out for souls and their salvation.

Above: Christ Redemption Church launch

Why "Christ Redemption Church"?

Garet - Redemption was planned by the Father, accomplished by the Son, applied by the Spirit, and is offered to the world. We want the heart of the gospel to be the heartbeat of this local church. "Christ Redemption Church" captures our mission.

What does planting this church mean to you?

Steve - There's no greater joy than to launch Redemption one Sunday and celebrate our 10th anniversary the next. In the New Testament there are only goers and senders. We are thrilled to be a sending church, and are excited to bring on more planters so we can reproduce as often as possible.

Garet - We are overwhelmed and overjoyed! Heidi and I have been praying, planning, and preparing to church plant for six years. Now we are living out that dream.

What challenges does Redemption face?

Garet - The greatest challenges will be raising up leaders and discipling well. We are working to train up godly men to shepherd and serve the church. Our size gives us the feel of an established church even though we are just starting out. God has given us a great stewardship of souls to shepherd and disciple faithfully.

What advice would you give an aspiring church planter?

Steve - Delight yourself in the Lord Jesus Christ for your own salvation and share the good news of the gospel. Initiate with others. Church planting requires you to initiate everything, so make sure that's who you are. Allow your current church to confirm your calling.



Garet - Focus on faithfulness to Jesus, delight in Him daily, and sign a blank check to God for Him to cash as He pleases. Then you get a seat in the front row of God's work of redemption!

• Pray for our next church plant in Burlington, Vermont, in the fall of 2025! This will be a community-based church easily accessible to the University of Vermont. Pray for Wes and church planter Eric Abbey, currently in negotiations for a property that fits the criteria.
• Pray for our online recruiting event for our new ResDiv Program on December 11. This modified residency program allows students to earn their MDiv online while living on the NETS campus and participating in our Residency Program. Pray that many will attend the event and be eager to come to NETS.
• Pray for our fundraising trip this week to Houston. Through the efforts of John Eckeberger, our Houston fundraising coordinator, we have meetings scheduled with several potential new church partners.