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LUBBOCK—Matt Clakley became aware of what is now known as Northrich Church in Richardson while he was serving as a missions pastor and elder at Restoration Church in Southlake.
When Restoration began working alongside Northrich with a goal to replant the legacy congregation, there was a feeling about the latter church that Clakley couldn’t shake.
“As the fall of 2024 went on, my family felt a growing desire to lead the replant in Richardson,” Clakley said. “I began the Send Network assessment process in late November, and by March [2025] I was given a go-ahead from Send [Network] SBTC and the church had voted me as lead replanting pastor.”
Clakley was among dozens of planters and spouses recognized Monday, Oct. 27, during a Send Network SBTC planter commissioning service held during the opening session of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Annual Meeting at Southcrest Baptist Church.
“I would love to see God use Northrich as a beacon of hope to struggling churches in our vicinity,” Clakley told the Texan before the event. “I would love to be a hub for training and sending out replanters and mobilize the people of Northrich Church to see God glorified as churches are replanted and revitalized in Richardson and beyond.”
‘You lose to gain’
“God is writing quite a story across Texas,” said Send Network SBTC Director Jason Crandall, noting the organization is on track to plant 70 churches by the end of 2025, including 12 international language congregations. That would be the most churches planted in the convention’s history in any single year.
“The nations aren’t just coming to Texas—they are meeting Jesus here,” Crandall said. Over the last four quarters, Send Network SBTC church plants have seen nearly 2,700 professions of faith with 952 baptized, he added.
Sending churches deserve praise as well, Crandall reminded those gathered at the ceremony, asking representatives of such churches to stand and be recognized.
“Behind every new church lies a sending church, pastors and members who pray, give, and release their best to start something new. These are heroes,” he said. “That’s the banner of the kingdom. You lose to gain. You send to grow. You give away to see God move. … You can’t outgive God.”
North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell, who attended the ceremony, praised the number of baptisms among the church plants and thanked sending churches for their sacrifices and Cooperative Program giving to “plant churches that plant churches that plant churches.”
Ezell cautioned planters there will be times of loneliness ahead, but he offered encouragement by reminding them people across the Southern Baptist Convention will be praying for them. He invited the audience to stand and stretch out their hands toward the planters as he led in a prayer for protection, blessing, and passionate service.
“I am so grateful for you,” he said to the planters. “You are heroes to Southern Baptists.”
You can support Send Network SBTC church plants by giving through the Reach Texas State Missions Offering.
