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Authentic Pursuit: Building a Church from Nothing
The Experience Community was started February 15th of 2009 with no funding, denominational support, or any outside help in a basement on the square in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In just 6 1/2 years, God has moved this church through four locations, enabled the most eclectic people to find Christ, created dynamic outreach to the unchurched, disillusioned, and broken, and has grown a congregation to almost 2000 people in attendance of weekend services.
This is the story about a church that should have never succeeded because of the obstacles in their path, but through Christ, it has flourished into a powerful vessel that advances the Kingdom of God.
This is the story about a church that should have never succeeded because of the obstacles in their path, but through Christ, it has flourished into a powerful vessel that advances the Kingdom of God.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2015
13 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 26, 2026
An amazing journey!
The authors are straight to the point, explaining how they built the Experience Church in Murfreesboro Tennessee starting with no money, no denominational backing, and no families committed to serve and give. They explain how they rely upon intense prayer, following God's direction rather than taking guidance from podcasts, books, or 'church growth experts.' The results speak for themselves:
- In 16 years, grew from 5 families to over 10,000 people
- No debt
- Over 700 people baptized in one year
- No fancy buildings, they use converted stores and a giant warehouse
- Give 30% of budget to ministries, churches, and schools that really need it
A quick read at just over 200 pages. Recommended for people who want to see what God can do.
The authors are straight to the point, explaining how they built the Experience Church in Murfreesboro Tennessee starting with no money, no denominational backing, and no families committed to serve and give. They explain how they rely upon intense prayer, following God's direction rather than taking guidance from podcasts, books, or 'church growth experts.' The results speak for themselves:
- In 16 years, grew from 5 families to over 10,000 people
- No debt
- Over 700 people baptized in one year
- No fancy buildings, they use converted stores and a giant warehouse
- Give 30% of budget to ministries, churches, and schools that really need it
A quick read at just over 200 pages. Recommended for people who want to see what God can do.
January 25, 2026
Looking past the errors in this edition (I assume the updated edition has corrections), which distracted me at times, but also added to the humility and “we aren’t professionals” posture (in a good way) . . .
This is a remarkable story of the humble beginnings and Spirit-led growth of a church that teaches line-by-line and verse-by-verse from the Bible. I love detailed testimonies like this where there is no question God’s hand is in every detail, which can also be seen in the growth of this church. I really enjoyed getting to know Experience Community Church better. The ultimate “Next Class” and “Vision Service”.
This is a remarkable story of the humble beginnings and Spirit-led growth of a church that teaches line-by-line and verse-by-verse from the Bible. I love detailed testimonies like this where there is no question God’s hand is in every detail, which can also be seen in the growth of this church. I really enjoyed getting to know Experience Community Church better. The ultimate “Next Class” and “Vision Service”.
January 25, 2025
Excellent read!!
July 7, 2025
Give to someone thinking of planting. Goes into hr as well just good business
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews