Grace Abounds in Sin City

Some things you have to check out for yourself. You know, they say, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

I recently attended a retreat with several pastors from around the United States. There I met a young church planter named Mark Neal. A pastor at the meeting mentioned that Mark’s church in Las Vegas had experienced some pretty phenomenal growth after he planted it about five years ago.

That intrigued me, because I have been conducting a large-scale research project about Independent Baptists and knew very few church-planting projects in the United States had experienced substantial growth — much less “phenomenal growth.” So I decided to check out Oasis Baptist Church for myself.

I flew into Las Vegas on Saturday evening and drove around to see a bit of the city. I had traveled through Vegas on business trips many times but had never taken time to see the city. As I drove down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, I was struck by the multitude of ways the city catered to a person’s worldly dreams and desires. I thought to myself, “This would not be the most hospitable place for a church plant.”

On Sunday morning, I arrived at church just before the early worship service ended. The auditorium – which seats around 400 — was packed. I watched from the back as the invitation was offered and the Lord moved in a great way. The Sunday school hour was next, scheduled between the two worship services. I walked around the campus and saw room after room, filled with adults and children learning about Jesus. The usher who escorted me regaled me with stories about their experiences in starting the church.

One story in particular stuck with me.

This happened back when the church facility was still under construction, but the congregation was planning to use the auditorium. A city official came in on a Friday afternoon and told Pastor Neal he couldn’t use the auditorium because of a permitting issue.

What to do? Pastor Neal arranged for a large tent to be set up on the property, and the congregation worshiped in the tent for the next several months! Do you know how hot Las Vegas gets in the summer?

That indomitable spirit epitomizes the entire membership of this church: “Hey, no auditorium? It’s OK. We’ll just have church under a tent for a while — and grow through the process!”

The singing and the message during the 11 a.m. worship service blessed me immensely. The auditorium was mostly full for that service as well. When the invitation was opened, people were saved and many decisions were made.

Take a look at the growth trend in this church’s average attendance:

2004 — 150
2005 — 220
2006 — 350
2007 — 490
2008 — 680
2009 — 720

Taken in context, those are incredible numbers. Think of all the changed lives represented. To God be the glory!

General observations:

1. Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound. The light of the Gospel is brightest in the planet’s darkest locations. A towering Christian figure of yesteryear, C.T. Studd, once wrote: “Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell. I wish to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.” Oasis Baptist Church is a rescue shop very close to the modern-day “gates of hell.”

2. We need more church planting in urban centers like Las Vegas. Independent Baptist church planters typically have shied away from the big city. The Apostle Paul’s church-planting methodology was exactly the opposite, however. He targeted the urban centers of his day because he understood that culture flows from the city, not to it.

3. Pastor Neal understands he is not pastoring in Jacksonville, Florida, where he grew up. He recognizes that he is a Christian missionary to a pagan culture — and he ministers with that understanding.

4. Pastor Neal is effective at reaching people with the Gospel. When I quizzed him about this, he said that most of the people he reaches are those he “bumps into” while he is out in the community. When I arrived on Saturday night, he was out on a beat with a police officer, serving as a volunteer chaplain.

5. You might not like everything about Oasis Baptist Church. That’s fine. Go do it your way in Las Vegas or wherever God calls you. I dare you! When Dr. Jack Hyles was voted out of his denomination, he received a phone call from a friend, Lester Roloff, who said, “Jack, welcome to the fraternity of the free.” There’s plenty of room in America for us to give each other some space and serve the Lord. On the other hand, you could make excuses: “It’s a great story, but ….”

6. The people of Oasis were really friendly. Most churches think they are friendly, but I was truly blessed by the kindness of the people in this church.

7. The auditorium and facilities were modern. Colorful graphics, contemporary paint colors, and a generally fresh impression spoke volumes about an on-mission church creating an appealing environment where today’s lost souls can hear the eternal Gospel.

8. The people were pumped. They had “it.” They were excited about being at church.

9. Pastor Neal is a second-generation pastor. His life should speak to all PK’s: We can use our experience as a stepping stone and a built-in head start or let it become an excuse to be depressed and silly about our lives. Some of the greatest churches ever built — some of the greatest churches being built – are being built by preachers’ kids.

Pray for Pastor Neal. He is understaffed and a little tired. He is struggling with some health issues and growing pains. But God is at work and will meet the needs of His servants. The Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified through Oasis Baptist Church.

If we learn from their example, He will be glorified even more among us.