Get to Know John and Kathryn Kimball

by CCCC Conference Minister Ron Hamilton

Please allow me to introduce the Kimballs to you in a new role beginning in 2014. John and Kathryn Kimball will be relocating to Orlando, Florida in August, 2014 to plant a new church, Palmwood Church, affiliated with the CCCC. This exciting development is further evidence that God is at work in our Conference in special ways in these days.

In the late summer of 2012, John began to sense the leading of the Holy Spirit toward church planting during his daily prayer time. He felt it odd, because he never considered himself a “pioneering” personality; however, the Spirit did not relent, and after several weeks of this impression John started talking with people about it. During the same time, the CCCC Board of Directors began considering possible changes to the Conference’s ministry structures to better facilitate the three priorities of Conference Care, Church Development and Church Multiplication. There is a growing interest in decentralization, which would intentionally focus on regional ministry to be more effective and fruitful for Christ’s kingdom. These things worked together to confirm with John and Kathryn what the Lord had been whispering for a very long time. The Kimballs envision being a part of an effort to bring the CCCC to the Southeast, and are called by the Lord to do this organically by planting a church and allowing the movement to grow out from there.

The proposal for the church plant has been approved by the Northstar Center for Church Multiplication and the CCCC Church Multiplication Committee. The Kimballs’ home church, the Woodbury Community Church in Minnesota, has agreed to assist in this project by allowing families from the church to join in this project. There are currently two families from the church who will relocate with the Kimballs to help start this church. Another family from North Carolina has discerned that God has called them to join the core group. John and Kathryn are also in dialogue with other friends and ministry acquaintances to join this growing core group. We recognize that there may be others from the CCCC family who will sense a call to participate in this church planting ministry.

Please join me in praying for the Kimballs as they prepare for this great adventure. Any support for the Palmwood Church project can be directed through the CCCC office.