What I Learned About Church Planting from Brady Sticker This Week

The Must-Read Guide for Every Pastor Considering to Start a Church Plant

?? PASTORS, READ THIS BEFORE YOU PLANT YOUR CHURCH! ??

If you’re even thinking about planting a Church, stop scrolling and pay attention. This might be the single most important thing you read before launching.

Let’s be real: most Church plants don’t fail because the Pastor lacked passion, calling, or faith. They fail because they started too small, without momentum, without a strategy.

?? But what if I told you there’s a proven way to launch a Church that THRIVES from day one?

When I interviewed Brady Sticker on my podcast, I expected to hear some good insights on Church growth. But what I got? A masterclass in launching a Church big.

I walked away with a blueprint—a strategy that makes sure your Church isn’t just another struggling startup but a movement that grabs attention, builds momentum, and draws people in before your first service even happens.

?? If you launch small, you struggle.

?? If you launch with momentum, you grow.

?? If you follow the right steps, people will be lining up to be part of it.

This isn’t just an idea. This is what’s working RIGHT NOW in Church planting.

Brady laid it all out in his book, Launch Big—and in this article, I’m giving you the top takeaways from our conversation that every Church planter needs to know.

?? Want your Church to launch STRONG? Keep reading. ??

(Or, you can watch the full interview here:)

The Conversation That Changed Everything

Planting a Church is one of the most exciting and challenging callings a Pastor can take on. It’s an act of faith, obedience, and vision. But too often, Church planters step into this journey without a clear plan for how to launch strong and reach their community effectively.

That’s why my conversation with Brady Sticker was so impactful.

Brady isn’t just passionate about Church planting—he’s helped over 300 Churches bring in new guests every Sunday by using proven outreach and marketing strategies. He’s seen what works, what doesn’t, and what sets apart a thriving Church plant from one that struggles to gain traction.

And what he shared completely changed the way I see Church planting.

The Key to a Strong Church Plant: Momentum

Brady made one thing crystal clear: momentum matters.

A Church that launches with momentum is one that:

? Reaches people before the first service even happens

? Builds anticipation and excitement in the community

? Has a trained, committed launch team ready to serve

? Creates an environment where new guests feel welcomed and connected immediately

But when a Church launches without a plan, it often struggles to gain traction.

The key? Don’t just open the doors and hope people walk in—be intentional about reaching them before launch day.

Brady shared specific steps that any Church planter can take to ensure that from day one, they’re making an impact. And that’s what we’re about to dive into next. ????

Why a Big Launch Matters

One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Brady was this: Churches that launch big tend to grow, while Churches that launch small often struggle.

It’s not just about numbers—it’s about impact, momentum, and community engagement from the very first day. A strong launch sets the tone for what’s to come and helps establish the Church as a vital part of the community.

Brady explained that when a Church plant starts small with little visibility, it can be difficult to gain traction later. The first impression a Church makes—before it even opens its doors—can determine how many people are reached in the long run.

The Common Struggles of Small Launches

Many Church planters assume they can start small and build gradually. While every Church is different, this approach often comes with serious challenges:

? Lack of Awareness – If the community doesn’t know about the Church, they can’t attend.

? Minimal Engagement – Without a launch strategy, there may not be enough momentum to sustain growth.

? Low Morale – A small, slow start can be discouraging for the Pastor, the team, and even guests.

? Financial Struggles – A limited launch can make it difficult to sustain ministry efforts.

Brady made it clear: if you don’t start with momentum, you’ll always be playing catch-up.

How to Create Excitement Before Launch Day

Brady shared key strategies to ensure that a Church plant isn’t just another name in the community—it’s a movement that people are excited about before the first service even happens.

? Pre-Launch Events – Holding interest meetings and vision-casting events to build connections before launch.

? Facebook & Instagram Ads – Running targeted outreach campaigns to engage the community.

? Personal Invitations – Equipping the launch team to invite others and share the vision.

? Community Partnerships – Connecting with local leaders, schools, and organizations.

The goal? For launch Sunday to feel less like an introduction and more like a celebration of something people have already been anticipating.

In the next section, we’ll break down the exact blueprint for launching a Church big—step by step. ????

The Blueprint for a High-Impact Church Launch

Brady didn’t just talk about why launching big matters—he laid out a step-by-step blueprint for making it happen. This isn’t about gimmicks or shortcuts; it’s about intentional planning, strategic outreach, and ensuring your Church is positioned for long-term impact.

If you’re planting a Church, here’s how to lay a strong foundation before day one.

1. Cast a Big Vision

People are drawn to clarity and purpose. A strong Church plant starts with a clear, compelling vision that answers the key questions:

• What is this Church about?
• Why does it matter to this community?
• What role can people play in making it a reality?

A Church plant with a strong vision doesn’t just ask people to attend—it invites them to be part of something bigger.

Brady emphasized that a well-communicated vision attracts committed people—not just attendees, but future leaders, volunteers, and team members.

2. Build a Strong Launch Team

A successful launch isn’t just about the Pastor—it’s about the team. The people who greet, serve, and engage with guests on launch day set the culture of the Church.

Brady outlined exactly what a solid launch team looks like:

? Passionate about the mission – People who understand the vision and are excited about it.

? Committed to serving – Not just attendees, but active participants.

? Equipped and trained – People who know how to welcome guests and make them feel at home.

A Church that launches without a strong team often struggles with disorganization and missed opportunities to connect with new people. That first impression matters.

3. Invest in Marketing – Visibility is NOT Optional

Brady made one thing clear: if people don’t know your Church exists, they can’t attend.

One of the biggest mistakes Church plants make is assuming word-of-mouth alone will be enough to get people in the doors. It’s not.

A strong marketing plan ensures that before launch Sunday, people already know about the Church and are considering a visit.

Brady recommends:

?? Facebook & Instagram Ads – Reaching thousands of local people with targeted outreach.

?? A Strong Website – A clear, simple site with a “Plan Your Visit” feature.

?? Social Media Engagement – Creating engaging content that builds excitement.

?? Community Outreach – Partnering with local businesses and organizations.

A strong launch doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by getting the message out consistently before launch day.

4. Engage the Community Before Your First Service

Brady emphasized that relationships build Churches. Before the Church ever holds its first service, it should already be an active presence in the community.

Some of the best ways to connect before launch include:

? Hosting Pre-Launch Interest Meetings – Small gatherings where people can hear the vision and ask questions.

? Sponsoring Local Events – Partnering with schools, businesses, and nonprofits.

? Serving the Community – Food drives, prayer gatherings, or outreach projects.

? Personal Networking – Encouraging the launch team to invite their circles.

The goal? Make sure the community knows the Church is launching and feels personally invited.

5. Plan an Unforgettable Launch Day

The first service sets the tone for everything that follows. A great launch Sunday isn’t just about filling seats—it’s about making every guest feel seen, valued, and welcomed.

Brady’s keys to a successful first service:

? Make it an EVENT. Promote it like it’s a grand opening, not just another Sunday.

? Deliver excellence. Ensure that worship, preaching, and hospitality are all done well.

? Create clear next steps. Don’t just invite people to attend—invite them to join the mission.

? Follow up immediately. Every first-time guest should receive a personal follow-up within 24-48 hours.

?? Launch day isn’t the finish line—it’s just the beginning. ??

What Happens After Launch?

A big launch creates momentum, but sustaining that momentum requires ongoing effort.

Brady talked about:

?? Regular Follow-Ups – Ensuring visitors feel connected and invited back.

?? Consistent Outreach – Keeping engagement high, both online and in-person.

?? Leadership Development – Raising up new leaders and volunteers to support growth.

The first 90 days after launch are critical—this is when people decide if they’ll stay, serve, and invest in the vision.

The Bottom Line? Preparation + Strategy = A Thriving Church Plant

Launching a Church isn’t about hoping for the best—it’s about preparing for growth.

Brady’s blueprint for launching big is based on real-world experience helping Churches plant and thrive. And if you follow these steps, your Church will be positioned to make an impact from day one.

But there’s still one more piece of the puzzle—and it’s the biggest lesson I learned from my conversation with Brady.

?? Let’s talk about the #1 key to launching big next.??

The #1 Takeaway from Brady’s Interview

After my conversation with Brady, one thing stood out above everything else:

?? Momentum is everything. ??

A Church plant that starts with momentum attracts people, creates excitement, and establishes a foundation for long-term growth.

A Church plant that starts without momentum? It often struggles to gain traction, leaving the Pastor and team feeling discouraged.

Brady made it clear—hope is not a strategy. A successful launch isn’t about wishing people will come—it’s about building momentum before day one so that people are already planning to attend.

Why Hoping People Show Up Isn’t a Strategy

Many Church planters assume that simply being faithful and opening the doors will be enough. But Brady explained that without a launch strategy, most Churches never reach the people they are called to serve.

?? People need a reason to show up. If they don’t know about the Church, they can’t visit.

?? Excitement is contagious. A Church with momentum draws in new people because it feels alive.

?? A slow start makes it harder to grow later. Without momentum, it can be difficult to build engagement over time.

Brady emphasized that Church plants that intentionally build momentum before launch day see significantly higher attendance, stronger engagement, and more long-term sustainability.

How to Build Momentum Before Launch Day

So, how do you generate momentum and make sure that people are excited about the launch?

Brady shared key strategies that successful Church plants use to ensure that momentum is strong before the first service ever happens.

? Interest Meetings – Hosting gatherings where people hear the vision, ask questions, and sign up to serve.

? Pre-Launch Community Events – Sponsoring or participating in local activities to build awareness.

? Facebook & Instagram Ads – Running targeted campaigns to introduce the Church to thousands of people.

? Personal Invitations – Equipping the launch team to invite friends, family, and coworkers.

? Consistent Social Media Engagement – Creating content that keeps people engaged and excited.

The key? People should already be anticipating the launch before it happens.

Brady explained that when a Church launches with momentum, people don’t just attend—they bring others with them.

What This Means for Your Church Plant

If you’re planting a Church, you have two choices:

1?? Launch small and struggle to grow.

2?? Launch big and create unstoppable momentum.

Brady laid out the exact steps for getting it right. The best part? He put everything into a book you can start reading today.

?? Let’s talk about why Launch Big is the ultimate Church planting playbook. ??

Want the Full Strategy? Read Launch Big

After hearing Brady break down the exact steps for launching a Church with momentum, I realized something: every Church planter needs this information BEFORE they start.

Brady has taken everything he’s learned from working with over 300 Churches and packed it into one resource that every Church planter should read:

?? Launch Big ??

Why This Book is a Must-Read for Church Planters

? It’s not just advice—it’s a proven playbook. This book isn’t about theories or wishful thinking. It’s a step-by-step guide based on real-world experience with actual Church plants.

? It gives you the tools to build momentum before launch day. You’ll learn how to create excitement in your city, engage your community, and get people through the doors before your first Sunday.

? It helps you avoid common Church planting mistakes. Many Church plants struggle unnecessarily because they miss key steps in their launch process. This book lays out what to do—and what NOT to do.

? It shows you how to reach more people faster. From Facebook & Instagram ads to personal outreach strategies, Launch Big explains how to make your Church known before you ever hold your first service.

Brady didn’t just talk about why launching big matters—he mapped out exactly how to do it.

Final Thoughts: Go Big or Struggle Small

Most Church plants don’t struggle because God didn’t call them. They struggle because they didn’t launch with a plan.

God has placed a vision in your heart. Now, it’s time to back it up with preparation, strategy, and intentionality.

? Build momentum before you launch.

? Engage your community early.

? Make your first service a must-attend event.

This isn’t just another Church planting guide—this is the guide that will determine whether your Church plant struggles to grow or launches with impact.

?? Read Launch Big, apply these strategies, and watch what God does when you step out with boldness and preparation. ??

?? Get your copy of Launch Big on Amazon today!

https://www.amazon.com/Launch-Big-Complete-Marketing-Planters/dp/B0DH1XB7F7