Summer 2007
The Austin Area PlantR Network began with a meeting of half a dozen planters in the summer of 2007. The meeting quickly turned into a monthly event, which resulted in a grassroots movement of planters helping planters plant churches. Initial monthly meetings were hosted by First Evangelical Free Church of Austin, where Rob Harrell and Jonathan Dodson took turns facilitating the meetings.
Spring 2008
In the months that followed, planters built relationships, shared stories, swapped best practices, heard from city church leaders, discussed partnership and vision, and unanimously agreed upon the benefit and potential of a formal Austin Church Planters Network. In March 2008, a board was appointed to give leadership and direction to the growing network. What began as a six disconnected church planters emerged into a network of 40 plus connected planters working together in the gospel for the greater Austin area.