What is the Acts 29 Network?

Definition and Purpose

The Acts 29 Network is an organization devoted to planting and supporting churches around the world, characterized by a shared commitment to gospel proclamation, theological fidelity, and missional outreach. The name derives from the idea that the biblical Book of Acts (which has 28 chapters) concludes with the Apostle Paul continuing his ministry in Rome, thus implying that the Church’s mission persists. As such, Acts 29 Network churches seek to extend God’s work of making disciples, reflecting the early Church’s zeal described in Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Historical Development

Acts 29 originated in the late 1990s. In its early stages, the network was associated with pastors and theologians who shared a vision for training a new generation of leaders to preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23) and build congregations aligned with Scripture’s teaching. Over time, the leadership and organizational structures evolved, and the network grew into a global community of like-minded churches.

Historically, Acts 29 attracted people seeking to revitalize churches and start new congregations in diverse cultural contexts. Its leadership has undergone transitions and re-organizations, enabling a broader focus on international church-planting. Published interviews, articles in Christianity Today, and official Acts 29 press releases highlight a consistent theme of gospel-centered ministry and collaboration among different local congregations.

Foundational Doctrines

Acts 29 congregations typically hold to:

• A high view of Scripture, believing “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16).

• An emphasis on the gospel as the foundation for faith and practice, with Christ’s atoning death and resurrection at the core (Romans 10:9).

• A reformed theological perspective, often centering on doctrines such as the sovereignty of God in salvation, the inerrancy of Scripture, and the necessity of personal conversion.

While theological distinctives may vary across individual churches, the core unifying confession revolves around historically orthodox Christian beliefs, including the triune nature of God, salvation in Christ alone, and the call to reach all nations for His glory (Matthew 28:19–20).

Church Planting Emphasis

The Acts 29 Network is best known for its focus on starting new congregations. Its structure includes training and assessing prospective church planters, providing resources, and facilitating mentorship among established pastors. This strong emphasis stems from the Book of Acts, which depicts the rapid proliferation of churches throughout the Roman Empire. As exemplified by Acts 16:5, “So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers,” Acts 29 churches aim to replicate this growth and spiritual vibrancy.

Assessment processes within Acts 29 typically evaluate a candidate’s theological understanding, preaching ability, personal character, and leadership qualities. This thorough approach seeks to guard the Church’s doctrinal integrity while equipping pastors to shepherd congregations effectively (1 Timothy 3:2–7).

Leadership and Governance

Acts 29 operates with regional and international teams that help coordinate its various training events, conferences, and support structures. While not a denomination, the network serves as a parachurch hub of congregations that share certain theological and missional commitments. Each local church generally maintains its own governance structure, often led by elders or pastors who hold final responsibility for their congregation’s direction and doctrine (Titus 1:5).

Regional directors and global leadership teams provide oversight and guidance, ensuring that new church plants align with the network’s gospel-centered vision. Such a model allows for both local autonomy and shared accountability across the broader network.

Controversies and Criticisms

Over the years, observers have raised questions about leadership transitions, financial transparency, and pastoral conduct in certain Acts 29 churches. While controversies can arise in any ministry context, Acts 29 has sought to address these issues by implementing clearer policies and guidelines, a rigorous assessment process for new churches, and ongoing accountability measures.

Some critics argue Acts 29’s emphasis on a specific theological viewpoint can appear exclusive, while supporters maintain that a clearly defined doctrinal framework protects the purity of the gospel message and fosters unity in mission. Regardless of these discussions, the network continues engaging pastors worldwide, highlighting both the strengths and evolving challenges of a large, decentralized organization.

Global Impact

Acts 29 congregations exist in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. By partnering with local leaders, the network supports church-planting efforts designed to address cultural and linguistic considerations. Many of these churches have conducted humanitarian work, mercy ministries, and evangelistic events that have resonated with diverse communities.

In line with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20), the network’s global outreach includes establishing long-term relationships with regional pastors, sponsoring theological training, and creating networks of care to encourage church planters. Such partnerships illustrate Biblical themes of unity and cooperation in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–13).

Scriptural Reflection

In Acts 14:23, Scripture records the appointment of elders in every church, an indication that healthy church foundations require faithful leadership and discipleship. The Acts 29 Network’s core mission flows from these biblical patterns, seeking to continue writing the "unfinished story" of Acts by equipping believers to fulfill Christ’s call to bear witness “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Furthermore, the name “Acts 29” implies that the Church’s mission did not end with the close of the New Testament era. As Jesus assured His followers in Matthew 16:18, “On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it,” many within Acts 29 see themselves as continuing that work through newly planted churches.

Concluding Thoughts

The Acts 29 Network represents a cooperative effort among churches eager to maintain theological clarity and faithfulness to Scripture, while actively taking part in the task of planting new congregations. Its name underscores the belief that God’s work, evidenced in the book of Acts, persists to this day.

While not a denomination, Acts 29 provides training, doctrinal standards, and relational support for those who share its vision of seeing the gospel proclaimed and lived out in local communities. From its beginnings to its present global reach, Acts 29’s story reflects a commitment to the missional fervor and Scriptural authority found throughout the Bible, championing the ongoing mission to make disciples of all nations under the lordship of Christ.