Since LINC is an organizational model for an entire metro area, the primary purpose is to plant groups of new believers throughout the city. Not only do new groups typically grow faster than established ones, but they have the opportunity to change more quickly to reflect the needs and values of the community where they are planted. LINC Houston currently includes 29 discipleship ministries in 12 different languages across the Houston metro area.

Any mission work that is effective in reaching people is also tied with needs-based outreach. By meeting people’s felt needs, the mission planter has an open door to their soul as well. Also, since the needs of a new ethnic group on the fringe of society are so great, the mission planter can quickly expend most of his resources. This is where the most participation from partnering congregations will come. Not everyone can speak the language, but everyone can be involved in meeting the needs of the community. Needs based ministry must also be directly tied to the mission planting efforts. This is not to say that we love only the potential members of a new mission plant, but simply realizing that the most effective way to truly meet people’s needs is to build them spiritually, physically and emotionally at the same time.

When social ministry is taken out of context of mission planting, it fails to provide the next step for people to experience the abundant life in Christ, which is discipleship. It also puts a distinction in the minds of our church members between social and spiritual ministry. This distinction robs the mission planting effort of having a full arsenal of tools for holistic ministry to a particular community.

LINC doesn't seek to continue needs-based ministry indefinitely in a certain community, but rather seeks to empower and turn over responsibility to the community itself. New disciples learn quickly how to give their own gifts and talents to the community.

In order to plant new missions and begin new ministries to the community, there must be a continuous supply of new leaders. These leaders come from the partner congregations, from the community and from the ethnic group that is being reached by a new mission plant. Leadership training takes place on various levels.

Congregational training – Ex. workshops and seminars

Experiential training – Ex. Mission trip to local mission site

Training for specific ministry to community – Ex. ESL, computer training, Tutors, Crisis Pregnancy, etc.

Theological training for ethnic leaders – EIIT, Hispanic Institute, LBI

Local Missionary training for LINC missionaries