Secret Church

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

BIRMINGHAM, ALA. (ANS) -- The next Secret Church gathering will take place on Nov. 4, and will once again be simulcast in partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources.

The topic of the November Secret Church gathering will be "Heaven, Hell and the End of the World." Tickets for attendance at the Brook Hills campus will go on sale in August and simulcast registration will begin in September.

That's according to a news release from Disciple-Making International (DMI), which explained that Secret Church began four years ago with two main purposes in mind. The goals were to worship through intensive study of the Word, and to identify with and pray for persecuted Christians around the world.

In April, DMI and LifeWay enabled 50,000 people to participate in Secret Church by offering a simulcast link-in. The simulcast enabled 1,300 churches and small groups to participate with the 3,000 participants who gathered on-site at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Ala.. They heard David Platt teach on "Crucifixion, Salvation and the Glory of God."

Over the years, the news release stated, Secret Church has grown in popularity "as participants are drawn to its simplicity and the profound study of the Word." Tickets are now sold at a small cost to help reserve seating. The ticket price also covers the study guide provided at each gathering.

According to the news release, tickets for Secret Church have sold out very quickly. In an attempt to open up Secret Church to more participants, DMI decided to try a simulcast to enable churches and small groups to participate. With the help of LifeWay, the first simulcast on Good Friday was a huge success.

David Platt, author and pastor of The Church at Brook Hills, uses the Biblical model of multiplying the gospel by sharing the love of Christ, showing the life of Christ and teaching the Word of Christ in all nations.

He is the author of the book, "Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream" and "Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God."

Disciple-Making International is based in Birmingham, Ala. It was founded in 2010 by Platt and other Christian leaders.