Hope for My Hometown

Church Planting Principles from Our Journey of Faith

What happens when a twenty-one-year-old newlywed, fresh out of Bible college, attempts to plant a church in his hometown? And what if that town is Las Vegas, Nevada-the "sin city" of the nation?

As Dave and Anna Teis announced their plans to plant a church in Vegas, many discouraged them: Could a young church plant survive there? Did the city even desire such a church? Was this young couple qualified to plant the church?

Over thirty-five years later, the answer is obvious. Not just one, but two churches are growing and flourishing in this needy city. Through these pages, Pastor Teis records a journey of faith where miraculous provision, fervent prayer, willing sacrifice, and gracious perseverance mark the way to victory. He transparently shares the failures, setbacks, and triumphs he experienced. He outlines scriptural principles and provides practical resources for church planting in the needy cities yet waiting for the hope of the Gospel.

Dave Teis was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. After completing Bible college in 1977, he and his new bride, Anna, returned to Las Vegas with a desire to plant a Bible- believing Baptist church. Once a location was secured for the new church, the newlyweds spent the next eight weeks knocking on one hundred doors each day. Liberty Baptist Church began on September 11, 1977, with sixty-eight people in attendance. After just six weeks, the church was self- supporting. Today, hundreds of families call Liberty Baptist Church their home, and through the church’s ministry, thousands of individuals have trusted Christ as Saviour. Liberty Baptist Church has given hundreds of thousands of dollars toward worldwide missions each year and has assisted six church plants in the Las Vegas valley. Pastor and Mrs. Teis have five children faithfully serving the Lord and nine grandchildren.