With over 7 million people, the Bay Area is a region that holds tremendous significance for the kingdom of God. At Tri-Cities Baptist Church (TCBC), we have five core Global Outreach (GO) pursuits:

1. Send Disciples,
2. Serve the Vulnerable,
3. Train Leaders,
4. Reach the Unreached and
5. Plant Churches.

This is why our partnership with Send Bay Area is so important—it’s all about making disciples.

As a Lead City Partner with Send Bay Area, we have the privilege of sending a team each year to host a retreat for church planters and their families. This event provides planters from the Bay Area a chance to relax, enjoy time with their families, and be equipped for the vital work of disciple-making. Here’s how this partnership aligns with our five GO pursuits:

1- Send Disciples
We are honored to send disciple-makers from TCBC to pour into church planters, their wives, and their children. For a few days, our team members set aside their own work and family commitments to invest deeply in these ministry families. Many planters in the Bay Area serve in spiritually barren environments with little encouragement. If we can help “fill their cups” for even a short time, we are grateful for the opportunity.

2- Serve the Vulnerable
Church planters in the Bay Area work on the front lines, ministering to people in various states of physical and spiritual vulnerability. These families are serving individuals who desperately need the hope and healing that only Jesus Christ can provide.

3- Train Leaders
We believe the local church should be the world’s greatest leadership development organization. That’s why we’re passionate about equipping the leaders of Bay Area churches. Without well-trained, rested, and empowered leaders, healthy churches cannot thrive. Investing in leadership training is crucial, and we are honored to play even a small role in preparing these leaders for the work ahead.

4- Reach the Unreached
In a region like the Bay Area, there are millions who do not know Christ, and many who have never even heard the name of Jesus. What an incredible opportunity to minister in such a place! The Bay Area is also highly transient, which means people who hear The Gospel there often have the opportunity to take it to new cities, states, and even countries. Ministering in the Bay Area is truly a global mission field.

5- Plant Churches
Churches are at the heart of spiritual growth and community transformation. The number one way I’ve seen people deepen their relationship with God is through the community of the local church. By supporting 15–20 church planters at a time through our family retreats, we’re helping these churches become healthier and more impactful, ensuring that they can reach even more people with the love of Christ.

For our church in East Tennessee, partnering with Send Bay Area is a humbling and rewarding experience. We had a planter express how they would have never been able to afford to go on a retreat like this. We had another planter say that the short retreat was so life-giving for their marriage and family.” It’s awe-inspiring to hear how this little two-night retreat can impact so many people. We are thankful for all that God is doing in and through this partnership to build His kingdom.

To God be the glory!