D. A. Horton on Reach Fellowship; What Is the FABRIC For Los Angeles?

Together LA had the opportunity to catch D.A. Horton of Reach Fellowship at the recent Send Conference as he opened the two-day event during the first session and we wanted to share something about his ministry. The Send Conference was hosted by the North American Mission Board in Long Beach, California.Horton and his family relocated to California to plant Reach Fellowship in south Los Angeles County. D.A. was sent out by the Summit Network after he completed his residency at Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. He has served as an urban church planter/pastor in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly six years, a National Coordinator of Urban Student Ministries, the Urban Initiatives Team at the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the Executive Director at ReachLife Ministries, the non-profit arm of Reach Records. He earned his bachelor of science in Biblical Studies from Calvary Bible College, his master's degree in Christian Studies from Calvary Theological Seminary and is currently working on his doctorate in Applied Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.Reach Fellowship's launch team meets weekly at a local community center in the 90805 for vision, prayer, and fellowship, as they look to launch in 2017, according to the website. Horton and his team are currently inviting others to join and/or support them.We found Reach Fellowship's plan (below) for South Los Angeles County inspiring and useful.

South Los Angeles County needs gospel-centered, multi-ethnic, cultural, and generational led churches that model for their people long-lasting engagement as they intersect in the Six Avenues (F.A.B.R.I.C.) of life while mobilizing their people to do the same.FAMILY – Our homes are the first place of ministry and will mirror Ephesians 5:22-6:4 which then will lead our entire fellowship to practice familial interdependence.AUTHORITY (SCRIPTURE & GOVERNMENT) – Our rule of faith & practice the Bible, commands we pray and respect our national, state and local leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-6).BUSINESS – Our money will be stewarded for God’s glory as it’s shared with those in need (Philippians 4:10-20) as we teach them principles of biblical stewardship.RELIGION – Our hearts will be filled compassion (Matthew 9:35-38) when we give reasonable responses for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:13-17) when our evangelistic efforts are opposed.INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING & REHABILITATION – Our time will be spent volunteering/working educational and correctional systems in order to see the gospel reach the lost (Romans 10:9-17).CULTURE (ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT) – Our focus will be to assess the culture’s beliefs, language, and practices and filter them through Scripture before identifying ways to engage with the lost in our city (Acts 17:16-34 & 1 Thessalonians 2:8).

Photo: Courtesy of North American Mission Board.