Stories at The Well
WELL STORIES
Planting With Purpose: Valle
Spanish and English united in worship, mission, and discipleship.
Church planting is not just an initiative or something that sounds cool in our mission—it’s what we see in the scriptures. The act of starting a new church is meant to bring the gospel to communities where it has not been heard.
In an interview with The Well, Travis DeLuna, a former church planter at The Well, and now the lead pastor of Valle Community Church, shared his thoughts on church planting. “The Lord uses the local church to disciple, to evangelize, and to spread the gospel, but church plants are a little more unique”.
He continued by explaining that church plants, by their nature, typically have more opportunities to reach those who have never heard the gospel. Unlike established churches, which often grow by attracting believers from other congregations, church plants usually grow by engaging directly with the unreached.
Church planting goes deeper than a new place to worship—it’s about engaging the mission field. When a church is planted, it enters into a community with the intention of reaching those who might never walk into a traditional church setting.
As Travis shared from his own experience in planting Valle Community Church, there are several unique aspects to starting a church. “You’re becoming a student of the people that God has called you to reach.” Church planters are not just evangelists—they are learning, engaging with their communities, understanding their needs, and building relationships that can lead to lasting spiritual transformation.
Travis also reflected on his own personal journey, recalling when he moved to Austin to plant Valle. He remembered meeting Jake and Abby Gutierrez ten days after moving to Austin, a couple who two years later would join the church planting team. Moments like this, Travis says, are examples of how God works even before we realize it, orchestrating relationships and preparing people for the mission. These moments of connection affirmed that God was at work, guiding him toward his calling in church planting.
Church planting is not just an initiative or something that sounds cool in our mission—it’s what we see in the scriptures.
One of the exciting aspects of church planting is also the opportunity to shape the culture and mission of the new congregation. Valle Community Church Is a prime example of how church planting can create a unique space for ministry. Valle exists as a multicultural, bilingual congregation, aiming to glorify God by making disciples and multiplying churches. Their vision is to create a space where both English and Spanish speakers feel at home.
This bilingual mission is not just a strategy for growth but a reflection of the church’s commitment to serving a diverse community. Whether you speak English or Spanish, Valle aims to be a welcoming home, a place where all are invited to worship and grow together in Christ. This is a beautiful way to engage with Christ’s command in Matthew 28 18-20, which is to make disciples of all nations.
For aspiring church planters, finding the right training and support is important. Travis himself credits much of his success to the church planting residency he completed at The Well, noting that church planting is not merely a program at The Well but a central part of its mission and identity.
“Being a part of a church that has planted churches before has given me an immense wealth of knowledge and experience,” says DeLuna. For those considering church planting, The Well provides an invaluable resource, offering guidance, mentorship, and a proven framework for launching new churches that are sustainable and mission-focused.
Church planting is not an easy task. It requires faith, persistence, and dependence on the Lord. It’s about more than just creating a new space for Christians to meet; it’s about being a part of God’s redemptive mission in the world. It’s about going into new areas, understanding diverse communities, building relationships, and seeing lives transformed by the gospel. As churches like Valle Community Church demonstrate, planting churches is an essential part of the kingdom work that Jesus called us to.
God is at work, and He invites you to join Him in spreading the gospel to every corner of your city, your nation, and the world. Discipleship doesn’t just include making those who already believe stronger in their faith. Throughout Scripture, discipleship also includes reaching the lost and bringing them into the Kingdom. Our goal should be that every person hears the Good News of Jesus Christ in hopes that God would work on their hearts and bring them to Himself.
