Aaron Cole: ‘You Can’t Legislate Compassion’

We asked pastors of some of the nation’s largest churches to share their thoughts on church growth, discipleship, outreach and faithful ministry.

Aaron Cole, Senior Pastor
Life Church
Germantown, Wisconsin

Over the past 18 months, we launched two campuses, which is a large reason for our growth and momentum. Beyond the best plans that we make, God sometimes surprises us—reminding us that he is at work. Both campuses we launched were struggling churches that came to us wanting to close their doors and open up as a LC campus. And both were in areas we already wanted to go. It was an answer to prayer.

God is looking for our obedience and hard work. He will bring the increase.

I wish someone had told me in my 20s that nobody expects you to have anything figured out in life until your 30s and 40s.

You cannot legislate compassion. That’s why the church exists—to lead the way in compassion.

Read more candid conversations with Outreach 100 pastors »

Twitter: @AaronColeLC
Website: LifeChurchWI.com
Founded: 2000
Denomination: Assemblies of God
Locations: 4
A 2019 OUTREACH 100 CHURCH
Attendance: 2,191
Fastest-Growing: 17

Lora Schrock
Lora Schrock

Lora Schrock is editor of Outreach magazine.

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