The Blessing of Commissioning
Micah Caswell
Recently, I was blessed to take part in Rocky and Amy Lozano’s commissioning at Midway Church. Rocky was part of our 2025 DBA church planter cohort, and the Lozanos went on to receive a “ready” score for the Send Network assessment. Midway has been a tremendous sending church as Rocky and Amy prepare to launch The Grove Community Church in Oak Point in 2027.
I was deeply moved by the service, and it impressed upon me what a blessing a commissioning is. Pastor John Theisen did a great job drawing us back to the Bible and casting vision for what we were doing. Commissioning is a blessing because it is biblical, encouraging, and visionary.
Acts 13:3 says, “Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” What we did at Midway Church is an ancient practice. The Pastors and Elders of the church have been discipling and equipping Rocky. They have been planning and preparing. However, they also stopped and had a powerful moment of prayer over Rocky and Amy. Pastor Jonathan Krawczyk led us in a moving prayer of blessing. Rocky and Amy walked away encouraged. Leaders who love them and have poured into them had just validated their calling and asked for God’s blessing over them. The charges given acknowledged their gifts. As we worshiped together, I grew emotional pondering the reality that we were sending them out into a community where nearly 80% of the population don’t attend church or have left the church. Challenges await, but a faithful church is holding the ropes.
Finally, both Rocky and Pastor John took the opportunity to cast vision. Rocky shared the new church’s values and the needs of their target area. Pastor John took us to Acts 13, then recounted Midway’s history of sending and supporting other plants. He also spoke about Midway’s vision to expand God’s influence in their community. The church is in the middle of a building project while also giving generously to a church plant, and he reminded us that every inconvenience of the building project and every dollar given is for people who need to hear the gospel. At the end, we gathered around Rocky and
Amy, laid hands on them, and prayed over these dear saints.
Friends, a commissioning service is a powerful blessing, not only for the planters but also for the entire church. It is certainly an ancient biblical practice, and it also left me encouraged and excited about the future. Brothers and sisters, please don’t rush past the special moments. Follow the example of the early church and commission those who are being sent out.