CHURCH PLANTING
“Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.”
Our heart as a network is to live out the great commission and the great commandment simultaneously. According to C. Peter Wagner, “Planting new churches is the most effective evangelistic methodology known under heaven.” We want to inspire, encourage, and connect those who feel called to plant a new church in eastern Kentucky, to step out in faith and go. New Beginnings, one of our founding partners is a 7 year old church plant in Pikeville, KY and we’ve had one church plant in Whitesburg, KY, Rooted Church, that has come out of network activities. If you’re interested in planting, our primary partner for support is Southland Christian Church. You can find more information about their Church Planting initiative here or email churchplanting@southland.church to begin a conversation.
Rooted Church and Pastor Michael Clark in Whitesburg, KY - Planted in 2022
Southland’s Church Planting Story
Over ten years ago, studies showed that only 13% of people “attended” church on a regular basis in Kentucky. This means approximately 3,887,160 people don't attend church each week here in the Commonwealth. In 2015, 4,000 churches were planted in North America. In the same year, 3,700 churches closed their doors as the overall population increased at a higher pace. These numbers were recorded prior to the global pandemic, which has caused even more uncertainty and chaos on many levels. Although God is working though many established churches and in ministries, in Eastern Kentucky, it is believed that the numbers for church attendance is even lower than the state average. In some places less than 5% of the population.
In 2018, Southland Christian Church, currently located throughout central Kentucky, started to ask the question, “How can we leave all of Kentucky better then we found it?” Believing that new churches best reach new people, bring revitalization to existing churches, and spark gospel-change in communities their next question was, “What if we joined God where He was at work throughout our home state? Southland’s leadership then affirmed the vision to catalyze a church planting movement across Kentucky.