​​Partnership Story: Paul Boekell

Mercy Village Church | Barboursville, WV

In Barboursville, West Virginia, Mercy Village Church finds itself on the front lines of a mission field that, while not urban, faces its own forms of poverty, isolation, and brokenness. The community is scattered and sometimes skeptical, marked by generations of economic hardship and fractured families. But through God's grace and the partnership we have with Harbor Network, Mercy Village Church has been able to establish and grow its gospel mission in this region.

The Backstory of Partnership

For Sarah Beth and me, Barboursville and the surrounding communities are more than just a mission field—they’re home. We both grew up in this area, surrounded by family and friends who deeply shaped our lives and faith. It was here that we first felt God’s call to plant a church, not in a faraway place but right in the midst of the people and the places we’ve always known and loved. When we connected with Harbor Network, we realized we’d found partners who shared our commitment to see our hometown renewed and strengthened in Christ. This wasn’t just about planting a church; it was about coming home to bring hope and light in the place we call home.

In 2020, we planted Mercy Village Church with Harbor Network’s support. From day one, we felt the strength of a partnership that cared as deeply about the welfare of our church as we did. For us, Harbor Network wasn’t just an association; it was a safe harbor, a place where we found both direction and encouragement in the difficult yet beautiful calling of church planting.

Financial and Relational Support through Partnership

The reality is, small churches like ours in areas with limited economic resources can often struggle to find the means to support a full-time pastor or keep up with facility needs. But because of the partnership we have with Harbor Network, I’m able to serve the church full-time, without needing a second job. Our church, while modest, has a foundation of support that sustains us and enables us to focus on the people in our community rather than financial survival.

This partnership has provided not only financial backing but has also opened doors we never expected. Through Harbor, we’ve received coaching, counsel, and personal care that extends to our mental and emotional health. Pastoral ministry can be incredibly isolating, but thanks to Harbor Network, we are never truly alone in this work.

How Partnership Supports the Pastor

Through Harbor Network’s partnership:

• I am encouraged. Regular meetings with other pastors and network leaders pour life back into me. These conversations are a gift to my soul and keep me centered on God’s mission.

• I am equipped. Through training sessions and cohort meetings, I have grown in my preaching, discipleship, and pastoral care. The tools Harbor provides extend directly to the well-being of our congregation.

• I am accountable. With structured support systems in place, including check-ins and shared commitments, Harbor Network provides a framework that protects our church and me as a pastor, ensuring we stay true to our mission and values.

• I am refreshed. Harbor’s retreats and gatherings for pastors are incredibly restorative, creating space to renew my spirit and deepen friendships with other church planters and leaders.

How Partnership Supports the Church

The benefits of partnership extend well beyond me as the pastor—our church as a whole is strengthened in countless ways:

• We’re connected to the larger body. We can participate in conferences and events that expand our congregation’s view of God’s work around the world.

• We’re a part of broader mission efforts. Harbor connects us with resources and opportunities to support projects far beyond our local reach, from church planting to mission work around the country.

• We have access to invaluable resources. Resources for our music, children’s ministry, and counseling efforts come from the network, and connecting our team to a community of others who do what they do allows our leaders to serve our congregation with excellence and purpose.

• We receive practical help when needed. Partner churches have assisted us with things like finances, prayer support, advice and counsel, and even preaching support when needed.

Praise God for Partnership

Partnership is truly a gift from God. Mercy Village Church is a living example of how God meets our limitations with his grace. Every step of our journey has been sustained through Harbor Network’s partnership, providing the support, encouragement, and resources we couldn’t have found on our own. Together, we’re able to reach this community with the love of Christ, knowing that we’re part of a broader mission and a family that cares. Praise God for partnership!

— Paul Boekell

[Below: The Boekell family Christmas photo]