SERVICES

Launching Churches

Harbor Network is committed to healthy churches in North America now and for the generations to come. That means we must help current churches be thriving churches with wholehearted leaders as well as help to surface, equip, and activate new churches and leaders.

Like human development, churches have different needs at different stages. Whether you are navigating the waters of simply being the church, preparing to launch and lead a new church, or working with other churches to leverage the church planting strength of churches on mission together, Harbor is with you.

Ed Marcelle, Director of Church Planting and Multiplication

“We believe churches on mission together form a strong base to launch churches and multiply ministries.”

OUR SUPPORT

Harbor has been developing new leaders and launching thriving churches since 2011. By combining elements of assessment, support, care, and training, we tailor the process to church leadership and build on the work of those that have gone before. For those considering or committed to launching a new church, we provide safety and support to help you survive the challenges and establish a thriving church.

• Residency

We train church planters in community and in a church.

• Financial Support

We offer a three-year, annually renewable support plan.

• Retreats

We provide a three-year retreat cycle for all supported church planters.

• Quarterly Church Planter Zoom meetings

We host a development and connection meeting online once a quarter for planters to hear from helpful voices, process together, and communicate to the group.

OUR PROCESS

Our Supported Church Planters

You can invest directly in a church plant by clicking an image below.

  • David Appelt

    Maranatha Community Church
    Canal Winchester, OH

  • Casey Lute

    Peace Bible Church
    Salem, OR

  • Paul Boekell

    Mercy Village Church
    Barboursville, WV

  • Ike Todd

    New Creation Fellowship
    Orlando, FL

  • Roy Sherwood

    Bellbrook Bible Church
    Bellbrook, OH

  • Vince Oliveri

    The Vine Church
    Blacksburg, VA

  • Tim Pollock

    Cedar Church
    St. Augustine, FL

  • Jamal Hyman

    Abide Bible Church
    Goldsboro, NC

  • JB Vanhoogen

    Boise Gospel Church
    Boise, ID

  • Mason Good

    New City Church
    Chillicothe, OH

  • Josh Stewart

    Oaks Community Church Naples
    Naples, FL

  • Mark Thomas

    Hagan Creek Community Church
    Lula, GA

  • Clay Myatt

    King’s Cross Church
    Cleveland, OH

  • Reyier Martinez

    Ministerio Summit Español
    Fort Myers, FL

  • Nick Abraham

    Reformation Bible Church
    Navarre, OH

  • David Duran

    King’s Cross Church
    Plymouth, MA

  • Robby Moore

    Capitol City Church
    Austin, TX

  • Will Massaro

    Trails Church
    Dayton, OH

  • David Noel

    Led by Christ Church
    Bridgeport, CT

  • Jason Hudson

    Church of the Redeemer
    Fort Thomas, KY

  • Louie Gibbs

    Rock City Church
    Portsmouth, VA

“Harbor Network is an incredible ministry partner. From the launching of churches to the care of our leaders, the staff is always eager to serve and the churches are full of some of the most talented people we've ever worked with.”

— Lead Pastor in Boston, MA

 FAQs About Assessment & Partnering as a Planter

  • Currently, church planter assessments take place in Louisville Kentucky. We are working on providing assessments in other geographical locations as the network continues to grow.

  • We offer (2) assessments per year; March & September.

  • We recommend planters consider assessment when they are in the Infancy stage (12-18 months from launching) or further along in the planting process. The infancy stage can be described as taking official first steps in planting the church such as establishing prayer support, recruiting a core team to the plant, raising funds, moving into the targeted area, etc.

  • The assessment fee is $1,000, but there are additional costs for the alignment call ($25) and the Prepare Enrich assessment ($35). Planters will also be responsible for their travel to the assessment site. Their hotel stay and meals while at assessment will be covered by Harbor. 

  • No, we do not provide childcare at assessment. Children under 18 months are welcomed to join the planting couple.

  • We believe that a sending church is a crucial aspect in the church planters journey and place a high value on having a sending church launch planters. If a planter does not have a sending church, we will inquire why they do not. While it is possible for planters to gain partnership into Harbor without a sending church it is rare.

  • At this current time we do not have the capacity to serve pastors and leaders outside of the United States. However, our resources found on our website are more than available to you as you navigate planting internationally.

  • Yes, Harbor Network allows dual affiliation.

  • Funding: (3) 1-year renewable grants totaling $54,000 over 3 years. ($12,000| $18,000| $24,000)

    Support:

    • Annual church planter retreat called Moorings

    • Inclusion in our peer-to-peer coaching program called a Coaching Collective

    • Quarterly continuing education Zoom calls

    • Specific coaching and care as needed 

    • Access to the Lead Pastor and Wives’ Retreat

    • Access to the Leaders’ Summit

    • Access to various cohorts through our Renewal Department

Exploring planting?
Let’s talk.

Church planting lies at the core of Harbor Network because it flows from God’s redemptive mission and is vital to his purposes. As a church planting movement, Harbor churches prioritize church planting as the best method of making new outposts of his kingdom and forming people into renewed disciples of Jesus Christ. For this reason, we are committed to working diligently with church planters to help them discern their call and find their place within God’s kingdom work.

If you’re exploring a call to church planting and considering partnering with Harbor, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch!