Across the ARC Church network, pastors continue to share powerful accounts of what happens when new churches are planted with strong support, proven systems, and a committed community behind them. These stories reveal a growing movement shaped by encouragement, collaboration, and life change, reminding leaders why the next church, the next launch, and the next step of faith are so important.
For many planters, that support becomes evident from the very beginning. For Dave and Cari Jackson of Rise Church, that support became evident during a crisis. After their community was struck by a hurricane, the Jacksons recalled how quickly ARC responded. “ARC has been incredible through this whole process,” Dave said. “As soon as we could get phone service, we had our phones blowing up from our ARC family, trying to figure out how they could help.” Their experience reflects the strong relational foundation that continues to define ARC partnerships.
For Aaron and Adrian Lindsey of Believela, church planting came at a later stage of life. “We knew at our age, I’m 51 years old, I want to do it right,” Aaron said. “And ARC brought us so many experienced people who not only had information, they had receipts.” Leaders like Aaron demonstrate how The Next One campaign equips planters with seasoned coaching and a strong, supportive community.
The impact of this support is visible in the stories emerging from ARC churches. Nate Gay of Devo Church in Denver, Colorado, described the movement happening in his congregation: “We’ve seen God do incredible things. We’ve seen people get saved like crazy.” His church also witnessed a powerful moment of transformation when a young man who had been involved in a gang for years attended a service, surrendered his life to Jesus, and soon after made the decision to be baptized. Testimonies like these reveal the kind of life change The Next One aims to make possible in more cities.
In Alabama, Ben Murray of City Hope Church shared how his congregation continues to experience extraordinary spiritual momentum. “The greatest miracle is salvation, right? Over 2,000 documented salvation through City Hope Church, through the ministry that takes place here,” Murray said. Each number represents a story of hope, and together they highlight the potential of new churches launched with strong support.
Launch Sunday moments often carry a unique sense of expectation. Clayton Small of ARK Church recalled an encounter with an elderly woman who attended their first service. “She was about, I don’t know, 80 years old on the back row,” he said. “When I was walking out, she grabbed me by the arm and said, ‘Any place that looks like this on the first day…’” Her unfinished sentence conveyed deep emotion and an unspoken confidence in what the church would become.
Stories of community also emerged from leaders like Jeremy Ziegler, who reflected on what God has built over the years in their church family. “We came here not knowing anybody ten years ago, and God sent us family,” he said. “Our church family really is our family.”
These testimonies are shaping the vision for the season ahead. Supported by leaders such as Pastor Dave Patterson of The Father’s House in Vacaville, California, The Next One campaign calls ARC partners to pour into the next pastor preparing to launch, the next community ready for a life-giving church, and the next story of transformation waiting to unfold.
As the ARC Church network continues to grow, every testimony underscores the same truth: opportunity is everywhere, and the future is filled with potential. The Next One campaign reflects this momentum, inviting the ARC family to continue championing leaders, strengthening churches, and expanding the mission in new and meaningful ways.
A new chapter is unfolding, and the opportunities ahead are significant.
About The Association of Related Churches (ARC)
The ARC Church network is a global family of independent congregations providing assessment, training, coaching, and financial support for church planters. Since 2000, ARC has helped establish 1,187 churches through a collaborative model designed to equip leaders and serve communities.