Church Plants
From the beginning of time, God has called new things into existence. We fondly remember the Christian church forming as recorded especially in Acts. There was a holy energy and excitement around new faith communities then, and that excitement still exists today. Below you will find some innovative and exciting new faith communities that are forming through the work of the Western North Carolina Conference.
Word On The Street: Charles Dirico, Metro District
We believe the unmitigated Word of God is less of a book and more of a person. As John’s Gospel informs us, that person is Jesus! With that in mind, Word on the Street is a movement of people who are committed to listening and loving for the Word of God, who is Jesus, on the streets of our communities. That commitment to listening and loving for Jesus is expressed through the two ‘L’s that when connected, create the ‘W’ within our logo.
Some of the “Fresh Expressions” of church that have emerged from the Word on the Street movement thus far include a bilingual dinner church that is held each week in the largest mobile home community in Mecklenburg County. Another expression is a weekly dinner church in Uptown Charlotte that involves over 100 persons who are experiencing homelessness. Yet another is made up primarily of homeless individuals who are committed to learning the Bible specifically through the lens of the Book of Psalms.
However, no matter whatever street that you find yourself on, you too can be a part of this movement. Because we believe the Word is speaking and loving there as well!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080641125057&mibextid=LQQJ4d
East Asheville: J.P. Bolick , Blue Ridge District
EAST Campus is planted in the middle of Asheville's Haw Creek Community, named after the many Hawthorne trees along the banks of the area creeks. It is located right across from Haw Creek Elementary in a beautiful valley with over 7000 households. East Campus is focused on planning FUN community gatherings that welcome everyone, without exception. The campus is a shared space with Missional Wisdom Foundation's Haw Creek Commons, an incubator of local entrepreneurs, educators, small businesses, and artist alike. The synergy between East and Haw Creek Commons provides a place for people in the community to collaborate. We are bringing people from different backgrounds together to create a beloved community, as taught by Jesus. The "East" Campus is very lucky to have Central United Methodist Church, in downtown Asheville, as it's anchor.
Brazos Abiertos: Andrés Pérez González,
Northern Piedmont District
Brazos Abiertos is a Hispanic/Latino/a bilingual community that strives to be the open arms of Jesus to the people of Greensboro, NC. In particular, we aim to be a safe haven where people who identify as latinas/os can wrestle with their faith, grow in community, and experience the transformative love of Jesus working in and through our stories. We envision a gathering of all ages, united by heritage and faith, where the richness of our culture(s) collides with the message of the upside-down kingdom of God as revealed in the Sermon of the Mount (Matt. 5). We are committed to creating a space where people are embraced beyond welcome and invited to belong before they believe.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brazosabiertosumc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brazosabiertosumc
Substack: https://brazosabiertosumc.substack.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brazosabiertosumc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brazosabumc
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Checkpoint Church: Nathan Webb, 
Catawba Valley District
Checkpoint Church is the church for nerds, geeks, and gamers. We are striving to be the connection point between the church and nerd culture. By utilizing the vast expanse that is the Internet via online streaming and video-game-based studies, we are reaching those that don't feel welcome by standard models of what church should look like. We’re the short rest to a lengthy campaign in Dungeons & Dragons. We’re the save point right before the boss battle. We want to be the answer to the question: How is Jesus using anime, Pokémon, and Batman to reach the last, least, and lost?
Website: http://www.checkpointchurch.com/
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/checkpointchurch
Discord: https://discord.gg/AH3KEuSNYJ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CheckpointChurch
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/CheckpointChurch
Video: https://youtu.be/UuNNJYze_30
As It Is Ministries: Vince Ross,
Catawba Valley District
We are a multicultural, multigenerational, and mission-minded church. We believe that the church isn’t a building, it’s people. Christ Church is making a lasting difference in people, our communities and our world. We are passionate about demonstrating God’s love to others and helping people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Our Mission is to reach millions of unchurched persons by developing thousands of fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Our worship experience is designed with inspirational worship and relevant teaching to inspire you to live life to the fullest, as God intended it.
Facebook: @ReflectingHeaven
Hope Fellowship: Ben Gatton, Appalachian District
Hope Fellowship is a collective community that creates safe spaces for people in Alleghany County to grow, to ask questions, and to experience life together. We do this through weekly faith based discussion gatherings, weekly meals for anyone in the area, a diverse teen community called Fusion, and a career and life skills academy for high school students.
At Hope Fellowship Church, every person has a voice. We have loving discussions (instead of sermons) about the Bible that allow us to embrace our differences and listen to each other. Hope Fellowship is a place where those who have never been to church, have stopped going to church, or simply feel uncomfortable in church can find a home.
Facebook: @HopeFellowshipSparta
Website: hopesparta.org
Video: https://youtu.be/JLqmZlw5EBQ
The Place: Charlie Rivens, Metro District
Our name, “The Place,” stands on the foundation of Exodus 15:17, ”You brought them in and planted them on the mountain of your own possession, the place, O Lord, that you made your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, that your hands have established.” We embrace the place in your heart where the word of God takes root, grows and brings about life transformation. We are an uplifting, prayerful church that focuses on inviting everyone into a relationship with Christ as we lift each other up through respect, hospitality, messages, small groups, and service.
Website: https://www.theplaceumc.org/
Facebook: @theplaceclt
Instagram: @theplacechurchcharlotte
YouTube: Pastor Charlie Rivens - The Place Church
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlaceClt
Video: https://youtu.be/zgpwslVquCI
Wellspring Congregation: Ashley Crowder-Stanley, Blue Ridge District
Wellspring is a new congregation whose foundation is the welcoming, transformative grace of God. We are called to the ministry of reconciliation and love. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and are worthy of God’s love and grace.
As an intentionally inclusive community of faith, Wellspring Congregation welcomes and affirms people of every sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, age, faith history, economic status, marital status, physical and mental ability and education. Wellspring is a welcoming place to grow your faith.
Website: https://www.wellspringcongregation.org/
Facebook: @wellspringcongregation
WithALL: Rob Parsons, Blue Ridge District
The WithALL Congregation is a church in reverse - not requiring certain beliefs, but rather, rooted in a deep commitment to spiritual practices of hospitality and justice. We love God by walking with our neighbors through thick and thin, seeking to practice Christ's way of disciple making through relationship.
We are committed to cultivating well-being within our most vulnerable families in Polk County trusting in the healing wholeness that comes to neighbor and self when we do anything WithALL our heart, mind, soul, and strength in alignment with the love of God.
Website: https://www.bewithall.org/
Video: https://youtu.be/YBfV8cDBCfo
These new faith communities are made possible in large part due to the faithful giving of our United Methodist Churches through apportionments.
If you would like more information about church planting in Western NC Conference you can reach out to:
Rob Hutchinson, Director of Church Development at: rhutchinson@wnccumc.org