Church planting is the intentional work of cultivating new PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) congregations centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These new congregations are formed in partnership with the James River Presbytery by establishing local Bible studies, prayer gatherings, or core groups. Planted churches seek to grow into self-sustaining, local churches where the Triune God is worshiped, Scripture is taught, new generations are reached with the Gospel, and people are formed as Christ’s disciples.
Because every community is different, church plants are often shaped by their local context. They may differ in culture, language, demographics, or style, yet remain united in the same Gospel. Over time, we pray these communities will mature into established churches that also participate in God’s mission by planting new churches.
Church planting is a direct expression of WEPC’s identity and calling. Our vision—to be a community of faith expressing itself through love—and our mission—to make followers of Jesus who bring the Gospel to bear on every facet of life—naturally lead us outward.
As the Gospel takes deeper root in us, it propels us into God’s mission. Church planting is one of the clearest ways we live this out together—by forming new communities that embody the love of Christ and extend His transforming work into new neighborhoods, cultures, and relationships.
Rather than remaining a single congregation, we believe God calls us to participate in a broader movement—raising up leaders, sending members, and establishing new churches that multiply gospel impact in Richmond and beyond.
While WEPC is deeply committed to the Greater Richmond area, our vision is both local and global.
We prioritize planting churches where God has already given us relationships and opportunities—especially in Richmond—but we also partner with churches and missionaries around the world. Our desire is to see Gospel-centered churches established across a wide range of:
Because effective ministry and outreach requires knowledge of the target area, each church plant is encouraged to reflect and serve its particular community. This means new churches may look quite different from WEPC—and that diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
We pursue church planting because it is central to the mission of the Church, grounded in Scripture, and proven effective in reaching people with the Gospel.
Yes—at times, church planting involves sending members, leaders, and resources to help establish new congregations. This is a joyful sacrifice and a core part of our mission: we “grow by giving away.”
No. Healthy church planting strengthens the broader church by reaching new people, many of whom would not otherwise attend. It also contributes to the renewal of existing congregations.
Success is not simply size or speed of growth, but the development of a healthy, Gospel-centered community that makes disciples, serves its context, and hopefully becomes a self-sustaining church.
Members can participate through prayer, financial support, leadership development, joining a launch team, or being sent to help establish a new church.
To be part of a growing network of churches—locally and globally—that work together to bring the Gospel to every neighborhood, culture, and generation.
Through prayerful discernment, leadership development, assessment of community needs, and the opportunities God provides—always seeking alignment between the planter’s gifts, the community, and the mission.
To learn more about church planting at WEPC and in the local presbytery, contact Pastor Kevin Greene.