About HCPN

The Houston Church Planting Network is a network of networks committed to strengthening church planters to multiply churches to reach every man, woman and child in the greater Houston region.
OUR BELIEFS
The Houston Church Planting Network (HCPN) is a collaborative, gospel-centered network of over 160 churches from multiple denominations and networks, united by one mission: to saturate Greater Houston with the gospel through a multiplying movement of church-planting churches. More than 100 of these churches have been planted in the last decade, a reflection of a shared vision becoming a growing reality. While HCPN continues to expand, we humbly acknowledge that we are only at the beginning. The work ahead is significant, and we move forward with both gratitude and urgency.

HCPN has been on a journey for the past 15 years, and the words shared at our very first gathering still hold true today: “Our vision is a Church Planting Network for the City of Houston in which we cooperate to saturate the city with gospel-centered church plants, so that every man, woman, and child in Greater Houston has an opportunity to hear and respond to the Good News in the context of a faith community.”
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From the beginning, the heart of HCPN has been to see a collaborative movement of multiplying churches—united in the mission of gospel saturation in our lifetime. We give thanks to God for His faithfulness and for the ways this vision is taking root across our city. There is much to celebrate and many stories to tell. Yet in many ways, it still feels like we’re just getting started. We believe the years ahead will hold even greater opportunities for Kingdom impact, and we look forward with anticipation to what’s next.

Long before HCPN formally existed, God was already moving in Houston. More than 30 years ago, a prayer movement began as men and women cried out for unity, revival, and healing across racial, socioeconomic, and denominational lines. Those prayers became seeds, and in time, the Holy Spirit began to break down long-standing walls of division. While some barriers remain, we are witnessing glimpses of Jesus’ prayer in John 17 coming to life: “that they may be one… so that the world may believe.”

While HCPN has organizational elements, at its heart it is a collaborative movement of churches, pastors, and planters united by a shared mission to see gospel saturation across Houston. Our citywide gatherings, training cohorts, regional initiatives, and deep commitment to prayer all reflect our core conviction: gospel collaboration leads to gospel saturation.

What makes HCPN unique is not just what we do, but how we do it—together. This is a story of mutual submission, shared leadership, and a deep trust in God’s power to multiply beyond what any one church could accomplish alone. We are honored to play a part in what He is doing and invite others to join us: to plant, to partner, to pray, and to see the gospel take root in every corner of Houston.

Read more about the story of HCPN in the ebook Collaboration for Multiplication.

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Our Value Statements 

Saturation

We value the saturation of gospel-centered churches because reaching our city requires intentionally planting the gospel in every neighborhood and among every people group.

Formation

We value the spiritual and strategic formation of church planters because healthy, equipped leaders are essential to building healthy, effective churches.

Collaboration

We value collaboration because a unified effort among churches strengthens the mission and multiplies Kingdom impact.

Multiplication

We value multiplication because reaching Houston’s growing and diverse population demands the exponential growth of disciples, leaders, churches, and networks.
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Reaching the City

From the beginning, HCPN has been driven by a desire not just to plant churches, but to see a Spirit-led movement that transforms our city. We believe gospel saturation is not just about strategy—it’s about alignment, unity, and a deep commitment to the whole Church working together.

Rather than creating another citywide organization, HCPN seeks to align with and support broader city-reaching efforts already underway. Our focus remains on what we believe are two foundational priorities: unified prayer and fasting and strategic church planting. These serve as the roots of a tree, and we trust that from these roots, healthy gospel fruit will grow—churches that are multiplying disciples, developing healthy leaders, and serving the city with compassion and conviction.

We see five essential elements that consistently shape lasting city-reaching movements:
  • Unified Prayer and Fasting (root)
  • Strategic Church Planting (root)
  • Healthy Leaders (fruit)
  • Multiplying Disciples (fruit)
  • Serving the City (fruit)

While we may not lead every effort related to leadership development, discipleship, or mercy ministry, we intentionally embed these values in the DNA of HCPN—and actively support the churches and collaboratives who lead in these spaces. As we continue to invest in the roots, we trust God to bear fruit across Houston for the glory of Christ.

Meet Our Team

At HCPN, we’re driven by purpose and powered by people. Our team brings together diverse experiences and a shared passion to see Houston saturated with the gospel through the collaboration of churches in our city. Get to know some of the faces behind our mission.

HCPN Staff

Chad Clarkson
Co-founder + Executive Director
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Haleigh Jabbia
Operations Manager
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Ruthie Villatoro
Creative + Communications Manager
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Church Planting Cohort Directors

Russel Cravens
Finishing Cohort Director
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Josh Gosney
Fortifying Cohort Director
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Chuck Land
Flourishing Cohort Director
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Ayo Omopariola
Foundational Cohort Director
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Matt Rule
Fortifying Cohort Director
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Ken Werlein
Flourishing Cohort Director
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Regional Catalysts

Northeast — Chris Kouba
Southeast – Chris Alston
Northwest – David Garison
Southwest – Chris Kipp & Lance Williams
Far West – Paul Cockrell
North – Greg Johnson
Inner Loop – TBD
South – TBD
West – TBD

Meet Our Board

The HCPN Board of Directors provide strategic guidance, oversight, and unwavering support to help us achieve our mission of coming together from different denominations, networks, ethnicities, and church models with a shared vision to see the gospel proclaimed and demonstrated to every man, woman, and child in our city.
Chad Clarkson
Chad Clarkson is the co-founder and now serves as the Executive Director of the Houston Church Planting Network. After being involved in planting churches in Iowa and South Carolina he moved to Houston where he served for ten years as the Pastor of Church Planting and Missions at Clear Creek Community Church. He has been involved in global and local church planting work for almost 25 years and has a passion to see the church unify around the mission of God.


Jeremiah Morris
Jeremiah Morris is the founding and Lead Pastor at Seven Mile Road Houston. He is a husband, dad, disciple-maker and church planter. He loves preaching the gospel, the city of Houston, and anything wrapped in a tortilla. He is passionate about his wife, Ashley and his boys, Finn, Caleb and Judah. His connection with HCPN was forged years ago when he helped to develop and launch the original finishing residency. He then was a participant in the program and now is delighted to sit on the board of the organization. Jeremiah graduated from Texas Christian University (B.A. Philosophy) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (MDiv).
Lawrence Scott
Lawrence Scott is the planting and Lead Pastor of One Church at Harvest Point. He is married to the love of his life, the beautiful and gifted Shannon Scott. They have six children: Kaelyn, Leah, Eden, Lawrence III, Zachary, and Reagan. Lawrence earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Houston, a Master of Theology (ThM) degree, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) in Dallas, Texas.
Jarrett Stephens
Dr. Jarrett Stephens serves as Senior Pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church, in Northwest Houston. A native of Louisiana, Jarrett graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Liberty Theological Seminary. Jarrett also serves on the boards of BridgeBuilders, Dallas Baptist University and Houston Church Planters Network which clearly points to his passions of serving the least of these in the inner cities, to raising up the next generation of Christian leaders, and to equipping churches to be on mission. Jarrett is the author of two books, The Mountains Are Calling: Making the Climb for a Clearer View of God and Ourselves, and his most recent book, The Always God: He Hasn’t Changed, and You Are Not Forgotten. Jarrett and his wife, Debbie, have four daughters: Riley, Kelsey, Cameron and Landry.
Jeff Wells
Jeff Wells is the Senior Pastor of WoodsEdge Community Church in Spring, Texas.  He grew up in Madisonville, Texas. He became a believer in the summer of 1972 shortly before beginning studies at Rice University where he majored in History.  He was a four-time All-America recipient in track and cross country. While at Rice, he received the Bob Quin Award as the Outstanding Student Athlete.  Jeff is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary where he earned the Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry degrees. Jeff and his wife Gayle met in Eugene, Oregon, where Jeff was serving in a church and running with Nike and Gayle was working as a nurse.  Jeff and Gayle have three children Sarah, Callie, and John Paul. Sarah is married to Michael Grenz and they have three children – Ryanne Elizabeth, Barrett Michael and Evelyn May. Callie is married to Paul Thomas, they have one daughter, Wren Felicity. John Paul is married to Michelle.  Jeff’s hobbies include reading, running and anything outdoors with his family.
Ken Werlein
Ken Werlein is the founding pastor of Faithbridge Church in Northwest Houston, TX, and a graduate of Vanderbilt University (B.S.) and Asbury Theological Seminary (M.Div; D.Min.). In 1998, the Lord called Ken to plant a church in Northwest Houston with the mission to make more and stronger disciples – who make more and stronger disciples of Jesus Christ. Faithbridge began with a core group of seven people, which has grown to thousands of adults, students, and children gathering to worship each weekend. In addition to preaching God’s Word, mentoring young leaders, and working to strengthen other Kingdom-minded ministries, Ken prioritizes family time with his wife, Suzanne, and their two sons, Wesley and William.
Bruce Wesley
Bruce Wesley is the founding and Senior Pastor of Clear Creek Community Church. He holds a B.A. in Practical Theology from Howard Payne University (1983), an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a D.Min. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1995). Bruce is the co-founder and President of the Houston Church Planting Network. He and Susan invest in three key areas for community transformation: planting churches, strengthening marriages and raising up leaders for the church of tomorrow. They have three married daughters and a growing number of incredible grandchildren. Bruce loves the mountains, fly-fishing and hiking trails.
Blake Wilson
Blake Wilson has served in Youth Ministry since 1994. He was formerly the co-director of The Center for Youth Ministry at the College of Biblical Studies where he taught for seven years. Currently he is the pastor of Crossover Bible Fellowship in Houston, Texas. Additionally, he has been heavily involved in curriculum development for youth and family life ministries, and Blake is well known for his class entitled The Biblical View of Sex – which he has taught to NBA players of the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. Blake shares his gifts and talents at student camps and retreats with Allan Houston and Charlie Ward, former NBA players.

HCPN Beliefs & Values

We have adopted the Lausanne Covenant as a unifying statement of faith. The Lausanne Covenant is a movement that mobilizes evangelical leaders to collaborate for world evangelization.
The Lausanne movement