Church Planters

HCPN is committed to strengthening church planters through different training and developmental opportunities. Healthy church planters are exponentially more likely to establish healthy new churches that multiply other healthy churches. Our heart is to raise up healthy multiplying leaders, from the city, for the city.
Pathway
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Planter Development

HCPN offers a wide variety of training programs for both prospective and current church planters. Varying training platforms have been developed including two different church planting cohorts. Church planting cohorts prepare leaders to plant strong and healthy churches. They are experiential learning environments designed to produce holistically-prepared leaders who are part of a city-wide movement of God’s Kingdom throughout Houston. You can find a description of each of the planter development tracks below.

Explore the pathway that fits your season of ministry.

Our goal is to help you grow as a healthy planter/pastor and multiply churches, leaders, and gospel impact across Greater Houston and beyond. Together, we can plant and multiply churches that transform our city and beyond.

Foundational Cohort

Designed for leaders sensing a call to church planting but needing clarity and early training, the Foundational Cohort helps participants move from exploring to a clear sense of calling.
Who it's for:
Leaders who want to explore church planting, discern their readiness, and build a gospel-centered foundation before planting a church.
What you'll experience:
  • Monthly in-person sessions (typically first Thursdays) focused on spiritual formation, theology of church planting, and practical next steps
  • Community, coaching, and spiritual rhythms from the start
  • Assignments and monthly coaching meetings to support growth
  • Core Topics Include:
  • Spiritual Vitality & Emotional Health
  • Calling and Discerning Readiness
  • Models & Methods of Church Planting
  • Contextual Analysis
  • Discipleship Pathways
  • Gospel-Centered Preaching and Visioning
Commitments:

Participants agree to live openly and honestly, stay engaged in training and coaching, maintain a teachable spirit, and commit to their spiritual growth and accountability.
Time Commitment:

The program runs from September through May each year, meeting one day per month with ongoing assignments and coaching.
Next Steps
  1. Apply Online — Submit your application between January and August 15th.
  2. Submit Additional Materials — Provide any requested information to help us understand your background and calling.
  3. Acceptance Notification — Applicants will be notified of acceptance into the program.
  4. Join the Cohort Kickoff — The Foundational Cohort begins each September, welcoming new leaders into this season of growth and discovery.
Apply Here

Finishing Cohort

The Finishing Cohort is designed for leaders with proven ministry experience who are within 12–18 months of launching a new church in Greater Houston.
Who it's for:
Leaders who have clarity on their calling, strong church planting competencies, and the backing of a sending church — and are ready to prepare for launch.
What you'll experience:
  • Weekly, full-day training (typically Tuesdays) from September through May
    Coaching, mentoring, and support from experienced planters and pastors
    A sending church partnership and monthly cohort gatherings
    Financial stipend (matching-based) and access to resources for your launch
Core Areas of Focus:
  • Prepare Yourself — Spiritual, emotional, and relational health; time management
  • Prepare Your Team — Core team building, leadership development, fundraising
  • Prepare Your Plant — Contextual analysis, ministry systems, logistics, launch readiness
  • Prepare to Pastor — Preaching, pastoral care, and leading a healthy church
Commitments:

Participants are expected to fully engage in training and coaching, complete assignments, raise at least 50% of first-year funds, and commit 4–5 days per week to planting activities.
Time Commitment:

Meets weekly from September through May. Includes assignments, coaching, and active church planting preparation.
Here’s how to begin the Finishing Cohort process:
  1. Apply Online — Applications are accepted from January 1 through March 1.
  2. Pre-Assessment Phase — Applicants work through a guided pre-assessment from February to May.
  3. Assessment Retreat — Selected candidates (with spouse) participate in a formal assessment in June.
  4. Acceptance Notification — Final selections are made in July.
  5. Cohort Launch — The Finishing Cohort begins in early September.
Pre-Requisties for finishing
Apply Here

Fortifying Cohort

For church planters in their early years post-launch, the Fortifying Cohort provides the support needed to move from surviving to sustaining.
Who it's for:
Church planters who have already launched and are navigating the early stages of growth and sustainability.
What you'll experience:
  • 5–6 cohort gatherings (every 6–8 weeks) from September to May
  • Led by experienced pastors and leaders
  • Focused on soul care and strategic leadership
  • Supportive community of peers and one-on-one coaching
Core Areas of Focus:
  • Leadership Development
  • Volunteer & Team Building
  • Discipleship Pathways
  • Ministry Systems & Culture
  • Vision Renewal & Execution
  • Pastoral Health and Self-Care
Commitments:

Participants are expected to attend all cohort gatherings, apply tools between sessions, stay engaged with their sending church, and foster mutual encouragement in the group.
Time Commitment:

Meets 5–6 times during the program year (September–May), with gatherings every 6–8 weeks.
Next Steps for Fortifying Cohort:
  1. Apply Online — Applications accepted February–August
  2. Placement & Communication — Cohort groupings are finalized by late summer
  3. Cohorts Launch — All cohorts begin in September
Apply Here

Flourishing Cohort

The Flourishing Cohort helps planters/pastors of established churches grow toward multiplication—of leaders, ministries, and churches.
Who it's for:
Planters and pastors whose churches are healthy and established, and are ready to build a multiplying culture.
What you'll experience:
  • Regular cohort gatherings with like-minded leaders
  • Coaching and peer learning focused on strategic growth
  • Emphasis on sustainable multiplication in your context
Core Areas of Focus:
  • Developing a Sending Culture
  • Leadership Pipelines
  • Coaching & Mentoring Leaders
  • Multiplication Models
  • City Engagement & Vision Strategy
  • Governance and Team Health
Commitments:

Participants are expected to engage in all sessions, share learnings and best practices, and work toward multiplying leaders, ministries, or churches within their local context.
Time Commitment:

Meets periodically from September through May, alongside Fortifying cohorts and other HCPN development gatherings.
Next Steps for Fortifying Cohort:
  1. Apply Online — Applications accepted February–August
  2. Placement & Communication — Cohort groupings are finalized by late summer
  3. Cohorts Launch — All cohorts begin in September
Apply Here

Watch HCPN residents share their church planting journeys:

HCPN Church Planter Story: Jonathan Huang
Feb 26, 2025
HCPN Church Planter Story: Josh Gosney
Feb 26, 2025