The Metro Richmond Church Planting Network exists to advance the James River Presbytery’s mission for church planting in the greater Richmond area. It is composed of a coalition of area churches that together are committed both to fostering vitality among existing churches and pastors and to starting more gospel-centered churches.
For over two decades the Network’s vision has been to multiply indigenous, healthy, Kingdom-minded churches, so that the Gospel transforms our society socially, spiritually, and culturally. We are working and praying for a church planting movement in which churches reproduce themselves, and display bold confidence in the Gospel through word and deed ministries in their communities. Knowing the Church will accomplish more together than any one church can do on its own, we cooperate as a network and will make alliances with other networks or parts of the body of Christ as appropriate.
Since 2002, the James River Presbytery has planted 14 churches (one in King George County, two in the Fredericksburg area, and eleven in the greater Richmond area). The four most recent church plants in greater Richmond are: Church Hill Presbyterian (2019); Iglesia Hispana Presbyteriana (2020); New Creation Presbyterian (2021); and River Run Presbyterian (2023). In April of 2024, the Presbytery approved the planting of a church in Goochland County, which will intend to launch public worship in the Spring of 2025.
Moving forward the Metro Richmond Church Planting Network has set the ambitious goal of incubating the planting of at least one new PCA church in the area each year. Meeting this goal will require the participation of every PCA church in some way (through financial resources, human resources, and prayer). We believe that an ongoing commitment to church planting will not only make a positive impact on the region, but will bring further renewal to our existing churches. We are confident that mission brings renewal and renewal seeds further mission.
During the academic year the Metro Richmond Church Planting Network meets monthly for planning, for prayer, and for encouraging our current church planters. These meetings are open to all and held at various churches through the region. In 2024 the Network held its inaugural annual Church Planting Summit, meant to resource and catalyze the work of church planting in our local congregations.
One of the key components of a sustainable church planting strategy is establishing and maintaining a pipeline of potential church planters and leaders. Therefore, the Metro Richmond Church Planting Network is committed to aggressive recruitment of and development of church planters. We want to talk with potential planters in seminary, as well as though who may come from existing pastoral calls. We also want to raise up men and women who will become the launch team members and core group members for future plants. We are committed to providing opportunities for emerging leaders to grow in both theological understanding and practical ministry experiences.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Metro Richmond Church Planting Network or if you have specific questions about its work, please contact Rev. Andrew Conrad, the current chair of the Presbytery’s Mission Committee, himself a former church planter and current senior pastor at Spring Run Presbyterian Church.
