Multiplication

Pastor Nirup and Hannah Alphonse, along with 25 members, planted a church in Denver, Colorado. After meeting in an elementary school for 5 years, they purchased their current building and currently have 900-1000 in attendance.

Pastor Marc and Chelsea Buwalda along with 45 members, planted a church in Kendallville, Indiana. They started meeting in an elementary school and purchased their current building in 2021. They now have 300-400 in attendance.

Pastor Dave and Theresa Martin, along with 35 members planted a church in Auburn, Indiana in the Kruse Plaza. Graceway Church is still in that location and ministering well.

Pastor Chris and Madison Freeman, along with 65 members, planted a church in downtown Fort Wayne with a vision to reach multi-ethnic, multi-economic, and generational congregants. City Church currently meets in a local meeting space, but purchased an abandoned grocery in 2021 and are pursuing renovations for that location.They have attendance of 600-700.

Pastor Nathan and Holly DeVaux, along with 35 members, planted a church in a gymnasium, during the pandemic. This plant was a partnership with one of our church plants, City Church, and Crossview Church. Collectively their launch team consisted of 60 members and their current attendance is 200-300.

Pastor Matt and Stefanie Lehmann planted Pine Hills Auburn in November 2022 with weekly gatherings at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds. After spending the majority of their 17 years of marriage in the area, they are excited to continue serving the community they are so passionately involved in.

Pastor Kyle and Rachel Stoker have a love and passion for the people of Celina Ohio. After completing their residency at Pine Hills in Fort Wayne, they returned to Celina to plant a church that shares the hope and saving grace of Jesus in their community.

Pastor Phil and Natalie Borjas planted Eden Church in October 2023 with regular gatherings in Fort Wayne’s ’05. Married for nearly 18 years, Phil and Natalie were drawn to church planting because of the number of people experiencing homelessness personally and spiritually. They are excited to serve the North Central community of Fort Wayne with open hearts, open arms, and the powerful message of Jesus Christ.

We offer an opportunity for emerging church leaders to join our Church Planting Residency. The goal of our program is simple – to equip church planters to successfully launch a viable and sustainable church that brings people to Jesus, builds people to live like Jesus, and sends people to multiply like Jesus.

Through our relational process, we determine if there’s a fit between a potential planter and a sending church. During this phase, you will complete the Multiplication Residency application, various assessments, and multiple interviews that are focused on four key areas.

• Chemistry: Are we a good fit for one another?
• Competency: Does the planter have what it takes to plant a church?
• Character: Is Jesus Lord of every aspect of the planter’s life?
• Calling: Does the planter have a longing to be in a particular place to reach a particular group of people?

At the end of Phase 1, a candidate may be asked to continue to Phase 2.

8 months – 1 year

This phase teaches residents the DNA, principles, and expectations of Pine Hills Church. We focus primarily on our mission, theology, and culture.

Most importantly, we invest in the person holistically. If a resident does not graduate or get matched to a church planting initiative, we are still committed to the person’s journey with Christ and the calling on their life.

At the end of Phase 2, a candidate may be asked to continue to Phase 3.

8 months – 1 year

We empower and equip residents with the skills and principles they need to lead a T.A.P. (Target Analysis Process) Team to find the best location for a new church plant. A Launch Team is then identified and they spend the next months building a unique missional minded community that is being equipped to launch a healthy and viable church plant that will carry out the DNA of multiplication.

A characteristic of every great leader is a continual desire to learn and grow. To assist with this we offer, through our affiliate conference the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches, a unique opportunity to receive a Certificate of Theology. This is a one-of-a-kind partnership among three leading seminaries (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Bethel Seminary, and Denver Seminary) to provide a Master’s level seminary education to our planters.