Be part of God’s Great Mission
The Church Planting Academy
Read on for details of this exciting adventure
Why not apply to join us in 2024?
There is a rising tide of expectation that we will see a new spiritual awakening across the United Kingdom, and we believe God is speaking to people all over the country to partner with Him in this exciting and fresh season.
Is God speaking to you about being involved in church planting across the country?
The story so far...
Back in 2018, we believe God spoke to us saying that His spirit has been whispering into the hearts of ordinary men and women across the UK, about being part of a church planting movement. We believe some have tried to bury these words as their response, like that of Gideon, convinced there are better candidates. Others were more excited about hearing such a word, but have wondered how they can practically move forward.
We believe God invited us to ‘call these words in’ – to speak life over them and to help people step into their reality. Our response was to create the Church Planting Academy which provides an opportunity for people to join a mission fuelled community and prepare individuals to step into the call of God.
Since its launch, in which the programme has run every year, we’ve seen people from all different backgrounds participate from across the country. We’ve also seen at least 5 churches planted, led by people from all walks of life. But this is just the start, God is calling even more people to reach communities with the love of God and to witness transformation in hearts.
The Church Planting Academy is led by Mark Pugh, who is the General Superintendent of the Elim Pentecostal Movement, which has over 650 churches across the country. Although, the programme is for everyone to join, regardless of tradition or style of church. Mark will be joined by a range of experienced teachers and mentors and together they will be focussed on preparing you inwardly and outwardly for involvement in planting churches.
Who is the course for
It is open for anyone above 21+ years of age to join. You don’t need to have any particular academic qualifications, background or experience. We believe that God is speaking to a range of different people at this time, men and women from all walks of life, about Church Planting across the country. You don’t need to have been involved in Church Planting in the past, all we ask that you join with an inquisitive and open heart for all that God is going to do.
The course is open to all Christian denominations, all we ask is that delegates agree to the Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith - click here to view.
The Programme you will join (12 months long)
Stage 1 & 2 will be online only so students can be based anywhere. Stage 3 will involve living on location in the South West.
All sessions are on Thursday evenings (except for introduction time, residential weekend and mentoring)
STAGE 1
September 2024 - April 2025
Module 1: Character & Competency
Topics include: Lovers of God – everything we do is as worship for Him, Personal & Community Rhythms, Hungry & Teachable, A lifestyle soaked in prayer, Filled with the Holy Spirit, Tending my own vineyard before I am keeper of others, A lifestyle soaked in prayer, Tending my own vineyard before I am keeper of others, When community raises challenges, and much more
Module 2: Vision, Courage, Strategy & Innovation
Topics include: How to get and progress a vision, The purpose of vision and how to communicate it to others, Calculating risk and developing strategy, Breaking through settled mindsets, Who visionary people need around them, How to process failure as an individual and community, Integrated online and offline opportunities, How to build online community, New innovations for discipleship and mission, Insights into tomorrows world, and much more
Module 3: Gods Plan for His Church
Topics include: God builds His church, God empowers His church, We partner with the Holy Spirit in His mission, Making strong Jesus followers (disciples), Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, Fixed mission and variable strategy, Reproducing cultures, Diverse gifting complementing and encouraging one another, Styles of team leadership, and much more
Module 4: Making and Releasing Disciples
Topics include: Shepherding people into spiritual maturity, Inspiring and empowering the church community to be disciple-making disciples, Behaviour modification or heart transformation?, Empower or control?, Avoiding the pitfalls of controlling shepherding, Rhythms of worship, prayer, bible reading, fellowship and action, Reproducing who we are, Creating online communities, Gathering for worship, prayer & bible meditation online, and much more
STAGE 2
April 2025 - May 2025 (for those who successfully progress)
Module 5: Planting or Re-Purposing a Church
Topics include: Planting out from a sending church with a strong brand led style, Gathering a community, Building missional communities, Online & Offline communities, Setting up your structure for good governance, financial responsibility and safeguarding, With humility, establish contact with other church leaders, Building relationships and connections in the area, Raising support in prayer & finances, Planning for all life-changes for you and your family, and much more
STAGE 3
From September 2025 onwards
Join a learning community of other church planters and teams scattered across the country
How much it will cost
£380 for the first 4 modules (£95 per module) and £120 for the last module. We offer a variety of payment options to suit different circumstances.
To apply for the programme
First, you need to complete an online application from, which will include sharing about your church experience and skills you can bring to the programme. The deadline for all applications is end of August 2024 (although, we recommend getting in your application earlier so interviews can take place)
To complete this click the following button and we look forward to hearing from you:
If you have questions get in touch
We’d to hear from you! Email hello@churchplantingacademy.com or phone 01392 425070 (please leave a message if no one is available to answer)