Why Church Planting?

The missionaries we support and send are focused on church planting because God’s plan for making disciples is the local church. There are many ways christians can help the hurting and mend the broken, but discipleship takes place in the context of the community of believers. Local communities of believers are also the most strategic way to minister to the needs of the larger community.

Mercy Hill Church is part of a network of church plants called the Summit Network. The vision of the Summit Network is to plant 1,000 churches in our generation. We want to do everything we can to see that vision come to fruition.

Introducing New City Church | Launching January 2020 in Tampa, FL

  • Mercy Hill Church - New City Church - Tampa Church Plant - Hovis Family
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Meet the Hovis Family

Eric and Kelly are both North Carolina natives. They graduated from NC State University and got married in July of 2009. Then, Eric attended Southeastern Baptist Theology Seminary where he completed his Master of Divinity in Christian Ministries. Eric served for over ten years in student ministry through Young Life and on staff at Providence Baptist Church. He also has spent over nine years in the business world. Eric, Kelly, and their one year old at the time, Addie, served in Almaty, Kazakhstan for a year and since then, have had two more children: Stockton and Millie. After returning from Kazakhstan, the Hovis family served at Mercy Hill Church where Eric was on staff under Pastor Andrew Hopper. Eric has a great passion for preaching the word of God, and both Eric and Kelly have a burden for the unreached around the world.

Get Involved!
New City Church Site

Mercy Hill Church Planting Residency

The Mercy Hill church planting residency is for leaders with a vision to plant a new church. Launching a new church is a unique entrepreneurial endeavor that requires certain skills and best practices. The 9-month residency equips planters to establish a healthy, well-organized, gospel-centered church through intentional training and hands-on pastoral experience. Prior to the residency, qualified residents will have demonstrated theological maturity, missional fruitfulness, self-awareness, and sufficient ministry experience.

Find Out More
Become a Planter

Jesus Our Redeemer | est. 2013 | Baltimore, MD | jesusourredeemer.com

The Bridge | est. 2014 | Wilmington, NC | thebridgeilm.com

Mercy Church | est. 2015 | Charlotte, NC | mercycharlotte.com

Two Cities | est. 2016 | Winston-Salem, NC | twocitieschurch.net

Reach Fellowship | est. 2017 | Los Angeles, CA | rfla.org

Grace Alive | est. 2017 | Orlando, FL | gracealive.church

Redemption Heights | est. 2018 | Philadelphia, PA | redemptionheights.org

New City Church | June 2020 | Tampa, FL | mercyhillgso.com/newcity

Partnerships