Church Planting

Where will the church plant be located?. . .

The plan is to secure a facility in the Huber Heights/North Dayton region.

Who will be our first planting pastor?. . .

Bryson Jackson will be the planting pastor. Bryson, along with his wife Skyler, have received support and affirmation from UBC's elders and staff as well as endorsement from Send Network (SBC).

When will services begin at Gospel Heights?. . .

The planting team will begin meeting for Sunday morning services at UBC East on May 4th 2025. UBC North will launch in Huber Heights in September 2025, Lord willing.

What type of church planting model will be used?. . .

We will be using the "Campus-to-plant" model. We will launch in Huber Heights as a campus of UBC in September 2025. One church meeting in two locations. By January of 2028, we will become an autonomous church.

What type of facility will be used?. . .

The church plant will likely lease during the campus phase and be in a temporary meeting space (the first few years). We don't have the exact meeting location nailed down for this Fall, but we are trusting the Lord to provide the right solution soon.

What about polity & organization?. . .

During the campus phase we will operate as one church. We will have one Elder Body, one Deacon Body, and one Member Body. Within each Body, there will be a delineation and designation for each campus. Elders and Deacons will be assigned members according to their specific campus. Membership processes will be handled at each campus but we will host one member meeting with both campuses represented.

How will staff operate?. . .

During the campus phase, any Gospel Heights staff will report directly to the campus pastor (Bryson) but will collaborate with Beavercreek staff and receive mentorship from them. Bryson will continue to report to Jason Wing and the Elder Body.

How will this impact Growth Groups?. . .

During East Phase (spring/summer 2025), group leaders will be asked to have conversations with their group regarding the plant. If members of the group or leaders of the group intend to participate in the new campus, they will be expected to either move groups eventually or see the group identify with the new campus. Groups will identify with either UBC North or UBC Beavercreek before September of 2025. Sermon guides will be campus specific.

Who will preach on Sundays?. . .

Bryson will preach at the Gospel Heights Campus and Jason will preach at the Beavercreek campus (an occasional swap might happen). Sermon series and sermon texts will usually remain the same at both campuses, although each preacher will have the freedom to develop his own sermon points, illustrations, application, etc. There may be pre-arranged weeks where each campus breaks from the shared preaching schedule to address short, topical series/sermons that are campus specific.

What ministries will be active at Gospel Heights?. . .

Ministry Teams will be developed within their respective campus. We will have separate teams, with separate leaders, for each campus that may include teams like:

• Worship Team
• Tech Team
• Children’s Ministry Team
• Student Ministry Team
• Missions Team
• Mercy Team
• Counting Team
• Welcome Team
• Prayer Team

For any teams at the Gospel Heights Campus, Bryson will raise up a Ministry Team Leader (MTL) who will report to him or his designee. These MTL’s will not report to the UBC Beavercreek staff, but could collaborate/consult with them.

How will finances be managed?. . .

In 2025, we will share one large budget with a separate line item or designated fund (determined by the Finance Committee) dedicated to the Gospel Heights Campus. 2026 will have a more fleshed out, line-item based budget built upon 2025 metrics. "UBC North" will be able to do outside fundraising (ideally placed into a Gospel Heights designated fund) if they desire but not required depending on their specific needs.

What is the mission, vision, and long-term structure?. . .

Gospel Heights will retain the same mission and vision of UBC Beavercreek just in a new community context. We will establish a network of churches (Make Him Known Network) with shared values that will work together for kingdom purposes across the Miami Valley.

What happens when we become an autonomous church?. . .

Gospel Heights will become its own church by January 2028 (at the latest). At that time, those who are committed to the plant will transfer their membership together and form new elder, deacon and member bodies. Gospel Heights will have its own budget, constitution, committees and officers. UBC DNA (constitution, polity, doctrine) and vision will carry over with a unique community flavor.