Equip Leadership Lunch Highlights Church Planting Needs in Central Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Just days after a full weekend of Easter celebrations, pastors and ministry leaders from across Central Kentucky gathered on Tuesday, April 7, at Southern Heights Baptist Church for the latest Equip Leadership Lunch. The event provided a timely opportunity for leaders to reconnect, share a meal, and reflect together following one of the busiest seasons in church ministry.

The focus of this month’s gathering centered on the current landscape of church planting throughout the Central Kentucky Network of Baptists (CKNB). David Barron led the discussion, offering both historical context and a forward-looking challenge. While noting that the CKNB is the “longest standing SBC association west of the Alleghenies,” Barron emphasized that significant gaps in gospel presence still exist across the region.

Using a visual map plotting all CKNB churches, Barron highlighted several underserved areas where few or no congregations are currently located. Among the most pressing needs are neighborhoods in Chevy Chase, Masterson Station, and Athens—areas where opportunities for new church plants are both evident and urgent.

Barron also pointed to an encouraging trend within the network: much of the recent church planting activity over the past five years has taken place among international communities. Congregations representing Congolese, Haitian, Japanese, and Nepali populations reflect the growing ethnic diversity of Central Kentucky and underscore the importance of culturally intentional ministry efforts.

The conversation then turned practical, as leaders discussed what it takes for a church plant to succeed. Pastor Donavon Stewart of The Mission Church of Lexington, one of the network’s recent church planting success stories, outlined three essential components.

First, he emphasized the importance of a leader who is both called and equipped with a pioneering mindset. Church planting, he noted, requires a unique skill set and a willingness to step into the unknown. Second, Stewart highlighted the need for a committed core team faithful individuals who share the vision and are ready to help carry the work forward. Third, he pointed to the necessity of strong resourcing, often through a sending church and strategic mission partnerships.

Beyond these foundational elements, another key factor emerged during the discussion: location. Leaders agreed that successful church planting often depends on a clear sense of where God is leading, paired with the practical ability to establish a presence in that community.

Attendees also shared both successes and ongoing challenges from their own church planting efforts. One of the most common hurdles involves securing consistent meeting space. Many new congregations rely on schools or rental facilities in their early stages, but navigating availability, cost, and local regulations can be difficult. Some communities, participants noted, are more “church-friendly” than others, adding another layer of complexity to the process.

Despite these challenges, the tone of the gathering remained hopeful. The combination of growing diversity, strategic conversation, and shared experience reflected a network committed to expanding gospel presence throughout Central Kentucky.

As leaders departed, the message was clear: while much work remains, the opportunities for church planting and the potential for impact are significant.