Church Planting Residency
Why a church residency?
WCPN will call a man to plant a church only after he has completed a Church Planting Residency through WCPN.
The reasons for this include the following:
The uniqueness of planting in the West. Experience has proven that planting in the West presents its own unique challenges, which are different from planting in other parts of the US. Our churches are committed to appropriate contextualization and an incarnational ministry model.
WCPN's ability to recruit the right candidate is increased. It is imperative to identify the right candidates for planting in the West. Completing a residency allows WCPN to relationally assess an individual and allows him to experience the culture and realities of church planting without the pressures of organizing a church.
The mutual ability to determine compatibility is increased. Both WCPN and the resident will be able to determine if the western context; vision, values, and personalities of WCPN; and other factors are a good match for both parties prior to investing significant time, energy, and dollars into a new work.
The need to establish a pipeline for future planters. We are seeking to accomplish our goal of "Twenty in Ten" by creating a pipeline of residents from which to select new church planters for new works. Our current pipeline has the maximum capacity and resources to support 8 residencies simultaneously in Montana and Colorado.
What is the church residency process?
Network Statistics for 2026
How do I apply?
Provide us with you Ministerial Data Form (MDF) and Assessment Evaluation (if applicable) along with a cover letter addressing:
Why you are interested in planting in the West.
How you see your gifts and experiences matching the Western context.
If married, describe your wife's perspective on (a) church planting; and (b) living in the West.
Why do you think we need more churches? (i.e. What is the purpose of church planting?)
Who has influenced your understanding of church planting?
Send your materials to the Coordinator at westerncpn <at> gmail.com
Current Residents
Merari Herrera
Denver Presbyterian Church
Denver, CO
There are nearly 250,000 Hispanic residents in the Denver-Metro area. There are those who are new to the United States, as well as first and second generation Hispanics. This population is ripe for a gospel-saturated, Christ-centered, Bible-believing church. It is our hope, and with God’s help, to plant the first Spanish-speaking church in the presbytery of the Rockies, which will serve the needs of established Latinos, as well as recent immigrants. This mission also will fulfill a desire that my wife and I have to use the gift of the Spanish language, which the Lord has given us, for His kingdom by reaching many Latinos with the gospel of grace. Essentially, we will be a missionaries in Denver to Latinos. For the next three years, I will be a church planting resident at Denver Presbyterian Church.
Learn more about member churches and church planting opportunities.
Current Residents
Chris Weniger
Rocky Mountain Presbyterian Church
Denver, CO
The Carbon Valley is one of the fastest growing areas in Colorado. It's made up of three towns: Firestone, Frederick, and Dacono, and is equidistant from Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins. Families move to the Carbon Valley so that they can buy an affordable house but keep their jobs in the larger cities as they pursue the “Colorado Dream”: successful jobs, high achieving children, and as much time as possible to spend in the mountains. There is a longing in the Carbon Valley that only Christ can satisfy. The life, forgiveness, identity, purpose, community, and security that everyone most deeply needs and longs for can only come by being reconciled with God through Jesus and brought into God’s family, which is the Church. The Carbon Valley has a need that only God, through His Church, can meet.
So why aren’t churches already doing that? They are. But in the Carbon Valley, there’s only 1 church for every 5,000 people. That is nowhere near enough.
Learn more about member churches and church planting opportunities.
Current Residents
Seth Orr
Sterling Ranch
South Denver, CO
No churches are located within Sterling Ranch. This fast-growing new community draws young professionals and dual-income families, providing immense potential for kingdom impact. Furthermore, the lack of established rhythms that comes along with newness creates an opportunity for openness to the church. People come looking for the good life in an idealistic Colorado community, but that’s only found in Christ. We are here to be a light upon that all-important truth.
Learn more about member churches and church planting opportunities.
Current Residents
Caleb Clark
Deer Creek Church
Denver, CO
Residency at Deer Creek Church.
Learn more about member churches and church planting opportunities.
Current Residents
Will McKee
Forestgate Church
Monument, CO
Will and Caroline are extremely excited to plant a church in Colorado! Caroline started the formal ministry journey first, graduating with a Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2018. Shortly after, Will began feeling the call to ministry. So, leaving the for-profit world, Will started full-time ministry and seminary in 2019, then made the jump to the church planting world in 2024 serving at Advent Pres in Houston, TX. He soon realized that not only did he love it, but his wife and children did, too. So, he joined the church planting track for the last two years of his Master of Divinity at Covenant Seminary and began to consider a call to church planting. Shortly after receiving affirmation from Advent and the MNA Church Planting Assessment, Will and Caroline were connected to Forestgate’s church planting residency through family who attend Waypoint, Forestgate’s most recent church plant. They arrived at Forestgate in July 2026 to begin Will’s residency with the goal of planting a church in Monument by 2028 or 2029. Will and Caroline are looking forward to getting to know the people in the community, engaging in hospitality, and sharing the timeless truth of God’s love through the gospel.
Learn more about member churches and church planting opportunities.
Current Residents
Wes Calton
Redeemer Church
Longmont, CO
Residency at Redeemer Longmont.
Learn more about member churches and church planting opportunities.