Church Planting.

Our vision is to catalyze a church planting movement across Chicagoland.

Church Planting Residency

The Ashburn church-planting residency is designed to prepare Biblically qualified men to plant faithful reproducing churches in the Chicagoland region. The residency aims to introduce God-called men to a body of helpful resources and relationships that will serve them as they endeavor to plant faithful churches in Chicago and beyond. The residency is not to be considered exhaustive training for pastoral ministry but rather a residency for those already formally trained but lacking ministerial experience and specific training in church planting. Candidates selected will either be formally trained for ministry at a trusted institution or will have exhibited sufficient competency in that area before acceptance into the residency.

Every year we take church planters/replanters through a one-year high-investment, high-return experience that catalyzes their health and fruitfulness. In addition to raising up internal candidates from within our network of churches, we partner with like-minded churches that share our vision of planting gospel-centered multiplying churches.

We offer Residency in English and Spanish. Our English residency is done from our Orland Park campus, under the direction of Dr. Tommy Thompson. Our Spanish residency is done at our Chicago campus in partnership with Send Network Espanol and under the direction of Milton Alcendra.

FAQ's

What Does The Residency Look Like?

What To Expect

After you apply and are approved, you will begin the Ashburn Church Planting residency, which begins annually in January. Residency is not an internship. It is a highly intentional leadership experience for experienced pastors seeking to maximize their impact in church planting. You will be poured into by seasoned coaches and mentors who are invested in your success. By experiencing a contextualized gospel-centered culture, you’ll be better equipped to plant a gospel movement in our city. As a resident, you will have the opportunity to be connected to our network of supporting and sending churches across Chicago.

Cohort Format

Our residency operates like a cohort, allowing other churches without a residency to participate in Ashburn’s residency program. 60-75% of the program is conducted via Zoom video, with the remaining weekly sessions held in-person.

When Is Assessment?

Church Planter Assessment

We partner with Send Network for church planter assessments. Assessment will take place following the successful completion of Ashburn’s church planting residency program, and with the recommendation of Ashburn Church. Send Network currently offers two assessments each year in May and November.

When Will I Be Able To Plant A Church?

Launching Your Church Plant

Once you have successfully completed the 1-year residency program, and have been assessed and approved through Send Network, you will typically plant your church within the next 12 to 18 months, under the guidance of your sending church.

How Do I Apply?

How To Apply

Residency begins January 1 and ends in December. We begin considering candidates in August.

Application → Approval → Residency → Assessment → Plant

To inquire, fill out our Church Planter Interest Form and someone from our staff will follow up with you.

Apply Now

“Churches which desire to reach new people with new churches in new places must have a pipeline to raise up new church planting leaders. Ashburn’s church planting residency fits the bill! Church planters are being trained to engage their city, to make disciples, and to plant churches which more plant churches.”

John Yi, NAMB Church Planting Catalyst

“The Ashburn CP Residency led by Dr. Thompson provides a theologically rigorous and contextually implemented framework for church planting, shaping leaders to incarnate the gospel faithfully amid contemporary cultural realities.”

Dr. Ed Han, Church Planter, Ashburn Church – Crystal Lake

“The Ashburn Residency has been instrumental in shaping me as a church planter—not only through the valuable knowledge gained from classes and books, but also through the wisdom and experience of pastors who have walked the path of church planting. Their real-world insight has provided a practical perspective on how to faithfully fulfill the Great Commission. I highly recommend this program to anyone who feels called by God to pursue church planting.”
Ariel Heredia, Church Planter, Ashburn Church – Willow Springs Espanol 

Current Projects

Ashburn – Willow Springs Espanol

Launching 2026.

Serve a church plant.

Serve on a Core Team

Not everyone is called to lead a church plant, but maybe God is calling you to use your spiritual gifts to help us plant another church.  Apply to serve on a launch team.

Apply Now

Support a church plant

Maybe you can’t go, but you would like to give. Your generosity helps fuel the mission of God as we seek to take the message of the Gospel to every community.

Give