At Neighborhood Churches, we believe the best way to understand this work is through the people who have experienced it firsthand. From pastors visiting during a Weekender, to churches partnering in mission, to leaders shaped through deep relationships—these stories reveal what God is doing in southern New England.
Stories of Gospel Impact
Stories of Gospel Impact
Partnership Testimonies
Why churches and leaders choose to partner with Neighborhood Churches.
“We believe in the biblical mission and vision of Neighborhood Churches: that the greater New Bedford area will only be reached through churches planting churches. We’re excited to invest into such a kingdom endeavor, that by God’s grace will reap an eternal harvest. One of the many ways our church benefits from this kingdom partnership is by putting real names and faces to our Missions giving.”
— Dr. Neal Thornton, Corem Deo Church
“The great commission has always required great partnerships. One of the greatest joys of my 15 years of pastoring our congregation is the partnership we have with Grace Harbor Church. In so many ways, they are providing opportunities for our church to participate in healthy churches being established, strengthened, and multiplied in unreached and forgotten neighborhoods of our nation.”
— Dr. Beau Hughes, The Village Church, Texas
Partnering with Neighborhood Churches has been absolutely transformational for us. Our church has benefited in ways that we have yet to fully comprehend. Our members have gained practical missional categories that they did not have prior, enabling them to serve with greater intentionality right where we are. Above all, we have a greater compassion for the lost - the type of compassion which moves us towards action in order to see lives transformed by The Gospel.
— Spencer Andrews, Grace Hill Church
Neighborhood Churches Testimonies
Stories about the impact and heart of Neighborhood Churches.
“This is an important and unique work. Neighborhood Churches is a gospel-centric movement that has created a brilliant model to establish healthy gospel-focused churches in a very unique context. Support this work and learn from their strategic model of ministry.”
— Brian Croft Executive Director, Practical Shepherding
“We believe in the biblical mission and I love and am for the work that Neighborhood Churches is doing among the forgotten places of New Bedford. It’s necessary work.”
— Rev. Thabiti Anyabwile, Anacostia River Church
“New England needs Gospel preaching churches. When I visit New Bedford, her tough working-class roots are evident. I’m struck by the city’s beauty and history, but also the need for faithful churches. Grace Harbor Church is uniquely gifted and situated to strategically plant neighborhood churches among the unreached and I am thankful for their presence and vision.”
— Joel Kurz, One Hope & The Garden Church
"My time spent with Neighborhood Churches will remain in my mind as one of the high moments I have had with the people of God in my nearly 60 years of ministry! The morning worship at Grace Harbor Church was inspiring and transforming. The singing captivated me because the lyrics were totally biblical and theological. I was enveloped in congregational warmth and hospitality as though I were a long-lost relative at a family reunion. Pastor Morgan Proudfoot and his wife, Jessica, led the way in expressing genuine love that truly touched my heart. I am grateful to God for the foretaste of heaven experienced during this grand weekend."
— Dr. Robert Smith, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University
Weekender Testimonies
Reflections from leaders who attended the Weekender.
“Incarnational ministry requires that we live and serve among the communities we live in. During the Weekender, we not only met members of the church but also heard a biblical vision for serving the lost and forgotten. It was a formative and life-changing weekend.”
— Kara Bettis, Christianity Today
“I can’t begin to tell you how invaluable it was for our church to attend the Weekender. Not only did it give us an opportunity to get to know the people of Grace Harbor better, but it gave us the chance to hear their heart and see the vision God has given them to reach New Bedford and the surrounding neighborhoods. If you are wanting to ignite your church to be more involved in missions, both at home and in North America, I highly recommend attending a weekender.”
— Rev. Nick King, Campfield Memorial Baptist Church
“The Weekender left a profound mark on my wife and me. We were sobered by the spiritual lostness of New Bedford, Fall River, and Fairhaven, and just as deeply moved by the men and women who have devoted their lives to carrying the gospel into Southeast New England. Neighborhood Churches vision is unmistakably a work of the Spirit-both stirring and contagious. The most formative moments came when their team walked us through these cities and neighborhoods, allowing us to see the need with our own eyes and to pray on the very ground where future gospel work will one day take root. I am profoundly grateful for this team, and I wholeheartedly commend their ministry to the wider church.
— Arthur Gonçalves, Restoration Church, FL
“The Gospel Hope for Neighborhoods Conference was filled with gospel grace and Scripture, and overflowed with the street-wisdom of the speakers. This is a must-attend event! I look forward to the next one, and bringing everyone I can.”
— Tim Zulker, New England Urban Church Planting