Description
We are an association of relational churches working with church planters, church leaders, and churches in transition to provide support, guidance and resources to launch and grow life-giving churches.
History
In 2000, six pastors met together and formed the Association of Related Churches. There were three catalysts responsible for the idea of forming an organization like ARC. Catalyst one: Greg Surratt, pastor of Seacoast Church in Charleston, SC. Greg told his church he felt they were supposed to plant 2000 churches. The problem: he didnt know how to make it happen. Catalyst two: Billy Hornsby. Billy was fascinated by Gregs life-giving weekend services that were attracting large numbers of un-churched people. A Spirit filled, non-spooky service. To Billy, this was a model to be emulated. He felt he could put feet to Gregs vision of planting 2000 churches. Catalyst three: Rick Bezet and Chris Hodges. Pastors out of Bethany World Prayer Center, these guys were setting out to plant churches in Little Rock, AR and Birmingham, AL respectively. The problem: they needed money and a workable model. Greg offered both guys $25,000 to fund their plants and any monthly support needed to meet budget for their first year a safety net that bolstered their confidence in planting. Going forward, Greg asked Rick and Chris to invest that same amount back into other church planters. Rick and Chris went on to plant their churches on the same day February 4, 2001. Their successful launches and subsequent growth became the model for future ARC church plants.
By the following year, other church planters were reusing the money originally funded to Rick and Chris. Add Dino Rizzo and Scott Hornsby to the mix and you have the six founders of ARC. Billy took the helm as ARCs leader from 2001 to 2011. Billy had a knack for building organizations with financial strength and he attracted other pastors and churches to become a part of the new network. He also carried an important value that became a part of ARCs DNA valuing the little guy. Billy saw that many church planters found themselves on their own. Billy believed in those guys. He was a friend that resourced them with training and funding and ensured their strong start. Billy became a father and friend to pastors everywhere. Gayle Bennett, his assistant, and the check lady of ARC quickly became their best friend as well! ARCs growth in the early years was slow, yet strong, averaging a few churches a year. In 2006, ARC planted 9 churches, in 2007 there were 16 more, 2008 saw 25, and by 2009, ARC was averaging around 50 new plants a year. With a more developed structure, ARC is now training and coaching hundreds of church planters each year. In the fall of 2010, Billy Hornsby was diagnosed with terminal cancer. On March 23, 2011, he went to be with the Lord. ARC and many in the church-world were deeply saddened by the loss. Billy left a great legacy of pastors, leaders, friends, and of course, his family. At the annual All Access Conference, in 2012, the board announced they had selected Greg Surratt to take the wheel as President of ARC. Greg was the natural choice. Not only did he carry the initial vision of planting 2000 churches, but he is also one of the most connected pastors and strategic thinkers around. While continuing to pastor his church in South Carolina, Greg provides strategic leadership and direction as ARCs president. The organization maintains an annual funding base of 2 million dollars, with ARC churches giving over $8 million a year to missions. Today, over 500 churches strong, ARC has become not only a movement, but a collection of many tribes all with a focus to see a life-giving church in every community in the world.