Staff at New Church Ministry are called to train, equip, assist, and multiply emerging and affiliating congregations and leaders.
Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez
Minister for New Church Strategies
Rev. Dr. Jose Martinez serves as the Minister for New Church Strategies.
He also created a ministry as an Incubate participant with the National Benevolent Association called StoryWagen. Additionally, he is co-planter of Multi Nation Christian Church, which is the largest and only Haitian Ministry in the Midwest for the Disciples of Christ and along with planting MissioKC Church. Co-vocationally, he is an endorsed Protestant Chaplain, at the 139th Airlift Wing in St. Joseph, Missouri and a chaplain with Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
He has served in different capacities in ministry from the regional level to local congregations by bringing innovative and entrepreneurial ideas about the shifting paradigm of church. His mixture of talent, tenacity, and experience has helped him in all contexts of ministry, which was recognized by the Air National Guard in 2016 by awarding him the Samuel Stone award.
Rev. Dr. Joi Robinson
Senior Associate Minister of Coaching for New Church Ministry
Rev. Dr. Joi Robinson oversees Water the Plants and the coaching program for our ministry. In this capacity, she recruits and trains coaches that reflect the demand for New Church Ministry and the diversity of Disciples, walking alongside New Church pastors and leaders as they move through the various stages of the launch process. To help them remain on track and accountable for the goals they have set for themselves and their new faith community, Robinson matches New Church pastors and leaders with experienced coaches who – through prayer, encouragement, active listening, and strategic questioning – provide support as they encounter the various aspects of church planting.
Rev. Wesley King
Associate Executive Minister of Administration for New Church Ministry
Rev. Wesley King supports the ministry by helping to create programming for our IMPACT webinars, planning events such as our Leaders’ Retreat and Leadership Academy, and with administrative work. He also works closely with our partner denominations. In addition to ministry, Wesley is very active in the music and political scenes in Nashville. He serves as Chair of the Faith Caucus for the Tennessee Democratic Party and as Artistic Director of Nashville in Harmony.
New Church Coaches
Steven Smith, Joey Cotto, Chad Delaney, Martin Tapia, Soriliz Ramos, Francisco Ramos