At a recent church planting intensive, three innovative church planters presented bold visions for advancing the gospel through unconventional yet highly contextual strategies—each uniquely tailored to the diverse cities they serve.
Cory and Kaili Crook, based in Long Beach, California, are preparing to launch a church that will deeply engage the local community through the fine arts. Long Beach, known for its cultural diversity and dynamic creative scene, provides fertile ground for their model, which combines artistic expression with gospel-centered outreach.
With a professional background in film and production, Cory plans to build a strong digital presence while working toward securing a physical location. Their church will offer hands-on workshops in media and production, intentionally designed to reach unchurched and de-churched individuals. By creating space for creativity and community, the Crooks aim to share the message of Christ in a way that resonates with the rhythms of the city.
The Crooks
Jessica Deese, from Deland, Florida, presented a compelling vision for a coffee shop ministry—leveraging a globally proven model to create a sustainable and missional presence. In a city marked by economic and generational diversity, the coffee shop will serve as both a welcoming community space and a financial engine to support church growth. Her goal is clear: to create everyday opportunities to engage people with the hope of Christ in accessible and authentic ways.
Jessica Deese
Jon Campbell, a former U.S. missionary and now church planter in Los Angeles, shared his journey of launching a new church focused on relational outreach. Together with his wife, Jon is actively reaching unchurched and de-churched communities in one of the most populous and culturally complex cities in the nation. In partnership with Templo Belen and Bishop Jarquin, they are utilizing a shared facility to build a church grounded in personal connection, consistent presence, and gospel impact.
The Campbells
These church planters represent a growing movement of church planters who are listening closely to their communities and responding with innovative, Christ-centered approaches. As they step forward in obedience and creativity, the cities they serve—Long Beach, Deland, and Los Angeles—stand to be powerfully transformed by the hope of the gospel lived out in everyday spaces. To hear more about each of these church planters and their visions for unique expressions of Christ within their communities, check out the HGM YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@hgmchurches