2025-2026 Finishing Cohort
Read full bios and connect to support one or more of these new church plants.
Andres Zelaya, La Trinidad
Contact to Support: andres@latrinidadhouston.com
Planting Area: East End, Houston
Sending Church: Mission to North America (PCA)
Andrés Zelaya is a second-generation Salvadorian, born in Houston and ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America. He holds a D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary, where his doctoral research focused on reaching second- and third-generation Latinos in Houston with the gospel. He currently serves as Church Planter of La Trinidad and Pastor of the Latino Initiative at Christ the King Houston. The Zelaya family is rooted in Houston’s urban core.
Houston is home to over three million Latinos, yet fewer than 25% participate in an evangelical Protestant church, and nearly 30% identify with no faith at all. La Trinidad exists for them, to be a church where disconnected people can discover the grace of Jesus in a community that feels like home. They are planting in Houston’s East End, the oldest Latino neighborhood in the city and the birthplace of Spanish-language worship in Houston. East of downtown, gospel infrastructure is thin. Some have described the difference as a forest and a desert.
Andrés and Nancy are committed to patient, faithful planting that fits the soil, making disciples, mobilizing leaders, and multiplying churches. Their prayer is that La Trinidad becomes not just a church, but a launching point for gospel renewal across East Houston and beyond.
Planting Area: East End, Houston
Sending Church: Mission to North America (PCA)
Andrés Zelaya is a second-generation Salvadorian, born in Houston and ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America. He holds a D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary, where his doctoral research focused on reaching second- and third-generation Latinos in Houston with the gospel. He currently serves as Church Planter of La Trinidad and Pastor of the Latino Initiative at Christ the King Houston. The Zelaya family is rooted in Houston’s urban core.
Houston is home to over three million Latinos, yet fewer than 25% participate in an evangelical Protestant church, and nearly 30% identify with no faith at all. La Trinidad exists for them, to be a church where disconnected people can discover the grace of Jesus in a community that feels like home. They are planting in Houston’s East End, the oldest Latino neighborhood in the city and the birthplace of Spanish-language worship in Houston. East of downtown, gospel infrastructure is thin. Some have described the difference as a forest and a desert.
Andrés and Nancy are committed to patient, faithful planting that fits the soil, making disciples, mobilizing leaders, and multiplying churches. Their prayer is that La Trinidad becomes not just a church, but a launching point for gospel renewal across East Houston and beyond.
Jonathan Swirsky, Grace Bridge Church
Contact to support: jonathan.swirsky@gracebridgechurch.com
Planting Area: North Huffman / Colony Ridge
Sending Church: Houston Northwest Church
Planting Area: North Huffman / Colony Ridge
Sending Church: Houston Northwest Church
The Swirskys are all about growing their family: their own and the family of God! In the summer of 2023, Jonathan and Amber began sensing that God might be calling them to start a new faith family. They committed to prayer, asking if church planting was the next step for them. Through that season of prayer and the encouragement of others, they felt led to plant a church in Northeast Harris County.
Three years later, the Swirskys have planted Grace Bridge Church, a bilingual church reaching the increasingly diverse community of Huffman and the largely Spanish speaking area of Colony Ridge. They have co-planted alongside a Spanish speaking pastor, Serguey Romero, and his wife Marvelle. Grace Bridge Church exists to build bridges from Jesus to you, your family, and your community. Through God’s providence, they hope to inspire families to make Jesus first.
Daniel Keely, Cross Community Church
Contact to support: dkeely@crossforall.com
Planting Area: Eastex/Jensen Area (59 and Parker)
Sending Church: Cross Community Church
Six years ago, our family moved to Houston and joined the launch team for Cross Community Church in late 2021. We have grown to love our area in the Eastex/Jensen neighborhood and began sensing a call to church planting.
Following a recent denominational assessment, our planting pastor transitioned to a new ministry. In this season, we have stepped in to help lead and continue the work of planting Cross Community Church.
We are committed to seeing this church established as we engage the community through gospel-centered relief efforts, including our LoveWell ministry, outreach to the homeless and trafficked, and English as a Second Language ministries.
Planting Area: Eastex/Jensen Area (59 and Parker)
Sending Church: Cross Community Church
Six years ago, our family moved to Houston and joined the launch team for Cross Community Church in late 2021. We have grown to love our area in the Eastex/Jensen neighborhood and began sensing a call to church planting.
Following a recent denominational assessment, our planting pastor transitioned to a new ministry. In this season, we have stepped in to help lead and continue the work of planting Cross Community Church.
We are committed to seeing this church established as we engage the community through gospel-centered relief efforts, including our LoveWell ministry, outreach to the homeless and trafficked, and English as a Second Language ministries.
Daniel Olanikawo, Simple Church
Contact to Support: daniel.olanikawo@simplechurchrichmond.com
Planting Area: Richmond, Texas
Sending Church: Koinonia Church
Daniel and Jennifer have been on a faith-driven journey of obedience as God has led them to plant a church in the Richmond, Texas area. What began as a step of faith has become a clear calling to launch Simple Church, a Spirit-led, relational community rooted in worship, discipleship, and transformation.
Over the past year, God has been shaping their hearts, marriage, and leadership, refining a vision to create a space where people can SEEK God, SERVE others, be SHAPED into disciples, and be SENT out with purpose.
They believe the opportunity in their community is significant. Many are spiritually disconnected yet open, and traditional approaches have not reached them. With a heart for authentic relationships and Spirit-filled gatherings, Daniel and Jennifer are stepping forward as missionaries to their city, trusting God to do more than they could plan or imagine. Simple Church exists to help people discover God, their identity in Christ, and how to live on mission.
Planting Area: Richmond, Texas
Sending Church: Koinonia Church
Daniel and Jennifer have been on a faith-driven journey of obedience as God has led them to plant a church in the Richmond, Texas area. What began as a step of faith has become a clear calling to launch Simple Church, a Spirit-led, relational community rooted in worship, discipleship, and transformation.
Over the past year, God has been shaping their hearts, marriage, and leadership, refining a vision to create a space where people can SEEK God, SERVE others, be SHAPED into disciples, and be SENT out with purpose.
They believe the opportunity in their community is significant. Many are spiritually disconnected yet open, and traditional approaches have not reached them. With a heart for authentic relationships and Spirit-filled gatherings, Daniel and Jennifer are stepping forward as missionaries to their city, trusting God to do more than they could plan or imagine. Simple Church exists to help people discover God, their identity in Christ, and how to live on mission.
Richard Duan, NuWay Church
Contact to Support: richard@cityviewpearland.com
Planting Area: Rice University / Texas Medical Center
Sending Church: Cityview Church
Richard and Christina met while serving with a missionary organization planting churches in East Asia and were later married. Richard holds a Ph.D. in science from MIT. After coming to faith out of a background of atheism, he was trained at Redeemer City to City as a City Minister. Christina holds two master’s degrees in marriage and school counseling.
Cityview Church is sending them to plant NuWay Church in the Rice University and Texas Medical Center area. They share a deep burden for students, scholars, and faculty, especially those who have grown up skeptical of Christianity. Richard is convinced that the gospel is not only the power of God for salvation, but also the most compelling and coherent worldview for human flourishing.
Their prayer is for NuWay to become a vibrant incubator for holistic, cross generational discipleship that sparks gospel centered cultural renewal in the heart of Houston. They are humbled and expectant to see how God will work through His people for His glory in this strategic mission field.
Planting Area: Rice University / Texas Medical Center
Sending Church: Cityview Church
Richard and Christina met while serving with a missionary organization planting churches in East Asia and were later married. Richard holds a Ph.D. in science from MIT. After coming to faith out of a background of atheism, he was trained at Redeemer City to City as a City Minister. Christina holds two master’s degrees in marriage and school counseling.
Cityview Church is sending them to plant NuWay Church in the Rice University and Texas Medical Center area. They share a deep burden for students, scholars, and faculty, especially those who have grown up skeptical of Christianity. Richard is convinced that the gospel is not only the power of God for salvation, but also the most compelling and coherent worldview for human flourishing.
Their prayer is for NuWay to become a vibrant incubator for holistic, cross generational discipleship that sparks gospel centered cultural renewal in the heart of Houston. They are humbled and expectant to see how God will work through His people for His glory in this strategic mission field.
Chris Kehoe, Gospel Hope Church
Contact to Support: chris@gospelhopechurchtx.org
Planting Area: Hockley, TX
Sending Church: Grace Life Baptist Church
Chris and Dorothy have been married for 13 years and have one daughter. Chris has served at Grace Life Baptist Church in Cypress for 12 years as a lay elder, overseeing missions and community. He has long had a passion to see the Gospel go to the nations, serving in Southeast and Central Asia. Over time, the Lord brought together a deep love for the local church and global missions, leading to a clear call to church planting.
Chris is planting Gospel Hope Church in Hockley, TX. Gospel Hope is committed to relational discipleship, expositional preaching, and developing disciples who lead in the kingdom of God. The church exists to make disciples who love Jesus and His glory among all peoples.
Planting Area: Hockley, TX
Sending Church: Grace Life Baptist Church
Chris and Dorothy have been married for 13 years and have one daughter. Chris has served at Grace Life Baptist Church in Cypress for 12 years as a lay elder, overseeing missions and community. He has long had a passion to see the Gospel go to the nations, serving in Southeast and Central Asia. Over time, the Lord brought together a deep love for the local church and global missions, leading to a clear call to church planting.
Chris is planting Gospel Hope Church in Hockley, TX. Gospel Hope is committed to relational discipleship, expositional preaching, and developing disciples who lead in the kingdom of God. The church exists to make disciples who love Jesus and His glory among all peoples.