How Jacob and Haileah McKlarney are moving from “doing ministry” to equipping the saints at Blacksburg Church.
For many church leaders, the burden of ministry can feel overwhelming. Several years ago, Jacob McKlarney found himself in that exact position. He sensed that something was fundamentally off in his approach to leadership. Looking around, he realized that instead of equipping believers to carry out the work of ministry—as Ephesians 4:12 commands of church leaders—he was doing all the ministry himself while church members simply watched.
That conviction became a catalyst. Shortly after realizing this lapse in leadership, Jacob and his wife, Haileah, sensed God calling them to step out in faith to plant a new church that would change that dynamic.
A Vision for the I-81 Corridor
The McKlarneys didn’t just feel called to start a Sunday service; they felt called to spark a movement. The mission of their new endeavor, Blacksburg Church, is clear: to equip all people to find and follow Jesus.
Their vision, however, extends far beyond the borders of a single town. Jacob and Haileah are praying to see a church planted in every town up and down the I-81 corridor between Bristol and Blacksburg, VA. To achieve such widespread multiplication, they knew they couldn’t rely on a traditional model.
A Church of House Churches
To realize this expansive vision, Blacksburg Church is not structured as one central gathering location, but as a church of house churches. This model rests on intensive discipleship, requiring the equipping of leaders who meet the biblical qualifications of an elder as outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
During Jacob’s residency, the cohort prayed for God to provide two such qualified leaders within the next few months. God answered that prayer by providing John and Brandon. After being equipped by Jacob, these two men became the pastors of the church’s first two house churches, which launched the second week of January.
During the week, these groups focus on caring for one another, helping each other grow in intimacy and imitation of Jesus and developing new leaders. The ultimate goal is multiplication: developing leaders and disciples who are sent out to start new house churches, continuing the march along the I-81 corridor.
Gathering Together
While decentralized ministry is the core, corporate gatherings remain vital. On Sunday mornings, these house churches gather for corporate worship, Bible teaching, communion, and mutual encouragement.
Initially, Jacob planned for the entire church to gather in their large basement. However, their launch team has grown so much that they were forced to find a larger space. As Jacob looked for a space large enough to accommodate their Sunday worship gathering, he stumbled upon the Blacksburg Public Library. The library is an ideal location—its common room can accommodate over 100 adults, it’s free, right in the center of Blacksburg, and has off-street parking. The church launched their weekly corporate worship gatherings on January 18th there and continue to meet there every Sunday.
Partnering for Preparation
While God does the impossible, He often does it through faithful servants who take the time to prepare. Jacob and Haileah didn’t rush to plant. They recognized the need for a season of preparation to pursue God’s vision for Blacksburg Church.
They turned to Passion for Planting, first participating in our assessment to confirm their calling and identify next steps. Following a strong recommendation, Jacob then enrolled in our Distance Residency program. This process allowed them to prepare themselves and their plan, moving from an abstract calling to a concrete reality made possible with the help of our Project Management services.
We are incredibly excited about what God has in store for Blacksburg Church and the lives that will be forever changed through its ministry. Jacob and Haileah’s story is a powerful testament to the fruit that comes from taking faithful, prepared steps.
Feature Photo by Monica Bourgeau on Unsplash