See the vision.
Test the strategy.
Strengthen the launch.
Pitch Lab is a focused day where our church planting residents practice presenting their launch strategies in a structured, high-trust environment—so they can grow in clarity, confidence, and readiness as they cast vision to others. Stakeholders, prospective donors, and observers get a front-row seat to learn alongside them.
- In person or live on Zoom
- Pitch Labs (small rooms) + Showcase (main stage)
- Designed to strengthen residents while engaging stakeholders, donors, and observers
Pitch Lab — Wednesday, June 3, 2026 — Raleigh, NC
In-person + Live on Zoom
Because great launches are built on shared clarity.
Church planting isn’t sustained by passion alone. Healthy launches happen when vision is clear, strategy is tested, and support is aligned. Pitch Lab creates a single, focused moment where planters sharpen how they communicate their vision and strengthen their strategy. It also creates an opportunity for others to listen, learn, and be inspired.
You don’t want to hear just vision without a strategy and a plan.
Vision can move hearts, but strategy builds confidence. When the plan is fuzzy, even strong residents can struggle to communicate what comes next, what success looks like, or how others can help. Pitch Lab gives them a chance to practice, refine, and grow before those conversations matter most.
- Residents need a safe place to strengthen how they communicate vision and next steps
- Stakeholders want alignment so their support is practical, not scattered
- Prospective Donors want clarity before committing meaningful resources
- Observers want a real picture of what “ready” looks like
Clear plans, honest feedback, and practical next steps.
Pitch Lab helps residents grow in confidence as they communicate their church planting vision. It also gives attendees a helpful, honest window into what wise preparation, thoughtful coaching, and real launch readiness look like.
- Residents leave with stronger clarity, better language, and greater confidence
- Stakeholders leave aligned on priorities and next steps for support
- Prospective donors gain clarity on where generosity can accelerate the mission
- Observers leave inspired—and equipped with a model worth repeating
Who is Pitch Lab for?
Church Planter Pitch Lab
Pitch Lab is a meaningful training milestone for you. You’ve been doing the hard work of prayer, planning, preparation, and refinement—and this day helps you bring it all together in a live environment where you can practice communicating with clarity, receive honest feedback, and leave more ready for the road ahead.
- Get real experience casting vision in front of others
- Use feedback to sharpen both message and strategy
- Build confidence, not just exposure
- Be encouraged by Stakeholders, Prospective Donors, and Observers
Stakeholders
You’ll hear your resident’s strategy, ask better questions, and align your church’s support around what matters most. You’ll gain:
- Shared clarity around the launch plan and priorities
- A practical way to align encouragement, connections, and resources
- A chance to learn from your resident while they’re learning
Prospective Donors
You’ll get a clear view of vision and readiness—while seeing how residents are being coached to communicate more effectively and faithfully. You’ll gain:
- A focused, no-pressure way to understand the opportunity
- Clarity on readiness, strategy, and real needs
- A front-row seat to how planters learn to better cast vision and resource their church plants
Observers
You’ll see what strong preparation looks like, catch a vision for multiplication, and learn how this kind of process could strengthen your own work. You’ll gain:
- A real-world view of what preparation and coaching looks like for church planters
- Insight into how to improve what you’re already doing
- Inspiration to apply next year—or to explore hosting a residency
How It Works
A simple flow that makes for a high-impact day.
Step 1: Preparation
Our residents have been prayerfully crafting their strategy and pitch so this day helps them refine and strengthen what they’ve been building—not start from scratch.
Step 2: Pitch Labs
Small-room sessions where residents present their plans, receive guided questions, and get structured feedback that helps them improve.
Step 3: Showcase + Next Steps
Main-stage pitches that help residents communicate with even greater clarity—followed by clear pathways for connection and follow-up.
Pitch Labs are where residents grow in clarity—and confidence.
presenting a clear plan, respond to thoughtful questions, and receive coaching that helps strengthen both their message and their readiness.
Lab Flow:
- 8-minute pitch
- Coaching Feedback
- Pitch Refinement
- Repeat the process to build confidence
The Showcase lets everyone see the progress.
The Showcase is the main-stage moment: short, clear pitches that help the full audience see what residents have been building and how their vision is taking shape. It brings everyone into the same story while giving residents another meaningful opportunity to communicate with clarity.
Purpose:
- It helps residents practice communicating to a broader audience
- It creates shared momentum around what God is doing
- Makes follow-up simple and relational
Here’s the rhythm of the day.
Timeline (9am-5pm)
- Welcome + orientation
- Pitch Lab Round 1
- Pitch Lab Round 2
- Lunch + connection time
- Main Stage Showcase
- Closing + next-step instructions
- Optional stakeholder/prospective donor debrief
Exact times and room assignments will be provided via email.
Can’t be in the room?
Join live on Zoom.
Whether you’re a stakeholder, a prospective donor, or an observer, the live stream gives you real-time access to the Showcase and key moments of the day—so you can learn from the residents while they’re learning.
Clarity supports wise partnership without hype or pressure.
This event helps our residents confidently communicate their church planting vision. Feedback and recommendations will help them be more effective building their plant team and raising financial support.
- Residents present plans and respond to real questions
- Leaders discern readiness and next steps
- Follow-up conversations happen with clarity
You’ll leave with practical tools, not just a good experience.
Included for all attendees
- Simple follow-up guide (who to contact + how)
- Digital program book (resident summaries + schedule)
- A clear view of next steps
Role-specific packets
- Stakeholder Packet
- Prospective Donor Packet
- Observer Packet
A well-led day creates a meaningful experience.
You’ll be guided through the day by a team that keeps things moving and makes sure the focus stays on clarity and encouragement. Our team of coaches includes leaders with experience in church planting, sending, coaching, generosity, and strategy. Their job is to ask helpful questions and give feedback that strengthens the plan.
Pitch Lab Lead Team
Sean Cronin
TRAINING LEAD
Achiever | Context | Belief
I lead the Residency Cohort focused on helping church planters gain a clearer vision for the church God’s calling them to plant. I don’t focus on offering answers but asking questions to help them discern how Jesus wants to build His church through them. My goal is to help them develop a plan that guides their efforts to pursue the vision God’s giving them.
Patrick Bradley
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Ideation | Developer | Strategic
I equip church planting leaders by creating tools and systems that keep church planters focused on people. I want church planters to experience the confidence of having a contextual strategic plan and the enjoyment that comes from spending less time on the details.
Todd Wilson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Futuristic | Strategic | Activator
I serve leaders and ministries who are pursuing multiplication, and help them develop vision and strategy for 100X impact. I’m an entrepreneurial engineer, passionate about creating pictures of future possibilities and strategies for turning them into reality.
Date: June 3rd
Location: Raleigh, NC
What to expect:
- Multiple breakout rooms for Pitch Labs
- Comfortable main room for the Showcase
- On-site team to help with directions and flow
- Practical next steps for stakeholders, donors, and observers
Optional add-on: $10 Lunch
FAQs
• What’s the difference between Pitch Labs and the Showcase?
Pitch Labs are small-room, interactive coaching environments where residents practice and improve. The Showcase is a main-stage set of short pitches for everyone.
• Is this only for people already supporting a resident?
No. Stakeholders are a key audience, but prospective donors and observers are welcome—and will find this day clarifying, encouraging, and instructive.
• Can I attend only part of the day?
Yes. Register anyway so you receive the schedule and can plan your time.
• How do I ask questions in the Lab?
We’ll provide a simple process for questions so the flow stays focused and respectful.
• Is there a cost to attend or watch online?
Pitch Lab is a free event.
• How do I follow up after the event?
Your event packet includes a clear follow-up path and contact process for each resident.
• I’m an observer—what should I be looking for?
Look for clarity: the vision, the strategy, the team, the next step, and the kind of support that would genuinely help. Pay attention to how residents are learning to communicate more effectively—and consider what that could teach your church, your network, or your future planters.
Ready to join us? Register today.
Questions?
Reach out to Sean Cronin at (716) 547-2311 or email seanc@church-planting.net