Mobilizing Trained Disciples To Multiply Healthy Churches Together.
In 2024, 4,000 Protestant churches in the U.S. closed their doors for good, while only 3,800 Protestant churches were started — a net loss of 200 churches. Across America, there are many cities where less than 5% of the population are evangelical Christians, and in many cities around the globe, the Gospel scarcity is far greater.
This is where the Synergy Initiative at Cedarville University comes in.
Synergy is the combined power of a group working together that is greater than the power of individuals working separately. Our mission is simple: mobilizing trained disciples to multiply healthy churches together.
We want students to prayerfully consider going together to Gospel-needy cities in the U.S. and around the world, bringing their careers, gifts, and lives to help revitalize and plant healthy churches.
Currently, we focus on serving families of churches in six urban centers:
- New York City
- Syracuse
- Boston
- Pittsburgh
- Denver
- Salt Lake City
Students can get involved while at Cedarville through training events, GO trips, and Synergy Connect groups.
Ministry partners can join us by creating ministry connections, receiving GO trip teams, mentoring students, and providing internships.
Jesus said that He will build His Church! He uses faithful disciples serving together. Be a part of the Synergy Initiative, and let’s multiply healthy churches together.
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-200 In 2024, an estimated 3,800 new Protestant churches were started in the U.S. — but 4,000 churches were closed.
Source: Lifeway Research
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70 In 2026, the median church in America had just 70 people, down from 137 people in 2000.
Source: Faith Communities Today, 2026 study
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<5% There are 50 metro areas in the U.S. where evangelical Christians make up less than 5% of the population.
Source: JD Payne
FAQ
I'm graduating. How do I find a city/church that needs help?
Need exists all over the world because the Gospel is needed in all places. However, this can be overwhelming and not very helpful. That’s why we have provided a networks section on our resources page. Feel free to check out the links there to hear about some great work that is going on in church multiplication. If you already know where you are going when you graduate, check out that area from these links and see what churches are already doing work there. Dig into the details, email the pastor, let him know who you are and when you would be coming out, and see how you can get connected.
What help do churches need?
Christians are to be equipped for the work of ministry and the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-16). That is because, as we minister to God’s people within a church context, there is much to be done. The kinds of ministries you could be involved in at a local church include prayer, discipleship, community outreach, missions, music ministry, communications, children’s ministry, sound and video, student ministry, finances, small group community, greeters when the church gathers, administration, Christian education, and more.
How can I use my new degree in this?
Your degree is taking you to a new location, hopefully with several others from Cedarville, to engage in work that you have been trained and educated to do. This work will allow you to be in a location where you can be involved in the life of a local church, minister faithfully, and work for church multiplication. Part of that work will be you simply living life as Christian in various local contexts (work, neighborhood, restaurants, recreation, etc.). Your degree is useful in allowing you to live missionally at your workplace and also helps you to be a contributing member of your church.
I’m just one person – what can I do to make a difference?
God is looking for faithful, available, initiative-taking, teachable, and humble people. He does not have to use us, but he chooses to, by His grace. As one person you can faithfully go with the knowledge and skills you have acquired in your time at Cedarville and leverage those things within a community and a local church. You can be a faithful witness at work and your neighborhood. You can faithfully do your part to minister in your church and pray and work toward your church multiplying. And now, imagine doing that work with several others who also decided to go to the same location, work, and minister in the church. And imagine that several come each year. Over time, a gospel movement could really begin.
How can I get involved while I'm still a student?
One of the best ways to get involved with Synergy as a student is through a Synergy Connect Group. These groups bring together like-minded students to build friendships, pray for gospel-needy places, and consider how God might use them — and their careers — after graduation.
Connect Groups meet every other week and are designed to help students learn about gospel-scarce cities, grow in their commitment to the local church, and develop the kinds of friendships that could eventually lead them to go together.
Learn more about Synergy Connect Groups and how to get involved.
Additionally, the Cedarville Global Outreach (GO) department provides opportunities to partner with church planting efforts across the nation. You can join a spring break or summer team to experience firsthand what it is like to have an active part in church planting.
GO has sent over 150 faculty, staff, and students to church plant locations in the United States since spring 2020, including trips to Boston, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit the Global Outreach website.
Where can I learn more about the process of church planting and all that it involves?
For an excellent resource that deals with the nuts and bolts of church multiplication see www.newchurches.com. On this website you will find free videos that address some of the details about church planting, as well as articles and free ebooks.
Upcoming Events
Testimonials
Listen to students share about their work to multiply churches through short-term Global Outreach trips.
Meet The Synergy Initiative Staff
Dr. Steve Dye
After 23 years as a missionary in Berlin, Germany, Steve Dye ’89 returned to his home state of Ohio and began serving at Cedarville University in the summer of 2024. Dr. Dye has a passion to serve the church, build up Christian workers and leaders, and spread the Gospel, both in the U.S. and around the globe.
As Director of The Synergy Initiative, Steve works with Cedarville University students, pastors, and local churches to mobilize trained disciples to multiply healthy churches together. If you would like to inquire about Dr. Dye speaking at an event for your church or ministry, please complete this contact form.
Dr. Jeremy Kimble
Dr. Jeremy Kimble serves as Associate Professor of Theology at Cedarville University. He is a member of University Baptist Church in Beavercreek, Ohio, and preaches and teaches regularly in churches, camps, and conference settings. He has written several books and numerous articles on topics related to theology, preaching, discipleship, and leadership. His desire is to know God and make Him known that the Church might be strengthened and multiply.
As a Synergy Catalyst, Dr. Kimble speaks at events and pushes forward the mission and vision of The Synergy Initiative. If you would like to inquire about Dr. Kimble speaking at an event for your church or ministry, please complete this contact form.
Will Galkin
Will Galkin ’25 serves as the Synergy Coordinator at Cedarville University. Will hails from Salt Lake City, Utah, where his family serves in the growing Gospel Family of Churches. A recent graduate of Cedarville University’s history program, Will is pursuing a Master of Divinity degree with the goal of serving in pastoral, academic, or parachurch ministry.
As Synergy Coordinator, Will administers the daily workings of The Synergy Initiative, helping Cedarville students become employed, disciple-making, growth-focused church members in Gospel-needy places. If you have any questions about the Synergy Initiative, please reach out at synergyinitiative@cedarville.edu.
Access More Church Planting Resources!
Engage on a deeper level as you seek to grow in Christlike character, build up the Kingdom, and make disciples. These biblically sound, blog-based resources support the Foundations video training, so you can find out more about the state of our culture and arm yourself with biblical truth to reach the lost.