Alabama group co-founded by Chris Hodges starts 13 new U.S. churches

The Association of Related Churches has launched new congregations across the country in the first three months of 2026.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:10pm

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The Association of Related Churches (ARC), a Birmingham-based church planting group co-founded by Chris Hodges, has started 13 new independent, conservative, evangelical Christian churches across the United States in the first three months of 2026. The new congregations emphasize lifestyle-oriented sermons and modern praise music, with many supported by some of the country's largest megachurches.

Why it matters

The rapid expansion of the ARC network highlights the continued growth of the conservative evangelical movement in the U.S., as the group works to establish new independent churches that adhere to a specific theological and cultural vision. The new church launches also demonstrate the significant resources and organizational capacity the ARC has built up over its 25-year history.

The details

The ARC has launched 13 new churches so far in 2026, with four opening on January 25 in Florida and California, five on February 1 in Florida, Texas and Utah, one on February 8 in Georgia, two on March 1 in Pennsylvania and Virginia, and one set to launch in New York City on March 29. The group, co-founded in 2000 by Church of the Highlands Founding Pastor Chris Hodges, provides training, funding and other support to help establish the new congregations, which are led by married ministry couples and launch teams.

  • The ARC started 13 new churches in the first three months of 2026.
  • Four new churches launched on January 25 in Florida and California.
  • Five new churches launched on February 1 in Florida, Texas and Utah.
  • One new church launched on February 8 in Georgia.
  • Two new churches launched on March 1 in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

The players

Chris Hodges

Co-founder of the Association of Related Churches and founding pastor of the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama.

Greg Surratt

Founding pastor of Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and co-creator of the concept behind the Association of Related Churches.

Dino Rizzo

President and executive director of the Association of Related Churches.

Association of Related Churches (ARC)

A Birmingham-based church planting group that helps launch independent, conservative, evangelical Christian congregations.

Church of the Highlands

A megachurch founded by Chris Hodges in Birmingham, Alabama, which has grown to over 20 branch campuses with attendance of more than 50,000 weekly.

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What they’re saying

“We believe the local church is the hope of the world. When a new church opens their doors, entire communities are changed for God's glory.”

— Dino Rizzo, President and executive director of the Association of Related Churches

What’s next

Three additional churches are being launched overseas in March and April, in Cyprus, France and South Africa.

The takeaway

The rapid expansion of the ARC network demonstrates the continued growth and influence of the conservative evangelical movement in the United States, as the group works to establish new independent churches that adhere to a specific theological and cultural vision across the country.