The Roadmap to 1,000 with Roberson Pierre

How do you launch a church with 1,000 people—and build the systems needed to keep growing? Pastor Robe Pierre shares the church-planting strategy behind Freedom City Church’s launch in Hartford, Connecticut: 1,000 people, 126 salvations, and a practical roadmap for sustainable church growth. In this episode, I sit down with Robe to talk about the spiritual conviction, personal sacrifice, community outreach, leadership development, and church systems that made this extraordinary launch possible. Robe and his wife sold their home, reduced their lifestyle, moved their family, and went all in on the vision God gave them. With limited resources, they personally recruited hundreds of volunteers, hosted launch parties, learned from successful church planters, and mobilized their team to reach people throughout their community. But this conversation isn’t only about launching big. Robe explains how Freedom City built the standard operating procedures, leadership pipeline, core values, and healthy church culture needed to grow beyond launch day. A year and a half after launching, the church was reaching 1,200–1,500 people on a Sunday and developing people who had been saved at Freedom City into new leaders. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to cast a bold vision for your church launch • Why being under-resourced can fuel innovation • How personal outreach creates launch momentum • Why every church needs clear systems and SOPs • How to document the “how” and “why” of ministry • How to develop volunteers through a leadership pipeline • Why pastors must model culture before delegating it • How to make your church’s core values clear and repeatable • How prayer, sacrifice, strategy, and hard work come together Whether you’re planting a church, preparing for launch Sunday, developing volunteer leaders, strengthening your church culture, or building systems for sustainable church growth, The Roadmap to 1,000 will give you practical strategies you can begin using now. As Robe says, “Pray like it’s all God, and work like it’s all you.” What does your church need to strengthen next—vision, outreach, systems, leadership, or culture? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to the Build the Church Podcast for more practical conversations that help pastors gain momentum, grow their churches, and go the distance. CONNECT WITH ROBE PIERRE Instagram: @robepierre Freedom City Church: https://wearefreedomcity.com CONNECT WITH BUILD THE CHURCH Website: https://buildthe.church Podcast: https://BuildTheChurchPodcast.com Keep leading and believing strong. #ChurchPlanting #ChurchGrowth #ChurchLeadership