Hitting the Pike
Pastor Steve Hoadley’s Vision for Church Planting
For about two hours every Sunday morning, the gymatorium of Magnolia Elementary School in Camden County is transformed by Christ the King Fellowship.
There, a crowd of about 100 congregants worship the Lord and listen attentively as lead pastor Steve Hoadley preaches the Good News of Jesus Christ.
A former associate pastor at Fellowship Alliance Chapel, Pastor Hoadley left FAC in 2023 to plant Christ the King, which is just a stone’s throw from the White Horse Pike. It wasn't just a sudden whim, but a deep-seated conviction about what modern missions should look like that led him to take that step of faith.
"Most people think of missions solely as world missions—crossing oceans to go to another country," Hoadley observes. "But the sad and ironic truth today is that countries in Africa are now sending missionaries to America because they view us as a mission field."
Indeed, Hoadley isn’t trying to reach people who have never heard of God; instead, he is navigating a landscape of post-Christian, American cultural drift.
"Sundays simply aren't sacred days anymore," he says, pointing to municipal “blue laws” that have all but disappeared and weekend sports activities that force parents to choose between athletics and spiritual growth for their children.
"Following Christ in this culture requires real sacrifice. You are intentionally building a community that swims directly against the cultural current,” he says.
Hoadley's strategy centers on decentralized, personal evangelism. He believes the key to reaching the unchurched is transforming ordinary congregants into everyday missionaries through praying, listening, serving, and sharing their stories.
There, a crowd of about 100 congregants worship the Lord and listen attentively as lead pastor Steve Hoadley preaches the Good News of Jesus Christ.
A former associate pastor at Fellowship Alliance Chapel, Pastor Hoadley left FAC in 2023 to plant Christ the King, which is just a stone’s throw from the White Horse Pike. It wasn't just a sudden whim, but a deep-seated conviction about what modern missions should look like that led him to take that step of faith.
"Most people think of missions solely as world missions—crossing oceans to go to another country," Hoadley observes. "But the sad and ironic truth today is that countries in Africa are now sending missionaries to America because they view us as a mission field."
Indeed, Hoadley isn’t trying to reach people who have never heard of God; instead, he is navigating a landscape of post-Christian, American cultural drift.
"Sundays simply aren't sacred days anymore," he says, pointing to municipal “blue laws” that have all but disappeared and weekend sports activities that force parents to choose between athletics and spiritual growth for their children.
"Following Christ in this culture requires real sacrifice. You are intentionally building a community that swims directly against the cultural current,” he says.
Hoadley's strategy centers on decentralized, personal evangelism. He believes the key to reaching the unchurched is transforming ordinary congregants into everyday missionaries through praying, listening, serving, and sharing their stories.
The Loneliness of the Entrepreneurial Pastor
Stepping into the role of lead pastor can be isolating — a reality Hoadley is quick to acknowledge. "You can feel really small in a massive sea, just treading water and wondering if you're truly being effective," he says.
Though Christ the King Fellowship operates under the close ecclesiastical oversight of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA), Hoadley considers FAC his foundational "sending church;" he relies on FAC and other churches for spiritual --- and practical --- support.
He regularly leans on relational mentoring from veteran pastors and C&MA-appointed coaches and collaborates on regional events that his young church is still too small to host alone. He believes this partnership also benefits FAC, keeping the congregation connected to the excitement of a new kingdom endeavor.
Though Christ the King Fellowship operates under the close ecclesiastical oversight of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA), Hoadley considers FAC his foundational "sending church;" he relies on FAC and other churches for spiritual --- and practical --- support.
He regularly leans on relational mentoring from veteran pastors and C&MA-appointed coaches and collaborates on regional events that his young church is still too small to host alone. He believes this partnership also benefits FAC, keeping the congregation connected to the excitement of a new kingdom endeavor.
A Sacred Legacy
Ultimately, Hoadley’s heart is to ensure that the gospel maintains a physical, sacred foothold in Christ the King’s local neighborhoods. As area churches face declining sustainability, he is actively networking to ensure that aging church properties aren't lost to commercial development.
"When property leaves the kingdom, getting it back into a space where people can meet Jesus is incredibly hard," Hoadley notes. And whether meeting in a rented school gym or a permanent building, Hoadley's definition of success is anchored in a weekly banner his team hangs up: a call to reconciliation from 2 Corinthians Ch.5.
"We are a sent people," Hoadley says. "We want to call people back to the Lord, showing them that they can build their families on a firm foundation named Jesus."
"When property leaves the kingdom, getting it back into a space where people can meet Jesus is incredibly hard," Hoadley notes. And whether meeting in a rented school gym or a permanent building, Hoadley's definition of success is anchored in a weekly banner his team hangs up: a call to reconciliation from 2 Corinthians Ch.5.
"We are a sent people," Hoadley says. "We want to call people back to the Lord, showing them that they can build their families on a firm foundation named Jesus."