The Church Multiplication Institute
Catalyzing Spirit-empowered innovation for church multiplication.
Who We Are
The Church Multiplication Institute (CMI) is born out of a desire within Wesley Seminary to bridge the gap between scholars and practitioners - specifically in the area of church multiplication. It is a part of a series of Scholar Practitioner Institutes being created by Wesley Seminary as a way to add value to the church as a whole.
Our Mission: The Church Multiplication Institute exists to support, resource, and catalyze Spirit-empowered innovation within the movement of church multiplication.
What We Do
We focus on equipping, supporting, connecting, and researching the work of Church Multiplication within the Wesleyan Church and beyond.
Our Mission
The Church Multiplication Institute exists to support, resource, and catalyze Spirit-empowered innovation within the movement of church multiplication.
What We Offer
1. Graduate Certificate in Church Multiplication
This brand new four class certificate is being done in partnership with Exponential. The first of four classes will take place at Exponential, from August 27-31 in Indianapolis, IN. Learn from some of the best minds in multiplication and get credit in the process!
The other three courses will be held in conjunction with the 2026-27 Exponential Learning Cohorts. You will travel to three cities around the United States and learning from multiplying churches and practitioners along the way.
Current MA and M.Div students at Wesley can enroll in these courses as a part of their current elective options. We also invite new students to join in! You can get more information about enrolling at Wesley Seminary HERE.
2. Resource Hub
We desire to help bridge the gap between scholars and practitioners. We believe both voices help bring wisdom, clarity, and creativity to the multiplication space. To help with this cross-pollination we are curating dissertations, articles, and other resources pertaining to church multiplication from within the Wesleyan family. You can view the current offerings inside of our community once you’ve created an account HERE.
3. The CoLab: Church Multiplication Webinar
The CoLab is a monthly online space where we will experiment with church multiplication themes to encourage creativity, innovation. The CoLab exists to encourage innovation, creativity, and experimentation in the multiplication space. We are bringing together the best of those who are doing, trying, finding, and sometimes even failing. We aren't just talking about what has worked in church multiplication—we're experimenting with could be. Let’s get to work! You can view upcoming Lab's on our events page HERE.
Program Director Rev. Dr. Ed Love
Dr. Ed Love serves as the Executive Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship for The Wesleyan Church. Ed has planted two multiplying churches, daughtered multiple church plants, developed a church planting network, and has provided coaching, training, and resources for church planters. Ed also teaches church multiplication related courses at Wesley Seminary and developed the Church Multiplication Certificate program. He received his M.DIV. from Asbury Theological Seminary and obtained his D.MIN. from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. Ed is the author of Revive, Pioneers, Fear Not, Reclaiming Hope, Turn, and many other church multiplication resources. Ed and his wife Emily reside in Muncie, IN with their three kids, Jennah, Josiah, and Micah.
Program Coordinator Rev. Dr. Andy Merritt
Dr. Andy Merritt is a native of Jackson, MI where he planted Rivertree Church and currently lives with his wife Janelle and three children. In addition to pastoring, he serves as the Executive Producer for Church Planter Assessments for The Wesleyan Church overseeing church planter assessments for the United States and is the Program Coordinator for the Scholar Practitioner Institute for Church Mobilization and Multiplication at Wesley Seminary. Andy has also taught at Spring Arbor University and founded the Freedom Point church planting network. He holds an M.Div from Wesley Seminary and a D.Min from Asbury Theological Seminary and is an Ordained Minister with The Wesleyan Church.