Meet Harbor Online Community

Harbor Online Community is a virtual church born out of the Covid-19 era. They’re committed to connecting people to each other and to God, loving each other compassionately, exploring what it means to follow Jesus, and working together for justice and peace. Founded by their pastor Jon Mathieu in Pittsburg, PA, When we first spoke with him in the fall of 2019, he was in a season of discernment and interested in meeting fellow leaders who were pastoring in an inclusive and evangelical, Christ-centered context. We instantly connected and have been excited to follow his journey ever since. 

How We Partner With Them

Our initial conversations with Jon motivated him to enroll as a fellow with Newbigin House of Studies then finish his M.Div. He officially became our coaching partner in January 2021 and since then we’ve helped him with many practical aspects of launching. We coached him on how to file for his 501c3, create bylaws, develop a budget and begin fundraising, and identify and lead a board of leaders. We continue to support him as he discerns and applies his personal approach and theology of pastoring, and begins to strategize a growth plan for fall and beyond. 

How They Partner With Us

Harbor Online Community is an exciting model of what the future of the church could be. Working with them allows us to explore hard questions about a theology of place, what it means to live faithfully in online community, and how to pastor and lead in a virtual and hybrid world.