OUR STORY
Our Pastor's Call to Ministry
The story of Branches Church begins with God’s guidance and a clear call on the life of Pastor Shane Harden. At just 14 years old, Shane sensed that God was leading him to serve as a pastor. He began the licensing process with the Church of the Nazarene, filling in for pastors and teaching while traveling with a music ministry. His time at Trevecca Nazarene University deepened his love for the local church, and he eventually served in churches in Nashville and Montgomery, OH, before feeling called to plant Branches Church. That love for the local church, guided by the Holy Spirit, carried Shane, his wife Kate, and their three children, Gabriel, Isaac, and Eden, through the journey of church planting.
During his time serving at Montgomery Community Church (MCC) in Ohio, Shane met Terry Schroeder (a founding pastor), who is now our Executive Pastor and two other individuals who would become instrumental in the ministry of Branches. Pastor Randy Watson, at the time was a chemist at P&G, and wasn’t yet called into full-time ministry, and Blaine Hamilton, now the student pastor at Branches, was a young student musician. Shane’s role as worship pastor at MCC spanned nearly ten years, where he worked with Matt Ball (a founding co-pastor) and Anthony West(Father of Madison Houston, our current Producer of services), both of whom played critical roles in developing our community.
Planting the Church
In the spring of 2012, God’s call on Shane and Kate became even clearer. Following a season of prayer during a sabbatical granted by MCC, they knew God was calling them to plant a church. The first gathering of Branches Church took place at Nisbet Park, where 40-50 people attended after receiving Facebook invitations. The official launch of Branches was held that fall, on September 16, 2012.
Initially, the church sought to plant in Madeira, but when doors closed, Loveland Middle School opened its doors, providing their auditorium for just $100 a week. In this space, the church grew through worship, teaching, and community service. We did holiday events, Xtreme Sports camp was created, some wild Easter Egg hunts and so much more. During those early years, Branches met Pastor Ted Hospodar, a care pastor at Vineyard Cincinnati. Ted quickly became an integral part of the Branches family. Around this time, Shane and Kate were also searching for a home near Loveland, when they discovered an old historic chapel built in 1859, which they later purchased and renovated into their home. Known as "The Chouse," this space became a hub for Branches’ activities and community gatherings. Student ministry, men’s and women's Bible studies, holiday parties, and meetings were held at the Chouse, now called the 1859.
Buying a Building
Despite their growth, Branches was in need of a permanent home. After several close calls with different properties—including an umbrella factory, a greenhouse, a car dealership, and a bowling alley—God led the leadership team to pursue Mosaic Church’s property on Arborcrest Road. Though initially hesitant, God confirmed through prayer that this was to be their home—debt-free.
In 2018, Branches launched the "Take the Hill" campaign to raise $500,000 to purchase and renovate the building. With just 130 members at the time, the church miraculously raised nearly $400,000, and at the last minute, a $100,000 donation completed the goal. On April 29, 2018, Branches officially moved into their new home
Growth and Community
Since moving into the new building, Branches has continued to grow, now averaging around 350 attendees. From the early days of serving the community with hot chocolate, organizing city events, and counseling families through loss, the church has seen incredible growth in its ministry. Branches offers student ministry, women’s and men’s groups, and free counseling services. Over the past two years, they have served over 100 clients through counseling, baptized 45 people in the last year, and continued to be a welcoming, loving place where people experience transformation in Christ.
Looking Ahead: Reach the Other Six Days
As Branches looks to the future, they now step forward into a new call—one that extends the church’s impact beyond the walls of Sunday worship. The "Reach the Other 6 Days" initiative focuses on living out faith in everyday life, influencing homes, workplaces, schools, and the community with the love of Christ. Based on Acts and John 15:5, this vision calls Branches to live missionally all week long, making God famous in everything they do. As they continue this journey, Branches is confident that God is still writing their story—one of transformation, community, and an ever-growing reach.
