Evana Network, a community of evangelical Anabaptist churches set to launch in September, has hired Wes Furlong to serve as pastor of church development.

Furlong is the lead pastor of Cape Christian Fellowship in Cape Coral, Fla., and is tasked with leading Evana efforts to help Anabaptist congregations become healing and sending movements that transform communities.

Evana will be a network of churches and church leaders that are both from existing denominations and independent churches.

These churches and church leaders will covenant together around the 1995 Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective, focus on mission, and pray and work toward a Jesus-centered, Spirit-empowered, Anabaptist renewal movement to rise up in our communities. Church planting, city engagement, and leadership development will be at the heart of Evana’s work and emphasis.

Information about Evana’s covenant process for congregations and pastors will be announced in August, along with the readiness to receive members in September.

On Oct. 16-18, Evana will host an introductory gathering of worship and celebration at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind., for those who are interested in learning more.

John Troyer, administrator for Evana, noted the unique gifting Furlong brings to this role.

“I’ve greatly appreciated the passion and energy Wes has already brought,” he said. “He is someone who knows the joys and challenges of pastoring, who has led a transformation in his own congregation toward city engagement, and who has assisted other congregations in being mobilized in their local communities.”

Troyer also noted the emphasis that Evana will place on partnering with churches that are committed to growth.

“Our covenant will start with our confession of faith and will place significant emphasis on ongoing learning and growth,” he said. “Congregations which join will be asked to commit both time and resources toward these efforts.”

Furlong has served at Cape Christian for the past 11 years, and will continue serving there on staff. In his time at Cape Christian, the church grew from around 800 in weekend attendance to over 2,000 that attend today. In 2012, Wesley started a city initiative called Not In My City and is passionate about seeing families experience God’s fullness and reclaiming the full healing ministry of Jesus in the local church. He holds an M.A. in biblical studies, an M.T.S. from Emory University in theology. Furlong is married to Bonnie and they have three children. They are also active as foster parents.