As Karissa and I anxiously anticipated the adventure of another summer vacation in Maine we never expected that God would use that time to call us in a completely new direction, altering the course and trajectory of our lives…

We were looking forward to spending time outdoors, hiking, fishing, and enjoying every opportunity that Karissa’s family camp provided to rest and recharge from an exciting few years of ministry. There was much to celebrate and we had every intention of returning home refreshed and restored, ready to lead the church that God had graciously entrusted to us.

But God was doing something completely unexpected.

“[Values] are the shared convictions that guide the actions and reveal the strengths of the church… they represent the conscious and collective soul of your church because they express your most deeply held ideals.” (Will Mancini, Church Unique, 129)

Karissa and I both grew up actively involved in the Church and have had the privilege of serving in ministry our entire adult lives. However, nothing has opened our eyes to the power of God nor deepened our faith like the journey God has led us on to plant Eastside Christian Church. Every step of the way God has graciously revealed his plan and allowed us to experience immeasurably more than we could have ever asked or imagined!

We have identified six steps that God has challenged us to take over and over as we strive to exchange the common for the holy. These six steps have had profound influence on our story and have developed into the core convictions and values that have shaped our faith and ministry.

One of the most significant and challenging questions facing any new church plant is, where will the people come from? God has given us an incredible vision for planting churches in neighborhoods and communities around the city of Orlando. Karissa and I are humbled and grateful that God has called us and would allow us to play a small role in what he is going to accomplish in this city! However, we cannot do it alone.

One of the most common questions we hear in response to our story is “why does Orlando need another church?” It’s a fair question. You probably pass several church buildings on your daily commute. Or maybe you are already part of a thriving church family. So why does Orlando need another church?

Orlando is ranked among the fastest growing cities in the country and at the same time it is consistently reported to be one of the most unchurched cities in the country. More than 51% of people living in Orlando do not attend church. While the city’s footprint is growing, God’s footprint is shrinking and we whole-heartedly believe that God has called us and you to do something about it!

Our heart for church planting has grown out of our desire to lead others to experience immeasurably more. How can we promise to deliver immeasurably more? The truth is that we can’t. We don’t have a magic formula or secret strategy. We personally can’t promise immeasurably more but we can lead others to God and that is exactly what he does!