Why I’m Planting In Central Florida

The Crisis Facing American Churches

We are facing a crisis in the American church landscape! Over the past couple of years, the number of churches closing in the United States has reached a staggering 4,500 in a single year. This figure is alarming because the count of new church plants was far less, only reaching 3,000 in that same year. At this rate, the imbalance between new church plants and closures will inevitably result in fewer churches than we’ve had in the past. Consequently, this will leave many unreached people in our communities without the opportunity to hear the Gospel or engage with local believers in a community church setting, especially within Central Florida.

Growing Need for Churches in Central Florida

In Central Florida, more than 1,000 people are moving to the area from other regions each year. Among these new residents are individuals who may be believers seeking a church home and others who may have never encountered the Gospel. These individuals need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ: that Jesus died on the cross, rose on the third day, and has won victory over sin, offering them a new life in Christ.

My Calling to Plant a Church

These factors fuel my heart daily and compel me to answer God’s calling to plant a church. I have had the privilege of being involved in three church planting efforts from their early stages and have been blessed to serve. Others have affirmed my calling to start a church, and I have served in many roles: leading Bible studies, setting up and breaking down equipment, starting and guiding an on-campus ministry at UCF, leading small groups, and more. I’ve even had the chance to preach on Sunday mornings. God has remained faithful throughout these years, surrounding me with strong men in ministry who support and confirm God’s calling on my life to plant a church. I am eager to continue spreading the Gospel in the Orlando community, aiming to make a lasting impact for generations to come.