Back from Key West
Last weekend I spent a great few days in Key West with Mark Grissom. We met new people, followed up on relationships we've been building, and kept looking for a place for our family to live and for spaces where The Reef could gather. We also stayed up late working through the plan for the plant. Every trip makes this feel more real, and more like home. We will be back in Key West with Clair later this month starting on the 17th. And yes, we had to get a half pound cookie!
Good things at Heartland
Things at Heartland are going well. I recently took a spiritual retreat day to focus on my own relationship with God in a deeper way, which is the most important preparation for all of this. I also presented our ministry plan and 2027 budget, and I'll be preaching at Heartland this coming Sunday. All great things!
Meet The Reef
Our church will be called The Reef Church.
Just off the coast of Key West lies the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. Most visitors never see it, but it's the reason the water is calm, the reason the fish are there, and the reason the island has weathered centuries of storms. Life gathers around a reef, every kind of life finds a home there, and small, fragile things find shelter there to grow. That's the kind of church we want to be: a place where people can stop swimming alone.
Our vision
“A Jesus-centered community that fosters belonging, hope, and purpose in Key West.”
One human family formed by the gospel and the way of Jesus. In Key West, as it is in heaven.
Our values
All people matter. Everyone is welcome, and everyone has a place at the table. (Acts 17:26)
Jesus changes everything. His life, love, and grace are the source of our hope. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Every life has a purpose. We want to help people discover the good works God prepared for them. (Ephesians 2:10)
When we hope to launch
Our family plans to move to Key West by June 30, 2027. From there, we'll spend the fall building a team, and we're aiming to launch Thursday gatherings at Williams Hall on Fleming Street on Thursday, February 24, 2028. We'll make the final call on that date in December, based on whether the team is ready. If we need more time, we'll launch in the fall of 2028.
A few of our 2027 goals
Attend church planting assessment in February.
Launch our website by March.
Build at least 20 solid relationships in Key West before we move.
Move by June 30 and open our home to neighbors right away.
Host three interest meetings this fall, plus a Thanksgiving dinner for workers who have nowhere to go and a Christmas Eve gathering.
By December, have 25 people serving on teams and 40 committed to the launch team.
You're our prayer team
Here's something we want you to know: everyone receiving this newsletter is part of our prayer team. Right now that's about 85 of you, and we can't overstate how much that matters. Before we move in June, we'd love to grow this team to 150 people.
Would you help? Think of one person who would pray for The Reef, and forward this email or send them the link to subscribe.
How you can pray
For the relationships we started and followed up on during this last trip.
For the next trip as we take Clair for the first time.
For the right home for our family and the right spaces for The Reef to gather.
For this Sunday's message at Heartland.
For our family as we prepare to sell our home and move.
For the people in Key West God is already preparing, many of whom don't yet know that the hope they're looking for is found in Jesus.
For the right leaders, worship team, and partners to join us.
For wisdom as we plan, and for rest along the way.
KEY WEST FACTS
New people making a new life
Key West is only about four square miles, and it's closer to Havana than it is to Miami. But here's the fact that stays with us: nearly one in five residents moved in the past year. That makes Key West an island full of newcomers, people who left their families and friends behind to start over in paradise. Many of them are looking for exactly what a reef provides: a place to belong.
In Key West, as it is in heaven.
