I am 27 and a father of three. I've been to over 30 church's in my lifetime, scattered across every…read morestate East of the Mississippi River; with a healthy diversity in denominations. I traveled for work for the first decade of my career, God has gifted me with stability for the second.
We found a church in Winter Haven, Haven Worship Center, that we loved to attend while we lived in Haines City. We moved to Lakeland in 2022 and mourned the 1 hour drive to Winter Haven every Sunday. It was worth it, but it wasn't sustainable.
A month ago, a good friend of ours invited us to this church. We haven't missed a Sunday since. Not because of guilt or shame, worried of the "sin" of missing church, but because the SPIRIT OF GOD MOVES IN THIS CHURCH UNLIKE ANY I HAVE SEEN BEFORE.
Since attending this church, my marriage has strengthened. I have found joy in the little things in life again. I have helped lead two people to the Lord, neither of which had any up bringing in Christianity. I have quit Nicotine. I have grown a business. I have bought a house. My children have begun planning to paint their bedrooms for the first time in their lives.
I do not raise my hands during praise in worship, the spirit in me lifts them.
The diverse people in this place, old and young, make us feel at home, the praise and worship is authentic, the pastor is wise beyond his years. As a man, I look up to him and his wisdom. He wears Jordan's, strange detail but he and the entire team embody "come as you are." Baptism EVERY Sunday, such an incredibly important detail and the way they do it is PROFOUND and well rooted in scripture.
I love this place and am so grateful to have been called.