THE JOURNEY BEGINS

 

In January of 2003, God stirred in our hearts to start a modern church in South Lakeland that existed for one purpose—to be a safe place for people far from God to discover Him and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. The vision was to communicate God’s life changing message in a relevant, exciting, and fun way.

 

On April 4, 2004, Church of the Highlands held its first service on the campus of George Jenkins High School in Lakeland, Florida. We had one of the highest attended first Sundays of any church start in Florida, over 390 people! It was amazing! After a few weeks when we expected our weekly attendance to settle around 150, God again amazed us when attendance never dipped below 200! It can only be described as a “God-Thing.” We never dreamed how many lives would be affected and how we would grow. We saw families with no church background connect with us, many of them committing their lives and their families to Christ. We heard story after story describing how God was becoming real in people’s lives.

 

We have always said that our church was about people and not buildings, and when God made it very clear at the end of 2004 that we should consider purchasing property, we felt that He knew something that we didn’t. Through the involvement of several community leaders, we were able to find a prime piece of property in the middle of South Lakeland’s residential explosion —ten acres on County Road 540-A. Through the sacrifice of many in our church, we were able to secure a down payment on the property. We then prayed about what God wanted to do with this land He provided.

 

Last October, when the Polk County School Board asked for a time-line and exit strategy to leave George Jenkins High School, we knew it was time for action. They accepted our request for a two year extension.

 

THE VISION CONTINUES

 

Our vision has not changed. God has allowed us to have an amazing impact on the lives of so many in the South Lakeland area. But we believe He desires to make an even greater impact in this community. And we believe we are a part of His plan. So, to rise to this challenge, the time has come to build on the property. This will allow Church of the Highlands to become an effective tool to expand God’s impact and influence in our community.

 

But this won’t be just another church building. We are entering an endeavor that is the next step in our spiritual journey with God. This journey is going to lead our church to depend on God in ways we have never experienced. And this journey is going to lead us to impact our community in ways we could never have imagined.  Continued in Our Future.