Ten Years

Tomorrow at Coast we celebrate ten years as a church.  Its hard to believe all that God has done over the years.  Lots of people worked, sweated and sacrificed to make Coast a reality.  Some of our original team is gone now...  some have moved... some have moved on... but I am grateful to all of them.

If someone would have told me all it would take to plant Coast before we planted... I might've said no... but I don't think I would have.  We have seen so many life changes...  marriages saved... addictions overcome... and on and on and on.  God has been good to us.  And I am so grateful for all He has done.

Much is happening here at Coast now...  We have our own building... its much too small... but we own it... along with Beach Community Bank that is.  We are growing.  We have great friends...  and life change is happening every week.

When I see all that is happening... its hard not to think about Vicki and I in Books-a-million in Pensacola... journaling and praying about what it would take to plant a church.  We have come a long, long way from those days.

To everyone who has helped us out along the way... to all the members, and former members of Coast.  I say thank you.

To those who thought we would never be able to do it... that Gulf Breeze didn't need another church... and to those who have spoken negatively about us along the way.  I say thank you to you too.  You made me press into God more and seek His vision and His direction...  You made me realize I couldn't do it on my own... it would take a team of dedicated people under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  And for that, I will always be grateful.

Ten years... and yet I feel like everything is just now dropping into place.  We have a great staff!  You guys on staff... rock!  You know you do.   We have a great group of volunteers who get it... they really get it.  We have a great group of friends who join us every week...  We have a great group of new friends that are coming every week...  And to all of you I say... the best is yet to come! We are just getting started.

I am looking forward to tomorrow's celebration and to our Cajun dinner after...  Its going to be a great day.  Happy Ten Year Anniversary Coast!

Comments

[Matt Payne]

Congrats on 10 years!! We are just 18 months in and it is definitely a challenge.

[Robert Pooley]

Thanks Matt... it gets better... maybe we can chat some time... the first years were tough... but there is a lot be said for persevearance... Hang in there and enjoy the ride... find some great mentors to talk you through the tough times... it really helps... I'm sure you guys will make a huge difference in your area...

[Fred McKinnon]

Congrats, man!