OUR PASTOR
Disclaimer: don't be alarmed as I don't do suits all of the time. This is our family from our Cruise Picture this year on formal night.
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Kevyn and Melissa met in Montgomery, AL and have grew in God together ever since sharing God's Love around the world for 15 years in small to mega churches and ministries. They are fully dedicated and the down to earth yet ever so bold, encouraging, and life-giving leaders of Discovery Life Church. A place for all to experience an authentic and exciting culture and focus on leading people and entire families to a passionate relationship with God.
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Before moving to Central Florida to plant Discovery Life, Kevyn was a highly decorated Army Officer in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. while also serving in the ministry including twice as a Pastor and being awarded a Doctorate of Divinity from Trinity Seminary. Melissa, his best friend is a heavenly songstress with a joyful spirit of love that instantly welcomes all as if you have been friends for years. Life was good - but God was just setting the stage for a brand new mission and they both could feel it!
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In spite of them both being serious "Roll Tide" University of Alabama Football Fans, they reside in FSU, UCF, and UF Fans territory in Florida and are happily married with their family tree of Kevyn II, Kaylun, Summer, Shatonya, Kayleigh and Klohe.
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WHY ANOTHER CHURCH?
Hey...we get it...as we asked ourselves the same thing as it's a great question. So here it goes as there are three simple answers as to "Why" which speak to the hearts of everyone: 1) God said to do it. 2) The People and 3) There's a Life-threatening need.
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NUMBER 1: Because God Said So.
That has to be the first reason why any Church starts. Because God spoke it as it has to be a God Thing! I was sitting in my Pentagon Office in 2016 and God said go as I see dead people and they don't even know it. You see my friends, there are countless people in our community living dead lives or lives beneath God's potential in them.
NUMBER 2: The People.
Now, don't get us wrong: yes, there are good churches; however, only 14% of people are connected to a church. Just think about that. There are some 375,000 living in West Central Florida. But 322,000 are without a home church. Once a place of division and racial tension it is an area of wide diversity. Its now a perfect place for all people as our heart is to plant a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church in the sweet spot of Central Florida.
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NUMBER 3: There's a Life-threatening Need.
Central Florida rocks! But 7 out of 10 people desire a better life and one with God! We live in the "Happiest Place in the World" but yet under the shadow of Mickey Mouse are hurting people in need. 44,000 are homeless. 50,000 treated for substance abuse. 120,000 youth suffer from depression. We rank 3rd in Human Trafficking and 20th as a Murder Capital in the U.S.
But with over 60,000 moving here in 2018 we are the #1 destination in the U.S. and the most influential city in America. There has never been a time like now - when the love and hope of God through His Local Church is needed like it is today in Central Florida.
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THE DREAM
We dream of a transformational movement and community of people who will love each other as we do life together and who care about making a difference. Where you can expect and know that God is always first. As we believe God is planting Discovery Life to make a difference in the lives of people who come as they will be the change in the lives of people. We don’t dream of being just another church – no!! We dream of making things better.
As we like to say: Your LIFE Just Got Better!!
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WE DREAM OF A CHURCH
With people from all backgrounds, experiences, and cultures
coming together as one because of Jesus.
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A place to be yourself (imperfections and all)
filled with creativity, enthusiasm and love.
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An authentic family of young people, children and families and parents and grandparents dedicated to Jesus.
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Filled with people striving. People with big hearts and big
dreams and a big capacity to grow in Christ.
A open place equipping and empowering people to be
and do all that God has planned for them.
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OUR MISSION
We exist to transform lives by reaching people in their now and helping them to all
that God has for them.
OUR VISION
That ALL PEOPLE journey to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose and
Make A Difference.
OUR STRATEGY
Discover (Love God)
Develop (Love People)
Deliver (Make A Difference)
OUR CULTURE
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Our DNA or Core Values are unshakable by trends and emotions as they focus us always on how we display God. Our Culture defines what we do and how we do it. This ensures that we remain focused and effective in fulfilling our vision. We articulate our culture in 10 one-liners
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DISCOVERING
WE ARE AN AUTHENTIC AND PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT CHANGING LIVES.
LOVE
WE LOVE FIRST.
FAITH
WE HAVE FAITH IN GOD, FAITH IN PEOPLE AND FAITH FOR BREAKTHROUGHS.
H.O.T. l.i.t. LIVE INTENTIONAL TRANSPARENT
WE ARE HUMBLE, OPEN AND TRANSPARENT PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY.
GENEROSITY
WE GIVE JUST TO GIVE, NOT TO GET.
SERVICE
WE USE OUR HANDS TO SHOW OUR HEARTS.
WORSHIP
WE USE OUR LIVES TO EXPRESS GOD’S WORTH.
EXCELLENCE
WE HOLD OURSELVES TO A VERY HIGH STANDARD IN OUR WORDS, APPEARANCE AND ACTIONS.
DISCIPLINE
WE ARE COMMITTED TO STRUCTURE, TRAINING AND CONDUCT THAT PRODUCES GROWTH.
RELATIONSHIP
WE BELONG TOGETHER.
HONOR
WE REVERENCE GOD, VALUE PEOPLE AND DEMONSTRATE OUR GRATITUDE.
FUN
WE ENJOY IT ALL.
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WE INVITE JESUS
Jesus is the center of everything. Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Everything – Jesus = Nothing.
WE SPEAK TO MOUNTAINS
Our faith will always reflect the magnitude of God. Since God is big, we will be people of big faith, dreams and expectations.
WE ARE RELENTLESS
We do whatever it takes short of sin to reach people who don’t know Jesus and in loving on one another.
WE LIVE WITH OPEN HANDS
God modeled generosity by giving us Jesus. We will always give out of the graciousness and generosity that God has and continues to show us.
WE BRING THE PARTY
Jesus came that we may live life to the fullest! During this journey, we will have fun in our pursuit of all that God has in store for us.
WE MOVE AS ONE
We will fight to protect the purpose and vision of the house, therefore, the poisons of gossip, discord and division are not welcome here.
WE SEE BEYOND TODAY
We believe big and serve a Super-sized God! As we are not afraid to start small and to go where others won’t go.
WE GIVE HONOR
The cross gives every human being immeasurable worth. We will treat people with the honor the cross displays and demands they deserve.
WE OFFER OUR BEST
It is our heart’s desire to always bring our best. From the greatest to the smallest, everything we do will be as unto God. This is our privilege.
WE GROW IN COMMUNITY
Transformation doesn’t happen in crowds of hundreds but in relationships of few. Growth is a result of understanding we are truly better together.