Looking back at the memories of the last five years, I am blown away. A calling, a dream, a passion, a vision, and now.....a REALITY.

I can remember meeting Dean for the first time. It was the summer before my senior year in high school. He had just taken a job as the youth minister at FBC Tallahassee, the church I grew up attending. We began a friendship right away that summer. He challenged me in ways I had never been challenged. I knew right away that he had a very special calling from God. He displayed a passion to reach the city of Tallahassee as a youth minister.

I remember when he came to me and said he was going to plant a church. There are way too many details, emotions, amazing stories, and commentary to fit in one article but I will try.

Twenty-four people in his parents living room. I can't remember exactly how long we met there but I can remember everyone's name. We started meeting at a church on High Road. The room had 8 foot ceilings and concrete walls. Not the best sounding room on the planet (probably the worst) but we made it work. We met at night on Sundays and quickly became highly attended by college students. We spent that summer there and moved to Godby High School. Everything has happened at such a fast pace.

During our time at Godby, we experienced so many things. We launched there with about 150 people. Since the early days people started coming to know Christ. It was amazing to see that happen. That has only continued to happen. I have so many special memories at Godby. Publix shopping carts, santa suits and a hairnet.  There are so many people that made our gathering happen in the early days that I will be forever grateful for.

During the time at Godby, the planning started for a bigger place. Matthew's diligence and Dean's vision are a force not to reckon with. We spent two summers at other churches in town to which we are grateful. We then started making plans to have a permanent location.

After a lot of searching and planning, we found the warehouse. It looked nothing like it looks now. It took a lot of work getting it to where it is now. Again, way too many people to thank during that process. During this entire time, we have continued to grow and reach people for Christ.

Dean has been molded into a leader that is leading the way. The vision God has given him has never been compromised. It never will. That is one thing that remains in all of our last FIVE years. It is that same vision that will take us to our next FIVE years and many more to come. I am certain that with Dean's leadership, City Church will always be a place where people can bring their friends and not have to make apologies on the way and on the way home. I am very excited to see what God has in store for the next season.