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contact us: 813.741.9366
What Defines Us
The Gospel is a phrase that Christians often use without fully understanding its implication for all of life. Christians speak, teach and preach about the Gospel with the assumption that we fully understand its depth, beauty, truth and power. When we live with a truncated view of the Gospel, we see the Gospel as just the door in which we enter into Gods kingdom. But the Gospel is so much more! It is not just the door, but the path we are to walk every day of the Christian life. It is not just the means of our salvation, but the means of our transformation. It is not simply deliverance from sins penalty, but release from sins power. The Gospel is what makes us right with God (justification), and it is also what frees us to delight in God (sanctification). The on-going working power of the Gospel must never be assumed in ones life. If one is to grow in maturity in Christ, one must deepen and enlarge their understanding of the Gospel as Gods appointed means for personal and communal transformation. 1One must live every moment of their life in full view of the Cross.
We realize that there are 3 ways to respond to God's revelation of Himself and His plan for this world:
1. Religion (moralism): I trust in my own ability to obey God to be accepted by Him.
2. Irreligion (relativisim): I decide my own truth and meaning in this world outside of God.
3. Gospel (Christianity): I am accepted perfectly in Jesus therefore I obey God.
When one becomes a Christian, the tendency is to jump from irreligion (disregard for God) to religion (working to be accepted by God). The way we know Jesus is not by moving from irreligion to religion, but by a life oriented AROUND the GOSPEL. (I am accepted through Jesus therefore I get to obey.)
That's why at Journey Church, we are Gospel-Centered in our messages, worship songs, prayers, and ministry focus each week. Check the resources page for a more in-depth look at the Gospel.
1 Adapted from The Gospel Centered Life Study, World Harvest Mission and The Gospel Cohort Crosspointe Church, Orlando, FL.
Meet Our Pastor
Michael Kyker, 32, has a deep seeded love for Jesus and His church. Michael's main ministry calling is to plant churches, raise up leaders, foreign and local missions, and teach men how to be better husbands and fathers. He has a deep love for his family and considers them to be his first ministry. A Tennessee native, he and his wife, Valery, moved to Florida in 2002. At the age of 27, his wife and 10 others planted Journey Church in Riverview, FL. Michael and Valery have put down deep roots in the city and consider Riverview and the surrounding areas to be one of the best places to raise kids, plant churches, and to make Jesus famous.
Practicing what he preaches, Michael has traveled extensively outside of the United States preaching the Gospel and training leaders. He has trained leaders in six different countries. After the recent earthquake in Haiti, he felt compelled to help rebuild the nation and bring his influence to the plight of the Haitian church.
Traveling to the country of Haiti twice since the earthquake has only strengthened his resolve to help the devastated country. Journey Church is working to help rebuild the Haitian church by sending teams, raising supplies, and sewing financial seed.
In 2012, Michael will finish his degree in Anthropology from the University of South Florida. He is committed to lifelong learning, and after finishing at USF, will transfer to seminary for his doctorate.
Michael and Valery were married in 1998. They are the parents of two sons, John Michael and Benjamin, and two daughters, Averee and Addyson Ruth.
LOCAL
GLOBAL
Youth Ministry Experience
Children's Ministry Experience
Sunday Morning Experience
At Journey, we believe our act of worship begins the moment you pull in the parking lot. You will
be greeted by a parking attendant that will show you where to park, followed by a warm and friendly
greeter that will make you feel welcome and assist you with any questions you may have. Our prayer
is that you feel like you are at home with us.
Every Sunday, our ultimate goal is to provide an environment where you can encounter God, no
matter what background you come from. It doesnt matter if you have been in church for many
years or this is your first time, we want you to encounter God. We do this through three powerful
elements:
The Word
Every Sunday you will hear a powerful message from our Pastors that will be life-changing, God
inspired, and done in a way that you will be able to understand. We believe that the Bible is Gods
Word. It is alive, it is relevant, and has the power to speak to whatever situations in life we may be
facing! We believe that God is constantly revealing Himself through the scriptures so that we can
have a closer relationship with Him. (Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword.)
Worship
Worship is a vital element in the life of every Christ-Follower, in and outside the walls of the church. At Journey we believe in passionately worshipping a God who is passionately pursuing relationship with us. Every Sunday we want you to encounter His presence in a powerful way. We believe His presence alone saves the sinner (which we all are), heals the broken, and restores lives. (Psalm 16:11 in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore)
Testimony
The church is not a country club for Christians. It is a place where the broken come and find Christ. We believe the greatest message waiting to be preached, is the one that God is preaching through your life. You will hear real people, with real problems, who have had a real encounter with a real God and their lives have been forever changed by His goodness and mercy. (Revelation 12:10-12 and they overcame by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony)
The Podcast Experience
SERVE:
Weekend Service
Jesus came to serve, not be served (Mark 10.42-45 ), and He calls us to serve one another (1 Peter 4:10-11 )
At Journey, we believe with all our heart that that everyone has been given gifts by God and everyone is necessary. The gifts & talents God has given us were never intended to be kept to ourselves or used for our own purposes. People
need you. The church needs you. Serving is a great place to connect and one of the first steps to finding out who we are in Him, seeing what He has called us to, finding our place in the body of Christ, and learning our God-given purpose.
There are people out there who are broken, alone, and in desperate need of a smile, a hug, or an encouraging word. They desperately need the love, support & fellowship that the church provides. Get plugged in. Start serving. Share Jesus with someone today.
If you would like to start serving in an area of ministry at Journey, please fill out this form and a member of our staff will get back with you.
JOIN: Source Groups
At Journey we firmly believe that everyone
needs to be involved in a small group. It's
about growth. It's about relationship. It's
about being connected! This is where true
biblical community starts. This is where
we “live life together”. That can sound
intimidating to some, exciting for others,
and downright scary to others. We
understand that! However, as Journey
grows larger, we have to get smaller.
We do this by meeting in small groups.
We do this by ministering, learning, talking, eating, celebrating, hurting, praying together.
We have several groups that meet throughout the city, and whether you're looking for a family group, a ladies group, a couples twenty-something group for new parents, a group for your middle or high schooler, or a martial arts-based exercise group, we have something for you! These groups provide the love, support, friendship, and spiritual strength you need on your journey through life and on your Christian walk. Each group also goes out and serves in the community together in numerous ways. Many different outreaches, many different hands....all one heartbeat.
If you are interested in becoming a member of one of our groups or would like more information about them, please contact Dawn Barthelette at dawnbarthelette_journeychurchnow.com.
SERVE: Holiday Event or Service
We were not meant to go through life alone. We can easily get caught up in the busyness of life and the isolation that can bring. Our flesh and life experiences tell us to put up walls, keep ourselves guarded, and prevent us from forming true relaationships. Only when we open ourselves up to each other and invest in others can we begin to live the way Jesus lived
We were not meant to go through life alone. We can easily get caught up in the busyness of life and the isolation that can bring. Our flesh and life experiences tell us to put up walls, keep ourselves guarded, and prevent us from forming true relaationships. Only when we open ourselves up to each other and invest in others can we begin to live the way Jesus lived and love the way Jesus loved. At Journey, we are committed to helping you get plugged in and providing opportunities for you to build those friendships that will last a lifetime. Your best friend could be sitting right next to you in church, serving alongside you in an area of ministry, or helping to care for your kids in children's church!
Let us help you get plugged in! Take a moment to fill out this form and tell us who you are and how youd like to get connected. We would love to know about you, hear your testimony, celebrate with you, and keep you updated on what's going on at Journey.
GIVE: Food Outreach
The church is not a building. At Journey,
we firmly believe that our mission field
lies in our neighborhoods, in our schools,
in our workplaces...in our city. And it
starts with each of us. Our heart is to
see the church step out of its four walls
and into the community, loving and
ministering to the lost and seeing those
same people equipped for and passionate
about the work of the ministry.
(Matthew 28:19)
Our heart is to feed, both spiritually and physically, as many families in and around the city as possible. Our Riverview campus houses our food pantry and attempts to collect, store, and feed all families in need. Our goal is to feed 200 families a month/5000 meals a month. We thank God that He is working in hearts and minds to make this happen, and that He works through these efforts to draw people closer to Him, to glorify His name, and to reach the unsaved in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. If you would like to know more about our food pantry, would like to donate food, are in need of food, or would like to serve in this ministry, please contact the church office at 813.741.9366.
Recommended Reading
The following is a list of books that we, as a church, use to address specific topics or issues in our church family and as individuals. This list is not all-inclusive, however it serves as a good starting point for the active Christ-Follower.
Recent salvation:
PURSUIT OF GOD
Whether you are thirsting for more of God or do not yet know of the "mighty longing after God" that so consumed A.W. Tozer's life and ministry, The Pursuit of God will draw you into a deep, abiding relationship with the One who "nourishes the soul." This spiritual masterpiece exposes the roadblocks that keep us from fully knowing God, reveals our responsibility of the pursuit, and ultimately leads us into the very presence of God Himself.
DESIRING GOD
Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn't truly exist: Delight is our duty. Readers will embark on a dramatically different and joyful experience of their faith
Theology:
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY
This introductory textbook has several distinctive features: a strong emphasis on the scriptural basis for each doctrine; clear writing, with technical terms kept to a minimum; and a contemporary approach.
PRODIGAL GOD
Newsweek called renowned minister Timothy Keller a C. S. Lewis for the twenty-first century in a feature on his first book, The Reason for God. In that book, he offered a rational explanation of why we should believe in God. Now, in The Prodigal God, he uses one of the best-known Christian parables to reveal an unexpected message of hope and salvation.
Taking his trademark intellectual approach to understanding Christianity, Keller uncovers the essential message of Jesus, locked inside his most familiar parable. Within that parable Jesus reveals God's prodigal grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic. This book will challenge both the devout and skeptics to see Christianity in a whole new way.
Relationships:
5 LOVE LANGUAGES
Marriage should be based on love, right? But does it seem as though you and your spouse are speaking two different languages? New York Times bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman guides couples in identifying, understanding, and speaking their spouses primary love languagequality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, or physical touch.
By learning the five love languages, you and your spouse will discover your unique love languages and learn practical steps in truly loving each other. Chapters are categorized by love language for easy reference, and each one ends with specific, simple steps to express a specific language to your spouse and guide your marriage in the right direction. A newly designed love languages assessment will help you understand and strengthen your relationship. You can build a lasting, loving marriage together.
DOCTRINE
From the authors of Vintage Jesus comes a tome elaborating the 13 teachings they say every Christian should believe. Driscoll, a controversial pastor for his often brash teaching, and Breshears, professor of theology at Western Seminary, combine for this book that describes the heart of Christian truth claims or doctrines. The pair attemptand accomplishvigorous interaction with biblical texts, systematic doctrine, culture, and flawed thinking; they directly address the reader, urging repentance and faith. Drawing on orthodox Reformed and Protestant theology, the book moves from God, stays on God, and ends with God. The book is organized around the actions of God: God is, speaks, makes, loves, judges, pursues, comes, dies, saves, sends, transforms, gives, reigns. The book could be used in universities, churches, or seminaries for systematic teaching of this particular strain of Christianity; it makes the most plainspoken and comprehensive case for the new Reformed Protestant Christianity today. (Mar. 31)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Leadership:
DONT WASTE YOUR LIFE
Most people spend their lives on trivial diversions, seeking to gain comfort and pleasure for themselves. But Jesus said, "Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." If the path to God-exalting joy and purpose is to "lose" your life rather than to waste it, then this Group Study Edition and the other components in the newly designed Don't Waste Your Life Group Study Kit are essential.
A redesign of John Piper's best-selling book Don't Waste Your Life, this special volume is divided into ten chapters and accompanies the DVD with fourteen presentations. Combined with the other kit materials, the Group Study Edition will help churches, small groups, and teachers warn people away from a life that counts for nothing-and into a life that means everything.
TRAINING FOR REIGNING
Every believer's life is a spiritual journey represented by lessons he or she needs to follow in order to rule and reign with Christ. You can learn about your own spiritual journey by looking at various characters in Scripture. God is more interested in your character than your comfort, and if you submit yourself to this process you will build a strong character that leads to maturity in Christ!
A TALE OF 3 KINGS
This modern classic will bring light, clarity, and comfort to the brokenhearted.
Many Christians have experienced pain, loss, and heartache at the hands of other believers. To those believers, this compelling story offers comfort, healing and hope.
Christian leaders and directors of religious movements throughout the world have recommended this simple, powerful, and beautiful story to their members and staff.
You will want to join these other people who have been profoundly touched by this incomparable story.
This tale by Gene Edwards is based on the biblical figures of David, Saul, and Absalom.
Currently _ Journey
Announcements
Kid's Flag Football
We are now offering flag football for children under age 11 on the Journey campus! Games are weekly and the time is from 6:30-8 pm, and the kids are coached by our very own Donnie Bowman. We have a little something for everyone in your family on Wednesdays. In addition to the kids flag football, the youth (age 11-17) also meets at 7 in the main sanctuary, and the adults get together to pray over our church and over our city at 7 back in the activities building. Make sure to come out and get plugged in!
Theater Workshop
Attention drama queens! We know you're out there, and we have something especially for YOU! We are currently registering for our first Theater Workshop scheduled to begin Sunday, June 6th at 5 pm. This is a weekly workshop for those who are either considering getting into acting or would like to learn the basic skills. All ages are encouraged to sign up, and registration is only available here on our website at www.journeychurchnow.com. If you have any questions, please call our church offices at 813.741.9366
Journey Church T-shirts!
Make sure to stop by the welcome tent on your way in or out of service on Sundays to pick up your Journey Church t-shirt! Prices start at $10 a piece and come in a variety of colors and styles. Pre-order form also available.
Source Groups
Are you plugged into the source? At Journey we firmly believe that everyone needs to be involved in a small group! It's about growth. It's about relationship. It's about being connected! We have several groups that meet throughout the city, and whether you're looking for a family group, a couples group for twenty-somethings, a ladies group, a group for your middle/high school student, or a martial arts-based exercise group, we have something for you! All those plus many more! These groups provide the love, support, friendship, and spiritual strength you need on your journey through life and on your Christian walk. If you are interested in becoming a member of one of our groups or would like more information about them, please contact Dawn Barthelette at 813.741.9366 or email at DawnBarthelette_journeychurchnow.com.
Contact Information
If you have moved, gotten a new e-mail address, or have not given us your information before, please do so on Sunday mornings by filling out a contact card that can be found in your chair. Please make sure we have your birthday and anniversary on file so we can celebrate these days with you!
Ministries We Support
Click the images to visit their sites.
Compassion Intl.
Rescue Babies Now
Love In Action Ministries
Garden of Grace Ministries
Positional Papers
The following documents are official positional papers authored by our Eldership Team and copied from various sources. They define our theological stance on important close-handed issues, and clarify why we do what we do here at Journey Church.
You can click on any of them to download them in the .pdf format. To download the Adobe Reader please click here.
Core Values
Communion
Altar Calls
Church Discipline
Our Blogs
- Lead Pastor | Michael Kyker
- Connections Director | Dawn Barthelette
- Productions Director | Scott Clark
- Collective Staff Blog
Sites We Use
The Resurgence
Advance The Church
Acts 29
Desiring God
VINTAGE JESUS
Like many who will read this book, I appreciate how Driscoll is able to communicate real truth in a way that is funny. He is able to poke fun at the way people think about Jesus and do so in a way that makes those beliefs seem so utterly ridiculous. He has his finger on the pulse of this culture and is able to speak to it.
VINTAGE CHURCH
Defines a biblical church as one that properly balances the eternal truths of Scripture with timely, relevant methods designed to engage the culture.
The latest book in the popular Re:Lit series picks up where Vintage Jesus leaves off, beginning with a focus on the person and work of Jesus and then exploring the confessional, experiential, and missional aspects of his church. This study grows out of the vintage concept of taking timeless truths from Scripturetruths about church leadership, preaching, baptism, communion, and moreand blending them with aspects of contemporary culture, such as multi-campus churches and the latest forms of technology, to reach people with the gospel.
CRAZY LOVE
God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love. Have you ever wondered if were missing it? Its crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universethe Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minorloves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether youve verbalized it yet or not...we all know somethings wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isnt working harder at a list of dos and dontsits falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when youre wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.
Podcasting
Every word spoken or read, every message preached, every lesson taught here at Journey Church is based on the infallible word of God. The message of Journey Church is simple; Jesus. And you will find that we preach expositorily as opposed to topically because every issue you could ever face can be solved or explained through our God and His word. We have catagorized a few of our teaching series and titled them accordingly for your convenience.
Every word spoken or read, every message preached, every lesson taught here at Journey Church is based on the infallible word of God.
The message of Journey Church is simple; Jesus. And you will find that we preach expositorily as opposed to topically because every issue you could ever face can be solved or explained through our God and His word.
We have catagorized a few of our teaching series and titled them accordingly for your convenience.
Holiday Services
Click Here For All Of Our Podcasts...
If we do not give away our money in remarkable proportions, we have not grasped (or we are not currently remembering) Christs generosity in saving us. Lets put it more starkly: You will always give effortlessly to that which is your salvation, to those things which give your life meaning. If Jesus is the one who saved you, your money flows easily into his work, his people, his causes. If however, your real religion is your appearance or your social status or personal comfort or pleasure, your money flows most easily into those items and symbols. - Tim Keller
