First Christian Church, Gainesville FL

It's an honor to serve this community. Thankful for the Good News being shared here!

I love my church! We are building a reputation for being inclusive! As someone who has been burned hard by radical churches…. I am proud to be in a church with a reputation that is inclusive of LGBTQ+! If you want a church that loves unconditionally and is inclusive come out to First Christian Church! I am so grateful for many people in this church, especially Zach, Tyler, & Pastor Drake. Thank y’all for helping me find my way back to the church & Christ.

My partner and I arrived at First Christian Church after a couple years of deconstructing our faith and in the middle of some pretty traumatic times for us. We had seen online that FCC was affirming of LGBTQIA+ individuals and families and thought we’d give “the Church”, as a whole, one final go.

I still feel to this day, almost a year and a half later, that God led us to this community. We and our children alike are excited to get up on Sunday mornings and get over to see our “chosen family” at church. Not only have we made some of our best friends within these four walls, but we’ve been given the opportunity to take the space and time needed to reconstruct our faith alongside each of them. Recently, we were both asked if we would consider serving in leadership roles within the church…this wasn’t something we ever thought we’d have the chance to do after coming out to the world.

In summary, if you’re looking for a group of people that you’re able to be completely yourself with while learning together how to best live and love like Jesus; we can’t wait to meet you! This is the first church I’ve truly felt compelled to invite people to every time I make a new friend - no matter where they come from.:)

You won’t find another church like FCC. While most churches will have signs or even individuals saying things like “all are welcome” often times that’s simply lip service or at best a good intention.

In reality almost every other church I’ve been to will say inclusive language like this because what they mean is that they want as many people there as possible as long as they all end up believing saying and doing the same things that that church are already believing saying and doing.

FCC is different because they mean what they say. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what your beliefs you’ll be welcome here and made to feel like you’re part of the family. No strings attached.

When I moved back to Gainesville last year, I really wanted to find a home church. Being an exvangelical, this is not an easy task. I have a lot of qualifiers. For example, are there women in leadership positions in your church? Is it an open and affirming congregation? Are doubts and questions met with condemnation and apologetic answers or is your church a safe space to explore? Is the Bible seen as inerrant and treated as an idol or does your church believe that Jesus was and remains the Word of God?

I visited A LOT of churches in Gainesville. Like A LOT. I was seriously about to give up until I decided, "Alright, one more time. " I did yet another search for open and affirming congregations and a name popped up I had not seen before. It was First Christian Church. On the drive there I was praying, "Please God, let this be the one. " After that first service, I knew I had found my church home.

I grew up in the church and have often attended as an adult, but I have never felt more at home in a church than I do at First Christian Church of Gainesville and I have only been going there for a couple of months whereas I have spent years upon years in other congregations. Soon after I started attending, I joined a small group and it has been so rewarding getting to know them and their own spiritual journeys. We just finished reading "Searching for Sunday" by Rachel Held Evans and it was incredibly therapeutic to travel that book journey with them. And for someone like me who is autistic and really struggles to fit into social circles, I know I am totally valued and accepted just the way I am. The people at this church take the Jesus message seriously.

First Christian Church - Disciples of Christ in Gainesville, FL is a small, but mighty outlet for God’s work. This church is a welcoming family for all God’s children. It offers a family-like atmosphere full of believers who are inclusive, affirming, and supportive of all people wishing to work for the glory of God.

This church is a friendly, welcoming, accepting group of believers. You will be warmly greeted with a smile. You'll hear inspiring messages from our pastor each week. The best thing is a communion table open to ALL. #loveallserveall