What do you think of when you think of Tampa, Florida?

What do you think of when you think of Tampa, Florida?

Some would say - "Isn't that near where that big eared mouse has his amusement pad?" Others maybe would think of the beach, the great art and theartre site there, or Ybor City. (I automatically think of the Buccaneers when I think Tampa, but that's because in my world, football is second only to my calling for Christ and my marriage. Anyway back to the bloc. )

When I first thought of Tampa and planting a church, I frankly gave it little thought. Church planters are radical and outside the lines kind of people. Those days for me were long gone. I used it all up refusing to do my homework in college. I also didn't think much about it because Florida is hot - really hot. Like "south of the border for eternity" hot.

None the less, this is where a I find myself today - headed somewhere I never imagined and in a role I never thought I would do. Why? Because of "mission."

Mission is a word I think of when I think of "the city". It embraces passion + purpose + people + needs + action = mission. In some ways, I feel I had lost some of mine. I miss the city. The lights, the noise, the trash, the movie theatre, the sports, and most of all the diversity. So I started this journey to search out what God may have me do if I were living in Tampa.

Some things I have found or been told... (on the positive side)
In the next 10 years, Florida will have 110,000,000 people.
Tampa is great for family fun. (Bush Gardens, Sports, the beach)
The people are like the weather - very warm and diverse
It is known for it's big pirate festival and celebrations

Some things I have found or been told ... (on a negative side)
Tampa has trouble with sharks.
Tampa has been a top city in the US for murder per capita.
Clearwater has the most lightning strikes per capita in the US.
Oh and alligators - eat people not chicken.

Underneath all of this, is a story of Tampa waiting to really be told. Under the veneer of brokenness, growth, diversity, and poverty is a church waiting to reclaim a community back to Christ. I am not sure what you think of Tampa. Matter of fact, I am not sure what I completely think of Tampa. But know this, that in all the greatness and despair, my heart is beginning to beat for Tampa and it's people in a way I had never imagined.