Introduction
For the last 5 years, Joey Gonzalez has had the desire to one day move back to New York City and serve in pastoral ministry. As you might already be aware of, Biblically-driven, theologically-sound, spiritually-healthy churches are hard to find within the 5 boroughs of New York City, especially in Manhattan.
Many of the churches in the City are either extremely liberal on the one end or have been indoctrinated by the charismatic movement on the other. A true understanding and conviction of biblical shepherding (including faithful exposition) and membership is almost non-existent in most of Manhattan’s churches. A ministry in the heart of the City, by God’s grace, will fill a void that has been created by the absence of sound churches. This void being filled could also have great reach to many nations as New York City is, in many ways, an international hub.
After much prayer, consultation with leaders and the Lord’s providential confirmation, the elders of Grace Community Church in Jacksonville FL and Joey have come to the consensus that the time is right to begin planning for a church plant in New York City.