Metropolitan Community Churches now have a presence again in Jacksonville, FL. On November 30th, nine people gathered for an Advent worship service at what is being called “Odyssey Church”. Rev. Grant Ford was the homilist for the inaugural service.
Grant Ford is the former pastor of Sunshine Cathedral and since November 3, 2007, has held the title of “Dean of the Cathedral”. As Dean, Grant spent a year working with the Sunshine Community Foundation; and as of January 1, 2009, will be on full-time assignment with Odyssey Church. Sunshine Cathedral is happy to share Rev. Ford with this new church plant during their critical formation period. In the future, we may be able to share Grant with other churches in need. Though he is doing “mission work”, he will retain his title of Dean of Sunshine Cathedral.
Odyssey Church is meeting in the social hall of St. Nicholas Park Christian Church and is also being served by the Reverend Jim Merritt. Rev. Merritt is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at the Episcopal Divinity School.
Our prayers are with Reverends Ford and Merritt as they do this exciting work for Metropolitan Community Churches.