I was born here in Jacksonville and, as part of a Navy family, spent most of my childhood moving. I lived in eight states and countries by the time I was 18. It was not until college that I became a Christian and began my lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ.
I earned a BS in Elementary Education from Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, FL and a Master of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to starting MissionWay, I served at the Ogletown Baptist Church in Newark, DE and Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL.
I’ve been married to Margi for 30 years and have two children, Brett and Brittany. Besides the Lord and my family, my other passion is surfing. I have traveled the eastern seaboard, California, Portugal, Spain, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica in search of a great wave!
MissionWay is about fulfilling God’s mission in the world. God has a unique purpose for you and me in His story. MissionWay was birthed on this very idea. We followed God’s purpose of creating a church to meet the needs of those who are not currently going to church.
I hope you will come to MissionWay. I believe you will find it to be a place where you can genuinely seek God and find Him.
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
I’m humbled and honored to have been involved with MissionWay Community Church since it’s inception in 2006. I’ve had a front row seat in what God is doing to transform people’s lives at our church - it’s indescribable! As we continue to grow spiritually and in number, I’m challenged by the desire to share what’s happening at our church with others around us. God has put us in this particular place at this particular time for His particular purpose. It’s our job to discover our place in His story. Through authentic community among ourselves, neighbors and the nations, we desire to do just that. My passion is to provide leadership to activities and special events that allow us to show and share Christ with everyone!
Life Verse: Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
I grew up in First United Methodist Church in Kissimmee, FL where my father was the music minister. I developed my appreciation for music by watching him minister to others through his voice. It was during high school that I recognized my need for a Savior and soon discovered a deep passion for worship.
God led me to Jacksonville in 1999, where I attended the University of North Florida and also served on the vocal team Christ’s Church for five years. In 2006, God placed a calling on my heart to use the gift He has given me at MissionWay as a co-worship leader. I am humbled to be a part of His mighty work here and the growing and developing of His church. My desire is to honor Him above all else and to never stop worshiping.
I have been married to my amazing husband, Nate since December 2003, and our son Alexander Blake was born in April 2007.
Everything we do IS worship when we do it for Him, displaying His face as we go. The question is not what you do, but who you do it for. Your calling is to turn your place in life into a place of true worship. To do whatever you do in a way that will reflect God’s heart to those around you. It’s to worship…as you live your life. Louie Giglio
I grew up singing in the “Joybell Choir” at my church in Covington, KY. After high school, I focused on other interests and sang only sporadically. In 2000 I received a BA in French from the University of Louisville. After graduation, my wife Kristie and I began moving around the southeast in pursuit of our careers.
At each stop, I joined a choir, vocal group or praise team. When we moved to Jacksonville, I joined the praise team and later became the interim worship leader at Christ’s Church. While working in this capacity, God placed a tremendous desire in me to continue as a worship leader. After 16 months of prayer, He led me to MissionWay. I am so excited about what God is doing in this amazing church!
In addition to my love for God and my wife Kristie, I have been blessed with a precious son, Smyth Robert, born December 2005 and a new baby girl, Addison Chase, born in January of 2009.
Matt Wilbanks, Missions and Community Groups Leader
We are natives of Jacksonville, FL and have been on staff since January 2008. God has been developing our heart for reaching the nations for many years. We returned in January of 2008 from two years of service in Northern Africa.
We are excited to be a part of what God is doing at MissionWay. We are developing and facilitating mission strategies in both the local and international communities. Our desire is to help God’s people recognize and embrace the opportunities they have to join Him what He’s already doing in St. John’s County and around the world. Jesus tells us in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18) to “go and make disciples of all nations,” and we believe this doesn’t mean just a few people but that all of God’s people are called to be a part of this mission. We believe God’s heart is for the nations and that He longs to draw them to Himself, and He calls of each of us to join Him in this work. We hope you will join our family in seeking God’s will for MissionWay and in partnering with Him to share His love in our community and around the world.
Matt is also developing our small group, called Community Group, strategy and overseeing the organizational structure of both staff and volunteers. Jamie is the worship coordinator and oversees MissionWay communications, such as the e-news, weekly worship bulletin and Website. They both lead the College Ministry and desire to help students recognize God's call to share their faith locally and globally. Matt is currently beginning his seminary work with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
We have a son, Walker Oliver, who was born in September of 2008.
