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Church For All Nations Takes On New Journey

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

yhammett@tampatrib.com

Published: October 15, 2008

RIVERVIEW - They were young and diverse when the 10 of them met in Michael Kyker's living room to start a new church across from Riverview High School.

They'd draw others like themselves. Or so they thought.

"Being a young guy - I was 27 when I started this - I pigeonholed myself into thinking we would reach only the young," the lead pastor said.

Three years later, the Church for All Nations has a regular attendance of 130 at each Sunday service, ranging in age from newborn to seniors in their 70s. Most are white. About a fourth of the congregation is Latin.

The staff took time to rethink who they are and what their church stands for.

Beginning Oct. 26, Church for All Nations takes on a new name with a more focused goal. It will become Journey Church.

"When people walk through the door, where ever you are in your Christian journey, we have something for you," Kyker said. "That's who we are. You go where God sends you."

The church will retain its secondary motto: "No Perfect People Allowed."

"Those are the people we seem to attract," said John Morales, executive pastor. "We take and accept people as they are. A lot of our members have baggage and we have provided them a safe haven.

"They don't feel judged here. What we want to do is change lives."

And word is spreading through those who attend and through the church's Web site, www.mycfan.com.

"We didn't think we'd ever reach older people," Morales said. "We had one very traditional couple come and they loved the energy and passion here." They, in turn, told others.

These days, the sanctuary, meant to hold 130, is bursting at the seams at 9:30 and 11 Sunday mornings, Kyker said. "We have no space for anything."

Plans are in the works for a sanctuary that will hold 400 for Sunday services and will include a dedicated children's church and a coffee cafe.
Church officials hope to begin construction by September.

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566.

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