The GT Experience

The GT Experience is designed to update our friends and family members as we, the Gainey's, move into a new area of church planting down in Vero Beach.

Our initial blog is designed to specifically say ‘thank you’ to our Westside Family and to communicate to you what has happened over this last week.  We also want to let you know how you can pray for us in this new venture.  Of course, if you are not from Westside (our AWESOME sending church), you are welcome to read this and join us in prayer and support at your will!

Let's begin with our 'Sending Sunday,' the 26th of December.  My family and I were simply overwhelmed by Westside’s show of love and support during such a wonderful 'sending,' celebration and time of worship.  It was a sheer joy to hear all the kind words and sentiments you expressed.  My personal favorite was when I was called 'off the hook.'  It is good to know that even as I grow older I stay cool and hip!  Seriously, our whole family says 'thanks' for that wonderful day!  It is a memory we will cherish forever.

Later that week, on Thursday the 29^th, our Westside family marveled us again as they came out in support to help box up items, and load up a 26ft U Haul.  We had so much support from WCC that we were able to have the entire truck loaded by lunch time.  This turned out to be such a huge benefit.  We initially thought we would arrive late Thursday night in Vero, but due to the ‘herculean’ effort of our church we were able to get to Vero by 4:30 p.m.  We had the truck unloaded and our bedrooms set up by nightfall - all the Gainey's were able to sleep in our beds.  It was surreal in the sense that we awoke in Ocoee with a house full of furniture and boxes that morning and laid our heads to rest with a house full of furniture and boxes that night in Vero!

Over the past week many wonderful things have happened that I want to tell you about.  As you know, thanks to Melissa’s wonderful family, we are in a ‘temporary’ home which is already a true blessing!  We are settling in and thoroughly enjoying having our 'own' space as a family!  The next big hurdle was our children's adjustment to a new school.  That, as well, as been more wonderful than we could have hoped or imagined.  The children are in a great school named Imagine, here in the Vero area.  And, while Hayla's start was a bit bumpy, all seem to be doing very well.  They come home full of conversation about the new school and the interesting subjects of study, the wonderful teachers and the great friends they are making.  Don't get me wrong: they and we all miss our family in the Orlando area, but this transition has been blessed by our Lord!

The church plant has gotten off to a great start as well.  We are currently meeting in individual homes for a while on Sunday night's!  Our first 'service' was on the 2nd of January (this past Sunday).  We had about 23 people (men, women and children) and it was a rich, deep and blessed event.  It was evident to every person present that God's Spirit was hovering over us and creating His work in our midst!  We will continue meeting in this fashion for several weeks.  It is our hope and prayer that we will be able to launch the church on Sunday mornings sometime in February or March.  Your prayers, support, and financial blessing have provided tremendously for us already!  For those of you who are interested in supporting this work financially, I will include the church name and an address where we can receive mail.  Your giving will be 'tax deductible' as we are established as a not for profit!

Here are some Prayer Requests and Support Needs:

• While we have been given a home in which to stay for a while we ask that you pray for the 'sell' of our home in Ocoee at or near the 'asking' price!
• Continue to pray for our family as we ‘lean into’ this transition.  Pray that we might be a blessing to the school where the children attend and the neighborhood and community in which we live.
• Pray that we can quickly identify a place for Sunday morning worship that is both affordable and accommodating.
• We will need prayer for and donations of things like sound equipment (sound board, snake, mixer, etc.), lighting, PVC piping and fabrics (for room dividers, creating environment, etc.), portable stage/risers, etc.
• Pray that this church plant will make a profound impact on individuals, families and the structures (business, arts, education, etc.) of this local community for the glory of God!

Thanks Westside, and all of our friends and family who are supporting us in prayer and partnership!

Grace and Peace!

The Gainey Tribe!

Church Address:

Pillar Community Church

P.O. Box 2288

Vero Beach, Florida 32961