14 april 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition CHURCH UNITED Miami has long been known for its beauty, vibrancy and global influence. But for decades, it has also been hard soil for cultivating deep unity among the Church — a place where connection and collaboration among pastors and Christian leaders has often been fragmented, siloed and marked by competition. Yet, something is changing. Last month we formally launched the Church United expression in Miami — a moment years in the making — and one we believe is ordained for such a time as this. “God is doing something new in South Florida by bringing churches and leaders together to foster unity and collaboration for the sake of the gospel. We feel a fresh wind from the Spirit of God leading us together that is greater than the forces that might otherwise divide us. Thanks to God’s goodness, we find ourselves in a new moment,” said Pastor Worth Carson, of Granada Church in Coral Gables. An ecosystem of churches The last few years have witnessed God doing what once felt impossible: forging deep relational trust, shared vision and uncommon collaboration across denominational, ethnic and geographic lines. A core leadership team has emerged, driven not by ego or personal brand, but by a shared heart posture: we, not me. Their driving vision? Joining hands with the National Christian Foundation of South Florida to transform a fragmented Miami church environment known more for building brands into a thriving ecosystem of churches, ministries, patrons and marketplace leaders, working together to see gospel transformation take root across the city and birth revival. This is not just another network. Church United is a network of networks, committed to helping connect, convene and catalyze the greater Christian ecosystem in South Florida. Our rallying cry is clear: unity for the sake of mission. Rooted in Jesus’ prayer in John 17 — “that they may be one…so that the world may believe.” Church United is living proof that a unified Church is a powerful witness to a watching world. For Bill White, lead Pastor of Christ Journey Church, “Jesus doesn’t unify his body simply for unity’s sake. He does it for kingdom advance, to address the task at hand and fulfill his mission. Like the wall around Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s day being rebuilt by many different work teams, diverse but unified, God’s mission of protecting and providing for his people was accomplished. Together they all did more than any of them could’ve done in disunity. Their shared connection in shared mission provided divine opportunity for deep community. This is what we pray and long for in Miami.” A strategic city And there may be no more strategic city in the United States for Kingdom advancement and collaboration than Miami. As the gateway to Latin America and a microcosm of global diversity, Miami reflects the future of the Church in America. With more than 70% of its population identifying as Hispanic or Latino, and a complex tapestry of cultures, languages and worldviews converging in a single urban hub, Miami is uniquely positioned to become a template for city gospel movement. What happens here — how unity is forged, how leaders are equipped, how collaboration is sustained — will shape how ministry is done across the country in the years to come. Collective impact What I love about the Church United model is that it draws deeply from the principles of collective impact. This is not about one church, one personality, or one organization leading the charge. It’s about a common agenda — missional unity — built on a shared understanding of the spiritual challenges and opportunities facing the city. Church United is laser-focused on forging healthy leaders, thriving churches and flourishing cities. This vision is not theoretical. It’s rooted in reality. Barna, Pew, and other national research organizations confirm a sobering truth: Christianity is on the decline across America, and regions like South Florida are outpacing national trends. In the next three decades, more than 35 million young people raised in Christian homes will likely disaffiliate. Only 3% of South Florida’s population today would identify as an evangelical or committed Christian. The Church in the region faces not just a crisis of faith — but a crisis of credibility, unity, and innovation. But in the face of such challenges, the leaders of the Church in the region sees a kairos moment — a Spirit-led opportunity for renewal. Pastor Carlos Cardenas of Christ Fellowship Miami put it like this, “In Miami, unity is not a luxury; it’s essential! Seeing several churches come together in our city is something we've been longing for a while. It’s truly a work of God’s grace. Exciting times ahead!” And it’s not just pastors who are part of this movement. Through our strategic alignment with the National Christian Foundation of South Florida and their three pillars of Invest, Equip, Unite — Church United is part of a larger story of activating marketplace leaders, generous patrons and everyday believers to see their city differently. Whether it's soul care initiatives for pastors, regional gatherings for collaboration, or strategic Kingdom giving solutions through the National Christian Foundation, the entire body of Christ is part of the story. As Robey Barnes of City Rev Church which recently launched a campus in Miami Springs put it, “This is not about building our own empires. This is about seeing the Kingdom come — together.” The launch of Church United in Miami signals a new chapter. It’s an invitation to reimagine what the Church can be — a unified movement pursuing God’s glory and Miami’s good. The road ahead won’t be easy. Unity is costly and takes humility, forgiveness and intentional effort. But the fruit — a gospel-saturated, transformed South Florida — is worth it. Revival is like an iceberg; the foundation is forged under the water. We are beginning to see the foundation of revival form below the surface. This is our moment. This is our mission. And this is our city. For such a time as this — Miami. To learn more, visit churchunitedfl.com Carter Brown is the Lead Pastor of Crossbridge Church and part of the Church United Miami Lead Team. For Such a Time as This: Church United Miami - Carter Brown - Lead Pastor, Crossbridge Church Representatives from nine Miami-Dade churches worship, pray and discuss ministry together during a Soul Care Gathering at Christ Fellowship Downtown.
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