A Growing Mission Field – Who Will Go?
There’s a massive shift happening right in our backyard. Over 800 acres of new suburban development is coming just west of I-95 and north of SR 200/A1A. Thousands of new families will be moving in, apartments will bring even greater density, and this area will soon be filled with life and activity.
But here’s the sobering reality: Right now, there are zero churches planned for this entire development.
Let that sink in. Zero.
This isn’t just a population boom—this is a mission field forming before our eyes. If we take the Great Commission seriously, then we need to ask ourselves some hard but urgent questions:
🔹 Who is praying for these families before they even move in?
🔹 Are we ready to reach them with the gospel?
🔹 What role should our churches play in this growing mission field?
🔹 Could God be calling us to plant, partner, or send?
The Growing Church-to-Population Gap
Currently, in Nassau County, we have one evangelical church for every 1,333 people—when using the broadest definition of evangelical churches. However, if no new churches are added, that ratio will shift to 1:1,900 in just 10 years.
If we narrow our focus to Southern Baptist congregations, the numbers become even more staggering. In 10 years, the ratio will be 1 church for every 6,000 people.
Experts in church multiplication suggest that to keep up with population growth and diversity, the ratio should be at least 1:1,000. That means we need more churches—not just to sustain ministry, but to faithfully engage the growing mission field in front of us.
A Challenge to Pray and Act
We don’t bring this up to criticize, but to challenge. Jesus told us in Luke 10:2 that “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” The question is—will we be the laborers?
This is an opportunity to be proactive, not reactive. It’s time to pray, dream, and take action together.
📣 Pastors, church leaders—let’s have this conversation. What does faithfulness to the mission look like in light of this reality? Let’s seek God’s direction together.