How it all started...
Before launching Thrive, Pastor Pete had led his previous ministry for nearly a decade. By the end of that time, he had become burned out with ministry and was ready to walk away completely. It was a good ministry, it just never took off. In a last ditch effort to save the ministry, in August of 2011, he attended the GROW Conference at the Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, AL. Before the conference ever began, God began speaking to him, changing him at the deepest levels.
As he walked around the Church of the Highlands campus of thousands, God kept saying “This is what I want you to bring to your area”. It wasn’t the facility or simply the church systems of Church of the Highlands, but rather the culture, the feel, that God was talking about. God wanted to birth a work of God in Port Orange that was so amazing, people left the worship experience saying, “WOW”!
As he walked around the Church of the Highlands campus of thousands, God kept saying “This is what I want you to bring to your area”. It wasn’t the facility or simply the church systems of Church of the Highlands, but rather the culture, the feel, that God was talking about. God wanted to birth a work of God in Port Orange that was so amazing, people left the worship experience saying, “WOW”!
The revelation birthed at Church of the Highlands was profound. “So this is what church should feel like”. It felt light, free, inspiring. For the 1st time in a long time, Pastor Pete wanted a worship gathering to actually be LONGER! A vision was ignited at the conference, a hope of what church could be- a worship experience that left the 1st time guest breathless. With some help and training from the Association of Related Churches (ARC), Pastor Pete closed the former ministry and transitioned many of its members into a launch team… Thrives 1st Dream Team!
Several months after the launch of Thrive, a young lady who was a 1st time visitor came up to Pastor Pete at a meet and greet time. She said, “You know this feels just like my church back home”. He said “Oh really, where’s that?” She said “Church of the Highlands in Birmingham”. Pastor Pete cried! God, with the help of the Dream Team, was doing it!
What is happening at Thrive is truly a move of God in Port Orange. We don’t take our responsibility lightly. We are intentional in making every Sunday the best Sunday. We don’t just do church. We believe God to create a Worship Experience that leaves people wanting more.
You can learn more about our purpose as a church and how your gifts and calling fit into that purpose by attending the Growth Track.
Several months after the launch of Thrive, a young lady who was a 1st time visitor came up to Pastor Pete at a meet and greet time. She said, “You know this feels just like my church back home”. He said “Oh really, where’s that?” She said “Church of the Highlands in Birmingham”. Pastor Pete cried! God, with the help of the Dream Team, was doing it!
What is happening at Thrive is truly a move of God in Port Orange. We don’t take our responsibility lightly. We are intentional in making every Sunday the best Sunday. We don’t just do church. We believe God to create a Worship Experience that leaves people wanting more.
You can learn more about our purpose as a church and how your gifts and calling fit into that purpose by attending the Growth Track.
Expanding the vision...
After 10 years we have seen God do amazing things ONLY He could do! Through countless partnerships across Volusia County, including serving the communities in official Serve Days, helping hundreds of teachers each year with supplies for the school year in partnership with Target, and helping those walking through some difficult health and social issues, Thrive has become a true symbol of hope in Volusia County as we share the truth of Jesus with all those we meet. We have seen growth to such a great extent that on July 2020 we decided it was time to put down roots permanently and acquired an 8 acre tract of land by Cypress Creek Elementary School!