CLC is an unfolding story of God's grace.
Read our History
In 2005, founding pastors Justin Perry and Drew Tucker met at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, sharing a vision to plant a local church in an area of great need. With prayerful consideration, they entered a church planting residency at North Wake Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
When looking for a rapidly growing city with a lack of urban church planting efforts, the Lord was pleased to lead them to Tampa; a diverse community of international residents, students and military residents.
In May 2009, their families began building relationships and sharing the gospel, hoping to reach the goal of seeing a new church established.
A small core group that met in a living room in late 2009 eventually moved to a space generously provided by First Baptist Church of Tampa, where we publicly gathered beginning in early 2010. On April 18, 2010, CLC covenanted together as a church with 13 original members.
In 2015, Palma Ceia Baptist Church demonstrated abundant kindness to help meet CLC’s growing needs by providing a now-permanent home. In the years since, the Lord has allowed us to plant two churches in greater Tampa Bay.
Through our ongoing efforts – and partnering with like-minded churches and networks – we praise God for how He continues to use us to make His glory known.
