First and foremost, I would like to say that no church, pastor, or member is perfect.
Second, this blog is to encourage those without a Christian church home in Miami to
consider the advantages (not shortcomings) of local well-established, sound doctrine and
Spirit-filled churches in the area. Third, Jesus Christ is more than enough for our
Salvation, but it does not mean we forsake the assembly, gathering, or congregating of
CHURCH FELLOWSHIP (Haggai 1:8, Hebrews 10:25 & 1Timothy 3:14-15).
Miami is considered “the graveyard of Pastors” which means that being a Pastor here
is a challenging mountain to climb. If you’ve been called (chosen) to being a Miami
Pastor, I applaud you my Co-Laborer in the faith. We do what we do as unto the Lord.
Ministering to sheep may be “dirty work”, but the approval from our Head Shepherd
makes it all worth it because of what He did for us. In addition, statistics indicate that 8
out of 10 people who do not attend church will possibly come if simply INVITED. Last I
checked, about 95% of Miamians do not attend church. Many people are seeking answers
in a world full of lies and dismiss the presence and Word of God that builds our faith that
help us in our tomorrows. Church is not a place for perfect people, but a place where
broken people come for healing, faith development, fellowship, encouragement, support,
prayer, and spiritual growth.
God never made any one of us to be an ISLAND! We were created for
interdependency. We need each other. We need the Body of Christ (The Church). Some
of you reading this truly believe you can do this Christian journey on your own. Let me
inform you that you can’t! This attitude or mindset of, “all I need is God” is NOT true!
JESUS had God’s Favor, but He also needed the favor of MAN to execute God’s plan for
Him…for humanity’s benefit. “Pastor, I love God, but I don’t need the church” is one of
the most senseless statements I hear. We need mentors. We need accountability. We need
a church despite not having it all together. As a matter of fact, you cannot fulfill God’s
purposes for your life ALONE; you need people. “Pastor, I belong to JESUS, and I don’t
need a Pastor’s leadership or direction; much less fellowship with church members.” A
Christian without a mentor is a fool (Proverbs 28:26) and a Christian without a church
family is a spiritual orphan. The church is for us the BELIEVERS (Children of God).
Evangelizing is for the world (Creation of God). The problem I see is that sometimes we
are too proud, rebellious, and stubborn to see the NEED to be accountable to somebody
in the Body of Christ. Just because a society changes, doesn’t mean our choice to gather
has to change. What worked 2000 years ago despite its imperfection still applies in the
21st Century. There are still many benefits in attending a Community Church in Miami.
Now that you hopefully have some information on the power in the gathering of the
body of Christ (The Church) and the benefits it brings to you, your family, and the
Community, please allow me to provide 12 “English based” Christian churches that I feel
will help you can gain some insight, faith, fellowship, connection, and encouragement.
observation and feedback from many. I apologize in advance if I omitted any flourishing
Kingdom Church with this blog; it was not personal or intentional. Some will have better
connect groups, others will have better Kingdom of God preaching/teaching, others will
be stronger in praise/worship music, media, missions, deliverance, children’s care, youth
group, fellowship activities, and outreach programs. A church cannot be based on just
“one good thing” and ignore the rest. These are all obviously important, but the main
thing is for us to become aware of the presence of God. Yes, God is EVERYWHERE,
but when we come to church…we are now AWARE of Him. All believers are entitled to,
should expect, and seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit according to the Promise of God
(Luke 24:49) and the command of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). This was a normal experience
in the early Christian Church; so why not now? The devil was roaming around back then
and he’s still causing havoc today. We need the power assistance and the gifts of The
Holy Spirit to help the body of Christ live in victory and freedom. Talented people can
build a crowd, but only The Holy Spirit can really build a church right. If you are not
feeling His presence…don’t blame it on the church. Church is not about watching the
SHOW and exhibiting God, but about EXPERIENCING God. It’s not just a building, but
it’s a body of believers with a specific nature and divine purpose. So here we go:
1) UPPER ROOM ASSEMBLY – Pastor Bruce Klepp
19701 SW 127th Avenue - Miami, FL 33177
Upper Room Assembly of God is an Assemblies of God church that has been established
for over four (4) decades in Miami. The Pastor is huge into health and preaches practical
sermons that help our Christian journey be more manageable. They move in the prophetic
and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit led by an anointed worship leader. They also
actively reach out to their community. This is a place to believe, belong, and become!
2) ALPHA & OMEGA CHURCH – Pastors Alberto & Mariam Delgado
7800 Miller Dr, Miami, FL 33155
Alpha & Omega church is very dear to me because of their informative Bible Institute
program that builds and prepares disciples for the next level of their lives. I personally
graduated from this institute after four (4) years of learning the foundations, ethics, and
depths of God’s Word which have personally helped me in my Pastoral calling. They’ve
been around since 1985 with down-to-earth Pastors who have served their community in
numerous commendable ways. They have services in English and Spanish; not to
mention various connect groups tailoring to marriages, youths, and international/local
missions.
3) VOUS CHURCH – Pastors Rich & DawnChere’ Wilkerson
Various Locations – Visit Website
VOUS Church may be a new name to many as it was established recently when it spun
out of Trinity Church in 2015. However, the foundation of this church has an admirable
bloodline of anointed preachers in their lineage. Led by Grandfather Pastor John
Wilkerson who preached over 50 years, then the mantle continuing to his son Pastor Rich
Wilkerson, Sr. the cousin of the late Evangelist David Ray Wilkerson who was
instrumental in bringing Nicky Cruz (The Cross and the Switchblade) to the feet of
JESUS in New York City and establishing the Teen Challenge movement that helped
numerous addicts be set free from drugs/alcohol. The legacy continued to the son Pastor
Rich Wilkerson, Jr. who is moving forward with the supernatural power of God
launching a fourth VOUS location in Miami. I personally have never witnessed a lineage
so ministerially inclined than this family. Vous Church incorporates elements of
contemporary popular culture aiming towards young people and young adults.
4) METRO LIFE CHURCH – Pastors Steve & Mary Alessi
10045 NW 19th Street - Miami, FL 33172
Metro Life Church has been established since 1997 and now has another local campus in
the Dadeland area. Mary Alessi is a Holy Spirit filled anointed and talented worship
leader/song writer who brings God’s presence from the throne of heaven. The Pastors
lead the men and women groups respectively/separately and the church also has an
excellent youth group program.
5) KING JESUS INTERNATIONAL – Apostle Guillermo Maldonado
14100 SW 144th Avenue - Miami, FL 33186
King Jesus (El Rey Jesus) Church has been established for over 20 years and is one of the
fastest growing multicultural churches in the United States (not just Miami) with a
membership that exceeds 25,000 people. They are recognized for their visible
manifestations of the supernatural power of God. Apostle Guillermo Maldonado is also
the founder of the University of the Supernatural Ministry (USM), and a national best-
selling author who has written over 50 books. They are huge in building leaders/mentors.
6) 3W CHURCH - Pastors David & Patty Perez
12039 SW 132nd Court #Unit 37 – Miami, FL 33186
Worship Without Walls (3W), was launched in the summer of 2011 and has become one
of the BEST churches for children’s programs. Pastor David came to the Lord at the
tender age of eight (8) years old. He began to grow in the Lord and knew at an early age
that he was called to the ministry. Him and his wife have a purpose to instruct kids in the
ways of the Lord; not to exclude equipping people to live a life that pleases God by doing
the will of God. They are also instrumental in serving other Pastors in the City of Miami.
7) KENDALL CHURCH OF GOD – Pastors Joel & Jessica Adjei
8795 SW 112th Street - Miami, FL 33176
Kendall Church of God has been in the community of Miami for nearly 85 years, but the
once 1,000-seat sanctuary is no longer what it used to be. Now it has more of The Holy
Spirit fire lead by a Pastor with a vision who mustard up the boldness and courage to
know down tradition and welcome Holy Spirit manifestation. They have an outstanding
interactive Mid-Week Bible Study along with fervent prayer time outings.
8) CALVARY CHURCH of Kendall – Pastors Alex & Diana Sagot
16435 SW 117 th Avenue - Miami, FL 33177
Calvary Chapel of Kendall has transparent and anointed Pastors that bring a Holy Spirit
Word to the atmosphere. On Fridays they have an awesome youth group from 6 th -12 th
grade. It’s a family-oriented church with a passion for God who welcome you as you are.
9) BRAVE CHURCH – Pastor Matt Boyle
1300 SW 87th Avenue - Miami, FL 33174
Brave Church is the present name of this church, but it used to be called Central Bible
Church conducting amazing events. They are in the heart of Miami, FL and presently in
the rebuilding process with a Pastor from England who loves God and His people. The
church offers various “care groups” to bring growth to the body of Christ.
10) CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH – Pastors Raul & Karen Molina
13275 SW 136th Street #Unit 29 – Miami, FL 33186
Cornerstone Christian Church International is beyond their four (4) walls as Pastor Raul
has ministered as a guest speaker and missionary in various locations around the world
including the Middle East and Cuba. His wife Karen is a Holy Spirit filled anointed
worshipper. The church also has mid-week Bible Studies, children's services for all ages,
sound discipleship, and translations from English to Spanish.
11) GENERATION CHURCH – Pastors Rich & Tina Romero
5801 Augusto Street - Coral Gables, FL 33146
Generation Church was planted in January 2018 partnering with the Association of
Related Churches (ARC) after the couple felt the call of God on their lives. They both are
now leading the church in the same city they grew up; helping lives discover the purpose
for their existence and establishing a solid foundation in Christ Jesus. They also have an
outstanding Junior High School program helping this generation start with a sound base.
12) RISEUP OUTREACH CHURCH – Pastors Hery & Sandra Alonso
12601 Sunset Drive (SW 72 nd Street) – Miami, FL 33183
RiseUp Outreach Church was established in August 2013 transitioning from home Bible
Studies to Thursday Church Services. The church is still in its exciting beginnings as it
began Sunday Services in July 2018. The Pastors are approachable, authentic, and will
hold you accountable to help you rise higher in your Christian faith. In addition to their
Sunday service, they conduct Wednesday 5AM Prayer, men/women support groups,
discipleship, and Thursday 8PM Bible Study/Men’s Basketball. The church provides
children classes/daycare and Spanish translations. You will feel God’s presence here!
The church is presently looking for musicians filled with The Holy Spirit to play/worship
in Spirit and in truth, children’s teachers, and a married couple to serve as Youth Pastors.
There are so many other churches I could put on this list, but the intention was only 12.
Many of these other churches not on the list also have various support groups, youth
programs, international missions, community food services, and vacation Bible school.
The church is more than a building and weekend events; it’s one of the most powerful
life changing means on earth to bring change to the world! It does not exist to entertain
the saved. It exists to train disciples to glorify God and reach the lost. It’s not a black,
Latino, Asian or white church, but a Kingdom rooted one. Some people have a form of
idolatry with their culture and skin color. When we are UNIFIED, we are dangerous! We
cannot “grow right and together” effectively in division/isolation. A church with God’s
presence should change us for the better, but many die before they change! We need to be
delivered from some of these mindsets and strongholds that keep many living in bondage.
A scared world needs a fearless church who will confront people (not argue). A church
that will not confront sin and twisted flesh driven behavior, will eventually end up
conforming to the sin and the behavior.
Furthermore, a church is not meant to be “seeker friendly” with watered down
preachings leaving people unchanged and lacking Kingdom authority in Christ Jesus.
Furthermore, just because you go to Church doesn’t make you a Christian. Judas Iscariot
attended all of JESUS preachings/teachings. Some people go to church all their life and
still don’t know JESUS. Christians enjoy going to church, but disciples enjoy being the
church. Church only benefits you when you participate in the presence of God! It’s
supposed to be a hospital not a hospice; to help people rise higher in their faith, to
encourage one another, to have accountability, and to help them make JESUS their
LORD (to do His will; not ours). Besides, God was never meant to be put in church
anyway; He was meant to be put in YOU!
Some of you don’t go to church anymore because you’ve been “hurt or turned off” by
some things you witnessed. It happens with family when they don’t see eye to eye, and it
will also happen in church. Church hurt feels horrible because we expect so much more
because Christians are SUPPOSED to know better! I still would rather attend church with
"messed up people" who love God, than religious people who dislike/wrongfully judge "messed up people". Forgive! Your boss may disappoint and frustrate you on Friday, but many will still come back to work on Monday anyway.
Some of you refuse to go because of the “hypocrites” you’ve seen attending. Not
going to church because of the "hypocrites" is like not going to the gym because of "out of shape people". We will NEVER find joy in any church when we are constantly seeking things our way. One of the major failures of the church is not a focus on building disciples but a focus on building members. The church was designed to build disciples; not chair fillers. Therefore, many refuse to change and surrender. When I come to church to get a blessing, I leave empty. When I come to give Him glory, I leave with a blessing.
If you stop going to church because of people, you never came to church for God.
Don't let anything or anybody be the cause of why you leave church; they are not the
reason why you go to church in the first place. If you leave a church every time you’re
hurt or offended...you’ll never grow or fully become. Remain planted and grow! We grow
weary too soon, “Oh I don’t FEEL like going over here anymore or I have better friends
over there” without surrendering to God’s perfect will about what He has to say about the
matter. Sometimes I know you do have to find “better grounds”, but from another
perspective our inability to WAIT and let God do what only He can do in your
uncomfortable situation hinders your “best case scenario” for your life. Because if you
get uprooted prematurely or pick low fruit when it’s still green…you will continue to go
from church to church without truly blossoming into the Child of God He has planned for
you to be. The potential in you can only fully mature when you are planted well. Don't
look for the nearest church to your house. Find the church closest to the Bible. You don’t
have to have it all together. You can come to church and belong BEFORE you behave!
In our culture, we tend to think bigger is better, and we apply that thinking to the
church as well. We think the bigger the church, the more successful it is. But that isn’t
necessarily true. It’s not a sin to be a small church. It’s a sin to have a small vision. You
can have a big church yet not have a strong one, because there are a lot of things people
can do to draw a crowd. You can have a big church and be out of His perfect will. So, it
isn’t only about being big; it is about being strong. And it is about being BIBLICAL. I
would rather have a dozen people I'm taking to another level spiritually than a packed
house going nowhere! God’s not looking for a big building necessarily, but for people He
can trust! May you find HOPE, CONNECTION, and SPIRITUAL MATURITY as you
ask God to direct and guide you to a church that will help you be hungry for more of
Him. The Bible says in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness for they shall be FILLED (Satisfied).” The church is not a business to be
run efficiently, but a haven for the troubled and for seekers of truth! Despite its
imperfections, no institution or organization will bring "better" to a human soul than a Spirit-filled Church.
In conclusion, JESUS our Savior and Lord is coming back for a glorious church, not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be Holy and without
blemish. One that is being empowered by The Holy Spirit in these end times and not
looking to be entertained. Where worship lifts us, the Word challenges us, The Holy
Spirit impacts us, and the Fellowship encourages us. It's Sunday! It’s Church time! Don't let the weather win, the Word says to GATHER (Congregate/Fellowship)! Let’s Go!