Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, started a new part of his Body in West Boca Raton in 1987. A few families went to the Presbytery and out of that; a new church development was started. Chartered in 1989 with about 100 members, Glades called its first pastor, Rev. Kernie Kostrub, in April 1990. Since that beginning in 1987, now almost 20 years later, the Holy Spirit has brought 581 persons to confess their faith through the Glades family. But West Boca is a transitory area, and as people have come many have left as well, so the current membership is around 160.

During this time many things have happened at Glades. Two buildings were built on the property. Even though many members have come and gone, Glades has at its heart the feeling and expression of community and church family. Our current vision statement reads “To build a family of God’s people inspiring the community to follow Christ.”

In addition to being a church family we are trying to reach out to the community so that others might follow Christ. Some of these events are: free car wash at Wal-Mart, live nativity, tennis and golf outreach events, and the Alpha course. We are grateful to the Presbytery for a grant this past year to hire a part-time director of outreach.

A new movement of the Holy Spirit is happening in the life of our youth (30-40 middle and high school youth). Twelve young people attended a Group Work camp last summer and came home with a deepened faith in Christ and a desire to serve. Some of these youth play instruments and are leading us in worship once a month during the fall.

At our recent Elder/Deacon Retreat, three priorities were at the heart of our future: evangelism (we hope to grow to 250-300), healing (we started a monthly Service of Wholeness to extend the healing ministry of Jesus) and prayer (integrating prayer into all of our life).

To express our oneness in Christ, we have four churches that use our buildings: two Spanish Churches, one Brazilian Church, and one Messianic Synagogue. We plan to have a combined Thanksgiving service this year.

The Lord Jesus began a work, through the Presbytery of Tropical Florida, almost 20 years ago. He continues to call people in West Boca to become a family of God’s people who want to reach out to inspire the larger community to follow Him. May the Lord continue to guide us. Thank you to the Presbytery for buying our property and helping us in so many ways over the years.

Grace  & Peace,
Rev. Kernie Kostrub, Pastor

(*check out our web site at www.gladespc.com )