How They Started: The Well, Tallahasee

Dean Inserra started The Well in Tallahassee, Florida three years ago, and they're now reaching 600 people each week. They had 1,200 for Christmas and are expecting 2,000 for Easter.

But you need to know the back-story. Because there are conditions that make or break a new church before it starts.

Dean was born and raised in Tallahassee. He grew up in a Methodist church, but heard the Gospel for the first time at an FCA camp at the age of 13. He immediately knew he was called to lead a church. That same Methodist church allowed him to preach 4-5 times a year... as a teenager.

During college, Dean led a Bible study in his parents' home during the summers of 2000, 2001 and 2002, which grew to over 120 people. He remembers thinking, "This will be the core group for a church someday."

While leading a youth trip to northern Virginia in 2005, he visited Frontline, which is the largest young adult ministry in the country. During the worship, one of the students turned to him and asked, "Why can't we have a church like this in Tallahassee?" That was all Dean needed to hear.

It was a case of GOOD GROUND, ROLLING ROCKS and DEEP ROOTS. This is the first time I've seen a church land perfectly within the cross-hairs of all three factors... and the explosive growth is symptomatic.

Dean grew up with the people in his community. He played little league with them in elementary school. He went to the mall with them in middle school. He inherently knew how to impact his hometown with the Gospel.

The Well

This is a series of posts based on my book Church in the Making (B&H, April 1) which explains what makes or breaks a new church before it starts...

1. GOOD GROUND
2. ROLLING ROCKS
3. DEEP ROOTS

Comments

[Eric Partin]

Great timing. I pastor a church plant (4 years) in Destin, FL and just this sunday I was approached by a couple moving to Tallahassee and looking for a church. Thank you. Now I know where to send them.

[Ben]

Rock on