Today we’d like to introduce you to Josiah Garcia.
Hi Josiah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
In September of 2019, my wife and I started a church to reach and serve our community including people who are far from God or are new to the concept of faith. Our vision is to create community, make disciples and reach people through Endurance Church all while serving the community we live in.
After 5 months into the launch of Endurance Church, we were halted by a worldwide pandemic and were forced to continue the church exclusively online. We were an online church for a year and half which in turn required us to become more creative about how church would look so we began working towards engaging people through new methods and approaches. We still held weekly services and provided content online to engage people and provide a sense of hope and security in a hopeless time.
God’s blessing was still holding true over the ministry of Endurance even as an online church and in December of 2021, we were able to sign a lease on a permanent facility and moved into our new building. We have been working to grow our church and we strive to continually make a difference not only in the lives of those around us but also in the community in which we serve. We have endured much in our 3 years of being a church and are a living testament of God’s faithfulness!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The challenges we have faced have been extremely tough. The name of our church has become who we are in more ways than one. We are Endurance Church and we have endured much in our short time as a church. We have withstood, sustained, and even overcome many of the obstacles that we have faced before ever launching Endurance. Just 5 days prior to the launch of Endurance Church, our trailer which contained roughly $40,000 worth of equipment was stolen in the middle of the night. This was a devastating blow to the church, but even in the face of such adversity, we relentlessly endured and through the help of several local churches within the community, we were still able to launch that Sunday morning just 5 days later. From the realities of needing to raise a budget of over $75,000 with nothing more than a vision, to having nearly everything stolen the week that you plan to start the church, to getting hit by a pandemic that changed the whole world just 5 months into your church, we have truly learned what it means to endure and rely on God. It is through these challenges and more that we have been molded and defined into who we are as a church. These moments of weakness and hopelessness have made us stronger, but more importantly, have brought glory and strength to the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the Lead Pastor of Endurance Church in the greater area of north Fort Worth, TX. I work to share God’s Word each week through practical messages that lead and inspire people to take action through the way they live their lives. Speaking life over people and helping them discover
God’s purpose and plan for them is one of my greatest joys and missions in life. I strive to connect with people on a level that is authentic and genuine. I pride myself in being the same person at church or on a stage with a mic that I am everywhere I go. I am just like you, broken, messy, and in need of a savior. God desires to have a relationship with everyone no matter your past or present and believing that is often the first step to discovering the relationship that lies ahead when we put our faith in Jesus.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
This pandemic has truly changed the world and there is no going back to normal as many would desire. We now live in a different time. This means that the present is in need of creativity, adaptation, and leaders to effectively lead into new territories and new times. It has also been a wake-up call to the fact that we are really not in control of what happens around us and in the world. This is why faith is so important. Faith is important because it provides hope in moments where there is little hope and gives security and peace in understanding that you know the one who is in control. When you have faith, you learn to be content in all circumstances and to count every experience in life whether good or bad as an opportunity to grow, love, and help others maintain endurance through it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: endurancechurch.life
- Instagram: @endurancechurch.life / @iamjosiahgarcia
