JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville mega church that grew out of its current sanctuary is carrying out its mission to revitalize neglected areas of town by moving into the declining Regency mall.
Impact Church signed a contract to buy space in the troubled and nearly empty Regency Square Mall last week.
The church’s Bishop George Davis said moving to the mall is about more than building a sanctuary for several thousand members.
It’s about being a good neighbor in hard times.
The church’s campus on Lone Star Road is home to its charter schools.
“On any given Sunday, there are as many people outside the sanctuary watching by closed circuit as there are inside the sanctuary,” said Bishop Davis. “It's been a difficult process managing that growth."
Davis said the church isn’t going to put up walls but instead welcomes shoppers to come enjoy the same resources as the members.
"We have plans to have business ideas, one or two retail areas," said Davis. "We'll have a teen center entertainment center, movie screens, a game room and a place to come and not worry about crime."
His ideas include kids zones, cafes, and mommy drop-off services.
Councilman Garrett Dennis said with the new location, the church is living out a mission of revitalizing neglected areas of town.
"That's where we as a city have to think outside the box,” said Dennis. “The city can't do it alone. It takes churches and community groups to tackle crime and truancy."
The former Belk store will be headquarters for the church, which has a dozen locations around the nation and in Peru.
Impact Church hopes to open by mid-2017.
Cox Media Group
