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The Local Initiative - Ocean City Church

About

A 24-MONTH Generosity Initiative and a spiritual invitation.

  • 01AboutAbout
  • 02VisionVision
  • 03PhasePhase
  • 04PhasePhase
  • 05FAQFAQ
  • 06ServeServe

It's Not Where You Are, But Who You Are

What is The Local Initiative?

Ephesians 2:19

“...you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…”

At Ocean City Church, being local isn't about where you live — it's who you are in Christ. You belong here. This is a season to stretch our faith, move from comfort to commitment, and invest in what lasts. When you give, serve, and sacrifice, you're part of the family and the legacy. You are LOCAL.

  • Easter service on the beach
    Sunday community

    OCC is and always has been a people devoted to Jesus, anchored in God’s Word, and invested in community.

    Invited by Jesus into a spiritual family that lives, serves, and grows together.

    Ocean City Church, we’re building something that lasts: a place to belong and a foundation to build for the future.

  • Church from Jax Beach location
    Come and listen sermon series

    Ocean City Church began as a small group in a home, dreaming and praying about what God might do in our city.

    From the beginning, our local presence has fueled mission far beyond our walls — supporting partners, sending people, and investing in gospel work around the world. What started small has grown into something lasting, with impact that stretches from our city to the nations.

    Since 2012, we’ve met in fellowship halls, community centers, and event venues, trusting God at every step. Through it all, He has been faithful. We've seen lives changed, faith deepen, and a gospel-rooted community take shape.

  • Atlantic Beach Theater
    Worship on the beach

    We’re entering a new chapter — a season of continued growth, momentum, and deeper impact.

    As we move into Atlantic Theaters, a historic space we believe God is calling us to restore, we’re not just renovating a building, we’re making room for more and we’re making a home. More people to gather, serve, worship, and experience Jesus.

    In a world that’s always moving, we want to be a steady, welcoming home — rooted in grace and open to all.

Our Invitation to You

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Vision

Our Vision: To Be Local

In every city, “local” means something. It’s more than geography, it’s identity. It’s a state of mind. Because of Jesus, we've been invited into a family where we get to invest our lives in the mission He’s given us.

When you give, serve, and sacrifice, you’re not a guest, you're not a tourist, you’re not passing through. You're part of the family. You’re a part of the legacy. You are LOCAL.

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Build Local

Parking team

This is deeply practical, but the practical makes the spiritual possible. For years, short leases and temporary set-ups have kept us in a cycle of uncertainty, limiting our ability to plant deep roots and expand ministry impact.

The Local Initiative allows us to build like locals, making room for others to thrive. Our new space at Atlantic Theater gives us the opportunity we’ve long hoped for.

  • Step into a secure, 15+ year home at the Atlantic Theaters, where we can build with confidence and stability.

  • Renovate a larger, more accessible space that allows us to welcome more people to hear the gospel and experience the grace of Jesus.

  • Create a flexible, functional space designed for ministry — not just events — with the feel of a spiritual home, not a production.

  • Design Atlantic Theaters in a way that keeps the warmth, intimacy, and personality that reflect our church’s heart.

Belong Local

Sunday community

We don’t believe church is just something you attend — it’s somewhere you belong. Right now, limited space hinders deep connection, leadership development, and the ability to truly care for one another, unintentionally communicating to people that there isn’t space for them.

The Local Initiative allows us to create space so others can experience belonging — a spiritual home where people are known, discipled, and sent.

  • Refuel and retain our leaders through regular gatherings for training, prayer, and encouragement.

  • Offer consistent, peaceful environments for pastoral care and counseling.

  • Welcome and connect newcomers more effectively, placing them into City Groups with greater intention and space.

  • Expand our midweek rhythms — City Groups, student ministry, leadership cohorts, and discipleship pathways — without competing for rooms.

Beyond Local

Kids ministry

Turning vision into legacy, fueling long-term ministry impact. We’re not just focused on where we are now, but where God is leading us next. From rising-gen discipleship to leadership development and global mission, we’re stepping into greater capacity and commitment.

The Local Initiative allows us to dedicate more resources to the people and ministries that will shape the future, both locally and globally.

  • Prioritize spaces for the rising generation to experience authentic faith, learning to engage, serve, and grow as part of the church family.

  • Increase and sustain support both locally and globally through Groundswell ministry partnerships, ensuring consistent resources to make a lasting impact.

  • Equip the next generation of ministry leaders to grow in faith and carry forward the mission God has given us by creating environments for training, education, and hands-on development.

Phase

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Sunday Community

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • We're out of space, lack parking, and our building has been sold for redevelopment. With a short- term lease and limited room, it's time to move. God has opened the door at Atlantic Theaters, giving us space to grow and a long-term home.

  • Yes. We've pursued numerous leads over the years. The opportunity to move into the Atlantic Theaters is the first space that checks all the boxes: room to grow, a layout that supports our setup, and ample parking. It's the right fit at the right time.

  • Yes, we've explored purchasing, but there's virtually no available land to develop at the beach. A long-term lease at Atlantic Theaters is the most practical and strategic option. The landlord is also open to a future purchase if we decide to move in that direction.

  • We understand the concern about investing in a space that might not be permanent. At the end of our 15-year lease, we may have the option to purchase the property. But whatever the future holds, our focus is not on ownership. We are stewards of what God gives us and where He places us, investing in His mission rather than claiming it as ours.

  • Church planting has always been part of our heartbeat. Our church is the result of a church plant, and we continue to pray that God would lead us to support and send out a healthy church plant in the future. Right now. our focus is on creating space locally, but multiplication remains part of our long-term vision.

  • We don’t have a set move-in date yet. Construction timelines can shift, and we’ll keep everyone updated each step of the way. Take a look at the PHASE section on this site for the latest updates!

  • We're approaching this expansion with wisdom and care. Our Finance Committee and Building Committee are actively involved in reviewing plans, costs, and timelines to ensure we stay within our means. We've also engaged financial and construction experts to guide the process wisely.

  • Because we've seen it before! When we catch a God-sized vision, our church responds with faith and surrender. LOCAL is about owning the mission and investing locally because we believe God is at work here for our community, families, and future generations.

  • No. This is a one-fund initiative, which means all giving goes into one shared fund that supports both current ministries and our renovation and move to Atlantic Theaters. Ministry continues to thrive while we grow.

  • It's a simple tool to help you plan your generosity over the two-year giving period. Filling one out helps us plan responsibly as a church. It's between you and God, but it also fuels a shared vision.

  • We believe in using debt sparingly and strategically. Biblically, debt is not a sin, but it's a burden. We're committed to staying financially healthy, flexible, and wise.

  • Currently, we have no debt. As we move forward with the expansion, some financing will be necessary, but it will be strategic, manageable, and short-term. Our commitment is to stay financially healthy so ministry always comes first.

  • We've worked with professionals to estimate realistic costs. As we move forward, we'll refine budgets and ensure our giving pace supports the plan.

  • We are committed to transparency, accountability, and wise stewardship. Our Finance Committee carefully oversees all funds, and we will keep you informed with regular updates throughout the initiative. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

  • We've been praying for years about what's next for our church family, asking God to lead. We trust that the timing of our need to move and the opportunity at Atlantic Theaters was no coincidence. Our leadership feels strongly that this is where He's leading us, and we're saying yes.

  • A one-fund model means that instead of giving to separate buckets-like one for the building and one for regular ministry-every dollar given goes into a single, unified fund. This reflects the reality that everything we do is part of one mission. Your giving supports both the day-to-day ministry of our church and the expansion into our new space. It's all one vision-and we're all in it together.

  • Because it keeps the focus on the big picture. Whether someone gives $100 or $10,000, they're investing in everything God is doing through our church, not just a line item.

  • Yes, during the LOCAL initiative, we will not be taking separate special offerings or designated gifts. Instead, we're inviting everyone to give toward one shared vision to keep us united and focused. At the same time, we're increasing budget support for ministries like Groundswell and others that traditionally receive special offerings so those ministries continue to grow and thrive as part of our overall generosity. This approach helps us give more intentionally and generously across the whole church.

Get In Touch With Us

If you have any more questions or want to reach out.