Maguire State Missions Offering Helps The Grove Church Take Root in Crestview
Written By: Brooke Mannion
Editor’s Note: Grove Church is one of the featured church plants in 2026 Maguire State Mission Offeringprayer guide. One hundred precent of all receipts for the Maguire Offering are designated to help launch church plants across Florida.
CRESTVIEW, Fla. — As a recipient of the Maguire State Missions Offering, The Grove Church plans to utilize funds in ways that help make the church visible and accessible to the community. “The funds will be incredibly helpful as we navigate the costs of printing materials for tents, booths and handouts at local markets and community events,” said JonSeth Sammons, pastor, The Grove Church.
Through community events, the church hopes to engage the lost, and those not already attending church, in gospel-centered conversations. Recently, at a community event, the pastor met seven young people who had not previously attended church. After a brief conversation, they showed an interest in getting plugged in with the new church plant. This is the type of community engagement in which the church planters hope to participate.
The Grove Church began as a home church, a planting of Parkview Baptist Church in Lake City. Four families moved to Crestview in 2025 and joined with a few others to plant the church, creating a core group of 18 adults and 17 children.
The time leading up to the official launch has been met with challenges as families adjusted to a new city and experienced ups and downs in the process of getting the church off the ground. Through sickness, loss and financial strains, the church has persevered and already celebrated three baptisms.
“We are so grateful for the support of North American Mission Board and Florida Baptist for the training, relationships and network of support,” said Sammons.
The church began worship services on August 16 in a building owned by the Emerald Coast Church Network. The first Sunday morning worship service had 79 people in attendance. Smaller connect groups will gather in homes weekly.
“We could not do what we are doing without the prayer, financial support and engagement of other local Florida Baptist churches. The outpouring of help has been tremendous,” said Sammons.
