Temporary Meeting Location
Newly purchased church building!
Unmistakably Called Continued from page 7.
and Jennifer if they would drive to a specific area in Florida to discern if that might be a place God might be calling them. He then gave them a map drawn on a napkin for directions to a place called Wesley Chapel. He directed them to drive north on I-75 from Tampa and pass a couple exits that mention Wesley Chapel. Get off on Highway 52 and go east to a road called Curley, then turn south. He said “Eventually, you’ll begin to see the development and as you go further south (Curley, 54, BB Downs, etc.) you’ll be in the highly developed area.” Along the route Jennifer prayed out loud for the Lord to show them if this is the place that they are to be called to. Well, about the time the development began showing up going south on Curley Road (passing Watergrass approximately) and after having passed thousands of acres of grasses, Jennifer said “Oh my.” Joe replied “what is it?” Then, she said “we’re in the midst of a huge savanna.” And in that instant chills went down his spine, goose bumps and raised hair on his arms, Joe knew
Selling their home In Indiana.
Page 8 | January 2016
instantly this was exactly where God had been preparing them to come for years. The northern part of Wesley Chapel, which hadn’t been built up yet, and underneath all the rest of the massive development that has buried the savanna that makes up Wesley Chapel, was the savanna that God began speaking to the Jackson’s about in the fall of 2006. This was no accident and no coincidence. Upon arrival back home in Indiana just a day later Jennifer searched online for the definition of this word savanna, and after clicking on Merriamwebster.com this is first definition she found… (And to this day this definition exists online) Full Definition of SAVANNA 1 : a treeless plain, especially in Florida. (Used from www.merriamwebster.com.) This is what they were. This is what they were called to. The savanna that Wesley Chapel is built upon, especially in Florida. If you take a joy drive using some weekend spare time and go north on Curley Road and look out your windows to enjoy the countryside, you too will see the true meaning of the word savanna.
A Local Family’s Divine Journey to Wesley Chapel
The next day after returning home Jennifer was having an unrelated conversation with their oldest daughter Julia, who was 7 years old at the time, and asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Julia responded swiftly that she wanted to be “a missionary in Florida.” The only thing that Julia knew at that age about Florida was that was the home of Disney World, and the only thing she knew about missionaries were that they were people who go somewhere else to tell people about Jesus. Julia was confirming our call and knew ABSOLUTELY NOTHING of even the possibility that we had been praying about. Soon after, the Jackson’s became missionaries themselves, speaking in 30 churches over the next 18 months to raise enough funds to begin to plant Savanna Church in Wesley Chapel. About that time, a young engaged couple heard of the amazing story of the Jacksons and joined them in their endeavors. Danny and Tori Vegueria were the first team members to join the church and began the hard work that would become starting this ministry. Three years later
Family Living In Camper For Weeks Upon Arrival.
they are leaders in the church and beginning to see the fruits of this time of pouring out. Joe and Jennifer and their whole family were not just called here, but sent here to this very community specifically to serve and love Wesley Chapel in the name of Jesus. The very first week here, Joe attended the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce breakfast and met the leaders at Avalon Park West (a master planned community on Hwy 54) that borders the exact spot where the call came on Curley Rd. This was literally a divine appointment, and since then, Savanna Church has been constantly involved in the great activities Avalon Park West hosts including monthly family movie nights and large events throughout the year. No accidents, just God incidents. Avalon Park West is an incredible community that believes in real “community”, and connecting their residents to each other through relationship. What a gift they have been to Wesley Chapel and to Savanna Church, who also aspires to help people do the same
Ministry Outreach At Avalon Park West.
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