Fostering Kingdom Partnerships: A Conversation with Pastors Ryan Britt and Trey Brunson of The Church of Eleven22

As Northeast Florida continues to grow, so does the need for gospel-centered churches that can engage with the unchurched and foster spiritual health within the community. Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Pastors Ryan Britt and Trey Brunson of The Church of Eleven22 about their upcoming campus in Yulee. Our conversation explored their vision for this new location, addressed potential concerns from other local churches, and highlighted the importance of collaboration in kingdom work. We also discussed The Church of Eleven22's recent decision to partner with the SEND network to plant churches with them.

The Vision Behind the Yulee Campus

When asked about the heart and vision behind the new Yulee campus, Pastor Ryan Britt pointed to John 1, where the Word became flesh and “moved into the neighborhood”. "We’ve always said that we’re willing and desirous to move into any neighborhood where God would want us to serve people He’s drawing to Himself through Eleven22," he explained. This strategy isn’t about a three or five-year growth plan but about being "Kingdom opportunistic" and joining God where He is already at work.

For The Church of Eleven22, the decision to plant a campus in Yulee arose from a combination of factors. One of the most significant was the existing community of believers who already identified with Eleven22 but were traveling long distances to attend services. By establishing a campus in Yulee, the church aims to empower these members to reach their neighbors more effectively.

Additionally, the opportunity to secure land within a large, developing neighborhood played a crucial role. "The folks behind the development reached out to us and said, 'We’re not just trying to build a community; we’re trying to build a community that needs a church. They told us that rather than people saying ‘We live behind the Taco Bell,’ they’d like them to say, ‘Turn at the big red cross,'" Ryan shared. This unique partnership underscores the church’s commitment to embedding itself deeply in the communities it serves.

Disciple-Making at the Core

One of the key elements of The Church of Eleven22’s approach is its emphasis on disciple-making. Disciple groups, which meet weekly in homes, are central to the church’s ministry. These groups focus on Bible study, prayer, and mutual encouragement, with a strong emphasis on multiplying and raising up new leaders.

Pastor Britt highlighted how this model aligns with the New Testament pattern of believers living on mission in their neighborhoods. "It’s people studying God’s Word and being in relationship, living on mission together," he said. This disciple-making strategy is not just about gathering a group of like-minded individuals but about equipping them to impact their communities for Christ.

Addressing Concerns and Embracing Collaboration

As The Church of Eleven22 expands into Yulee, there may be concerns from other local churches about the potential for losing members to a larger, well-resourced church. However, Pastor Trey Brunson emphasized that Eleven22’s goal is not to draw people away but to partner in reaching the lost. "We’re not the answer—Jesus is the answer," Trey stated. "We want to see the gospel spread throughout Yulee, Fernandina, and Callahan like the waters cover the seas."

The Church of Eleven22 has a history of collaborating with other churches in the area, providing support and resources where needed. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the church offered its facilities to another congregation that was unable to meet in their usual location. "We have that kingdom, opportunistic heart. We want to see the gospel advance," Trey explained.

Defining Success in Kingdom Terms

When it comes to measuring success for the new Yulee campus, both pastors emphasized the importance of vitality over numerical growth. Success isn’t simply about attendance numbers but about the spiritual vibrancy of the congregation. Metrics such as the percentage of adults involved in disciple groups, participation in short-term mission trips, and the sending of long-term missionaries are more indicative of success for The Church of Eleven22.

Pastor Britt also spoke about the long-term impact they hope to have in the Yulee community. "If we look over our shoulders after being able to serve in a community for a long time, we want to know that if Eleven22 were to go away, the community would feel it," he said. This kind of lasting impact, where marriages are reconciled, addictions are broken, and lives are transformed by the gospel, is what they ultimately strive for.

Partnering with SEND

In addition to their church planting efforts globally, The Church of Eleven22 has recently affiliated with the SEND Network of the Southern Baptist Convention to train and plant churches around the US.

"We are excited to be partnering with Dr. Matt Carter and the SEND Network to help plant more churches together as part of our vision to plant churches that plant churches," Pastor Britt shared. This decision underscores the church’s dedication to not only planting new campuses but also supporting broader church planting efforts in partnership with SEND.

By partnering with SEND, The Church of Eleven22 joins a network of like-minded churches focused on spreading the gospel across the globe. This affiliation will also allow the church to run a SEND residency program, providing training and support for future church planters who will be sent out to continue the work of making disciples and planting churches.

Looking Ahead: Partnership and Prayer

As the Yulee campus launches, The Church of Eleven22 is eager to connect with and support other churches in the area. "We would love opportunities to help," Trey said, emphasizing that their vision includes planting more churches and fostering strong relationships with other congregations.

In closing, I asked how our Family of Churches could be praying for them. Pastor Britt responded with a heartfelt request: "Pray that God would open the right doors for us and give us the eyes to see the opportunities He’s putting in front of us to make a difference."

As we look to the future, it’s clear that The Church of Eleven22 is committed to partnering with other churches to advance the gospel in Northeast Florida. By working together, we can accomplish far more than we ever could alone, and I’m excited to see how God will use these partnerships to impact our region for His glory.