Transformation Church held its final services at its Gulf Breeze campus on Nov. 8, about 10 months after opening the site through a merger with Coast Community Church. The Florida congregation will bring its Gulf Breeze and University of West Florida locations together at its Northwest Pensacola campus on Sunday, Nov. 15.
Executive Pastor Justin Oswald told The Christian Post that the Gulf Breeze campus drew about 200 worshippers each week and maintained steady giving. He said the decision came down to what the church was asking of its volunteers. Some families were regularly driving to another community to serve, and church leaders decided to bring their teams back to one location.
Senior Pastor Brad Livingston said in a church video that expanding to multiple sites took a toll on staff and volunteers. In a message to the congregation, he wrote that "a healthy church must take priority over the desire to be a growing one."
The Gulf Breeze campus opened Jan. 18 in the former home of Coast Community Church. The two congregations had worked together for years. Oswald said Coast Community's attendance had declined since the pandemic and its lead pastor was looking to reduce his responsibilities. After the merger, Transformation Church kept him on staff to help provide pastoral care.
Some former Coast Community families plan to cross the bridge each Sunday to worship in Northwest Pensacola. For those who prefer to stay closer to home, Oswald said the church is helping them connect with other congregations in Gulf Breeze. The first combined gathering on Nov. 15 will be held at 6675 Pine Forest Road in Pensacola.
