5 /5 Emily Drews: Local Church St Pete is a true spiritual home in the heart and "heart" of St Petersburg. Its a church truly and faithfully built on the word of God and is evident within the church in true discipleship of Christ Jesus. Every Sunday is a sermon and a bible study in one. Worship moves through the congregation with the Holy Spirit with no smoke machine or drum shell but through truly gifted musicians and vocalists faithful to the Lord and you can actually hear the people around you singing along in praise. Local is led by a team of humble, transparent and accountable vocational and non-vocational pastors and, while there are no "stars" at Local, Pastor Daryn is a faithful, inspired/inspiring and gifted lead pastor. The leadership team is otherwise well integrated into the congregation through discipleship groups, house groups and a true heart of welcome and hospitality at each and every service. All generations and many walks of life are represented here and families with children are an ever growing segment with Local Kids and Local Youth ministries available to them each Sunday. There is no time given to political, cultural or social platforms but only a devotion to discipleship in Christ and a heart of hospitality, fellowship, prayer and local and international missions work. If you are seeking a church that is alive in Christ, where the power of the Holy Spirit is palpable, where your uniqueness and brokenness are not only welcomed but acknowledged and loved, where the supernatural, spiritual gifts and the power of prayer is acknowledged as part of a daily walk with Christ, not an idol, Local Church may be for you. Difficult questions are encouraged and addressed lovingly and compassionately. I started attending Local Church in 2023 after nearly 40 years of worldly spiritual practices and beliefs of all kinds. When I began to share my back ground with the pastors I was heard, with sincere interest, and encouraged on my path and to share my experience with others. We are all encouraged so that we may understand each other better with humility that puts us all, equally, at the foot of Jesus.