Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Miller.
Ryan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi! My name is Ryan Miller and I am the Lead Pastor of Locale Church here in Tampa, FL. I guess I am somewhat of a rarity as I am a born and raised Floridian. I spent most of my life in Tarpon Springs, Florida but moved to Tampa in 2018 to plant Locale Church in the Seminole Heights area at Hillsborough High School on September 19, 2019. Throughout my entire life, I’ve always known the importance and difference being in life-giving community can make. I wholeheartedly believe the most important and significant community someone can be a part of is finding a local church they can call home.
For my wife and I, It is our individual stories of hope that ignited a passion that we now can’t help but share with the city we love. As a church, there is nothing that inspires us more than what Jesus has done in our lives. We are moved with love for the city of Tampa because of the insane love we were shown by Jesus. While struggling with fear, insecurity, and loss, we found hope & freedom simply through a relationship with Jesus. Love like that changes everything. Hope changes everything. We simply believe Hope has a name and that name is Jesus.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ha-ha now that’s a great question! This is what I say in response to planting a church. “This is one of the hardest things we’ve ever had to do. But there is nothing else we’d rather do.” No one told us six months into planting a brand new church the world would shut down in March 2020. That season was stressful, full of the unknown of what’s going to happen and even thoughts of giving up. We had no staff. Couldn’t meet in person and just did the absolute best we could one day at a time. It was insanely difficult. But we simply decided we aren’t about to give up now. God has called us here to serve this city and that’s what we are going to do no matter what!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We pastor a non-denomational, life-giving church called Locale Church. Pronounced “local” 🙂 Our vision statement is to bring the hope of Jesus local. And we are committed helping people do four things in their life: experience God, make friends, find purpose and dream big. For me personally, I love building teams and communicating to people life, joy and the Good News about Jesus any way I can.
What matters most to you? Why?
Helping people. Giving them hope again. It is the heart of Locale Church to partner with God and create a place where this hope can easily be found. Our vision is that Locale Church will be a place that feels like home, where people can come to find true friendship and meet a truly good God. We pray it will be a house that inspires people to not only want more of God, but to discover that He has so much more FOR them! Because once we realize that the plans he has for us are actually good, then we can grow in the God given passions and dreams placed inside us. John 13:35 records Jesus saying “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”
Contact Info:
- Email: ryan@locale.church
- Website: www.locale.church
- Instagram: @ryanstephenmiller and @localechurch
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/localechurch
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/localechurch
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/localechurch
- Other: Podcast: Locale Church
Image Credits
@jennifermartinphotography @emmydentonsocial
