Founded in 1926, the same year the Great Miami Hurricane forever changed South Florida, Christ Journey Church celebrated a milestone few institutions ever reach: 100 years of continuous service, community impact, and ministry in Miami-Dade County.
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The recognition marks one of the few known instances in which a South Florida church has received official commemorations from state, county, and multiple (Gables and South Miami) municipal governments simultaneously in honor of a centennial anniversary.
The church commemorated its centennial anniversary with a weekend-long celebration culminating in a Birthday Bash and dedication of its new South Miami campus, marking both a reflection on its rich history and a bold investment in the future of South Florida.
Current and former members, community leaders, elected officials, ministry partners, and families spanning multiple generations gathered to celebrate a church that has served Miami through hurricanes, wars, economic challenges, cultural shifts, and unprecedented growth throughout the region.
Founded as University Baptist Church in Coral Gables, directly across from the University of Miami, Christ Journey began with just 78 members and a vision to unite the city and the world under the grace of a loving God. Following the devastating 1926 hurricane, the congregation rebuilt and continued growing, becoming a lasting presence in the life of South Florida.
Today, Christ Journey Church is a diverse, multi-generational congregation that serves thousands locally and globally while remaining committed to helping people find and follow Christ.
“What we celebrated wasn’t simply a church anniversary,” said Bill White, senior pastor. “We celebrated the faithfulness of God and the thousands of people whose prayers, service, generosity, and faith helped shape Christ Journey over the last century. As we thank God for the past, we’re also looking ahead with great expectation for what He will do in the future.”
Over the past century, Christ Journey has become known not only for its ministry but also for its commitment to serving the community.
Through Feed Miami, the church has distributed more than 650,000 pounds of food since 2009, helping provide an estimated 540,000 meals to families facing food insecurity throughout South Florida.
Through City Serve, Christ Journey volunteers have partnered with local schools and community organizations including Coral Gables Preparatory Academy, Riviera Middle School, Redlands Elementary School, Arthur & Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts, RR Moton Elementary School, Touching Miami with Love, Hunger Fight, and numerous nonprofit partners throughout Miami-Dade County. Volunteers have participated in mentoring initiatives, school beautification projects, food distributions, neighborhood support efforts, and community outreach programs.
The church’s impact extends far beyond South Florida. Christ Journey’s mission partnerships have served communities throughout Argentina, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Peru, El Salvador, Venezuela, Panama, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, the Philippines, and communities throughout the United States.
In 2024 alone, Christ Journey invested more than $1.18 million in mission partners and ministry initiatives. The church’s digital ministry also continues to expand, connecting with more than 186,000 people across 198 countries through Church Online.
The dedication of the new South Miami campus represents the fulfillment of more than 30 years of prayer, planning, and perseverance.
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Designed to serve future generations, the campus reflects Christ Journey’s ongoing commitment to investing in children, students, young adults, and families. In 2024 alone, the church connected with more than 520 preschool children, 803 elementary-aged children, and 375 students through its next-generation ministries.
The celebration was further distinguished by the participation and recognition of local, state, and federal leaders. Florida State Sen. Alexis Calatayud attended the event and formally proclaimed May 24, 2026, as “Christ Journey Church Day” in honor of the church’s century of service and impact throughout South Florida.
The centennial celebration culminated with May 24, 2026, being officially recognized as “Christ Journey Church Day” through proclamations and official recognitions from the State of Florida, Miami-Dade County, the City of South Miami, and the City of Coral Gables, underscoring the church’s century-long contribution to the civic, cultural, and spiritual life of South Florida.
Guests also received special congratulatory messages from U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, recognizing Christ Journey’s longstanding commitment to strengthening families, serving communities, and extending hope both locally and around the world.
These recognitions highlighted the church’s enduring impact on South Florida and honored a legacy that began with 78 members in Coral Gables in 1926 and continues today through local outreach, global missions, leadership development, and service to future generations.
Church leaders say the anniversary serves not as a finish line, but as a launching point.
“One hundred years is an incredible gift from God,” White said. “We’re grateful for every person who has been part of the story, but we’re even more excited about the future. We believe our greatest opportunity to serve South Florida and the world is still ahead of us.”
For many attendees, the celebration served as a homecoming, bringing together former members, longtime families, church leaders, volunteers, and friends from across generations to reflect on a century of faithfulness and look ahead to the next chapter of ministry.
As Christ Journey enters its second century, church leaders remain focused on investing in future generations, strengthening communities, serving those in need, and continuing the mission that began in Coral Gables 100 years ago: helping people find and follow Christ.
For more information about Christ Journey Church, visit christjourney.org.
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