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ENTRUSTED / Our history

God is still writing our story.

From our beginnings in 1896 to what God is doing today. Celebrate His faithfulness through the story of Christ Fellowship.

1896–1979

Our beginnings

Central Baptist Church, 1896
Central Baptist Church, 1896
Tommy Watson, 1959
Tommy Watson, 1959
Palmetto Bay Campus, 1962
Palmetto Bay Campus, 1962
Christ Fellowship Academy, 1973
Christ Fellowship Academy, 1973

  1. Central Baptist Church is founded in Downtown Miami.

  2. Reverend J.B. Rogers is appointed first pastor.

  3. Tommy Watson is appointed Lead Pastor.

  4. The Palmetto Bay Campus is built.

  5. Christ Fellowship Academy launches.

  6. The new Palmetto Bay Worship Center is built.

1996–2013

Growing together

Pastor Rick Blackwood, 1996
Pastor Rick Blackwood, 1996
Miami Springs Campus, 2013
Miami Springs Campus, 2013

  1. Rick Blackwood is appointed Lead Pastor.

  2. Central Baptist Church merges and the Downtown Campus launches.

  3. The Redland Campus launches. The church officially becomes Christ Fellowship.

  4. The West Kendall Campus launches.

  5. Caring For Miami launches.

  6. The Coral Gables Campus launches.

  7. The Miami Springs Campus launches.

2014–2018

Beyond our city

Chía, Colombia, 2018
Chía, Colombia, 2018
Villavicencio, Colombia, 2018
Villavicencio, Colombia, 2018

  1. The Santiago de Cuba Campus launches in Cuba.

  2. The Miami Beach Campus launches.

  3. The Laboratorio Campus launches in Cuba.

  4. The El Recreo Campus launches in Cuba.

  5. The Canasí Campus launches in Cuba.

  6. The Chía Campus launches in Colombia.

  7. The Bogotá Campus launches in Colombia.

  8. The Villavicencio Campus launches in Colombia.

2018–2020

Reaching more families

Omar Giritli becomes Lead Pastor, 2019
Omar Giritli becomes Lead Pastor, 2019
Doral Campus opening, 2020
Doral Campus opening, 2020

  1. The Homestead Campus launches.

  2. The San José Campus launches in Costa Rica.

  3. The Havana Campus launches in Cuba.

  4. The North Miami Campus launches.

  5. The Guatemala City Campus launches in Guatemala.

  6. Omar Giritli is appointed Lead Pastor.

  7. The Doral Campus launches.

  8. The Acacías Campus launches in Colombia.

2023–2026

The story continues

Comayagua, Honduras, 2024
Comayagua, Honduras, 2024
Downtown Campus relaunch, 2024
Downtown Campus relaunch, 2024
FIU Young Adults, 2026
FIU Young Adults, 2026

  1. The Baní Campus launches in the Dominican Republic.

  2. The Comayagua Campus launches in Honduras.

  3. The Downtown Campus relaunches.

  4. FIU Young Adults begins meeting.

Where we are now

Every number represents a person. We give thanks for people hearing the gospel, following Jesus, and taking their next step.

Worship at our Downtown campus
Worship at our Downtown campus
People engaging with the gospel each week, locally, globally, and online
18,679
First-time guests
10,496
People growing in Small Groups
5,889
People serving on a team
2,039
Believers baptized locally and globally
1,241

Figures reflect the preceding 12 months. Gospel engagement is a weekly figure.

Looking ahead

Buenos Aires, Argentina is planned for October 2026, followed by Westchester in December 2026.

See where we’re going