Relevant Church Story
Relevant Church Story
Where it all Began
Sitting in a car, over conversation with a good friend, Paul Wirth knew everything was about to change. It was 2004, and they began talking about a new kind of church. A church that felt like the camaraderie and lively environment of a piano bar they frequented. This is how Paul was inspired to establish a church where people could come together to celebrate Jesus in true community and fellowship. This led to further exploration of what a new church would be and what it would be called. “Whatever it is, it needs to be relevant."
our first service
Preview services at the Hilton Downtown Tampa started in late 2004 with one hundred fifty people in attendance. Musician Carl von dem Bussche, who was living in Nashville working for EMI Music, led worship for those previews. Before the service Paul’s request was: “We just can’t suck.” That was the first step in Carl moving to Tampa to join the Relevant team. The deciding statement from Paul to Carl was: “Do you want to make records or change the world?”
Our Growth
As God provided new opportunities for the church, Relevant found itself in search of a new space for its continued growth and expansion. Averaging 300 attendees per week at the Italian Club, Relevant expanded to two services and then to three services for a brief period of time. Needing additional room for its children’s ministries, Relevant moved to 1704 N 16th St in 2010 after first raising the $200,000 needed to make the renovations possible. After the move, Relevant’s weekly attendance more than doubled. Five years later, God provided the opportunity the buy our building, further cementing our place in the Ybor community.
Community Partnerships
Global & Local: In 2008 Relevant took a team to a conference in Granger, Indiana. It was there that church elder, and eventual staff member Tim Mann, was moved by the experience, and decided to begin praying in Tampa Park every Sunday for six months. This led to the Tampa Park Field Day in 2009 which saw 75 volunteers show up to serve the community, and laid the foundation for our public school partnerships focused on transforming at-risk communities from the inside out for generations to come.
our place in ybor
As God provided new opportunities for the church, Relevant found itself in search of a new space for its continued growth and expansion. Averaging 300 attendees per week at the Italian Club, Relevant expanded to two services and then to three services for a brief period of time. Needing additional room for its children’s ministries, Relevant moved to 1704 N 16th St in 2010 after first raising the $200,000 needed to make the renovations possible. After the move, Relevant’s weekly attendance more than doubled. Five years later, God provided the opportunity the buy our building, further cementing our place in the Ybor community.
In December, God made a way for us to become debt-free, allowing those resources to be redirected into the next generation — students, young adults, and future leaders.