Ron Sylvia is one of the few people that I've known most of my life. He was my Middle School Pastor growing up and introduced me to Jesus at the age of twelve. Over the years, I've followed Ron and his ministry as a church planter in Ocala, Florida, at Church @ the Springs, which has grown from a few people meeting in his living room to over 4,000 regular attendees. Amazingly, there are just some images in my mind that I can still remember, one of which is Sylvia's wife, Teddy, serving alongside them and their newborn crawling right behind them. Well, that newborn is now on staff with Sylvia, along with his mother. Sylvia believes that if you're going to do church planting well, having your family join must be a part of it.
Crosswalk Headlines had the chance to sit down with Sylvia and dive into his story, his passion for church planting, and how he's kept family at the heart of it all.
Crosswalk Headlines: You left a very well-established church to start a church when church planting seemed foreign at the time. Why?
Ron Sylvia: I have people through the years who look around the springs and say, you know what? When you started, was this what you envisioned? I always say no because this is Ephesians 3:20 stuff in our lives. God has done more in our lives, and I feel like every year for the last 30 years, it's just starting. There was only one book out in 1994 on church planting when we started. I can remember telling Pastor Jim Henry about my vision, and he recommended that I reach out to a guy named Rick Warren.
CWH: What role did Rick play in helping the church?
RS: I remember I didn't know who Rick Warren was. I sent him an email with all my questions, and I had a lot of them. The next day, I received a full-page email back from Rick, who answered every question and invited me to the purpose-driven conference. Teddy and I went. I always tell people that when God called us to start the Springs, I felt like he gave us a train, but purpose-driven gave us a track.
CWH: Looking back, did you ever think that you would still be here as a church planter, now mentoring other church planters?
RS: No, I live vicariously through other church planters now. I get to pour into countless church planters. We counted recently; in the last fifteen years, I've trained over 10,000 church planters. The thing about church planters is that they are connected to other church planters. So, you meet their friends, and it's just humbling to be a part of it.
CWH: How much has your wife played a part in your church planting, calling, and starting the church?
RS: Teddy has always been there. God spoke to me and called us to start the springs. I told her about it, and she said let's pray about it. Then she asked the question do you care about the people of Ocala and it reminded me of the story of Jonah, where God asked him to care for his people. God has called both of us to be in Ocala. God spoke to her through the entire process. Teddy is my best friend and counselor. Teddy has a gift of discernment, and she has a gift of leadership and wisdom.
CWH: How did your son Jared encourage you to start the church?
RS: He was nine years old and drawing at the time, and he pulled my sleeve and said, "Dad, I love hearing you preach, and I would like to hear you preach every week." I heard God whisper, "I want you to begin a contemporary praise and worship church." I'm going to tell you that the Springs has always been a family journey, and my entire family has been involved.
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Church at the Springs
MAINA MWAURA is a freelance writer and journalist who has interviewed over 800 influential leaders, including two US Presidents, three Vice-Presidents, and a variety of others. Maina, is also the author of the Influential Mentor, How the life and legacy of Howard Hendricks Equipped and Inspired a Generation of Leaders. Maina and his family reside in the Kennesaw, Georgia area.