HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Transitioning from law enforcement to God’s work was a natural progression for Adam Joy. Working as a High Springs police officer and school resource officer was his career, but Joy’s heart was always with the church, and he diligently pursued his dream of becoming a pastor. He became a Licensed Minister in 2007 and an Ordained Elder in 2012. In April 2017, he resigned from the police force and founded the Deeper Purpose Community Church. Furthering his spiritual instruction, in December 2018 he graduated from the Church of God by Faith Theological Institute of Jacksonville.
Joy’s goal was to create an all-inclusive church open to everyone. “Our Mission is to be a church seeking the unchurched, in a casual, friendly and non-judgmental atmosphere,” said Joy. “More than that, we want to be a community church for the entire community, not just our members.”
The church started with a congregation of families that sought to provide charitable services to the community. The congregation provided meals and conducted food and clothing drives for those in need. The church also started an annual community Easter egg hunt and an annual carnival, as well as events supporting first responders.
As the church grew, so too did its goals. Based on Joy's time as a school resource officer, the church developed youth services to help troubled teens and give them a safe environment for activities. They offered youth church services as well as creating a school for children from pre-k to high school and after-school care for children of working parents.
By 2020 the congregation had outgrown their rented facilities and they began to look for land of their own to build the Deeper Purpose Community Complex, which would house the church and a number of new programs. The complex would accommodate the Deeper Purpose Christian Academy as well as a community and outreach center, a commercial kitchen, a youth center and student ministries.
It was a big dream, and in April 2022, the church launched Part 1 of a Building Purpose Campaign asking 100 individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to donate $1,000 in 100 days. They received enough money to purchase nearly 14 acres fronting U.S. Highway 441 between High Springs and Alachua and to clear two-thirds of the property, leaving the remainder in trees for a natural recreation area.
Now the church is focusing on another fund-raising campaign, this time for a new school. “We originally planned to do it all at once,” said Joy. “We have decided that our priority and one of the greatest needs right now in our community is a new school.” Joy says the school will be Phase 1 of a continuing plan and he hopes it will be completed by 2025. In the meantime, Joy hopes to put modular portable classrooms on the property by August for the start of the new school year.
A permanent 10,000 square-foot building will house all ages of students. Joy says they also plan on a 5,000 to 7,000 square-foot pole barn for children’s activities, after schoolers, summer camp, and community events.
Part 2 of the church’s building project, is a $300,000 capital campaign, of which $90,000 Joy says has already been pledged.
“We are not putting a deadline on it at this time,” said Joy. “We are committed and dedicated to the families and children in our community here, and this will happen, but only with the support of the community.”
He said that anyone interested can contact him at 386-454-5300 or 352-474-9040, or by email at deeperpurposecc@yahoo.com.
Joy added that no donation is too small, saying “God doesn’t look at the amount, just the heart.”
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Email rcarson@
alachuatoday.com
HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Transitioning from law enforcement to God’s work was a natural progression for Adam Joy. Working as a High Springs police officer and school resource officer was his career, but Joy’s heart was always with the church, and he diligently pursued his dream of becoming a pastor. He became a Licensed Minister in 2007 and an Ordained Elder in 2012. In April 2017, he resigned from the police force and founded the Deeper Purpose Community Church. Furthering his spiritual instruction, in December 2018 he graduated from the Church of God by Faith Theological Institute of Jacksonville.
Joy’s goal was to create an all-inclusive church open to everyone. “Our Mission is to be a church seeking the unchurched, in a casual, friendly and non-judgmental atmosphere,” said Joy. “More than that, we want to be a community church for the entire community, not just our members.”
The church started with a congregation of families that sought to provide charitable services to the community. The congregation provided meals and conducted food and clothing drives for those in need. The church also started an annual community Easter egg hunt and an annual carnival, as well as events supporting first responders.
As the church grew, so too did its goals. Based on Joy's time as a school resource officer, the church developed youth services to help troubled teens and give them a safe environment for activities. They offered youth church services as well as creating a school for children from pre-k to high school and after-school care for children of working parents.
By 2020 the congregation had outgrown their rented facilities and they began to look for land of their own to build the Deeper Purpose Community Complex, which would house the church and a number of new programs. The complex would accommodate the Deeper Purpose Christian Academy as well as a community and outreach center, a commercial kitchen, a youth center and student ministries.
It was a big dream, and in April 2022, the church launched Part 1 of a Building Purpose Campaign asking 100 individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to donate $1,000 in 100 days. They received enough money to purchase nearly 14 acres fronting U.S. Highway 441 between High Springs and Alachua and to clear two-thirds of the property, leaving the remainder in trees for a natural recreation area.
Now the church is focusing on another fund-raising campaign, this time for a new school. “We originally planned to do it all at once,” said Joy. “We have decided that our priority and one of the greatest needs right now in our community is a new school.” Joy says the school will be Phase 1 of a continuing plan and he hopes it will be completed by 2025. In the meantime, Joy hopes to put modular portable classrooms on the property by August for the start of the new school year.
A permanent 10,000 square-foot building will house all ages of students. Joy says they also plan on a 5,000 to 7,000 square-foot pole barn for children’s activities, after schoolers, summer camp, and community events.
Part 2 of the church’s building project, is a $300,000 capital campaign, of which $90,000 Joy says has already been pledged.
“We are not putting a deadline on it at this time,” said Joy. “We are committed and dedicated to the families and children in our community here, and this will happen, but only with the support of the community.”
He said that anyone interested can contact him at 386-454-5300 or 352-474-9040, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Joy added that no donation is too small, saying “God doesn’t look at the amount, just the heart.”
# # #
Email rcarson@
alachuatoday.com