Our Story

For over 14 years Joel and Sophie have had a heart to disciple youth in the community. It is this passion that tied a union between them and Pastor Gary and Linda Bracewell and the CLF Community.  In 2015 Pastor Gary asked if Joel and Sophie could meet a need by acting as interim Youth Directors. The temporary assignment ended up being 7 years of ministry under the leadership of Pastor Gary Bracewell. In January of 2019 Sophie became a licensed Assemblies of God Minister. In their time at CLF Church Sophie and Joel have served as Youth Pastor’s, Outreach Pastors and Young Adult Ministry leaders.
In 2020 Pastor Joel and Sophie shared their heart for planting Activate Church in Gainesville Florida. In October of 2020 Activate was launched as a young adult service. With much prayer and the leading of the Lord, our leadership, Pastor Gary, recognized the call to plant was evident and CLF Church, Newberry FL decided to support Pastor Joel and Sophie and parent Activate Church.

Activate Church is excited to launch as a church that will serve ALL people from different backgrounds. The Lord gave Activate clear directives.  They are to INSPIRE VISION, EMPOWER with KNOWLEDGE and help BUILD STRONG FAMILIES 

Empowering all people, especially the next generation of leaders to be transformed by the Gospel message and then activate into their God given purpose.