About Us
Mission
To glorify God by forming a community that is rooted in prayer, shaped by Scripture, and united by the (Holy) Spirit.
Vision
To see Jacksonville become a Christ-centered, culturally involved, community that lives out the gospel.
Our Values
Rooted in Prayer
We Depend on God Daily
Prayer is not an event we attend, it is the posture we live from. We believe transformation begins when God’s people consistently seek His presence, listen for His voice, and depend on His power. Every decision, relationship, and mission flows from a life anchored in communion with God.
Shaped By Scripture
We Live by God’s Word
The Word of God forms our beliefs, guides our decisions, and renews our minds. We do not treat Scripture as information alone, but as transformation, truth that shapes how we think, live, love, and serve in everyday life.
United By The Holy Spirit
We Walk Together in the Spirit
Our unity is not based on background, preference, or personality, but on the Spirit who dwells within us. The Holy Spirit empowers our witness, cultivates love among us, and binds us together as one body on mission.
Our Pastor
Pastor Cedric N. Lauchner is a devoted husband, father, pastor, and leader with a deep passion for gospel transformation and church planting.
Born in Brooklyn, NY and now rooted in Jacksonville, FL, Cedric has spent more than a decade faithfully preaching and teaching the Word of God, discipling believers, and raising up leaders to impact their city.
Cedric previously founded and led Dream Church in the Springfield area of Jacksonville, where he served from 2015 through 2025. Through preaching, shepherding, community outreach, and leadership development, he established a multi-ethnic, Christ-centered community with a heart for prayer and discipleship.
In 2026, Cedric will be launching Ekklesia Jax—a new church plant on the Southside of Jacksonville with a mission to live out the gospel daily (“EKK 24/7”). Ekklesia Jax is built on prayer, disciple-making, and a deep commitment to reaching people far from God while equipping believers to live sent in every sphere of life. Cedric serves as the founding and lead pastor, providing vision, biblical teaching, and pastoral leadership to a growing core team.
Alongside pastoring, Cedric has over a decade of professional experience in security and technology sales, using his marketplace calling as another avenue for mission, relationships, and influence. His diverse background has shaped him into a grounded, relational, and strategic leader.
Cedric is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts at Trinity College, where he continues to grow in biblical studies, theology, and pastoral ministry. He is also a graduate of Leaders Collective, a cohort dedicated to developing healthy and sustainable pastors and church planters.
Married to his wife Chardel since 1997, Cedric is a proud father of four—Elijah (Topaz, Joshua, Journey, and Daniel. His life mission is simple: Love God. Love family. Love people. Make disciples. Plant churches. Live the gospel every hour.