Blue Oval City Church Plant

We are filled with gratitude and excitement as we step into this new chapter of ministry to which the Lord has called us. Throughout this entire journey, God has been exceedingly kind and gracious. Several years ago, He began stirring my heart with the possibility of planting a church one day in the Blue Oval City area. About a year ago, Shirynn and I began prayerfully discussing that calling together. Through much discernment, the Lord has made it clear that now is the time to step out in faith and take the next step forward.

Obedience to this calling has meant stepping away from the comfort and familiarity of the church that has been our home for the past 20 years—where we have faithfully attended and where I have had the privilege of serving on staff. While this was not an easy decision, we are confident in God’s leading.

We first shared this calling with the Bellevue staff and then with our Life Group, trusting God with each step. Over the following three weeks, the Lord did something truly incredible—He brought four amazing families to join us as our Core Team, all from our Life Group. God is so faithful.

It is our joy to now introduce you to the Core Team!

David and Brittany Brunt have been married for 6 years. David is a financial advisor and Brittany is a stay at home mom. They have 3 kids - Rivers (4), Vivian (1.5), and Caroline (4 months). David’s spiritual gift is encouragement. Brittany’s are giving and serving. They are excited about the unknowns with what God has in store and the growth that will come from answering His call. 

Jay and Katye Davis have been married for 10 years. Jay is the CFO for a local company that specializes in real estate, lending and investment. Katye homeschools their boys and is the director at Classical Conversations Eads. They have three boys - James (8), Ben (6), and Willie (3). Jay’s spiritual gift is leadership and Katye’s are discernment and serving. They are excited to watch the Lord build a church and a community from a small group of believers. They are looking forward to serving and growing in the Lord through this journey!

Derek and Shirynn Ewalt have been married 17 years. Derek is a pastor and Shirynn is a homeschool and stay at home mom. They have 4 kids - Camden (16), Mattie (14), Josiah (12), and Chloe (10). Derek’s spiritual gifts are encouragement and teaching. Shirynn’s are serving and giving. They are excited to see what the Lord will do in and through them as they seek to follow His call on their lives! They are so excited to see Him do exceeding and abundantly more than they could ever ask or think!  

Pam Golding has been widowed since April 2021. She was married for 38 years to a wonderful godly man, Mike Golding. She retired from their HVAC business in 2023. She has 4 children who are married to 4 godly spouses. She also has 15 grandchildren. Her spiritual gifts are hospitality and giving. She too is so excited to see all the Lord will do in and through this amazing team God has put together.  

James and Taylor Gruber have been married for 6 years. James is a legal/IT consultant and Taylor is a hair stylist/travel agent. They have 1 child - Greene (18months). James’s spiritual gifts are serving and hospitality. Taylor’s spiritual gift is discernment. They are excited to make a lasting impact for the Lord in the community that they end up being planted in. 

How Can You Pray?

Thank you for signing up to receive updates about our journey. We are grateful for your interest and support, and we would like to share a few upcoming next steps, along with specific ways you can be praying for our team.

In the coming weeks, I will be meeting with various organizations and churches to seek opportunities for partnership in this church plant. I will also be pursuing assessment through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (TBMB) in April.

Over the next few months, our Core Team will be attending a different church each Sunday to experience a variety of worship services. This intentional time will help us seek the Lord together as we discern what He desires this church plant to look like. Following each service, the Core Team will gather in one another’s homes for lunch to discuss what we experienced and to pray together over the future of the church plant.

Here are three specific ways you can pray with us:

  • Pray that the enemy would have no foothold in any of our families and that there would be unity, encouragement, and spiritual protection within the Core Team.

  • Pray that the Lord would raise up prayer partners and financial supporters to come alongside this work.

  • Pray that the Lord would clearly reveal the location where He desires this church to be planted.

Thank you for taking the time to read these updates and for faithfully praying for us. Your support means more than we can express.

In Christ,

Derek Ewalt