On May 17, 2023, GracePoint members unanimously voted to extend a call to Tate Kennedy to be GracePoint’s new lead pastor.
On July 2, 2023, Pastor Dave officially passed the baton of leadership to Pastor Tate and the elders prayed over the Kennedys as they begin their journey with GracePoint.
This page contains background information on Pastor Tate and the pastoral search process that led him and his family to GracePoint.
Last updated July 3, 2023
For little more than a year, GracePoint Community Church has been actively seeking a Godly, loving, and gracious Pastor to lead our congregation.
The Pastoral Search Committee and GracePoint elders feel that God has led us to Tate Kennedy as a candidate for that role.
As a refresher, you can read more about the type of man we’ve been seeking here.
About Tate Kennedy
Tate has 15 years of experience from all areas of the local church — from leading family and children’s ministry to planting churches as a missionary in the Czech Republic.
With a heavy burden for the lost and hurting and a passion to come alongside fellow believers to build a true community that strives to do life together, Tate feels God has called him to strengthen, encourage, and expand the local church.
“As a church-planting missionary, I have learned how to build a team of ministry partners from all around the United States. And we have experienced the joys and pains of starting a Christian church in a country where 99% of the population are unbelievers.”
– Tate Kennedy
About eight years ago, Tate and his wife Nicole felt called to relocate their family to the Czech Republic to plant a church there. As Tate told the GracePoint Pastoral Search Committee, “As a church-planting missionary, I have learned how to build a team of ministry partners from all around the United States. And we have experienced the joys and pains of starting a Christian church in a country where 99% of the population are unbelievers.”
Tate cited discipleship and relationships as two of the greatest ways God used their ministry in the Czech Republic.
Tate and Nicole both recognized that their family learned firsthand what it’s like to be pushed outside of their comfort zones to build a life in a culture very different from anything they had known.
About a year ago, Tate and Nicole felt God calling them back to the U.S. and in April 2023, they brought their family back to the United States to begin the next chapter of their lives and ministry.
Sermons
Here are two recent sermons Tate preached in the United States:
Pastoral Experience
Tate’s pastoral experience includes:
- Missionary in Czech Republic (2016 – 2023)
- Children’s Pastor, Charity Baptist Church, Kannapolis NC (2013 – 2016)
- Youth Pastor, Pine View Baptist Church, Thomasville AL (2012 – 2013)
- Youth Pastor, Park Lake Baptist Church, Wylie TX (2008 – 2012)
Across his various roles, Tate has focused on building and maintaining volunteers, equipping parents to disciple their children at home, and emphasizing small groups and involvement in community events as a critical way to reach the local community for Christ.
Family Life
Tate and Nicole have been married for 17 years as of this June.
They have four children: Lily (15), Ryder (14), Brielle (10), and Maizey (4).
They’re currently living with friends in North Carolina.
After an in-person visit in April to meet with the Search Team, the elders, and spouses, Tate told us: “From what we’ve seen and experienced first hand with you, GracePoint feels like a loving church with a genuine focus on loving people and creating disciples. Our family and ministries have always placed a big emphasis on those elements, too.”
Tate Kennedy – Candidate Sunday
Tate is in full agreement with GracePoint’s Statement of Faith, Constitution & By-Laws, and Mission, Vision & Values.
On May 14, Tate preached at GracePoint as a formal pastoral candidate. You can watch his sermon here:
In addition, Tate answered your questions in a Q&A session after the service. You can view the Q&A here:
Next Steps
GracePoint’s by-laws require a 2/3 affirmative vote of GracePoint members present and voting at a duly called meeting to extend the call to become GracePoint’s new lead pastor. That vote will take place over Zoom on Wednesday May 17.
“From what we’ve seen and experienced first hand with you, GracePoint feels like a loving church with a genuine focus on loving people and creating disciples. Our family and ministries have always placed a big emphasis on those elements, too.”
– Tate Kennedy