Different Church - St. Petersburg (FL)

5 /5 Kathryn Perry: My wife and I have searched for a truly affirming and welcoming church for years, and we finally found this in Different Church. It is amazing to attend the services and see the diversity amongst the people who come together each Sunday. Our experiences in previous churches have been difficult and there were times when we nearly gave up, believing there was no church that existed where we could be our true selves and not feel ashamed. Not only is the music incredible, but each Sunday, we are moved by the message (or messages) of Pastor Hannah’s sermons. She breaths life back into us as the human beings we are by helping us to understand a perspective of the Bible and of worship that is not wrapped in alienation or condemnation but instead love, peace, acceptance and comfort. The only thing I wish for this church is for more members to join and experience all it has to offer. I look forward to each Sunday and am excited to continue to become a part of the Different Church family.

5 /5 Taylor Horan: Growing up religious, church often felt like checking an obligation. In the past few years (especially with the recent "Christian Political" climate), it has been hard to find a church that I felt fully at home in. However, after attending Different Church the past few months, I actually am excited for Sunday mornings! The music is amazing. The people are beyond incredible. The messages that Pastor Hannah teaches are timely, modern, and backed with scripture. I have never felt so welcomed and engaged at a church. Attending this church has helped me grow in my spiritual journey. If you are looking for a progressive Christian church that welcomes ever single person that walks through the door with no judgement, this is a church you absolutely need to visit!

5 /5 Bradley Marshall: Had a wonderful time at service etoday - first in person service. The sermons are so good and hit deep, you can tell the pastor is truly passionate. The music is wonderful, thoughtful, touching, and uniquely wonderful. Really enjoyed the kindness I felt while I was there.

5 /5 Elizabeth Perry: Different Church is truly different! Our family was raised almost fearful of scripture and thanks to this church we have a whole new meaning and thought process. We can truly appreciate and respect scripture today. Also, we have struggled with being accepted in a church for over 20 years. We have attended churches where LGBTQ people are “accepted” but honestly, I would consider it more of being tolerated. Not only are LGBTQ people actually accepted, we are celebrated at Different Church. Plus, everyone attending this church is exposed to resources to be true allies for our community. Don’t believe me? Then, take a moment to listen to the June 6th service podcast on Diversity and Inclusion training. We were nervous attending in person at first and watched online for a few weeks. Then, we went in person the first time and now, we do everything we can to attend in person each week with two little ones. You will not regret making this place your home church! We are truly blessed to have found such an amazing church for our family!

5 /5 Victoria Johns-Paradise: What I love about Different Church is how theyve created a space that is safe for exploration, worship, and community. Its not going to be perfect, because no place is, but they truly do the work to be trauma-informed, gracious, and loving of people no matter where they come from. If youre looking for a LGBTQ+ affirming church, a church that is aware of religious trauma, a church that is a safe place to ask questions and allows space to deconstruct and reconstruct, a church that gives back (they do a reverse tithe to give to the community), a church where its okay to not have it all figured out...Different Church does a good job striving to meet these. Pastor Hannah is an amazing preacher as well. Great theology and homiletics, and also very relatable. A personal experience that makes me happy: when I first came back to this church with my 6 month old baby, Pastor Hannah made sure I knew that it was okay for my baby to be with me - I didnt have to leave the sanctuary to breastfeed, I didnt have to leave if she was hyper or if she cried. I was welcome to step out if I was more comfortable, but my baby was also welcome in all her baby-ness to be present with me. As a new mom with Postpartum Anxiety, this was very comforting.