About Us

Our Story

Years ago, Mission of the Dirt Road was just a dream that God gave our pastor, Carey Morford. Over a few years, God spoke clearly and directly to Carey and her husband, Isaac. In 2014, they began taking steps to make the dream a reality. 

In 2015, Carey met with Rev. Patrick Styers, District Superintendent of the FL District of the Wesleyan Church, to discuss her dream of creating a ministry that would be focused on making disciples through community development in High Ridge Estates. While the FL District of the Wesleyan Church would have never on their own decided to plant a church in Keystone Heights, a rural community already overflowing with churches; it was clear that God was doing something. Carey began the process of transferring her ordination from Community Church of Keystone Heights to The Wesleyan Church and starting an approved church plant with the Florida District.

In 2016, a group of people began meeting for dinner and conversation at a local park. As this group grew in number and relationship to each other, prayer and scripture were added to the regular rhythm of their gatherings. Around Easter of 2016, Mission of the Dirt Road held their first gathering at the Seeds of Grace Community Garden, and this eventually became their regular gathering place. While meeting there, they formed a few neighborhood traditions like our annual pumpkin party, thanksgiving feast, and Christmas party which were often attended by 100 people or more. 

By 2019, Mission of the Dirt Road was ready to purchase a building to expand their ability to offer ministries and services to the community. In October of 2020 they held the first public gathering at their new location. While Sunday Gathering remains a part of the routine at Mission of the Dirt Road, they find that much spiritual growth happens in the midst of conversation and community service. Neighborhood events, distributing food and hygiene/cleaning supplies during the pandemic, hosting educational presentations, Coffee Cafe & Showers, home repairs, youth development, all provide an opportunity to worship God and love neighbors.

In 2022, Mission of the Dirt Road started leading neighborhood meetings to discuss ways community members could work together toward a healthy and vibrant neighborhood. After hosting 10 "hotdog dialogues" and meeting with over 100 local stakeholders, the steering committee presented their findings to the Clay County Board of County Commissioners. High Ridge Initiative was officially approved as a county community development project in January 2023. You can read more about how that project is progressing here. You can also follow the High Ridge Initiative on Facebook.

Our Vision

Our vision is that the residents of High Ridge Estates would become our neighbors and friends that we would devote ourselves to the teachings of Jesus Christ and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. That we will all be filled with awe at the many signs and wonders performed in our midst. We will all be together and have everything in common. That we will sell our property and possessions to give to anyone in need. We will break bread in our homes and eat together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord will add to our number daily those who are being saved. And, then we'll do it again in another neighborhood. See Acts 2: 42-47.