Quay Church: Sled Dogs Over Show Dogs

By delving deep into Scripture, worshiping authentically, and prioritizing humility over hype, Quay Church, formerly Lifebridge Church, has experienced explosive growth—including among hard-to-reach young adults. 

It’s a feat the church in Windermere, Florida, pulled off by answering the community’s call for a place of worship rooted in substance.

“People aren’t just looking for a feel-good sermon—they want something that’s going to make them grow as Christians,” says Steven Grimes, a church elder and longtime member. “We have an outstanding worship team, but a lot of it comes down to this: People are starving for what the Word of God actually says.”

Lead Pastor Luke Lezon echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the church rejects the dichotomy of being either a “Bible church” or a “Spirit church.” Instead, they’re committed to being “both-and” through deep explorations of Scripture and fostering genuine connections with God.

“We are vehemently opposed to being either/or,” Lezon says. “There are no Scriptures without the Spirit, and those two are deeply intertwined.”

Lezon, who became lead pastor in 2022, says this is a departure from how he grew up when congregations had to choose. “Here, we’re seeing people hungry for both the depth of teaching and a real experience of God’s presence.” 

They leave services not only with the pastor’s sermons in their heads but also the phone numbers of fellow worshipers that become new friends. 

Quay (pronounced “key”) is a nautical term that describes where ships rest, resupply and relaunch, Lezon explains. “We’re a landing place for those navigating difficult seas,” he says. 

Located just north of Walt Disney World Resort, the church sits in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. While transplants contribute to the growth, the area is also experiencing a population boom the old-fashioned way. People are having kids, and families are putting down roots.

Having lived in the area for decades, Grimes has witnessed the area’s transformation firsthand. “When I was in high school, there was nothing out here—just empty land. Now, we’re right at Disney’s back door, with new neighborhoods popping up constantly.”

The area’s unique demographics—theme park employees, young professionals, retirees and tourism workers—have led to a congregation with an eclectic mix of people. “You have a pie chart of every demographic, and that’s been critical for growth,” Lezon underscores.

One of the church’s core values is “sled dogs over show dogs,” or a commitment to servant leadership over personal promotion.

“I grew up when Hillsong was booming, and you saw pastors becoming borderline rock stars,” Lezon says. Rather than being put on a podium, “we’re about pulling the sled.”

Grimes adds that the guidance of church elders has been crucial, especially after challenges the church has overcome since he first began attending in 2010.

“I’ve been an elder here through some tough seasons, including two church splits,” Grimes says. “There was a time when the elders had to step in and micromanage day-to-day operations. But now, with a strong team in place, we can support and shepherd our pastors and be there for them.”

Lezon credits the elder board’s accountability for keeping the pastoral staff grounded. 

“Steven literally has my location on his phone, so do other members of the board,” he says. “There’s a serious spiritual commitment to the health of this place, more than it just becoming huge or being built on an individual pastor.”

The church has become a refuge for those wounded elsewhere. “A couple in their 70s came to us after a painful experience at their previous church,” Lezon recounts. “They weren’t bitter—they still prayed for that church—but they said being here brought them healing.”

Youth and young adult ministries also have been a growth engine. The church baptized nearly 100 students in six months, and many parents have come to faith because of their kids. 

“If it were up to man, there shouldn’t have been a church here,” says Brandon Boyd, the executive pastor. “The Lord is moving the pieces around and rearranging them how he sees fit, so that he can get the glory and not man.” 

When Boyd visits other churches and returns to Quay, he realizes just how special it is. “To look across the room and see not just young adults, but senior citizens and everybody with their hands raised and worshiping is just an incredible experience—people flooding the altar, broken and wanting healing in their life. It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced.”