A local community recently rallied behind Journey Church. The residents of Fern Park are opposing developers' plans to build a 2,000-square poker room in the old jai alai building. 

Opposing Plans for Gambling Facility

In a report with Spectrum News, developers have expressed their interest in improving the old piece of property. Residents said they were against such plans. 

The jai alai building used to be a sports betting facility. According to those who lived in the area, they worked hard to ride the neighborhood of the gambling den. 

They told the news outlet that there also used to be strip clubs in the area. 

Not Easy for Church 

Journey Church moved into the building about a year ago. Since then, the church has refurbished the space to make the environment more inviting for worshippers. 

J.J. Vasquez is the church's lead pastor. He told the news outlet that finding a permanent home for the church has not been easy. 

The church was established five years ago. They opened their doors in Winter Park High School. When the pandemic began, they transitioned their services online. 

The church also met at Trinity Prep before moving into the building at Fern Park. 

The lead pastor told the news outlet that he was passionate about mentoring his congregants. 

Making Impact in Community

As reported, he pointed out that the location allowed them to do a lot of good for the community. The church has volunteered and donated money to the local elementary school. 

The pastor said that his church has also helped the homeless in the area. 

Hendricks Reyes is one of those homeless people that the church helped. He told the news outlet that he used to sleep in the parking lot. 

Reyes said that he was able to turn his life around thanks to the church. They helped him get back to school and graduate college.

The residents told the news outlet that they welcome the impact the church brought. They wanted to ride their community of the gambling that the building was known for. 

The pastor admitted that there were times when people would mistake the church for a gambling den. Vasquez said he did not realize that the old betting place had a reputation in the area. 

Church Without Home

The proposed Oxford Town Center development is threatening the church to move. Vasquez is worried that Journey Church would have no place to go. 

According to the news report, the owners have the option to buy the church out of the remaining two years of their lease. 

Vasquez believes they have at least six months to move. He told the news outlet that the church still had much work to finish. 

He said he would have loved to stay and help the community. 

The pastor said they planned to renovate their third floor into an after school space for teenagers, 

Vasquez knows the church will not get to stay despite their work for the community. 

The pastor said the church is ready to continue the work they started wherever they may go. 

According to the Journey Church website, Vasquez is also the best-selling author of the book 'Hello God.'

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