Who We Are
Legacy Church exists to cultivate a community that actively builds and strengthens faith, welcomes the lost with open arms, and empowers people to reach their fullest potential. Planted in 2023 by Lead Pastors Chad and Jade Spencer, Legacy Church was born out of a God-given conviction to see the city of Bradenton transformed and lives forever changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Chad and Jade relocated from Upstate New York, leaving behind years of faithful ministry to answer the call God placed on their hearts for Southwest Florida.
Every Sunday, we gather at Lakewood Ranch High School to worship together as one church family. We serve the Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and Sarasota communities, and our doors are wide open to anyone looking for a place to belong. Whether you grew up in church or have never stepped foot in one, Legacy is a place where you can come as you are and encounter the living God.
At the heart of Legacy Church is a deep desire to build genuine, life-giving community in Southwest Florida. We believe that people from every background, every walk of life, and every season can find hope, healing, and purpose through a real relationship with Jesus. This is more than a weekend service — it's a family committed to growing together, serving together, and reaching our neighbors with the love of Christ.
We are committed to leaving a godly legacy for the next generation. Through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will impact our city and reach beyond our local community to share the message of Jesus Christ with the world.
Our ultimate goal is to equip believers to fulfill their purpose in Christ and make a lasting impact on the world. We don't just want to build a church — we want to raise up a generation of people who carry the presence of God into their homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods across Southwest Florida and beyond.
Everything starts with His presence. We create space for people to experience God authentically — through spirit-led worship, practical Bible-based messages, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Every Sunday at Legacy, you'll find an atmosphere of genuine worship through live music, heartfelt prayer, and teaching that speaks directly to real life. We believe that when people step into the presence of God, something shifts. Hearts are healed, perspectives are changed, and faith is ignited. Our goal is to create an environment every single week where anyone — whether they've followed Jesus for decades or are encountering Him for the very first time — can have an authentic, life-changing encounter with God.
You were never meant to do life alone. At Legacy, we believe that real community happens when people are willing to open their lives to one another. That's why we created Dinner Parties — intimate small groups of 8 to 14 people who meet regularly in homes to share a meal, study the Word, and build lasting friendships. Beyond Dinner Parties, our discipleship groups provide focused environments for spiritual growth and accountability. Whether you're serving side by side on a Sunday morning or walking through a difficult season with people who genuinely care, you'll find that Legacy is a place where you become family. Life was never meant to be lived in isolation — it was meant to be lived together.
We are passionate about helping every person discover their God-given gifts and step into their purpose. It starts with our DNA classes — a two-class experience designed to introduce you to the heart, vision, and values of Legacy Church and help you find your place in the family. From there, you can take a spiritual gifts assessment to identify the unique ways God has wired you to serve and make an impact. Our Dream Team is where those gifts come alive — serving opportunities across every area of the church where you can use your talents to build the Kingdom. Through consistent biblical teaching, one-on-one mentorship, and real-life application, we are committed to equipping every believer to walk confidently in their calling.
We are building something that will outlast us. Every life changed, every family strengthened, every person who says yes to Jesus — that's the legacy we're leaving for the next generation. We are deeply committed to investing in the future, and that starts with our Legacy Kids ministry, serving children ages 1 through 11 every Sunday with age-appropriate worship, biblical teaching, and a safe environment where kids can grow in their own relationship with God. We believe in raising world changers — young people who carry faith, character, and purpose into every area of their lives. Creating legacy means thinking beyond ourselves. It means building something today that will continue to bear fruit long after we're gone, and trusting God with the generations that follow.
