Our story
Pastors Derrick and Nicole West have overseen the planting and revitalization of six churches in New York. A few years ago, they answered the call of God to return to Derrick’s hometown of Wildwood, Florida. They started with 15 people in a living room, then moved to a small building in Coleman and outgrew it after 18 months. Through God’s provision, Encounter Church was able to purchase property in Wildwood and began holding services in a large tent while Phase 1 of the new building was under construction. On February 22, 2026, the new building officially opened, and within just a few weeks, the church outgrew the sanctuary and now offer two Sunday services. Encounter Church is now in the planning stage of Phase 2, a 30,000 square-foot expansion that will include a 1,600 seat sanctuary. Pastors Derrick and Nicole, along with their four children, are called not only to plant Encounter Church, but to expand to multiple campuses and build Encounter Centers, places where people of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, and ethnicities can come to encounter Christ. The West Family and Encounter Church carry a deep passion for those struggling with addiction, believing God has positioned them to be a catalyst for healing and transformation in Wildwood, Sumter County, across Florida, and beyond. We invite you to join the movement of what God is doing through Encounter Church!
