What do a subwoofer, a 12-channel mixing console, wireless mics and interactive lighting have to do with church?
Well – a lot, at least in the case of Pastor Kevin Diamond, who for the past 15 years has put the “killer mobile sound system” he uses for church service toward service for the community.
From weddings, proms and dinner events, to outdoor parties, fundraisers and school events, Diamond – also known as the “nonprofit DJ” – provides sound services for free, asking only for a small donation to his church ministry in return.
It’s a ministry now focused on starting a new church in Melbourne Beach – Rock Harbor Church.
Pastor Diamond and his wife Angie moved to Melbourne Beach recently with their young sons, Preston and Carson. His sister-in-law MJ Baker had previously moved her family to the area after becoming the head women’s basketball coach at Eastern Florida State College. They are currently trying to get the word out about their new church.
“One fun way we are doing outreach is by offering free DJ services for any nonprofit and community function,” Diamond said. “We’ve already done this at Gemini Elementary for their Jog-a-thon and a couple of Halloween events at Brevard Community Centers. We are also doing an event for the Best Friends in February who pair special needs with friends.”
Diamond previously served as the associate and youth pastor for nine years at Faith Covenant Church near Columbus, Ohio, where the couple both graduated from Ohio State University. Kevin went on to complete his Master of Divinity at North Park Theological Seminary.
In addition to family, one aspect that drew the couple to Melbourne Beach was the small-town feel.
As part of the Evangelical Covenant Church, which represents more than 800 churches across the United States and Canada, through Rock Harbor Church Diamond wants to provide a “safe place” for people from all walks of life to worship and feel included in a caring community.
“We are not trying to create a church where people of like minds only gather, but a safe place for people to come and ask the hard questions of life, to be the church for people who don’t like church,” Diamond said. “Safety for families will always be a priority, but we also want Rock Harbor to be a safe place for questions. We are a harbor, which is a safe place for people to get out of the storms and find shelter and people who care for them.”
Diamond said he and his wife didn’t come with a predetermined idea of exactly what the church was going to look like, because they first wanted to get to know the needs of the community. But they do hope to be a multigenerational church, geared to both younger families as well as the elderly.
“We want to come alongside people of all walks of life in this community and allow God to lead us to the exact ministry we are being called to,” Diamond said. “We are excited to have Sunday morning worship experiences with vibrant worship, relevant messages and a service that blends modern and sacred aspects of the Christian faith.”
The church does not have a physical building yet, but Diamond and his wife are currently exploring options in Melbourne Beach and hope to plan a grand opening Sept. 8.
“For now, we are enjoying being the church, even before we are a church,” Diamond said.
The community is invited to an open house to learn more. It that will take place at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27, at Melbourne Beach Town Hall. For more information about Rock Harbor Church, visit www.rhfl.org.