No, not the usual “megachurch-pastor-said-something-slick” kind of impressed. I mean genuinely, cautiously, “this-guy-might-actually-be-legit” impressed. And I’m talking about none other than Jacksonville’s own redneck revivalist—Pastor Joby Martin of Church of Eleven22.
Jacksonville has seen its share of frauds in megachurch pulpits. I've chronicled at least 10 of them on this blog. Money grubbers, sexual deviants, those who covered for and protected sexual deviants, and just plain off-your-rocker nutjobs - even one that used the church resources to build a hotel right next to the church that is family could run. It's time Jacksonville has a megachurch pastor that is legit.
Now don’t get me wrong. I’ve got another post in the works—almost finished—that dives into what Joby has accomplished in building one of the most explosive church movements this city has seen since the glory days of Homer Lindsay. That post will analyze the numbers, the reach, the culture, the empire. But before we even get to the empire, I need to pause and say this: the guy can preach.
And I don’t mean he can tell a good story and yank a few tears. I mean the guy can actually preach the Bible—without sounding like he’s been rehearsing in front of a mirror for six hours while sipping a caramel macchiato. He’s raw. He’s real. And oddly enough, he’s refreshingly redneck in all the best ways. You can tell he’s not trying to impress the seminary elites. He just genuinely wants to help people understand the Bible and apply it to their lives.
But what seals it for me—what separates Joby from the rest of the stage-act pulpiteers—is what he does after the sermon. You’ve got to watch the church's YouTube podcast called Deepen with Pastor Joby. Every week—usually posted the Monday after the weekend services—Joby sits down for a solid hour with one of his associate pastors (forgive me, I still don’t know the guy’s name, but he does a great job moderating), and often one or two other team members or guests. They talk through the sermon. Not just the three points and a poem, but the Scripture. It is conversational but not forced, and they're not jokesters trying to be hip and funny and cool. But neither are they super theological spiritual in the clouds. They try to apply Christianity to real life. All of it—with an open Bible and no notes.
It’s not fluff. It’s not show. It’s not a branding exercise. It’s the kind of pastoral unpacking and reflection that shows a man who understands what he preached, who knows how to expand on it without contradicting himself, and who’s genuinely interested in making sure the people at his church don’t just hear the Word—they get it. And I challenge you to find me any megachurch pulpiteer who can preach a 45-minute sermon and then sit down and talk about what he just preached as clearly and plainly as Joby. If you know of one, let me know.
I’ve watched a lot of megachurch pastors in my time. I’ve seen the ones who can strut across a stage, tell history lessons, impress with their dress, and hoot and holler and perform. I’ve seen the ones who turn every sermon into a TED Talk with a Bible verse stapled to the back end. But this is different. Joby isn’t up there trying to impress you—he’s trying to help you yet isn't afraid to offend you. And for that, he’s earned my respect.
Stay tuned—I’ve got a full breakdown coming soon on what he’s built at Church of Eleven22, why it matters, and why I think he just might be the closest thing Jacksonville’s seen to a modern-day Homer Lindsay, Jr. But for now, let’s give credit where it’s due.
Joby Martin can preach—and he does it for the right reasons.