Tyler LaFoy never envisioned himself as a church planter.

Raised in a Christian home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he grew up attending church somewhat regularly but never anticipated a future in vocational ministry. His passion was history, and he once dreamed of becoming a history professor at the University of Alabama. “Being a church planter was never on my life’s bingo card,” LaFoy admitted.

But God had other plans. During his college years, LaFoy experienced a deep sense of restlessness. He switched majors multiple times—from history to literature, even briefly considering law—yet nothing satisfied. Then, in a quiet moment working at a publishing company, LaFoy was overwhelmed by what he describes as a “holy discontentment.” It was there, in an ordinary office, that he sensed a call to ministry. “I broke down. I didn’t know what was happening to me. I just felt the Lord calling me into something different.”

Unfamiliar with seminary or formal theological training, LaFoy reached out to his childhood pastor for guidance. That led him to seminary. There, under the influence of seasoned pastors and through exposure to reformed theology, expositional preaching, and the Acts 29 network, LaFoy’s calling took shape.

His ministry experience deepened at an Acts 29 church in Tuscaloosa that embraced him, discipled him, and gave him room to grow. “My church gave me opportunity after opportunity to learn about church planting. The lead pastor there really took me under his wing.”

After ten years of ministry and prayerful consideration, LaFoy and his wife Heather discerned a call to plant a church in Mobile. “We thought it might be New Orleans for a while, but God began to burden both of us for Mobile. It’s a deeply Catholic city, culturally rich, but with great gospel need.”

In January 2024, Grace Table Church launched in Midtown Mobile. The area, known for its progressive culture and dense population, presented a unique challenge and opportunity. The church plant gained unexpected momentum when an aging congregation gifted LaFoy and his team a historic church building in the heart of the city. “They had been praying for a vibrant gospel church to move in for years,” LaFoy explained. “After many conversations, they handed us the keys.”

The building, a classic sanctuary with a wraparound balcony and adjacent houses, is becoming a central hub for ministry. One home will serve as the children’s ministry space, while the other is being developed for future community outreach. Despite challenges—like the lack of air conditioning in the sanctuary and limited parking—LaFoy remains optimistic. Partner churches have stepped up, donating funds for key needs, including a $30,000 HVAC system.

From day one, Grace Table has focused on meeting Mobile’s spiritual hunger. The church hosts block parties, missional community gatherings, and gospel-centered preaching each Sunday. “We’re not just here to attract transfer growth,” LaFoy said. “We’re here for the people who don’t yet know Jesus.”

It’s about seeing one more person come to know and rest in the better story of Jesus. That’s why we’re here. Condividi il Tweet

Stories of transformation are already unfolding. One local woman, raised Catholic, began attending and was visibly impacted by the gospel message. “She told me she thought her sins were washed away at her christening,” LaFoy recalled. “But after hearing the message of justification by grace through faith, her heart began to change.”

Acts 29 has been instrumental throughout LaFoy’s journey. “All of my vocational ministry has been in this network. The assessment process, the relationships, the support—I can’t overstate how grateful I am. It felt like being pastored through every step.”

Looking ahead, LaFoy sees Grace Table as more than a single congregation. His hope is that the church becomes a sending hub for the Gulf Coast, an area still sparse with Acts 29 presence. “We want to raise up leaders and plant more churches. That’s the heart of Acts 29 and it’s our heart too.”

With his full-time transition to Grace Table underway and a growing network of support behind him, Tyler LaFoy is committed to seeing the gospel take root and flourish in Mobile. “It’s not about building a big church,” he said. “It’s about seeing one more person come to know and rest in the better story of Jesus. That’s why we’re here.”