I have lived in Pensacola for a very long time now. 32 years to be exact. I have seen it destroyed by a hurricane, survive the Gulf Oil Spill, and weather many other adversities.
Pensacola is a survivor and overcomer and at almost 52 years old I can very much identify with the spirit of our city.
A few days ago, we were able to give a tour of the Rex to our Mayor, Ashton Hayward. It was great chatting with him about where our city is headed. Investment is coming in from all over as Pensacola is on the map for one of THE most promising places to live for the future. Both of us were excited about the possibilities for partnering to further make the downtown a great place to be.
As I drove away to my next meeting, I thought about a time with the Lord I had immediately after Hurricane Ivan back in 2004, 10 years ago. I was walking and praying over our city, looking at the devastation everywhere, crying out for favor to come to us, for turn-around. I will never forget the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to me the words, "In 10 years this city will be seen as a highly favored place."
I love what is happening now, the vitality, the promise in the air. I love being right in the heart and center of it all with the Rex Theater opening in just a few short months. I love the endless possibilities that the future holds.
A few months ago I took some guests who were visiting around town. Later that evening, one of them said, "You DO realize you live in paradise, right?" I had to agree! :)
Here are a few of the things that I love and always take guests to, time permitting:
1. Gulf Islands National Seashore What is there to say? Over 52 miles of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the US. I get an annual pass for $25 and on my day off when it is warm, find places so isolated I would swear I am on an island somewhere in the South Pacific. Everyone who moves away within no time CRAVES coming back to the beaches here.
2. Great restaurants. People from out of town always commment on this when I take them out. McGuires Irish Pub of course is legendary with the millions stapled to the ceilings (btw, when I was in Canada a few years back, one of the servers, when I told them I was from Pensacola, said that they had heard about McGuire's and it was on their bucket list to go!) and huge portions of Irish food. Fish House, Jackson's, my new favorite, "Fisherman's Corner", then all the hole in the walls that I am finding all the time.......it's foodie paradise!
3. Festivals. All the time. The Greek Festival and all the dancing, the Seafood Festival and all the great seafood and music, the Gulf Coast Arts Festival.......those and more are just plain fun!
4. Joe Patti Seafood. Amazing place with the freshest seafodd anywhere. To put it in perspective, when I went to Seattle and the famed Seafood market there, I was disappointed at how small it was in comparision, as well as how limited the selection was. Nothing like having guests in and experiencing the crowds and efficiency on a weekend then having a big grill out!
5. The Historic District. I took our staff on a Segway tour last month of downtown and the historic district. We are the oldest city in America and have deep roots. Neat little shops are tucked away in alleys with great museums and old houses. What's even better is that UWF is investing millions into competing with Charleston, SC for historic tourism in the next 5 years. It's great now but is only going to get better and better!
6. Downtown. The only way to put it is to say that downtown Pensacola is booming. Not a week goes by that there is a new restaurant or store opening. People are moving back to the area as new housing is being built. Palafox Street was just named one of the 10 Best Streets in the US. It has a New Orleans feel without all the grime. :) Best of all, our project, restoring the Rex Theater, is right in the heart and center of it all!
Those are a few of the highlights. I didnt even mention the Naval Air Museum (better than the Smithsonian IMO...), the fishing, Blackwater State Forest, Scenic Highway, and one of my very favorite places to listen to music, Paradise Cafe on the beach, but you get point: Pensacola is a great place to live.
So if you are from out of town and ever want to visit, let me know. I can hook you up and as we say in my native Louisiana, "I GAUR-AN-TEE you gonna pass a good time!!!"
PB
Very-very cool! I find it fitting that "The Church That Can" is located right in the middle of Pensacola...Florida's Actual First City!
My studies in the Word tell me that the first post Ascension churches meet in homes & shared public buildings in which partnerships were formed, leading to the expansion in the Great Commission. I love it...it's original, but cutting edge, yet Christ honoring! Congrats Harvest!
Posted by: Thomas K Guidy | December 11, 2014 at 09:57 PM