I brought Mark Rodriguez onto the ChurchCandy Podcast to talk about how he planted LOVE+UNLTD church in Miami, Florida. Miami is a unique city. It is in the south geographically, but culturally, it is nothing like the typical southern church environment. Mark had to get creative with how he built his congregation, and the strategies he used are worth paying attention to.
When God Called Mark to Plant
Mark shared with me the moment he knew it was time to step out and plant a church. He had been serving faithfully in ministry, but the calling to start something new kept growing. He took a step of faith, moved his family, and started the process of building a church from scratch in one of the most expensive and culturally diverse cities in America.
Homeless Outreach as a Launch Strategy
One of the most unconventional things Mark did was use homeless outreach as a way to build interest parties before launch. Instead of the typical dinner parties or meet-and-greets, his team went into the community and served. That hands-on compassion drew people in because they could see the heart of the church before it ever had a building or a Sunday service.
Mark told me, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” That outreach strategy became the foundation for the culture they built at LOVE+UNLTD.
The Truth About Mailers
We got into a candid conversation about direct mail campaigns. Many church planting networks recommend mailers as a primary launch strategy, but Mark had a different experience. He found that digital marketing through Facebook and Instagram ads gave him better targeting, real-time data, and a much lower cost per guest than traditional mailers.
That does not mean mailers are worthless. But for a church planter on a tight budget in a city like Miami, digital outreach was the smarter play.
Fundraising for a Church Plant
Mark was honest about how hard fundraising is. He shared the reality of asking people for money, the awkward conversations, and the faith it takes to believe God will provide. His advice to new planters was simple: start early, be transparent about what you need, and build genuine relationships with potential supporters before you ask for a dollar.
Planting During a Pandemic
LOVE+UNLTD launched during a time when the world was still dealing with the fallout of COVID. Mark talked about the challenges of finding a venue, building a team, and gathering people when everyone was still cautious about large gatherings. But he also saw it as an opportunity. People were hungry for community, and a new church with a fresh vision was exactly what many of them needed.
Getting New Guests to Stay
I asked Mark what they do to retain first-time guests. His answer was all about follow-up. They text every guest within 24 hours, invite them to a casual meet-up with the pastor, and make sure they feel seen and valued from the very first visit. He said, “The ad gets them in the door. What they experience when they get there is what makes them come back.”
Advice for New Church Planters
Mark’s advice was grounded and practical:
- Serve your city before you ask it to serve you. Get out in the community and let people see your heart before they see your stage.Do not be afraid to do things differently. Just because a strategy works for one church does not mean it will work for yours. Find what fits your city and your calling.Invest in your family. Ministry can consume everything if you let it. Mark was intentional about protecting his marriage and his kids throughout the planting process.
Final Thought
Mark’s story proves that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to church planting. What works in Nashville might not work in Miami. The key is staying connected to God’s vision for your specific community and being willing to try new things. If you are planning a church launch and want help with your digital marketing strategy, let’s talk. We help church planters reach their cities every day.
About The Author
