About Us
OUR STORY
Formation Church began with a vision to invite people into the greater story of God where our lives are transformed by Jesus, shaped in community, and empowered for mission.
We believe every story is ultimately connected to God’s story. But it’s only through being formed by Jesus, alongside others, that we fully discover our place in His redemptive mission.
Our heart is to see people across the Tampa Bay area experience spiritual formation, authentic relationships, and a shared calling to live on mission together.
OUR VISION
We are one church with many communities, seeking to see the message of Jesus saturate St. Petersburg and the greater Tampa Bay area.
Our vision is to see Formation Communities established throughout the region, smaller, local gatherings where people grow spiritually through intentional discipleship, build genuine relationships, and live on mission together. Each Community meets throughout the week and then joins with the whole church on Sundays to celebrate Jesus and all that He is doing.
Formation Communities are the heart of our church, and our dream is to see one in every neighborhood of Tampa Bay, where people can truly become part of Jesus’ story and experience transformation together.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is simple: to help people be formed by Jesus, in community, and for mission.
This shapes everything we do, from how we gather, to how we serve, to how we live in our neighborhoods. We believe spiritual formation happens best when people walk closely with Jesus and one another, learning to follow Him in the everyday stuff of life.
The Riningers
Wade has been serving in pastoral ministry and church planting for over 19 years in Pennsylvania, Canada, and Florida. He and his Wife Anna, have been married for 18 years and have for amazing kids, Emery, Ellie, Elias, and Evaleen.
Wade grew up in a Christian home but during his teen years his faith was more inherited than personal. Before his senior year of high school, he moved out of his parents’ home and spent a short time living out of his car. During that season, God used a family who welcomed him into their home to show him what grace and community really look like. Through their love, and the transforming work of Jesus, Wade recommitted his life to Christ and sensed a clear call to ministry.
That experience shaped the rest of his life and ministry. Wade’s story fuels his belief that God forms people through Jesus, through community, and for mission, the very heartbeat of Formation Church. The Riningers love St. Pete and are grateful to call it home as they live out God’s mission right here in their community.
Leadership
Formation Church practices shared and accountable leadership. We are governed by a team of Elders who provide spiritual oversight and direction for the church. As we grow, we are working toward a model of shared leadership through Formation Communities, where trained Formation Community Leaders help guide and care for smaller expressions of the church under the support and accountability of the Elders and pastoral team.
We have a home for you and your story.
- A church where you can begin your spiritual journey.
- A Freedom to learn how your story fits into God’s story, no matter what’s been written so far.
- A community where your family can grow together with other families.
When you get involved with Formation Communities, Sunday Gatherings, and Ministry Partnerships, you will learn how to trust God and gain the spiritual tools to put your faith into action. As you cultivate a healthy relationship with Jesus, your story will come alive within God’s greater story!
OUR BELIEFS
The One True God
There is one, and only one, true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the Creator and Lord of all, existing eternally in three persons, never less and never more – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Lord Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is fully God, existing eternally. Everything was created by Him and for Him. His incarnation took place in the womb of a virgin. He became man, but never sinned. He died a substitutionary death to atone for sin, resurrected bodily, and ascended into heaven where He remains fully God and fully man, and is presently ministering until He comes again.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God, existing eternally. He is a person, and was involved in Creation and the inspiration of Scripture. His works of convicting and regenerating are essential to the believer’s salvation. Believers are entitled to the benefit and joy of being filled and walking in the Spirit for empowerment in Christian life, service, and mission.
The Bible
The sixty-six books, and only these, known as the Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God. God’s inspiration and superintendence of the writing of every word of the Bible guarantees that what was written is His Word and therefore authoritative, true, and without error in the original manuscripts. God preserves His Word, which is powerful and effective to accomplish His purpose of salvation among all nations. God’s Spirit illumines the minds of believers in every culture to understand and apply the unchanging truth of Scripture in fresh and relevant ways for the benefit of the whole Body of Christ.
Humanity
God created man and woman in His image. As a result, all people are bearers of that image. However, Adam’s subsequent sin resulted in a condition of spiritual death which all people since Adam have experienced, marring the beauty of God’s image in them in every facet of life. This condition of spiritual death has rendered all people unable to save themselves, and leads to physical death. Therefore, new birth is necessary for salvation.
Salvation
salvation brought by God is a complete and eternal salvation by His grace alone, received as the free gift of God through personal faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work, as He declares believers righteous in Him.
Church
There exists one true Church, which is called the Household of God, the Body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. It is comprised of all true disciples of Jesus Christ and is created by the action of the Holy Spirit. Tangible expressions of this true Church are found in local churches.
Christian Life
The believer is saved by faith alone. The faith that saves is expected to produce obedience and good works, which are the products of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The dimensions of biblical ethics are both individual and social, and extend to every facet of life. God faithfully continues to finish the work of sanctification, which He initiated in the life of each believer with the goal of Christlikeness.
Angels, Satan, Demons
God created a multitude of spiritual beings called “angels”. Righteous angels continue to serve God and work both in the heavenly sphere and on earth. By his disobedience, Satan, a fallen angel, became the adversary of God and God’s people, carrying with him a procession of demons. Jesus Christ has overcome Satan so that the final judgment and doom of Satan and his demons are certain.
Future Life
The dead will have a conscious existence in eternity and their bodies will be resurrected. Unbelievers, already under condemnation, will be sentenced to suffer eternal separation from God. Believers, already having been granted eternal life, will be judged and rewarded according to their works, and will experience a glorified, eternal existence in the presence of the Lord.
OUR VALUES
Biblically Pursuant
The Word of God serves as the driving force behind all our endeavors. It holds ultimate authority over the decisions we make as His church and guides us in their execution. As we strive to mirror the biblical expressions of church found in Scripture, we aim for this value to bind us together in our collective pursuit of Jesus.
Authentically Dependent
Our lives and ministry are grounded in a humble, genuine dependence on God, acknowledging our need for His strength, guidance, and provision in every area. Jesus reminds us, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). In embracing this dependence, we turn away from self-reliance and lean wholly on His wisdom, trusting in His ways over our own (Proverbs 3:5-6).
This value calls us to live in active surrender, fostering a community that looks first to God for strength, wisdom, and direction. By remaining authentically dependent, we create a culture of humility, where God’s presence is the source of our unity, effectiveness, and joy. Through this shared reliance, we build a church and a community that continually seeks Him, growing in faith and purpose together.
Hopefully Resilient
The unshakable hope in Christ’s promises serves as the anchor for our endurance. This hope sustains us through every trial, empowering us to face challenges with a joy that is grounded not in circumstances, but in the certainty of God’s steadfast faithfulness. As we walk in the strength and patience provided by the Holy Spirit, we seek to embody this resilience in every area of life, allowing it to knit us together as a community. In hopeful resilience, we find a shared strength that deepens our faith, bringing courage and peace as we pursue Jesus together.
other live on mission in everyday life.
Missionally Relational
Our mission is to live out and share the Gospel through intentional, accessible relationships that meet people where they are. Jesus reached people in relatable, engaging ways, connecting with others in their everyday contexts, and we follow His example. Whether we’re at work, cheering on our kids at a game, savoring coffee at a local café, or gathering with friends and family, we aim to embody the Gospel in every setting.
This value embodies purposeful, relational living on mission, making the Gospel accessible through our availability. We’re dedicated to being approachable and intentional, building meaningful connections that center on Christ. By living out the message of Jesus in every interaction, we strengthen our community and invite others into an authentic relationship with Him. Together, we strive to be a family that encourages and supports each other to live missionally in all areas of life.
Radical Generosity
Jesus taught that our love for one another is a defining mark of our discipleship (John 13:35). In our contemporary context, one powerful expression of love is through generosity. By freely giving our time, resources, and finances, we demonstrate a radical, unconditional love for others. Living generously becomes a lifestyle, driving us to seek out opportunities to serve and partner with our local community and beyond.
Furthermore, we approach our endeavors with strategic simplicity, constantly refining our systems to enhance our capacity for generosity. This intentional “reduce and refine” approach enables us, as a church, to extend our generosity even further.
Intentionally Story-Formed
At our core, we embrace the value of being Intentionally Story-Formed, recognizing the transformative power of narratives to shape lives and communities. We believe in purposefully weaving stories of faith, transformation, and redemption into the fabric of our church culture. By sharing testimonies of God’s grace and love, we not only connect and inspire individuals on their journey with Jesus but also foster a deeper sense of belonging and purpose within our community. Each story shared becomes a testament to God’s work among us, reminding us that we are part of a greater story and encouraging us to live out His mission with intentionality and hope.
AFFILIATIONS
Formation Church is a part of the Charis Fellowship of Churches.
The church planting process is being guided by Assist Church Expansion, a National Organization of the Charis Fellowship.
We would love to connect with you!
Let us know if you are interested in attenidng a “pop up” worship gathering, checking out a house church, or learning how you can join the team.

