Daily Inspiration: Meet Justin McKay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin McKay.

Justin , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Justin and Lacy went to Denver for their honeymoon in 2015. Driving through Northwest Arvada, they noticed there weren’t many churches and felt God calling them to start one. They launched The Local Church (TLC) on February 22, 2022, with help from supporters and churches across the country. In March 2025, they received tough news: the rent for their building at 5592 Independent St. was set to triple. They couldn’t afford it, but someone at a meeting said this could be a chance to do something new. That sparked a plan from God.

Justin scouted Northwest Arvada, near Highways 93 and 72, where Justin remembered that honeymoon moment. They learned that Candelas was founded in 1861 by George and Sarah Church, whose last name matched their mission. The name Candelas means “fire” in Spanish, like TLC’s “Church on Fire” slogan. Then they met Charlie Church McKay, George and Sarah’s great-grandson. Charlie, a rancher, told Justin to keep going and never quit.

Finding a new place was hard. A five-acre lot didn’t work out, but they found a two-acre plot next to an unlisted five-acre one called “Land of Revival.” The owners, passionate believers who knew TLC, said they felt God wanted them to sell when Justin called. These signs—Church, Candelas, Charlie, Land of Revival—showed God’s plan. TLC, soon to be Valor Church, is now working to buy the land and build a permanent home. It’s a big challenge with fundraising and moving around as a mobile church, but they’re trusting God to make it happen, just like a bold Church couple did in 1861.

We made a stellar mini-documentary you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BDZBLZXcI4

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Anything worthwhile will always be uphill! So yes, there have been many challenges, but also many moments of God’s providence and grace. The struggle is that we are a young, fragile church. Churches that make moves like this are more established. However, the signs are too clear for us not to move; it would be disobedient if we did not. Other challenges include friendly fire – people often resist change. Though the opposition has been minimal, those who left did so in very personal ways. Lastly, building anything for a church is a vast undertaking – many other roads are easier, but God gave us this one. Knowing that, we move ahead knowing he will provide

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a church planter and pastor. A church planter is a “spritual entrepreneur” or “church start-up”. My wife and I moved to Arvada, CO, from the south, knowing only a few people. We had no congregation; we had to build it. In just a fw short years, we’ve grown from zero to 160+ on a weekend!

What makes you happy?
My family. Being able to do what I love every day. Fly fishing. Brisket. A crisp Coke Zero. Ice Cream.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://valor.church
• Instagram: myvalorchurchco
• Facebook: myvalorchurchco
• Youtube: myvalorchurchco

Image Credits
Nic Neumann and Sanonna Al Taweel