Three Decades on Wickham Road
Church at Viera sits on a 30-acre campus at 9005 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne, Florida, in the master-planned community of Viera in Central Brevard County. Its mission statement is share grace with everyone and see Christ change lives. The church is a place where grace, fellowship, and Bible teaching are taken seriously without being stuffy.
What began in 1987 as a small gathering called Suntree Baptist Chapel has grown into a multi-service congregation with a full weekday preschool, age-graded ministries from infants through young adults, and short-term mission teams traveling as far as South Asia and Romania. In 2026, the church entered the public phase of a planned pastoral succession that will see founding pastor Mark Ragsdale hand the pulpit to a yet-to-be-named successor in October 2028.
Worship in Four Services a Week
Church at Viera holds three services every Sunday - 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. - plus a Thursday evening service at 7:00 p.m. Each gathering runs about an hour. The 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. services are streamed live, and a replay is available all week.
The format is familiar to anyone who has visited a contemporary evangelical church: high-energy, Christ-centered music led by the CAV Band, followed by expository teaching from one of the pastors. The music is passionate and the preaching is Bible-centric. Visitors who wonder what to wear can relax; the church encourages casual dress and asks only that guests come as they are.
First-time guests are guided in by signs at the entrance to the parking lot. Turning on hazard lights alerts the Guest Services Crew, and a crew member will direct visitors to reserved parking and walk them inside. A virtual connection card is available for those who prefer to share their information online before arriving, and a Starting Point class meets during both early services for anyone who wants to learn about membership.
From Suntree Baptist Chapel to a 30-Acre Vision
The story starts in 1987, when a small group began meeting as Suntree Baptist Chapel in the Suntree area of Melbourne. In 1992 the congregation relaunched under the name Church at Viera with Mark Ragsdale as lead pastor. Ragsdale had graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1983, met his wife Kelli in the Baptist Student Union choir there, and earned a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1986. He and Kelli had served churches in Texas and Tennessee before feeling called to plant the Melbourne-area church.
In 1996 the church built its first Murrell Road facility and held grand-opening services with 380 people in attendance. Seven years later it purchased 30 acres at Wickham Road and Stadium Parkway, and in 2007 relocated to the current campus - the site the church still occupies and intends to expand. A multi-year capital and discipleship initiative called Multiply includes a new worship auditorium that the pastor and elders expect to be in use well before the 2028 leadership transition.
What the Church Believes
The statement of faith follows a conservative evangelical Baptist pattern. There is one God, manifested in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God, born of a virgin, wholly God and wholly man, who lived a sinless life, died as a substitutionary sacrifice, was buried, rose again, and ascended into Heaven. The Bible is the Word of God without any error, the sole authority for life.
The church teaches that humanity is a special creation made in God's image, that all people are sinners in need of salvation, and that salvation is a gift of grace received through faith in Jesus Christ. Every person who is truly saved is eternally secure in Christ. The lost spend eternity in hell; the redeemed spend eternity in heaven. Water baptism follows salvation and is by immersion. The local church is a body of baptized believers with Christ as its head, and each believer has direct access to God through Christ and the Bible. The church holds to the separation of church and state but rejects the separation of God and government.
The seven core values echo the same commitments: Identity In Christ, Truth Under Scripture, Community Together, Influence through Sharing the Gospel, Grace, Generosity, and Discipleship. The stated vision is to equip thousands to become influencers for Christ and to impact tens of thousands across Central Brevard and beyond.
Family Ministry: CAV Kids and CAV Buddies
Family Ministry Pastor John Leathers oversees a sprawling children's wing branded simply as CAV Kids. The wing serves three age groups: infants through Pre-K, elementary, and a dedicated special-needs ministry called CAV Buddies. CAV Buddies partners each child with a trained volunteer buddy and offers three tracks: Full Inclusion with one-to-one support, a Sensory-Friendly Program in a dedicated quiet space, and a Blended Experience that moves between the two. The ministry extends beyond Sundays; a CAV Buddies Glow Party and a recurring Kids Faith Gathering for children whose families are exploring baptism happen throughout the year.
Families checking in for the first time are met at a First-Time Families kiosk in the lobby and walked to the kids' wing by a Crew member. Children receive a name tag with an alphanumeric code that matches a parent security tag; no child is released without the matching tag. Every CAV Kids volunteer has cleared a background check, and the kids' wing doors are locked once services begin.
During the service itself, parents can expect their children to move through large group gatherings, age-specific Bible teaching, and small group time. The church's philosophy is summarized in a single line: parents are the primary spiritual leaders in their children's lives, and we're here to walk alongside you. Parent Cue is promoted as a free at-home resource, and a Parent Partnership Facebook group keeps families connected between Sundays.
CAV Weekday Preschool
Running parallel to the children's ministry is CAV Preschool, a Christ-centered early-learning program for two-, three-, and four-year-olds. The preschool holds Florida license C18BR0169 and operates three tracks: a two-day program for two-year-olds (Tuesdays and Thursdays), a three-day program for three-year-olds (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday), and the state Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program for children who are four by September 1. Each runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuition for the two- and three-year-old programs is $375 per month; VPK is free. Non-refundable registration is $275. Director Stephanie Dean oversees the program and answers parent inquiries directly.
Middle School: Sundays, Thursdays, and Small Groups
Middle school ministry meets in three Sunday morning services alongside the adults (8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.) and on Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. The stated mission is to lead middle school students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to help them develop and pursue a faith of their own. Sunday mornings include games, music, and a message formatted for sixth through eighth graders; Thursday nights add small group time and outings.
Small group leaders are vetted adults - background-checked, interviewed, and active members of Church at Viera - who commit to multi-year relationships with their students. Grade- and gender-specific communication channels keep parents connected, and a Walking Wisely Weekend and a summer middle school camp anchor the year's calendar. Middle School Director Maddie Balsitis and Coordinator Brady Fritz lead the team.
High School: Owning the Faith on Sunday Nights
High school ministry meets Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in a high-energy environment with worship, teaching, and small groups. The stated mission - to lead high school students to take OWNERSHIP of their faith - is reinforced by multi-year small group commitments from adult leaders and by annual events like camp and a fall Baptism Night.
High School Pastor Cris O'Brien and Coordinator Kate Little lead the ministry. Parents are encouraged to follow the ministry's Facebook and Instagram accounts, keep their contact information current, and consider joining the Crew to serve alongside the students.
Young Adults in Room 200
Young adults from high school graduation through age 35 gather on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Room 200. The format is intentionally simple: thirty minutes of hanging out and snacks, a brief worship set, then small groups organized by life stage - college, early career, newly married, and so on. Free childcare is provided. Coordinator Caden Sichler oversees the ministry, and an annual Beach Baptism and Worship Night moves the gathering to the sand at Tables Beach.
The Discipleship Pathway
The church organizes adult spiritual formation around a four-step Discipleship Pathway: Come to Church, Get in a Group, Join the Crew, and Make an Impact. Each step has an accompanying next step.
Starting Point is the on-ramp for newcomers and the first class toward membership. It meets during both the 8:30 and 10:00 services, includes breakfast pastries and coffee, and walks attendees through the church's vision, values, core beliefs, and membership process. Rooted is a ten-week small-group experience that meets Mondays during the fall. Stepping Stones is a Sunday-morning alternative.
For deeper study, the Formation 200 series includes The Intentional Man, The Art of Parenting, The Art of Marriage, Love & Respect, Understanding the Old Testament, Church in Plain Language (a six-week walk through 590 to 1789 A.D. using Bruce Shelley's Church History in Plain Language), and Business By the Book. The Formation 300 series focuses on multiplying faith through impact, and the Formation 400 series is being developed for leadership development.
Hope and Support
For those walking through hard seasons, Church at Viera offers a stack of recovery and care ministries. Celebrate Recovery meets Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. for food and fellowship, 6:30 p.m. for a large group time, and 7:15 p.m. for small groups; the program is Christ-centered, biblically based, free, and open to anyone. DivorceCare runs as a thirteen-week Tuesday series with on-site childcare. GriefShare meets Tuesdays in the fall. Trauma REBOOT Leadership Training equips volunteers to lead a twelve-week healing course. Crown Financial Class provides budgeting and money coaching. Widows Walk is a bi-monthly fellowship for widows, with morning and evening options meeting on the first/third Thursday and second/fourth Monday respectively.
The Military Group: No Greater Love meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room 240 and is open to active-duty service members, veterans, and their spouses. CAV Cares, the church's pastoral-care umbrella, organizes Meals, Visitation, Card, Prayer, and Fix-It (light handyman) teams, and offers one-on-one financial coaching through volunteer coaches.
Men's and Women's Ministry
Men's ministry revolves around a network of Bible studies meeting at various times and locations - IHOP on Thursdays at 6:00 a.m., Pizza Gallery in The Avenues at 6:30 a.m. on Fridays, Rotary Park in Suntree at 6:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, and a virtual option Wednesdays at 6:00 a.m. The annual Forge Men's Conference, hosted at the church, brings in speakers like Cameron Arnett; the gathering runs Friday evening through Saturday morning.
Women's ministry offers both daytime and evening tracks. Daytime options include Anchored Moms (weekly fellowship for mothers), Paddle Boards and Prayer (every other Saturday at 9:30 a.m.), Taste and See, Beachside at Brittany (Tuesdays 6:00-7:30 p.m.), Hear the Word (Tuesdays 9:30-10:30 a.m.), and Working Women: Before the Day Begins (Thursdays 6:30-7:30 a.m.). Evening tracks include Wednesday Evening Bible Journaling and the Women's Bible Recap Group (Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m.). Widows Walk is shared with the hope and support track. Women's Ministry Director Lori Klump oversees the program.
Legacy +55 and Connection Groups
Legacy +55 is the ministry for adults over fifty-five. A bi-annual Grandparenting Matters Conference equips Christian grandparents with a strategy for passing on faith. Connection Groups organize ongoing fellowship by demographic: Men, Women, Legacy, Young Adults, Military, and Sports & Leisure. A separate Frontline Faith Fellowship gathers first responders. Life Groups - home-based small groups meeting across Brevard County - are the church's primary vehicle for ongoing adult fellowship.
Local Impact Across Brevard
Local Impact, led by Executive Director Carrie Thompson, runs on the church's stated rhythm of pray, give, and go. The annual Serve 321 day mobilizes volunteers alongside local affiliates. Ongoing partners include Agape Women's Center, Apartment Life, Care Portal, CITA Rescue Mission, Endeavour Elementary, Family Promise of Brevard, Helen's House (a Citarescue Mission program), New Life Mission, A Door of Hope Ministries, Canaveral Port Ministry, the Sharing Center of Central Brevard, and Men Passionate About Christ. Amazon and Walmart wishlists support the Endeavour snack pantry, Agape Outreach, New Life Mission, and CITA Rescue Mission.
Global Impact
The Global Impact calendar runs year-round. Trips have included Mexico, Kairos Prison (men's ministry), Romania, two Costa Rica student teams, Orchid Lake (middle school), Buffalo NY, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Arabian Gulf. The Haiti Experience event brings World Wide Village's story to Melbourne for an evening of Haitian food, history, and testimony. Global partners include Hope Partners (Costa Rica, Romania, India), Worldwide Village (Haiti), Frontline Missions, and Cru/Bridges International.
Join the Crew
Serving is built into the discipleship pathway. Open Crew positions include Guest Services (Section Host, Greeter, Campus Crew, Medical Team, Café Team, Safety Team, Parking Lot, Decor), Music (Instrumentalist, Vocalist), Facilities (Custodial, Maintenance, Project Support), Production, CAV Kids (Small Group Leader, Check-In, Large Group Production, CAV Buddy, Greeter), Middle School, High School, and Adult Groups. Most roles require adults; some are open to youth in sixth grade and up. The CAV Buddy role involves one-on-one ministry with children with special needs.
The Sharing Grace Podcast and Online Resources
The Sharing Grace Podcast extends the church's teaching beyond the campus through conversations, testimonies, and practical answers to life's questions. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Church services stream live on YouTube on Sundays at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m., and replays remain available through the week. The church's app is available in the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon Appstore.
The church makes RightNow Media, YouVersion (the Bible App), and Lectio 365 available to members for personal study and group preparation.
A Planned Pastoral Transition
In 2026, Pastor Mark Ragsdale announced that he will transition from Lead Pastor to Pastor Emeritus on October 1, 2028, with the goal of having a successor affirmed by Spring 2028. A Succession Team led by Darrell Foster - and including Chris Rea, Deanne Sichler, Karen Trent, Tony Meggs, and Paul Carpenter - is evaluating both internal and external candidates. Administrative Leaders (Elders) carry governing responsibility; present leaders include Jerry Sheldon (President), David Rye, Derek Sichler, Jeremy Frontz, and Tony Derbyshire.
The new Lead Pastor will be a biblically qualified man in keeping with the church's Statement of Faith and Constitution. Continuity of doctrine - conservative, biblically grounded convictions and the long-held Core Values - is non-negotiable. After the transition, Pastor Mark and his wife Kelli plan to remain at Church at Viera, and Mark will continue to serve under the new Lead Pastor's direction.
Coming to Church at Viera
Church at Viera meets at 9005 N. Wickham Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940. Sunday services are at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 a.m.; the Thursday service is at 7:00 p.m. Services livestream on Sundays, and message notes and a sermon-based conversation guide are posted online. Giving, group sign-ups, event registration, and care requests all flow through the church's Church Center platform. For first-time visitors, a virtual connection card, a Starting Point class, and a serving pathway called Join the Crew are available.