ABOUT US

High Praise was founded by Pastors Robert and Stacey Gay in 1997. The church’s first service was conducted on January 3, 1997 at the Strausbaugh Dance Studio located on Jenks Ave. in Panama City. The services were conducted on Sunday evenings in order to accommodate Pastor Robert’s travel schedule  which was still extensive during the beginning stages of the church.

 
The church moved in April of that year to the Gilberg’s Plaza where they leased a 5000 square feet facility. In August of that same year, a permanent building was located in Callaway on Hwy. 22. The facility boasted 16,000 square feet of space including office space, educational facilities, and fellowship hall. The church closed on the facility in March of 1998.

 

The church began its first media outreach into the area in 1999 with the introduction of a daily radio broadcast entitled Higher Praise. In 2003, the church began a weekly television broadcast. It is still active today being aired regionally every Sunday morning.

With continued growth a larger facility became necessary. After going through the preparation process, the foundation for a new sanctuary was poured on August 8, 2008, 8/8/08. This truly marked a new beginning for High Praise. On April 5, 2009, High Praise held their first service in their new sanctuary!
 
Since being in their new building, High Praise has three more locations that have opened; High Priase Crestview, High Praise Central Minesota, and High Praise Brenard Lakes.

 

Pastor Robert has transitioned to an Apostolic oversight for all four locations, and his oldest son, Pastor Joshua Gay has been handed the baton and now is the lead Pastor.

 

While thankful for what God has done over the past 25 years, we know that the best is yet to come! We're just getting started!

OUR VISION

Equipping Believers

Our heart is to see every believer reach their full potential. We want to make sure that every believer has their spiritual gifts equipped and sharpened to be able to minister to those around them. 

Building Families

We believe that God orchestrated the family unit the way he intended it at creation. At High Praise we believe in building strong families that pray together, worship together, and minister together. 

Furthering The Kingdom of God

Our goal is to see God's glory throughout our region. Jesus said to go into all the earth and presch the gospel. At High Praise we strive to see the kingdom manifested here on earth!

WHAT WE BELIEVE

· The Bible is the inspired Word of God

· Our God is one, manifested in three – The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit

· Man is sinful and needs a Savior

· Jesus came to redeem mankind through His propitiatory sacrifice

· We are saved by grace through faith which produces the New Birth

· Faith without works is dead – A living faith will produce corresponding action

· Two New Testament Ordinances – Water baptism by immersion and Communion

· The infilling of the Holy Spirit is available to all believers as an experience subsequent to salvation and accompanied by speaking in other tongues

· Sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace, commencing at the time of salvation and continuing while we are here on earth

· Healing is a part of the atonement and is for the physical, emotional and psychological ills of the human body and soul.

· The laying on of hands is to be practiced for the purpose of imparting, ordination, and point of agreement

· The gifts of the Spirit are to be active in the Church today

· The five fold ministry gifts of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher are to all function in the Church

· Resurrection of the Just and the Return of the Lord

· Heaven is reserved for the righteous and Hell for the unrighteous