About Access
We help people take the next step in their relationship with Jesus. That’s how we’re going to make a difference, and it’s the motivation behind everything we do.
Our lead pastors
Jason & Lis Burns
Dr. Jason and Lis Burns are the founding and lead pastors of Access Church in Lakeland, Florida. In 2007, Jason and Lis started Access as a college Bible study in their living room with 15 friends. Today, thousands of people in Central Florida call Access Church their home.
Jason and Lis have three children and live in Lakeland, Florida. Jason recently completed his Doctorate in Ministry though Southeastern University and Lis is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in ministry degree.
Connect with Jason
Connect with Lis
Your Next Step
Wherever you are in life, you matter and you have a purpose. Your journey has a next step, and we’ll help you find it. We want to help you become the person God has created you to be. It could start with serving, finding God’s vision for your life, giving, or joining us regularly.
You don’t have to take the next step alone. With a strong community of friends, you can laugh, grow, and serve with people who genuinely care about you.
Our History
2007
A group of fifteen
Lakelanders felt a need.
They wanted a great environment to meet with friends to explore questions about God without having to pretend they had it all together or wading through a bunch of religious lingo. They wanted to offer their friends an alternative that wouldn’t make assumptions about what they believed about God or knew about the Bible. They wanted to assure their friends that no one would single them out by asking, “Where are all the visitors?”
The next year, Access became a church. In the time since, the church has grown. The goal was never size; the goal always was, and continues to be, based upon the ideas of authentic community, honest conversation, and exploring the question “Where is God taking us next?”
2009-2020
After 13 years of being a portable church, and meeting in several different locations (the YMCA, a high school, and more!), Access finally got a building in South Lakeland. We opened the South Lakeland location on March 28, 2021.
2021-Present
After a season of tremendous growth, we were quickly running out of space. To create even more room to reach more people, Access bought a new building in North Lakeland and launched our North Lakeland Location on August 25, 2024.
2007
A group of fifteen
Lakelanders felt a need.
They wanted a great environment to meet with friends to explore questions about God without having to pretend they had it all together or wading through a bunch of religious lingo. They wanted to offer their friends an alternative that wouldn’t make assumptions about what they believed about God or knew about the Bible. They wanted to assure their friends that no one would single them out by asking, “Where are all the visitors?”
The next year, Access became a church. In the time since, the church has grown. The goal was never size; the goal always was, and continues to be, based upon the ideas of authentic community, honest conversation, and exploring the question “Where is God taking us next?”
2009-2020
After 13 years of being a portable church, and meeting in several different locations (the YMCA, a high school, and more!), Access finally got a building in South Lakeland. We opened the South Lakeland location on March 28, 2021.
2021-Present
After a season of tremendous growth, we were quickly running out of space. To create even more room to reach more people, Access bought a new building in North Lakeland and launched our North Lakeland Location on August 25, 2024.
Our Beliefs
Jesus is God's Son.
We believe that Jesus Christ (the Son of God) became flesh to reveal God to man and rescue the world from evil. He, being fully God yet fully man, is the only person to live a sinless life. He was born of a virgin and took the weight of sin and evil in the world on the cross so mankind could be free from the penalty of sin and creation would be redeemed. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.
Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:15
Jesus is God's Son.
We believe that Jesus Christ (the Son of God) became flesh to reveal God to man and rescue the world from evil. He, being fully God yet fully man, is the only person to live a sinless life. He was born of a virgin and took the weight of sin and evil in the world on the cross so mankind could be free from the penalty of sin and creation would be redeemed. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.
Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:15
The Bible Is God's Word.
We believe the entire Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. It, alone, is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths.
The Bible Is God's Word.
We believe the entire Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. It, alone, is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths.
The Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Holy Spirit was given, after Jesus ascended into heaven, to edify and empower the individual believer and the Church. The Holy Spirit is alive and active today. Believers should live Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered lives.
Jesus Saves.
We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sins. Salvation is a free gift and only occurs when a person repents and places their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for their sin.
Luke 24:46-47, John 1:29, Acts 3:19, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 1:7-9, Revelation 5:9
The Local Church.
We believe that the church is the family of God on the earth. Those who have trusted, by faith, the finished work of Christ are adopted into the family. The church is to participate with God in bringing about His purposes of hope, redemption and grace in the world.
God Is Our Father.
We believe in one God who exists in three distinct equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the creator of the universe, never changing, eternal, all-powerful and unending in love.
God Is Our Father.
We believe in one God who exists in three distinct equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the creator of the universe, never changing, eternal, all-powerful and unending in love.
Man Is Fallen.
We believe that man and woman was created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him, but became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, mankind is totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by his own effort.
Living For God.
We believe that every Christian is to live for Jesus and not for themselves. By obedience to the Bible, participation in a community of faith, and daily yielding to the Spirit, every believer matures and becomes conformed to the image of Christ.
Matthew 16:24, John 14:23, Galatians 5:25, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 10:23-25
Jesus' Return
We believe in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of believers, the final judgment, and all things being made right in the new heaven and the new earth. Only the Father knows the time of Jesus’ return.
Matthew 24:30, 36, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 21:1-2
Want to learn more?
Have questions or want to learn more?
Reach out to us, we’d love to have a conversation.
Visit Access
Join us every Sunday at one of our locations!
