BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Monitor Editor
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS— During its Oct. 24 meeting, the city council gave a key to the city to the founder of Mission of the Dirt Road, a Wesleyan Missional Community serving the residents of High Ridge Estates.
The presentation by Mayor Karen Lake to Carey Morford is one in a series of the council’s efforts to recognize people of impact in Keystone Heights.
Previous recipients of the recognition were Seeds of Grace co-founder Terri Sapp, Lake Area Ministries and Johnny Mason: owner of Johnny’s Barbecue.
Lake said Morford’s vision for Mission of the Dirt Road began in 2014 and became a reality with the establishment of the Seeds of Grace Community Garden in 2016.
“Residents of High Ridge began establishing their own traditions like the annual Pumpkin Party, Thanksgiving Feast and Christmas Party,” Lake said, reading from a proclamation. “In 2019, Mission of the Dirt Road was ready to purchase a building and expand their ability to offer ministry and services to the community.”
Lake added that the vision for the mission is that residents of High Ridge Estates would become neighbors and friends who devote themselves to the teachings of Jesus Christ and fellowship with each other.
Morford told council members she hopes the county will approve an improvement project for the High Ridge neighborhood next year, similar to the College Drive Initiative launched in 2020 in the Middleburg-Orange Park area.
The College Drive Initiative seeks to leverage nonprofit organizations on the nearly three-mile roadway from Blanding Boulevard to County Road 220.
The drive is home to St. Johns River State College, the Thrasher-Horne Center, Mercy Support Services and others.
Even though College Drive and High Ridge Estates have differing strengths and challenges, becoming a county-designated project would help the area with planning and resources.
“Mission of the Dirt Road has been a dream that’s come to fruition,” Morford told council members. “One of the things we’re most excited about is this High Ridge Initiative, where we’re starting to see some momentum grow in our county, to really look at some big improvements in the neighborhood with county cooperation.”
