Exploring Life & Business with Cedric Hardimon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cedric Hardimon.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Oklahoma City. My mom raised my older brother and me on her own after my dad walked out of our lives when I was three. We didn’t have a lot, but I remember saying, “as long as I have my family, I’ll be okay.” It was shortly after that, at the age of 15, my brother was shot and killed.

My mother and I were devastated. As a new believer, my faith in God was immediately tested. God showed up for us through our church, a community of people ready to support us in every way possible. Though this was the darkest season of my life, I found hope in the church. That began to fuel me and molded me into the person that I am today. It created a desire in me to serve and help others because my mom and I had experienced first-hand the impact of that generosity.

Fast-forward a few years, after attending college in Michigan, I found myself back home serving the same community my brother lost his life in. I joined a gang prevention program because I wanted to make a change. I wanted to do everything I could to not only prevent someone from experiencing the pain my family had experienced but also to help them see that there is a better way to live: that is a life following Christ.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been some incredible doors that opened along the way. I have been a part of launching outreach ministries, I have been able to speak at youth conferences across the U.S., and I’ve been able to serve as the chaplain for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Has it been easy?

No. The last two years have been some of the most difficult years of my life. I have experienced a lot of loss, pain, and uncertainty, but every day I have air in my lungs, I count it as a blessing. The opportunity to plant a church in a brand-new city is something I am truly grateful for.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Life.Church?
What I love about Life.Church is that it’s a place where anyone can belong, no matter where they’ve been or what they’re currently walking through. Our Senior Pastor, Craig Groeschel, and his wife, Amy, felt passionate about creating that environment for anyone attending church, which led to them opening the first Life.Church location in Edmond, OK in 1996. Their hearts and vision for leading people to know Christ have grown our church over the years so that we now have 39 locations across 12 states.

Our location, Life.Church East Kansas City, is one of the newest locations and we are excited to see all that God is already doing here in our church and our community. Our worship draws people in, the message every weekend has real-life application, and we’re watching people grow in the community. We have something for every age, birth through adulthood. Our children’s ministry, LifeKids, and youth ministry, Switch, are led by pastors and volunteer leaders who are passionate about leading the next generation to become fully devoted followers of Christ.

We also have LifeGroups for adults who are looking for community. I always encourage people to find a LifeGroup because it’s the people you laugh, cry, and grow with. Here at Life.Church East Kansas City, we also have LifeGroups who are passionate about serving in our community. One specific group has a heart for the homeless. They gather basic necessities to hand out to people in our community who are in need and even served 60 hot meals on Thanksgiving Day to homeless individuals.

I know that as our church continues to grow, we’ll see an even greater impact in our community. Not only do we want to lead people to Jesus, but we also want to help them grow spiritually so that their lives are better and the lives of those around them are better.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I’ve been blessed with great mentors over the years, Pastor Craig being one of them. He’s one of the best, if not the best, leaders I know. His podcast, Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, is a testament to that. I get the added benefit of being able to work and serve under his leadership and what I admire the most is his dedication to our mission.

He leads with a clear vision and is willing to do things differently if it reaches more people for Jesus. I also appreciate his authenticity. Craig stays true to himself, whether he’s preaching on the weekend or he’s talking with you personally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.life.church/eastkansascity
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechurcheastkansascity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/life.church.eastkansascity