When Sean Taylor’s family left Brooklyn, New York, for Gainesville in 1978, the change was immediate. “It was a culture shock,” he remembers. Three years later, Kerry’s family arrived, and the two met in high school. Surrounded by a diverse circle of friends, their interracial relationship in the 1980s wasn’t always easy, but it became the foundation of a marriage that has lasted nearly 35 years.
Sean and Kerry raised four children in Gainesville. Each has pursued their own path in fields ranging from engineering to business ownership. Their daughter Gabrielle, born with Down Syndrome, underwent open-heart surgery as an infant and became their bridge to the special needs community. Her joy and love for law enforcement have made her a beloved presence at local events like the annual Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine Gala.
Their life together hasn’t been without hardship. In the mid-2000s, their marriage nearly collapsed. “We came close to divorce,” Sean admits. “But choosing to fight for each other changed us.” That turning point deepened their resilience, compassion, and shared commitment to serve others.
Sean, who felt called to ministry as a child, has spent three decades in leadership and service. “Leadership is never about titles,” he says. “It’s about people.” That philosophy fuels their work with Bridge City Community Church, where they’re building a community rooted in practical service through food drives, kids’ initiatives, and family support.
Looking back, Sean and Kerry see Gainesville as the place that shaped their entire story—family, faith, friendships, and vision. “We’ve grown up with this city,” Kerry says. “Now our hope is to give back even more, to leave Gainesville better than we found it.”
Bridge City Community Church gathers Sundays at 10:30 AM at their ministry hub, located just beyond Sun Country Sports, across from Publix in Jonesville (14091 SW 3rd Blvd). Learn more about their community initiatives, including food drives and the Kid2Kid Closet, at bridgecitycc.org.