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CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
Making Strides
By Charles W. Courtoy
Executive Director of Church Development
When I was asked to write this column six years ago, I was concerned that I would have
difficulty finding enough material to share. Today, I am concerned that I can’t do
justice to all that is happening.
On Feb. 11 River of Life United
Methodist Church in the Julington Creek, northeast St. John County, had its official
launch with 200 in worship. The Rev. Kim Cott is the pastor.
On Feb. 18 Everglades Community
United Methodist Church, Broward County, was chartered with 330 participants in
attendance. The Rev. Edwin "Win" Green is the pastor.
On Feb. 25 Harvester United
Methodist Church, Land O’Lakes, consecrated its first unit. The Rev. Allen Johnson is
the pastor.
On April 1 Crossroad United
Methodist Church, Jacksonville, consecrated its 45,000 square foot first unit. It
currently seats 1,300 for worship and is designed to be enlarged to seat 4,500 in worship.
This is the largest first unit every constructed in the Florida Conference. The Rev.
George "Gee" Sprague is the pastor of this five-year-old congregation.
On April 22 Ray of Hope United
Methodist Church in Tallahassee chartered. This event is noteworthy because it is the
first African-American United Methodist congregation chartered in the Tallahassee
District. The Rev. Calvin McFadden is the pastor.
Beach United Methodist Church,
Jacksonville Beach, has launched a satellite in Ponta Vedra in a renovated 6,000 square
foot leased space that costs $8,000 per month. Beach is currently holding five weekly
worship services at its main campus, with an average of 1,600 worshipers per week, and
offering two additional services at the new site six miles south of the main campus. The
Rev. William "Bill" Baldwin is the senior pastor, and the Rev. Jeffrey
"Jeff" Bennett is the associate pastor.
Trinity United Methodist Church,
Gainesville, is currently offering worship services at a satellite site in Hale
Plantation. Services began in 2000 with an Easter service, and average weekly attendance
has grown to 100.
Thank you for your continued support of the New Church Start apportionment, your district’s Builders Club and your district’s Church Extension apportionment. It helps to make this wonderful evangelistic work possible.
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