March 17, 2000 Edition

CHURCH DEVELOPMENT

Most New Congregations Launched In 35 Years

By Charles W. Courtoy
Executive Director of Church Development

The 1999/2000 conference year has been a banner one for launching new congregations.

The following new United Methodist congregations and their pastors will receive certificates of recognition from Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson May 30 at the evening worship service of the Dare to Share Jesus 2000 Florida Annual Conference Event:

• Grace Community UMC, Fish Hawk Creek, Tampa District, Robert L. Harding;

• Lakeside Fellowship UMC, Heathrow, Orlando District, Robert M. Martin;
  
• Bay Life Community UMC, Sarasota, Sarasota District, Donald D. Nations;
  
• Grapevine UMC, Port St. Lucie, Melbourne District, Vance C. Rains;
  
• Broward Hispanic UMC, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach District, Samuel Gonzalez;
  
• Community Hispanic UM Mission, Casselberry, Orlando District, Lucy Martinez;
  
• Revival UM Mission, Sarasota, Sarasota District, Jim Campana;
  
• Vietnamese UM Mission, Tarpon Springs, St. Petersburg District, Lai Minh "Sabrina" Tu;
  
• Chispa UM Mission, Miami, Miami District, Mayda Mora; and
  
• a United Methodist Church (that has not been named) in the Villages of Lady Lake, Leesburg District, Gary Bullock.

In addition to these 10 new congregations, four congregations started three and four years ago will receive their Charters. These congregations have achieved membership and financial strength to be self-supporting. They are:

• Community of Life UMC, Jacksonville, Candace M. Lewis;
  
• Everglades Community UMC, Pembroke Pines, Edwin "Win" Green;
  
• Community of Hope UMC, Royal Palm Beach, E. Dale Locke; and
  
• Pine Ridge Fellowship UMC, Deltona, David C. Moenning.

Your support of the New Church Start Apportionment has made it possible for hundreds of persons to hear the gospel and be equipped as disciples of Jesus Christ. Thank you.

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