TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Becoming 1 Body Under 1 Roof

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARK HOLAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 6, 2007

Updated: 10/04/2007 10:44 pm

BALLAST POINT - Two churches that merged in 2003 are nearly ready to open an $8 million worship center under their new name, South Tampa Fellowship.

Members of Davis Islands Baptist Church, 97 Biscayne Ave., and Ballast Point Baptist Church, 1501 Bayshore Blvd., have divided their worship services and ministry programs between the two locations for years. All the activity shifted to Davis Islands when construction on the worship center began in January.

Crews are working outside and inside the 45,000-square-foot complex at the Bayshore site. By early next month, the church will consolidate most of its activities and administrative offices there, although several ministries will remain at Davis Islands.

A grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 18.

The church design, by RBK Architects of Ybor City, incorporates three existing buildings along Bayshore, including the original 1948 sanctuary, and adds space at the rear for a fellowship hall, Bible study classrooms and offices.

James Patterson, one of five pastors at South Tampa Fellowship, said the name change better reflects the church's geographic territory and appeals to a membership that includes people from other faiths.

'Those that seek our church are not always from a Baptist church background; people who say they never thought they would come to a Baptist church,' Patterson said.

'We want to be identified as a body of believers in Jesus Christ,' he said.

News stories and blogs report a trend of churches dropping denominational affiliations from their name as they reach out to an increasingly secularized society.

'We are no less Baptist,' Patterson said of the church, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Most of the congregation's 1,000 members are in their early 40s or younger, a mix of singles and families, Patterson said. The church has about 25 full-time and 15 part-time employees.

What the church doesn't have is a senior pastor. A search committee is considering people for the position, but it's unclear when a decision will be reached.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: South Tampa Fellowship is planning a grand opening for its $8 million worship center
WHERE: 1501 Bayshore Blvd.

WHEN: Nov. 18

CONTACT: (813) 251-1515 or www.southtampafellowship .com

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT