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Sulphur Springs Youngsters Bag School Supplies And More

Tribune photo by KATHY STEELE

Willie Kirkland, left, 11, Keon Henderson, 9, and Baby Lundy, 8, enjoy the Sulphur Springs back-to-school event sponsored by LifePoint Church.

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By KATHY STEELE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 21, 2008

SULPHUR SPRINGS - More than a year ago, LifePoint Community Church took over a church with a dwindling congregation and rebuilt membership to about 150 worshippers.

The church, 912 E. Fairbanks St., is one of three campuses for LifePoint; others are in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

"Our goal was to reach out to the community and young families," senior pastor Bruce Moore said.

One of the innovations is Monday morning church services to accommodate shift workers.

On the Saturday before the first day of school, hundreds of neighbors gathered at the church for a cookout, gospel music, and family fun including a water slide, face painting and temporary tattoos.

More than 400 book bags with school supplies were given away as well as some bicycles and Nike shoes. The event was paid for with cash donations and in-kind contributions from area businesses.

A large part of the contributions came from an offering collected at LifePoint, said Christene Worley, program director for University Community Ministries. Her after-school program, Parents and Children Advancing Together, or PCAT, provides tutoring for Sulphur Springs Elementary School students.

PCAT was among several agencies with displays at the back-to-school event. Others included WellCare, Tampa Metropolitan YMCA and TAG Sport and Speed Camps for Youth.

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652 or ksteele@tampatrib.com.

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