LAKE COUNTY AREA CHURCHES GATHER FOR A UNIFIED EXPERIENCE
An estimated 370 people from 11 different congregations gathered for a special vespers program held at Mount Dora Church on February 20. The event emphasized various church ministries and how members can all work together for mission.
by Cindy Dian
Eleven Central Florida congregations from Florida Conference and Southeastern Conference united at Mount Dora Church February 20 for a special vespers program. The program’s emphasis was on various church ministries and how they can all work together to reach their community.
Umatilla Pastor Robert Putt, Florida Hospital Waterman Senior Chaplain Robert Nickell, Mount Dora Pastor Tom Baker and secretary Carolyn Lewis, and secretary Keitha Hatcher from Southeastern Conference, along with a number of energetic volunteers, worked together to organize this historic event.
“Our goal was to create awareness of what other Adventist churches and entities in our area are doing so we can all work together,” Putt said. “If we wouldn’t care about what church gets the credit, we could be more impactful to our community as a whole rather than separately.”
More than 370 people came together for the program which included Charles Haugabrooks, vespers speaker and singer, and special music by some of the churches and organizations represented. Florida Conference representative Carmen Rodriguez, Executive Secretary, and Southeastern Conference representative Dolphy Cross, Director of Family, Health, and Religious Liberty Departments, also addressed the congregation with enthusiastic greetings from their conference presidents, Mike Cauley and Hubert Morel.
Eleven Central Florida congregations from Florida Conference and Southeastern Conference united at Mount Dora Church February 20 for a special vespers program. The program’s emphasis was on various church ministries and how they can all work together to reach their community.
Umatilla Pastor Robert Putt, Florida Hospital Waterman Senior Chaplain Robert Nickell, Mount Dora Pastor Tom Baker and secretary Carolyn Lewis, and secretary Keitha Hatcher from Southeastern Conference, along with a number of energetic volunteers, worked together to organize this historic event.
“Our goal was to create awareness of what other Adventist churches and entities in our area are doing so we can all work together,” Putt said. “If we wouldn’t care about what church gets the credit, we could be more impactful to our community as a whole rather than separately.”
More than 370 people came together for the program which included Charles Haugabrooks, vespers speaker and singer, and special music by some of the churches and organizations represented. Florida Conference representative Carmen Rodriguez, Executive Secretary, and Southeastern Conference representative Dolphy Cross, Director of Family, Health, and Religious Liberty Departments, also addressed the congregation with enthusiastic greetings from their conference presidents, Mike Cauley and Hubert Morel.
The churches that joined the program included Bethanie Haitian, Emmanuel Outreach Mission, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Leesburg Spanish, Mount Pleasant, Mount Dora, North Lake, Plymouth-Sorrento, Sorrento Spanish, and Umatilla. Gateway Christian School was also represented by the school choir and hosted an open house following the event. Additionally, Florida Hospital Waterman showed its support by contributing to the program.
“Every encounter that occurs between our team and our community is a reflection of our mission — who we are as a hospital and who we are as a church,” Waterman CEO David Ottati said. “The hospital is essentially a window into our church, and we need to make sure both the hospital and the churches work closely together to achieve our mission.”
Local Adventist ministries set up exhibits showing opportunities for ministry: WGTT (With God’s Truth Today) FM 91.5 radio station, Life Changing Ministries Thrift Store, It Is Written, The Connection Helpline, CREATION Health, and Adventist Motorcycle Ministry. Umatilla and Sorrento Churches also showcased literature outreach they conduct at Eustis Farmers Market and Renniger’s Flea Market, respectively.
“The framework for the event was really trust, belonging, and hope,” Nickell said. “This event helped us establish trust with each other. We get a sense of belonging when we support each other in our ministries. This in turn gives us a hope for our future in the community.”
“Every encounter that occurs between our team and our community is a reflection of our mission — who we are as a hospital and who we are as a church,” Waterman CEO David Ottati said. “The hospital is essentially a window into our church, and we need to make sure both the hospital and the churches work closely together to achieve our mission.”
Local Adventist ministries set up exhibits showing opportunities for ministry: WGTT (With God’s Truth Today) FM 91.5 radio station, Life Changing Ministries Thrift Store, It Is Written, The Connection Helpline, CREATION Health, and Adventist Motorcycle Ministry. Umatilla and Sorrento Churches also showcased literature outreach they conduct at Eustis Farmers Market and Renniger’s Flea Market, respectively.
“The framework for the event was really trust, belonging, and hope,” Nickell said. “This event helped us establish trust with each other. We get a sense of belonging when we support each other in our ministries. This in turn gives us a hope for our future in the community.”