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First Baptist Awaits A New Facility

D’Ann Lawrence White, Tribune photo

The Rev. Tommy Green, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Brandon, said he’s getting accustomed to the sound of construction equipment and dust as work continues on the church’s new Ministry of Activities Center.

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 27, 2008

Updated: 02/25/2008 05:35 pm

BRANDON - The sound of backhoes moving dirt and building foremen bellowing orders might not blend well with the voices of a melodic church choir or dynamic sermon.

But the noisy construction taking place along Morgan Street and Parsons Avenue on the grounds of First Baptist Church of Brandon is sweet harmony to the Rev. Tommy Green and members of the church.

To them, it means God endorsed the church's vision, and the congregation is seeing it materialize.

"Back in 2000 and 2001, we put together a Vision 2010 plan, asking what the Lord would put in our heart to accomplish," said Green, who will celebrate his 13th year at the church next month. He replaced the Rev. Fred Boehmer, who served for 15 years. "The plan focused on new ministries, building needs and expanding the property. Well, eight years into the plan, we're pretty much ahead of schedule. It's been quite an amazing journey. Everything we planned, God is bringing to pass."

By acquiring surrounding property, the church campus has grown from 9 to 20 acres. As the campus has grown, so has the congregation, which numbers 5,500 members. Some 3,000 worshippers attend Sunday services.

"To experience the growth we have has been very rewarding," Green said.

He expects the growth to continue when construction of the new Ministry and Activity Center, nicknamed MAC, is completed this fall. The center will be integrated into the church gymnasium, which once served as the sanctuary.

The church started in 1915 as Valrico Baptist Church and was on Front Street in Valrico before the original wood-frame building was moved to Morgan Street. It has a tradition of sports and recreation ministries, including softball, basketball and tennis leagues and aerobics classes.

The new activity center will reflect that tradition, featuring two basketball courts, a walking track, a racquetball court, a children's play zone and tumbling area and men's and women's locker rooms. The gymnasium will be converted to a fitness center with weight machines, cardio equipment, free weights, step machines, a ladies-only aerobics area and a 12-station workout center.

In addition, the center will have a game room for young people and a cafe.

"We're pretty pumped up about what's going on. Our goal is that it not only be available to the congregation but to the community," Green said.

Church member and former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kevin Ohme, who was recently inducted into the University of North Florida Hall of Fame, will head the MAC ministry.

"Our wildest desire is to provide a safe place for children and parents to come that will be distinctly Christian, from the dress to the conduct, and will be appealing to families looking for that kind of atmosphere," Green said.

The church, which has operated a preschool and kindergarten for more than 25 years, also will open an elementary school on the property next school year, starting with first grade. Additional grades will be added each year.

Headed by Principal Paul Pucciarelli, former children's pastor and a 30-year veteran of the Hillsborough County school system, the First Baptist Brandon Academy will be accredited by the Southern Association of Christian Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International.

"There's a great need for an elementary school," Green said. "Parents have been asking for a positive, high-quality Christian school. Demand is definitely driving this."

As soon as the church has paid its debt on the Ministry and Activity Center, the congregation plans to double the size of its sanctuary. And that might not be as far off as anticipated. In five months, the congregation has raised nearly $1 million to pay the debt.

Plans submitted to the Hillsborough County Planning and Growth Management Department this month call for adding 1,064 seats to the sanctuary, which has 1,290 seats. The change requires a special-use permit from the county.

"It's not our goal to be a mega-church," Green said. "We just want to be a church that reaches people one by one for Christ."

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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