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Church receives award for evangelism

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 26, 2009

First United Methodist Church of Brandon, 120 N. Knights Ave., Brandon. The Rev. Jamie Westlake and the Rev. Matt Wallis, assistant pastor of the church, were appointed to serve First United Methodist Church of Brandon in 2007. Through their efforts in gauging the spiritual direction of the church and making people feel comfortable about inviting family, friends and acquaintances to come to church, the congregation grew.

"People needed to get excited about what we are doing," Westlake said. "It's not about advertising dollars. If people feel good about what they're doing, that give a church good word of mouth." That word of mouth spreads, causing visitors to join the church and the church to earn the Harry Denman Evangelism Award at the 2009 Florida Annual Conference Event. The award honors exemplary effectiveness in fulfilling the mission of "making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Only five Florida Conference congregations received more people through professions of faith that year. For more information call Dan Palmer, (813) 689-4161.

A staff report

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