Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 3-11-22

Local
Two Churches Merge: ‘And The Two Became One’
New beginnings, possibil- ities, and abundant connec- tions are the words being spoken around the Tampa Bay area, in particular the East Tampa Community.
For months the leaders of Connections Community Church, led by Bishop-Des- ignate Jeffery Johnson, Ph.D., and Abundant Life En- richment Church, led by Pas- tor Randy Randolph, have prayed about how they could impact the East Tampa com- munity and the Greater Tampa area.
One thing that is certain, Tampa isn’t lacking in churches. Churches populate street corners in East Tampa; however, fellowship, collabo- ration, and cohesiveness are lacking amongst them. Through both the leading of the Holy Spirit and the lead- ership of these two pastors,
BISHOP-DESIGNATE DR. JEFFERY JOHNSON
Connections Community Church and Abundant Life Enrichment Church have started the process of the two churches becoming, “one!” It has been established through the leaders that Dr. John- son will be the covering Bishop and lending focus to administration, and Pastor Randolph will Pastor, lend-
PASTOR RANDY RANDOLPH
ing support to ministry and community development.
The two pastors will oper- ate as one, always remaining in prayer together, team preaching, and addressing the overall business of the church. The church merger began in February, 2022 with an expected completion date in December, 2022.
“Our communities have suffered due to pastoral ego. There are multiple churches on one street corner and many of them don’t fellow- ship together. It’s our prayer that our coming together em- bodies kingdom through in- tentional godly collaboration. More churches should con- sider merging in order to have a greater community impact,” said Bishop John- son.
Pastor Randolph when asked about One Church, Two Fellowships, he said, “we are executors of the message we preach to our community, families, culture and race about unity. Now we have the opportunity to show what that looks like with two churches unifying. Ulti- mately, we can accomplish more together.”
Typically, in the African
American community church mergers have proven unsuc- cessful. We believe that this great move of God will be the exception. The leadership boards of both congregations are excited for the change and the growth that will take place.
“I am humbled to serve with Pastor Randy, his level of humility is evident,” Elder Mark Marcus of Connections Church stated. Deacon Fowler of Abun- dant Life said, “I am excited and look forward to serving under the leadership of Bishop Johnson.”
Starting Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 9:15 a. m. “Abun- dant Connection” (a tempo- rary name until a new one is selected), will meet at 4701 E. Hanna Ave., Tampa, FL 33610. (See ad in this issue)
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY PAGE 11-A