A History of Bell Shoals Church of Christ

A new congregation of the church of Christ was formed in Brandon, Florida and began meeting on January 7, 1973. There were fifty three in attendance—thirty five members and eighteen visitors—at the first meeting in the Brooker School on DeWolf Road. The nine families which started the congregation were all living in the Brandon area and worshiping in Tampa—four families came from Manahattan Avenue Church of Christ and five from Florida Avenue Church of Christ. Gervais Knox (G. K.) Wallace was the first minister for the congregaton and the first Elders were Fred Clouse, Dale Kowa, Pascal Smith and Clinton Thomas. Frank Workman and Jack Key were the first Deacons. The congregation purchased property at 2908 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon, in October 1973. It would be three years before funds permitted the construction of a building.

Due to the frequent absence of G. K. Wallace on gospel meeting campaigns, young men from the Lakeland School of Preaching were called in to fill in for him and from mid-1974 a student preacher, Jimmy Kennedy, was hired as assistant minister. During Jimmy's ministry with G. K. Wallace the average attendance grew to 83 and the contribution averaged $450 per week.

By 1976 the congregation had accumulated sufficient funds to begin construction of a building and a formal ground-breaking ceremony was held in August of that year. Construction was soon completed and dedication services were held on January 30, 1977 in the new building

As the congregation continued to grow it employed Barry Elliott as its full-time minister and he served in this position from August 1974 to September 1979 when he moved to North Carolina. The congregation at this time was averaging 130 in attendance with an average contribution of $1,000.

Kenneth West Franklin began his long association with Bell Shoals when he joined it as its preacher in 1979.  During his ministry which, like those who preceded him, he shared with G. K. Wallace, the average attendance increased to 211 and the contribution averaged $3,378.

Growth was such that the congregation's leadership soon foresaw the need for a larger plant. It had already outgrown its existing classroom, library, office and storeroom facilities, and studies showed that a large growth in population was expected and there were many thousands within easy traveling distance of the existing property.  The decision was made to build an auditorium which would seat approximately four hundred fifty with the capability of being expanded to seat seven hundred fifty. Additional classrooms and larger fellowship facilities were included in the planning.

The land which the congregation owned was too small for the envisaged expansion, but a two acre site behind and adjacent to the property was available and, on the recommendation of the building committee, it was purchased in 1987. The congregation now owned a total of five and a half acres of land. Pledges for over $350,000 were made during a fund-raising drive and groundbreaking ceremonies for the building were held on February 12, 1989. The new building was dedicated on April 29, 1990. In September of 1990 a small congregation at Bradley Junction merged with us and their self-supported preacher, John Terrell, became an Associate Minister for Bell Shoals.

Jack Strachan arrived from Scotland in 1988 to work as Minister for the congregation and continued to serve till 1992 when he returned to evangelize his home-land.  He was actively engaged in the building program. During his tenure at Bell Shoals, his pre-existing heart condition worsened and he urgently needed treatment which would cost tens of thousands of dollars for which he had no health insurance. The brotherhood rallied to calls for financial assistance made on Jack's behalf and he was able to have the required procedures. To this day, the Bell Shoals congregation contributes to Jack Strachan's highly effective ministry in his native Scotland.

Jack McKeown served the congregation from August 1992 and was succeeded by Allan Watkins in February 1994. Allan left in June 1996 to preach elsewhere and was succeeded by Rex Dutton who began working with Bell Shoals in September 1996 and remains the Pulpit Minister to this day. Also, Chris Hodges was hired as the Associate Minister in November 2006 and remains in that position to this day.

Mission and Outreach Programs

The Bell Shoals congregation has always been conscious of its responsibility for preaching the gospel to the world and to this end has been heavily involved in mission and outreach programs. It was the sponsor for the Amazing Grace Bible Class television program which was broadcast in the Tampa area with the financial assistance and cooperation of many Bay-area congregations. On many occasions Bell Shoals carried the brunt of the financial burden so that the program could continue to be broadcast. Eventually, due to a change of station ownership the program was moved to a less favorable time slot on a less well-known station and broadcasts were finally brought to a halt.

Missionaries and missions which are being supported on an on-going basis are: Ron Clayton evangelizing in Hyderabad, India; Loy Mitchell supervising mission work in Zimbabwe, Jack Strachan, preaching in Scotland; Louis Gerber conducting a Prison Ministry in South Africa; and the World Bible School correspondence course ministry conducted by our members.

Some short-term or one-time mission works have also been supported by Bell Shoals. Donations have gone to Trey Reed, Dumas la Fleur, Chris Simmons, Mike Mitchell and Chuck Galloway for mission trips to Guyana, Haiti, India, the Ukraine and Russia. The congregation has, in addition, assisted a radio program in St Louis, a building fund for the Newport Church of Christ in England and the Bible program at York College.

Benevolent Work

In addition to the Benevolent ministry which provides canned foods and clothing to the local needy by means of weekly distributions, Bell Shoals was involved in disaster relief to the east coast of Florida after the area was devastated by hurricane Andrew in 1992; to Illinois in the aftermath of floods in the area in 1993 and to California when it was struck by the earthquake in 1994.

When the need arose, the congregation arranged for the purchase, preparation and distribution of food to shut-ins by means of a "meals on wheels" program. The ministry drew up menus, organized cooks, and worked out distribution routes and drivers to deliver the food.

Responding to the needs of those who are hard of hearing, Bell Shoals has trained workers who can communicate in the American Sign language and has its worship services and Bible classes translated for the hearing impaired.

Saved to Serve

A program of activities which we call "Saved to Serve" is currently in operation, each area of the work being led by a Deacons' Committee under the oversight of the Elders using guidelines provided by them. This program is constantly reviewed and, when necessary, updated to respond to current needs and make the best use of the talents of members.

The present areas of service are too numerous to mention here but are grouped under the areas of Assemblies, Benevolence, Buildings & Grounds, Education & Evangelism, Family Needs, Local Evangelistic Campaigns, New Member Development and Youth.

Leadership and Staff

The Bell Shoals congregation is scripturally organized under the leadership of biblically qualified Elders who are, at present:  Damon Daniel, Dwight Eppler, Tommy Hale, Rob Hight, Reg Kidwell, Todd Mikula, Mel Sheasby, and Jonathan Smith. Under their oversight and working with them are the Deacons who are: Jim Adair, Todd Beggs, Robert Clouse, Brad Diamond, Ross Fisher, Derek Fonte, Ken Franklin, Jr., Greg Girard, Michael Hagger, Jeff Hernandez, Michael Howard, Ernie Hudson, Roger Jaynes, Steve Johnson, Adam Key, Brian Miller, Marvin Phillips, Les Rydl, David Tew, John Walsh, Ray West, and Jonce Williams.

There are five full-time employees on the staff of the congregation: Rex Dutton, our Pulpit Minister; Dwight Eppler, the Family Life Minister who runs the Refuge Counseling Center, Chris Hodges our Associate Minister, Mel Sheasby who is the Education Minister and Office Manager, and Deana Sawdey who is the Receptionist.

Mission and Goals

Our mission is to help as many people as possible be saved. With the Bible as our only guide, we will present ourselves as living sacrifices, sharing the Good News and building the body of Christ in love, joy, patience and longsuffering. We will strive to walk in God's light, preserving the unity of His church and looking forward to eternal life.

The Elders' Mission Statement and Call to The Congregation

As your Elders we will hold fast to God's faithful Word, willingly watching out for your souls as those who must give account to God.  We will focus on spiritual matters, building up Christ' Body in unity and love. We will dedicate ourselves to equipping the saints for every good work and to encouraging all to develop their talents for God's service. We will work to challenge all to mature spiritually and develop a living faith.  In all things we will serve with humility, graciously accepting the trust you have invested in us.

We call you to join us, giving yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Together we will reach up to God in faith, seeking his love, grace and mercy.  We will reach in to the family to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the saints, and we will reach out to the lost that they might accept Christ and gain eternal life in heaven.