For several months we have been discussing the need for a second service here at Community because of our lack of seating and parking. We knew we needed to make the move but I wanted to do something besides just trim down the main service and squeeze it into a slot before Sunday School. I wanted it to be a tool for evangelism and growth and not just another morning service. My dear friend Tom Sexton of Cape Coral, Florida suggested that we make the hour a spearhead for ministry and launch an entire growth campaign around it. At the same time we were also discussing getting a radio broadcast started to help us saturate Pinellas County with the Gospel. As the two ideas merged together we saw the launch of two great new ministry opportunities at our church!
Sunday at 7:30 a.m. on 860 WGUL we launched the Tampa Bay Gospel Hour radio broadcast and then an hour later, at 8:30 we launched the Tampa Bay Gospel Hour preaching service at our church! Both were met with great excitement! We are now able to offer people two service opportunities on Sunday morning. That is a great option for people who are coming off the midnight shift or for those who have to go in at noon. Everyone can now hear good gospel music and straightforward Bible preaching as they get ready for Sunday morning! We could not have asked for a better launch as we had a good crowd for the Tampa Bay Gospel Hour and then we were comfortably full again in the morning service. Sunday School was also up a bit in attendance!
Not only do I see the Tampa Bay Gospel Hour as a Sunday service opportunity, and a radio presence for our church, but I also envision the Gospel Hour to be so much more. I have a goal to see it used as an evangelistic opportunity in the Bay Area and elsewhere leading in Crusades and Revivals across the Bay Area. We want people to think of Old Time Religion when they think of the Tampa Bay Gospel Hour and Community Bible Baptist Church. These are exciting days around our church! Each week we are anticipating what God is going to do for and through us as we serve Him in this day!
If you able, please join us on the radio each Sunday morning at 7:30 am on 860 WGUL or live streaming on the web at http://www.860wgul.com/. Or you can listen to our archived broadcasts on http://www.tampabaygospelhour.com/. You are also welcome to join us for the live service of the Tampa Bay Gospel Hour each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. on our campus or watch live on the web at http://www.tampabaygospelhour.com/! However you connect with us we are looking forward to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with you. As the late Dr. W. A. Criswell said, "I'll see you Sunday with a Bible in my hand, and a message from God in my heart."
