What’s the secret of conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, elevation 19,341 feet, or hiking the length of the Appalachian Trail, distance 2,190 miles? It’s taking one step at a time.
For the past three years, members of Patmos Chapel Church in Apopka, Florida, have taken steps of faith and sacrifice on a journey to construct a sanctuary — a tabernacle — a “worship hub.” In March 2023, the congregation crossed the finish line and celebrated with a two-day grand opening festival.
The festivities began Friday evening, March 17, with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony. Attending the opening ceremonies were guests from the Southern Union Conference and city, county, and state leaders, including Bryan Nelson, Apopka mayor, who offered greetings and well wishes. Clarence Wright, a former pastor at Patmos Chapel, now serving in Lakeland, Florida, gave a devotional message.
More than 800 people packed the “hub” and an adjacent overflow room on Sabbath morning, March 18; some had to be turned away. The lively praise service featured music from the Dynamic Praise choir from Huntsville, Alabama, and Patmos’ children’s choir and praise team. Among the special guests were Michael Owusu, Southeastern Conference president, who congratulated the members and praised them for the sacrificial giving that made the renovation possible. Emmanuel Charles, Conference treasurer, presented James R. Doggette Sr., D.Min., senior pastor at Patmos Chapel, with a financial gift to support the effort. Ron C. Smith, D.Min., Ph.D., president of the Southern Union Conference in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, delivered his affirmations through a video message and praised Doggette for his visionary leadership.
Doggette and Marvin D. Mclean Jr., executive pastor, honored the several building contractors with plaques in appreciation of their work on the renovation.
Jeffrey Williamson, Orange County communication director, presented Doggette with a proclamation from Jerry L. Demings, mayor, declaring March 18, 2023, as Patmos Chapel Day in Orange County.
During his sermon, G. Alexander Bryant, D.Min., president of the North American Division in Columbia, Maryland, commended the congregation for its vision. “Do you know what the emphasis is in the World Church today?” He asked. “It’s to have a place like this — to turn our worship centers into community places that will serve the needs of the people for whom Jesus Christ died. How do we take our places of worship and turn them from places that gather just two hours a week, to a place that serves the community seven days a week?”
Urgent Priority
The need for the 9,200-square-foot “worship hub” has been a priority since the congregation moved to the property in 2019. Though the structure had lots of space, there was none suitable for worship. During the pandemic, services were held in the parking lot. That necessitated moving sound equipment and musical instruments, and laying cables every week. As the pandemic subsided, the congregation worshiped in a gym, and the deacons had to set up floor mats, chairs, sound equipment, musical instruments, and cables every week. The process was reversed after services. The new hub provides an environment more suited for worship, and eliminates the need to move furniture and equipment.
From Humble Beginnings
The congregation was birthed in a tent in Winter Park in 1937. The church’s first building was dedicated, and the name Patmos Chapel was chosen in 1955, under the leadership of former pastor Calvin B. Rock, Ph.D. Throughout its 86-year history, parishioners experienced several construction projects and relocations, but the latest move was radically different when the assembly acquired the Apopka property in 2019. The property wasn’t designed as a church building; instead, it housed a widely recognized athletics program, which offered unique opportunities for mission.
Church leaders named the building “The Well Activity Center,” a reference to the biblical story of the woman at the well in John 4. The 107,000-square-foot activity center has basketball courts, a children’s gymnasium, volleyball courts, batting cages, martial arts facilities, space for COVID testing, a restaurant, and an outdoor video screen used to stream services to the parking lot.
The hub, a multi-purpose space, is also useful for wedding receptions, banquets, conferences, training sessions, and other events. “Apopka has very few venues for organizations to hold gatherings,” said Doggette. “The hub could make a major contribution to the social and cultural life of the city.”
A Different Mission Field
The Well serves hundreds of youth and adults who participate in activities such as gymnastics, martial arts, basketball, baseball training, tutoring, and workplace screening. As a result, there’s a mission field right inside the church’s doors; the worship hub provides a spiritual complement to the physical activities offered by The Well.
In addition to the activities inside The Well, Patmos impacts surrounding neighborhoods. In 2019, Patmos Chapel launched a food drive that now serves more than 30,000 persons each year. The biweekly food giveaway has greatly enhanced the health of Apopka residents, and is one of the largest food distribution sites in the county. The church also collaborates with non-profit groups to regularly feed unhoused individuals in Orlando, Florida.
“We’re at a time in society when, unless we’re out meeting the needs of the community, our churches are in danger of becoming irrelevant,” Bryant warned in his Sabbath message. “To see Patmos Chapel with a facility that meets the community’s needs seven days a week is outstanding. They are ahead of the denomination at large.”
Geraldine F. Thompson, Florida State senator, who represents Apopka, sees Patmos’ community services expanding. “I’m interested in seeing the community thrive, and churches can add to what the government does to meet the needs of the people. This church has already proven itself with the recreational and food programs. Services can be expanded into education and many other areas. I’m looking forward to a wonderful partnership.”
A few days after the grand opening, the church’s community engagement did expand. Demings invited Doggette to co-chair the Orange County Citizen Safety Task Force. The 32-member group — a racially diverse body composed of public officials, educators, community activists, and clergy — will research and recommend action steps to stem the growing threat of gun violence. “My co-chair, James Coffin — a retired Adventist pastor who served 11 years as executive director of the Interfaith Council of central Florida — and I will work side by side with the mayor to study and develop initiatives for prevention, intervention, enforcement, and prosecution,” said Doggette. “This will give the church a major voice in crafting public policy on this vital issue.”
What’s Next
In looking ahead for Patmos Chapel, Doggette and Mclean are focusing on the growing mission field within the doors of The Well. “Each week hundreds enter The Well, parents bringing their children for a basketball game, gymnastics training, or a martial arts class,” said Doggette. “We need to touch those lives by being friendly, answering their questions, and meeting their needs.”
He added, “With the facility we have now, our task is to reorient our members to become missionaries, not only by giving Bible studies or preaching sermons, but by simply making friends and showing the love of Christ to those who walk through our doors.”
“God has given us this building. He gave it to us for a purpose,” said Doggette. “With God’s grace we will fulfill that purpose” … by taking one step at a time.
Southeastern | June 2023
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