Hope Community Church will hold its first service at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12. Pastor Don Winters has been laying the groundwork for this church since August 2015, and they are now ready to open the doors and welcome everyone to attend. Hope Community Church is a non-denominational, gospel-centered Christian Church. Services will be held in the cafeteria of Wildwood Elementary School on Huey Street.
Pastor Don Winters and his wife Barb moved here from Carthage, Ill. where Don had been the pastor at a couple of well-established Baptist churches. He felt he wanted to start a church ministering to people not currently coming to church. Where to start the church was the question, they were open to where they felt led. Barb’s parents live in The Villages, and while on a visit Don and Barb decided to drive around the areas surrounding the Villages and just scope things out.
“Wildwood tugged at my heart,” said Winters. “I saw a bunch of kids on bicycles and thought ‘What will their story be when they grow up?’ and then I had a second thought. ‘What are you going to do about it?’ For me that was God talking to me, laying on my heart.”
The Winters’ had found the place for their contemporary, multi-generational community church. They moved to Wildwood and began the process of getting to know the community. Winters hung out at the Hardee’s on 301 got to know the regulars and started a Bible study, he volunteered at a food pantry, became the assistant track coach at Wildwood Middle School. They gathered everyone for a preview service in November of 2016 and had over 70 people attend.
Meanwhile Winters was working with Converge, a company dedicated to helping start and strengthen churches. “Churches are often relief ministries, but I see this church as also a restoration ministry,” said Winters. Long term he would like to develop projects for the community similar to SoZo Kids.
“There are some great churches in this area and I look forward to being an addition to the ministry here. I think of the pastors in this area as being on the same team. We all have the same boss.”
About the first service on Feb. 12, Winters said, “All our welcome. Come check us out and see if you would like to be a part of our new ministry.” Winters added, “It is definitely come as you are. If you want to wear a tie, knock yourself out. If you want to come in flip flops, either way is fine.” The pastor will be the one wearing his good jeans and a dress shirt.
If you would like more information about Hope Community Church, go to www.hopeinwildwood.com.
