The Great Outdoors Church began in 1990 with three couples meeting for a Bible study in the resort library. A Sunday morning church service grew out of that Bible study. In 1993 Rev. Ken Vanderbroek and his wife, Kathy, who were vacationing from Michigan, visited the church. As the people became acquainted with Pastor Ken, they observed that he was a gifted pastor and leader. He was asked if he would be interested in becoming the pastor of the newly formed church. He accepted the call, preached his first sermon on December 12, 1993, and served faithfully until he retired in April of 2000.
During the early years of the church, services were held in Plantation Manor with Pat Hopper serving as choir director. Volunteers set up chairs, obtained some free used hymnals, and the Word was preached from the Plantation Manor lectern with a card table used for a Communion Table.
In April of 1994, permission was sought from TGO to construct a church building. Jack Eckerd granted permission and donated the land to the church. Construction of the church building started on August 1, 1997. Many in the congregation were involved in the construction process. The people worked together in a marvelous spirit of unity to plan, design and pay for the building. The first official service was held on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1998.
After the retirement of Reverend Ken Vanderbroek, the Church placed a call to Pastor Jeff Moody. Pastor Moody preached his first sermon on July 30, 2000. During Pastor Moody’s tenure, the congregation grew to the extent that in 2005 a long range planning committee was formed to look into the present and future needs of the church. It was decided that additions and alterations to the church’s physical plant needed to take place. During the course of the next three years, numerous informative meetings were held and the congregation overwhelmingly voted in 2008 to expand the church.
The final plans included; expansion of the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and music department. Additional office space and parking was also included in the plan. Construction began on the one million dollar project in February of 2009. The first service was held on September 1, 2009.
Due to the very generous Congregation and the Grace of God the church is virtually debt free.
The Great Outdoors Church consists of members and associate members. Associate members retain their membership in other churches, and hold membership in our church as well. Because we come from many different denominations, backgrounds, locations, theological teaching, and traditions, our church has two unifying principles which each person affirms in order to become a member. 1. Jesus Christ, God-man, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and is our personal Savior. 2. The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and the authority for our faith and practice. Over the Narthex doors as one enters the sanctuary are the words which summarize the heart of our faith: "Jesus Christ, Crucified, Risen, Returning."
There is always a warm and friendly group of people full of joy who will be delighted to greet you and welcome you as a fellow worshipper. They will encourage you to become involved, and be part of our church family. The Great Outdoors Church is certainly unique, and The Great Outdoors RV and Golf Resort is a wonderful place for all of this to come together. Praise the Lord! He has blessed His people here and provided a beautiful place of worship for those who come through our doors.
Purpose of Great Outdoors Church
“ To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
We are a non-denominational Christian church that believes in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, and the Bible as the true, inspired Word of God.
We welcome everyone to come and worship with us and to become involved in our various activities. Those wishing to become members or associate members (part-time members here while being members in another church) are invited to speak to the pastor. It is the goal of this church to worship Christ, study His Word, and spread the gospel to everyone in the area and in the world. This is the reason that mission is a major goal of Great Outdoors Church.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…It is the gift of God”
Ephesians 2:8.
GOVERNANCE
A Board of elected men and women, with a president, vice-president, and ministry teams for various services, are elected on a three-year rotating system, and they meet each month during the season and as needed in the summer in order to direct and lead the church. An annual congregational meeting is held in February to elect Board members and conduct the business of the church according to the by-laws.
HISTORY
Beginning as a Bible Study with six people in 1990, the group grew to have regular Sunday worship services in the Manor beginning in 1993. Rev. Ken Vanderbroek became the pastor in December 1993 until retirement in April 2000. In April of 1994 plans for a church building began on land donated by Jack Eckerd. The First service in the new building was Palm Sunday, April 5, 1998. On July 20, 2000, Pastor Jeff Moody became the new pastor. As the congregation grew, plans to enlarge the facilities began in 2005. Construction began on the 1.3 million dollar expansion in February 2009 and first service was held on September 1, 2009. Due to the grace of God and a generous congregation, the building was paid off in two years.
MINISTRY TEAM
Senior Pastor, Dr. David W. Price
Minister of Visitation, Dave Murton
Minister of Administration & Small Groups, Wes Hyde
CHURCH BOARD
President Doug Nie
Vice-President Dwight Nestrick
Secretary Lynn Foraker
Facilities Randy Hopper
Finance Marilyn Weigel
Hospitality Ruth MacDonald
Missions Jeanne Brainard
Outreach Loretta Anne’
Worship Ray Biedinger
CHURCH STAFF
Secretary Beulah Darling
Treasurer Kearney Kier
Music Director Pat Hopper
Sunday Pianist Marsha Straughan
Practice Pianist Diane Berger
Sunday Bulletins Beverly Baker & Anna Upshaw
Messenger Editor Beulah Darling
Publisher Ron Jackson
Prayer Coord. Beverly Baker
WIC Pres. Mary Hopper
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Full Member: Individuals who make our church their home church.
Associate Member: Individuals who retain their membership in another church, but also want to enjoy membership in our church.
Qualifications for Membership: 1) The person has accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord, and acknowledges the Bible as God’s true and Inspired Word. 2) He/she shall be aware of and abide by the By-Laws of our church. 3) He/she shall further the work of the church through active interest, participation- and financial support. 4) He/she has the right to vote on issues presented at meetings.
MINISTRY SERVICES
Worship Ministry: This team includes the oversight of all the worship service activities and Christian growth programs within the congregation. The Senior and Associate Minister(s) will guide and participate in the planning of these activities. The Board Member elected by the congregation for the leadership of this Ministry will organize and/or oversee the functioning of the various committees within the Worship Ministry. The Music Ministry and Audio/Video Ministry teams are included in the Worship Ministry
Small Groups: As a means of providing new and exciting opportunities for more intimate fellowship, small groups are organize within the church to meet at times other than Sunday Morning. Prayer, study of God’s Word and related subjects, Christian growth, support for one another, and a deeper walk with the Lord are the focus of these groups. All are invited to become a part of one of the small groups.
Outreach Ministry: This team includes the oversight of activities to encourage members and non-members to reach out to others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, promote church attendance, and supply encouragement and support to those in need. The Board Member elected by the congregation for leadership of this Ministry will organize and/or oversee volunteers for the following functions: contacting church visitors and providing them with information about the church; preparing welcome packets for new members; visiting new residents of TGO and inviting them to church; visiting sick and shut-ins and providing CDs of worship services; providing coloring packets to children at the worship service; maintaining Tract rack; and updating photo directory as needed.
Prayer Chain: A branch of the Outreach Ministry, begins with prayer requests being given to Beverly Baker @ 264-7235. She passes the requests on to the prayer chain team via e-mail. These requests are sent out bi-weekly unless there is an emergency or hospitalization that needs immediate prayer. Those who do not have a computer and would like to be on the prayer chain can notify Beverly and she will call them with the prayer requests as she receives them.
Loving Service: A branch of the Outreach Ministry. Cards are sent on behalf of the Great Outdoors Church to those who are ill,hospitalized or who just need a word of encouragement. A beautiful hardbound book entitled “Leaves of Gold” is given to those who have lost a loved one in their immediate family (i.e., a spouse, mother, father, or child).
Hospitality: This team include the oversight of the Church Kitchen and all the various functions in the Fellowship Hall involving the serving of food. These activities provide food and fellowship opportunities for members and non-members of Great Outdoors Church . The Board Member elected by the congregation for the leadership of this Ministry will organize and/or oversee the following hospitality areas as well as coordinate with leaders of WIC (Women In Church), Men’s Breakfast, and St. Christopher’s Faith Community for use of the kitchen facilities. This Team orders kitchen supplies, manages the kitchen, and is responsible for the following: Sunday morning coffee fellowships; church suppers; Christmas and Easter cantata receptions; memorial, funeral, wedding, and anniversary receptions; holiday dinners, and the annual New Member reception
Missions: This team helps the church fulfill God’s command to spread the gospel at home and abroad. It keeps the congregation informed and involved with deserving missionary outreaches—financially, in prayer, and with hands-on help if possible. Our church supports five local ministries—Child Evangelism Fellowship, North Brevard Charities; and Prison Book Project; three missionary families associated with Youth With A Mission, Cadence International, and Wycliffe Bible Translators; and four international ministries—Gideons, Samaritan’s Purse, Salvation Army, and Teen Missions. Monies are also given to other missions as need arises.
Facilities: This team oversees the maintenance of the Great Outdoors Church facilities, parsonage, and improvements as needed. We have Westminster chimes that strike the hour, play hymns at noon and on special occasions. They direct a professional crew that keeps the church meticulously clean.
Finance: This team and the Treasurer are in charge of all the finances of the church. They are responsible for counting the offerings, preparing the annual budget, and overseeing insurance for the Church and Parsonage. Accounts maintained include General Operating, Major Maintenance, Memorial Fund, Special Concerts/Suppers, Men’s Group, Retreats, and Women in the Church.
Women in the Church (WIC): “The purpose of WIC is to provide opportunities for women, as individuals or in groups, by which they may come to know more fully the teachings of Christ, and to be strengthened to fulfill His purpose in their lives by serving in the home, the church, the community, and the world.” Each year the Spiritual Life Committee selects a theme for study and programs. A booklet is published annually listing the officers and standing committees who provide the programs for WIC meetings and fundraising events for missions and the church. WIC seeks to develop warm Christian fellowship with the women in the church and the women in the community who are welcome at WIC events.
Great Outdoors Church Men’s Group: Meets the third Saturday of January, February, March, and April for breakfast and a special program. Our mission is to encourage a deeper relationship with God and one another through devotional, educational and social programs and to provide men fellowship, spiritual growth and service opportunities while growing interpersonal relationships that benefit each other Money that we earn from our fund-raisers go to benefit several local charities.
PUBLICATIONS
Church Constitution & By-Laws: Rules and guidelines for the functioning of Great Outdoors Church are contained in these documents. Members are encouraged to read these annually. A Policies and Procedures document includes guidelines for the various activities of the church and the responsibilities of the various Ministry Teams of the church.
A Dedication Booklet: was published on April 5, 1998 the day of dedication of the church complex. It contains a list of the board members and committees who worked to plan and help with the construction of the original facility. The Dedication Service of Worship, a short history of the Great Outdoors Church , and a list of special guests and visitors who attended the celebration are contained in the booklet.
A Memorial Book: This book contains the names of donors to the various funds in constructing the new building, as well as memorial gifts. It also includes the names of those in memoriam or to be honored. A Memorial Fund Committee is responsible to carry on this work.
The Messenger: A monthly newsletter from November through April with articles by the Pastor, board members and others who have information and news to be distributed to the congregation. The Messenger includes a calendar listing of the church events for the month.
Member Directory: This Directory is published annually and lists members and associate members in booklet form with local addresses and telephone numbers. Out of the park and out of town members are included.
Pictorial Member and Friends Directory: This Directory is published periodically and includes photos and names of Full Members of the church along with address directory in the back.
Women in the Church Directory: Distributed in November each year, it includes the list of programs and activities, committees, and officers for the upcoming season. Ministry team chairpersons and their phone numbers are also listed for quick reference.
“ I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself.”
II Chronicles 7:12 (NIV)
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