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BROOKSVILLE -
New Hope Assembly of God has a good start on its
building fund for a new sanctuary. There are plans for offices,
classrooms and plenty of room for worship on Sunday mornings.
The recent celebration for New Year's Eve was a Watch
Night vigil, one of the few in Hernando County. Other
indications of the word "new" spring to the
forefront at this faith community, located on a quiet,
tree-lined lane, seven miles east of Brooksville. The
Rev. Terry A. Bailey was new to the church only
two-and-a-half years ago, coming from a large
congregation in Pennsylvania.
New Hope's Web site is among the most
"well-maintained and new, or modern, as can
be," said the pastor. "We are fortunate to have
a professional Web site designer, Marty Hutchins, as a
member here. Also, we include the newest music created in
our second worship services on Sunday mornings, and at
certain other times. And our new covered fellowship
shelter is even cozy in cool weather. We just had its
first wedding. The new structure was placed where an old
barn used to exist." Growth has resulted in New
Hope's having two Sunday morning worship services.
The church began in 1995, but was a farmhouse originally
built in 1895. "When the new facility is built, it
will become the new 'blessing house,'" Bailey said.
A large storage shed serves as the present 'blessing
house,' which is the church community outreach food
pantry, itself a new charity effort. Publix donates meats
and pastries that reach expiration dates, and by
government sanction, those meats can be frozen and made
safely usable for charity, according to the pastor. His
in-laws, 'Granny' and Curt Bryant, oversee weekly
distribution that includes a wide range of canned and
dried foods, toiletries and hygiene materials. Many
donations come by way of the U.S. Postal Deliverers' and
Boy Scout food drives.
New music at New Hope is prominent
at the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service. Contemporary worship
music is led by Wanda Bailey, the pastor's wife. It
includes guitar by the pastor's son, Douglas Bailey, who
is also the new youth minister. Others worship leaders
include Linda Ellery on piano, and vocalists Taylor
Pickering, Sharon Nixon, Summer Bailey, and Pat Durfee.
Lyrics are distributed on printed handouts. The early
service, at 9 a.m., features traditional hymns with
string instruments led by J.R. Nixon on guitar, Linda
Commens on guitar, Bob Renaud and Buddy Jimmerson playing
mandolins, with Pastor Bailey on tenor banjo. Many
children and others are also featured as vocalists and
musicians in worship and other church events.
Jubilee Sunday is held on the last Sunday of each month, and
includes a covered dish dinner and music with an
invitation for area musicians to participate in solos or
as part of the whole. Regular Sunday evening services
begin at 6 p.m., and Sunday school classes are held then
instead of on Sunday mornings. The Sunday school
superintendent is Robert Bailey. "Again, it's a new
idea that the church voted on," the pastor said.
"Since it began, our attendance for all services has
really increased. It shows that new ideas can really take
hold." Wednesday evenings include tutoring for
children at 6 p.m., with the worship service at 7 p.m.
"My wife, Wanda, teaches at Eastside Elementary," the pastor explained. "It was her
idea to offer tutoring for school work." Communion
is held on the first Sunday of each month, and the pastor
employs full immersion baptisms held at Pine Island.
"It's so much more like it was in Jesus' time than
just in a swimming pool," he said.
Charity at New Hope includes support for Assembly of God missions, such
as outposts in Southern Asia, South Africa, Eastern
Europe and Central Asia. This past Christmas, New Hope
gave several Bibles to small churches in China. Bailey
explained that as Protestantism is newer, many church
gatherings there are lacking printed materials and the
leaders are eager for sermon and message ideas.
The Women's Joy Fellowship is a monthly gathering of women
for worship, crafts and lunch held at member homes. The
youth are going to their first "Acquire the
Fire" youth rally in Orlando March 12 and 13, a
nondenominational rally featuring Christian bands and
music, devotionals and testimonials where thousands of
area Christian youths gather and often have
"life-changing experiences," Bailey said. The
teens earned money for attending by helping in cooking
and serving tables at church dinners. Local charity
targets the Lighthouse ministry in Dade City, a home
missions church, Lighthouse Assembly in Oldsmar and the
food pantry.
The pastor envisions a church-sponsored
homeless shelter eventually. Church member Vickie
Jimmerson and her husband met the pastor and his wife at
an auction "and Wanda, the pastor's wife, and I got
to talking," said Jimmerson. "She and Pastor
Bailey helped us transport our new treasures. They are
both so caring and helpful. My mother died recently, and
a baptism had been scheduled. Pastor Bailey postponed the
baptism, and was there for us during all of the needs and
sorrow. He and Wanda are quick to be there for everyone,
and the caring given by all of the members for each other
makes it truly like family. I just can't say enough
wonderful things about New Hope. It's just awesome."
In addition to the Bible, a helpful book Bailey endorses
is "Meeting Christ's Needs," by Billie Davis.
"She wrote it to be of help for people in life's
crises," the pastor said. His wife is also a fan of
Dickens's "Great Expectations." Pastor Bailey
and his wife have been married 26 years and were high
school sweethearts, only dating each other. They have two
grown children. Douglas, the church youth minister, is a
psychology student at Pasco Hernando Community College.
In addition to playing the guitar, he composes music.
Tara lives in Pennsylvania, where she recently wed. Her
husband will soon complete education as a chemist.
Besides reading, studying and mastering computer skills,
the pastor enjoys golfing and fishing when he has leisure
time. A diabetic, he recommends hot water spas, exercise
and drinking juices made in a juicer. "I think I
must be the most spoiled pastor," he smiled.
"My church here treats me so well, with such
generosity. And people here are so caring and friendly
and warm." Bailey gives credit to the family-like
volunteerism and spirit of the church members, especially
to its special ministries.
"Pastor Bob Renaud has
been active in Christian karate and assists our other
ministers. Pastor Frank Carpenter ministers to inmates at
the county correctional facility. Pastor James Marise is
a chaplain to area rest homes. Pastor Philip Moore was
our founding minister. He just lost his wife of 59 years,
and is in frail health himself, but has been ministering
here for years, advising us well. And so many women,
children and couples help, especially my wife's parents.
Wonderful people."
Pastor Bailey is not trying to
reach people already in church, but rather those who do
not attend, he said. "Wherever individuals are happy
going to church is what matters, that they do attend
church. My reward is in seeing people come to a
relationship with God, to not just read the Bible, but to
obey it, because it says to be in a church community, to
feel God's presence. People need community for that
personal touch.
Keep God in the Pledge of Allegiance and
the Ten Commandments in courthouses.
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