History of Holiday Community Fellowship Church

“A Voyage of Faith”

Our Mission Statement

"Together, we will win people to Christ, establish them in their faith, and train them for ministry to the world and leadership in the church, that we may present everyone complete in Christ.” This is our work, and we can do it only because Christ's mighty power is at work within us." [Colossians 1:28-29]

 In 1998 a group of believers had a vision to establish a non-denominational church in Holiday, Florida of Pasco County.  Their intent was to provide a loving church to fill the needs of people throughout their community. The group of about 50 met in the home of Ed and Nell Darlington on February 22, 1998 to discuss starting a new church.    Once the decision was made, a shepherd was needed to guide the flock.  After contemplation and searching, Reverend James K. Bischoff, Pastor from Florida was the one God led to lead this flock in their expression of love and compassion for their fellow man.

The clubhouse of Orangewood Village located on Ann Dr. was available for rent.  The new congregation had its second meeting in the clubhouse.  They discussed a name for the new church and voted to call their congregation Holiday Community Fellowship Church.  The old upright - out of tune - piano in the clubhouse was used and played by Ann Strang.  A white Wurlitzer organ was given to the church and Elyse Briggs played along with Ann on the piano.  Dick Briggs built a platform on wheels for the organ as all articles for the church service had to be pushed aside so the association could have their activities. This building became available for purchase on November 17, 2000 and offered to the church for the purchase price of $10.

As they gathered each week to worship God, they prayed for guidance and direction for a place to build their own building.  As time and prayer continued, in 2000 an opportunity presented itself in which they could purchase over an acre of land for their building.  This land was located in the exact area they had been praying for and after several meetings and offers with the property owners, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Darlington, and on February 9, 2002 the purchase of six acres of land for $140,000 on the corner of Sunray Dr. and Darlington Rd.  was made. With this purchase, God had answered their prayers and they were half way to the realization of their vision. 

The next step was to plan the construction however, led by the wisdom of Pastor Bischoff, they felt it best to pay off the land before proceeding with the building.  Easter service was held in the field in what is now front of the present building. When God has His hands on something He will see it through and bless each step taken in His Holy Name.  With faith and perseverance, within two years, the financial need had been met and on January 6, 2004, the property was completely paid for and debt free.

Now preparing for the second phase of their vision, the first  elected church council was Clark Milholin, Chair., Ralph Watt, Vice Chair, Rosina Gowen, Secretary, Stella Wooster, George Stoll and Dick Briggs.  These members started negotiations with Pasco County for permits to build.  Architect, Ralph Capreillo, drew up the plans for the new building.  A building committee led by Ralph Watt had the ground breaking on a cold day in January 2025. They proceeded with planning and permitting however funds were needed.  Once again, God intervened and they were able to obtain financing with a very low interest rate.  Once this was in place they began researching estimates from local builders.  Needless to say, prices were high and once again they went to their God for the answer.

With much prayer, the people were led by the Holy Spirit to build the church themselves utilizing the resources they had among their people. There were carpenters, electricians, plumbers, handy men and painters; and even the ladies stepped in to help.  Here again, we will see God’s intervention for as they proceeded with their plans, the local newspaper got wind of the story and published an article telling the plight of this dedicated group of Christian believers. Before you knew it people came from all over to volunteer their time and services in the completion of the project. Volunteers from the “mappers” came in their RV’s, parked in the back of the building where they had access to electric and water, and spent 1 to 2 months.  They installed dry wall, electrical, painting and plumbing.  Many members of the church worked along with them.  Volunteers were Elwyn White, Ed and Nell Darlington, Frank and Mable Hill, Marcia and Ralph Watt, Howard and Shirley Roddenberg, Richard and Betty Bischoff, Jeanette and Bill Archambault, Dick and Elyse Briggs, Richard Dierker, Willard and Stella Wooster, Clark and JoAn Milholin, Lloyd and Bonnie Clink, Jack and Joyce Brlecic, Orrin Converse, All worked under the supervision of Bob Bingham and Bill Nutt from Living Word Church. Some who were unable to give of their time donated building materials, paint and many other much needed supplies to bring this vision to reality.

Many donations were made to the church. The pews, pulpit and candle sticks came from the Free Methodist Church in Syracuse, NY.  Jane and Earl Scheel, members of the Palm Grove Reformed Church, facilitated donations from that church that was being closed.  Donations included organ, grand piano, communion table, baptismal font, chairs, hymnals, kitchen cabinets and counter tops, pictures, and the cross in front of the sanctuary was built by Howard Roddenberg. The Church steeple was purchased with memorial money in memory of James Sterner. When we trust God for all our needs, He will answer in His time.  We must not try to force His hand or run ahead of Him because when we do, we will always stumble.  By trusting and waiting for His time, the members of Holiday Community Fellowship Church were able to complete their building within two years and dedicated it to God’s service in 2006.

The property on Ann Dr. was sold on September 1, 2005 to the “Light of the World Church”. Within such a short time, God continues to bless the efforts of this people. The church has gradually grown from 78 members to close to 200 members.  There are plans for even more growth with the implementation of children’s and youth programs, adult education and single parent programs.  God never gives us more than we can handle and He is definitely giving Holiday Community Fellowship Church the opportunity to meet the vision they began in 1998.

WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE

Ephesians 2:19-22

The Bible says: “Now therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows into a holy temple in the Lord; In whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.”