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Church Puts Growth In Higher Hands

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By D'ANN LAWRENCE WHITE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

BRANDON - At a time when many churches are experiencing a leveling-off or even a decline in attendance, Rivers of Life Church in Brandon is bucking the trend in a big way.

However, it's not attracting members with high-tech media, alternative music or complex productions.

"There aren't a lot of frills here," church treasurer Pamela Watkins said. "It's very basic - just the Word of God and a preacher who is a great storyteller."

Even the church's pastor, the Rev. Curtis A. Swafford, is hard-pressed to explain the rapid growth of the predominantly black, nondenominational church since it was founded Aug. 29, 1999, with 15 members.

"It's nothing I feel like I've done," Swafford said. "We're simply a ministry of relationships. That's what God called us to be and we're constantly reinforcing that."

"In today's world, people are seeking a place they feel welcome, a place they feel loved, a sense of family. I think they find it here," said his wife and assistant, the Rev. Dorothy Swafford.

The Swaffords were pastors in the Washington area for more than 20 years when they moved to Tampa, where they headed a church for six years before they said they were called to start a new church in the Brandon area.

The first service was held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Sabal Park with 15 members. In a year and a half, the membership grew to 120 members, and the need for a permanent site became evident, Watkins said.

One Sunday, a member was driving down Lakewood Avenue in Brandon and noticed that the parking lot of Lakewood Baptist Church was only partially filled. Rivers of Life approached the Baptist church to see if it was interested in selling. It wasn't at that time. However, when the church decided to close its doors, it called Rivers of Life with a good offer.
Rivers of Life purchased the church and its 6 acres at N. 301 Lakewood Ave. and held its first service in its new home Palm Sunday, 2001.

"We were very comfortable here for about a year," Watkins said. "Then we started getting a little crowded and had to add a service. Six months later, it was obvious we needed to expand and we started looking into a new building."

More than 2,000 people squeeze into the two services held inside the current 6,000-square-foot church each Sunday.

"We thought this building would carry us for years," said Swafford, shaking his head. "But we were at a point where, on a typical Sunday, we'd have people standing in the kitchen and in the hallway. We didn't want to have to see people walking away."

So, on June 14, the congregation gathered to break ground for a 12,000-square-foot, $2.3-million building it hopes to complete within nine months.

"It seems so unreal to us. We don't advertise. The church has truly grown by word of mouth," Watkins said. "People come from as far away as Sarasota and Spring Hill."
Watkins said a dynamic music ministry is part of the lure. Drums, keyboards and bongos accompany lively gospel music and soulful hymns. At the groundbreaking, members were brought to tears as the choir sang a moving rendition of "We Are Standing on Holy Ground."
Watkins said the church also has an active ministry for senior citizens, a drill team, a couples ministry, children's church, a prison ministry and outreach to single and divorced members, all of which attract members of varying ages and interests.

At its current rate of growth, Swafford predicts that the church will outgrow the new building by the time it's completed.

"There's no more room to build so we'll probably have to look for a new location. Being a mega church has never been a desire of mine but I guess this now qualifies as one," Swafford said. "It's not up to me. He's in control. I just obey God."

For information, call (813) 643-3848.

Reporter D'Ann Lawrence White can be reached at (813) 657-4524 or dlwhite@tampatrib.com.

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