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Plant City's Largest Church Has New Pastor

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By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 16, 2009

PLANT CITY - A 40-year-old Austin, Texas, minister will become the senior pastor of Plant City's largest church.

The membership of First Baptist Church of Plant City voted unanimously to hire the Rev. Michael S. Lewis to replace the Rev. Ron Churchill, who is retiring after 21 years in the pulpit. Lewis will preach his first sermon May 17.

Lewis, who was recommended by a pastor search committee, has been senior pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin since April 2003. He has an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Va., and a master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., among other degrees.

Lewis' wife, Liliana, is a native of Mexico City. She is a former professional ballerina who has a bachelor degree in Bible and elementary education from Columbia International University.

The couple has been married nearly 18 years and have three children, Charity, 15, Faith, 14, and Hope, 11.

Lewis was born in Savannah, Ga., and was previously senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Richmond Hill in Georgia and Crestview Baptist Church in Lancaster, S.C. He also serves as vice chairman of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

Churchill, 65, plans to preach his final sermon on Easter. First Baptist, 503 N. Palmer St. has more than 3,000 members.

Reporter Dave Nicholson can be reached at (813) 865-4432.

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