'We're called to build bridges,' pastor says

Pastor David Whitten first came to Brandon in 2001, when he was recruited as middle school pastor at Bell Shoals Baptist Church.

In 2004 he was called to lead FishHawk Fellowship Church. Since then, the church has exploded in growth to become a key feature of community life.

Whitten talked recently about his life and ministry.

Would you describe FishHawk Fellowship Church as an emergent church?

No, we're not in any way an emergent or seeker church. We're Bible-believing and Bible-teaching. We're traditional in the sense that we believe the Bible as the inerrant word of God; our worship is a blend of hymns and praise songs.

What's your core mission?

We're called to build bridges that connect people to a passionate life in Christ and help them mature in their relationship with Christ.

That's the mandate, and it's never going to change. But how that's accomplished is going to depend on where you are - culture, background and upbringing. Truth is truth - but we have to then apply that truth to the context of our culture.

Describe your congregation?

Probably 90 percent had never been a part of a Southern Baptist church before they came here. Baptist is not in our name, because there are so many misconceptions. When the church was founded, it was intended as a community church to minister to this area.

Does the church have a personality?

We're primarily young families, and very diverse both ethnically and socio-economically. We're missions-minded, and everywhere we go overseas we end up with that area represented in worship - people from Africa, Russia, the Philippines - it's been a neat thing. We see around 1,000 people in three worship services.

What is the history of FishHawk Fellowship Church?

The ministry was founded in 1998 as a plant of Bell Shoals Baptist in Brandon. FFC became its own entity in October 2001. The site is 33 acres - half conservation.

Where were you born and raised?

Anniston, Ala. I was born in 1973. I graduated from (nearby) Alexandria High School in 1991 and Jacksonville State University (also nearby) in 1999.

Have you always wanted to be a minister?

My dream was to play college baseball. My high school coach invited me to church on friend day, and I accepted Christ that night. Eighteen months later, I felt the call to ministry. I enrolled at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary because they had an extension campus in Birmingham - I earned my MDiv (Master of Divinity degree) in 2005.

Where have you served?

I was part-time student pastor at Riverbend Baptist Church in Gadsden Ala.; it was a great learning experience. Then I helped start the collegiate ministry and eventually became the student pastor at my home church, Mt. Zion Baptist in Alexandria, Ala. Then I was called to Bell Shoals.

Are you glad you're here?

Brandon is a great place, with great people. I've learned a tremendous amount, and I'm blessed to be here. Brandon is much more like home than even back home. Everything we need is right here - but it all starts with the people.

Is your wife on board with ministry?

How Melissa manages our family is what frees me up to do ministry. I couldn't do it without her relationship with Christ, and the way she makes sure things at home are taken care of.

What Scripture guides your work?

First would be Matthew 28:19-20, the command to go and make disciples.

That's our blueprint. The second is "The Great Commandment" (Matthew 22:36-40). Love God and love people. This is what we hang our hat on.

Are you optimistic?

We serve a great God who has a plan for us. That's been the history of this church. There have been a lot of divine moments. Second, we have a church filled with great people who have a genuine love for God and people. God is leading a lot of wonderful people our way.

MEET DAVID WHITTEN

POSITION: Pastor

CHURCH: FishHawk Fellowship Church

ADDRESS: 15326 FishHawk Blvd.. Lithia

CONTACT: (813) 655-7431

WEBSITE: www.fishhawkfc.org