Organized religion was already in trouble before fall 2008. Denominations were stagnating or shrinking, and congregations across faith groups were fretting about their finances. ...more

October 31, 2009

First United Methodist Church of Brandon, 120 N. Knights Ave., Brandon. The Rev. Jamie Westlake and the Rev. Matt Wallis, assistant pastor of the church, were appointed to serve First United Methodist Church of Brandon in 2007. Through their efforts in gauging the spiritual direction of the church and making people feel comfortable about inviting family, friends and acquaintances to come to church, the congregation grew. ...more

August 26, 2009

Three of the largest churches in Sebring have banded their youth groups together to form The Wheel, a unique service organization that includes young people from throughout the area. ...more

February 6, 2009

I don't remember the last time I had this much fun shopping. ...more

December 3, 2008

The Rev. James Favorite had long favored changing the state constitution to ban gay marriage, but he sharpened his message when the Florida NAACP came out on the opposite side. ...more

November 6, 2008

More than a dozen local churches will mobilize Nov. 23 with a massive mission - to gather enough groceries to stock the shelves of Tampa Bay area charities for an entire year. ...more

November 5, 2008

In a gesture of brotherly love, United Methodist churches in the South Shore area have begun a project to help an ailing sister church and the community surrounding it. ...more

September 22, 2008

In a gesture of brotherly love, the United Methodist churches in South Shore have begun a project to help an ailing sister church and partner with the community surrounding it. ...more

September 17, 2008

Forty-nine pastors gathered Sunday night for a prayer service that they say will spread awareness and prepare their congregations and residents for one of the largest revivals in the city's history. "It's a historic moment," said the Rev. Joe Vankoevering, the pastor of Gateway Christian Church. "In my 40 years in this city, I haven't seen this before." ...more

August 24, 2008

A Hillsborough County teacher is hoping to open a preschool geared to preparing children for kindergarten at the Cathedral of Jesus of Nazareth. ...more

June 13, 2008