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astor Jeffrey Howell has a tremendous passion for God’s Word, coupled with a love for seeing people’s faith come alive. He has served as pastor of Plant City’s Church on the Rock for 22 years. Upon graduating from Plant City High School, Pastor Howell joined the United States Navy, working as a Submariner for eight years. During his time in the Navy, he became a Christian when he met a Navy Shipyard Worker in Washington State. Pastor Howell shared his testimony: “When I was in the Navy, the submarine was parked in dry dock in Washington State. A Navy Shipyard Worker was sharing his faith with another Submariner and I began peppering him with questions. He asked if I had a Bible and I said I did not. He pulled out a Bible held together with duct tape and said, ‘take this and read it for yourself.’” He credits that Navy Shipyard Worker with changing not only his life, but the lives of those Howell has been led to minister over his 29 year career. As a 1996 graduate of the New Orleans Theological Seminary, Pastor Howell says he believes solid leadership comes directly out of one’s relationship with Christ and living out the Scripture. Howell is a devoted husband and a proud father and grandfather to his six children and three grandchildren, respectively. He was called to the pastorate of Church on the Rock in 1997 and since, he has seen the church grow, citing that members of the church come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, ages, and education levels. “God did a phenomenal job,” said Pastor Howell. “Healthy churches look like a cross section of the community they minister in. One of the things I love most about Church on the Rock and Iglesia en la Roca is how diverse the congregation is. It is his belief that the Cross is a banner everyone should come together under and says when people grow as disciples of Jesus, it impacts every aspect of their lives.
PASTOR JEFFREY HOWELL
CHURCH ON THE ROCK / IGLESIA EN LA ROCA
301 E. Alsobrook St. Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 752-3740 | www.rockofpc.com Service Times: Contemporary Worship: Sunday 8:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m,; Bilingual service Sunday 9:20 a.m.; Wednesdays AWANA 6:00pm, Youth Worship Service 6:30 pm & Adult Prayer Service 6:30pm Established: ~1920 Church Mission: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matt 28:18-20
Pastor Howell is also fond of the missionary teams at The Rock, who are active in not only the Plant City community, but also internationally. Annually, teams are sent to Haiti, Guatemala, and Germany. As a veteran of the U.S. military and Plant City’s Police Chaplain for 20 years, as well as a Chaplain on the Tampa Bay Regional Critical Incident Team for seven years, Pastor Howell is a proud supporter of first responders. He says those among the congregation who serve as law enforcement officers are able to use their unique skill set when ministering in Guatemala, as the church trains the Guatemalan National Police, as well as hosts a Bible Study. When asked how he would advise those not established in a faith, Pastor Howell had this to share: “Get a Bible, read it for yourself. I tell the congregation ‘don’t take my word for anything, but take God’s word on everything.’” The church will host three Easter Resurrection Celebrations on April 21 at 8:00 a.m., 9:20 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., respectively. He says it is the church’s belief that every celebration of the Resurrected Christ should be unique, so each year the service varies. In his free time, Pastor Howell enjoys camping, riding sport bikes, coffee and “anything bacon wrapped.” Pastor Jeff Howell and the dynamic ministry team are dedicated servants of God working together to make Church on the Rock a ministry that empowers people to understand and live out their created purpose in Christ. PAGE
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