www.christianvoicemonthly.com www.christianvoicemonthly.com B r a n d o n • Va l r i c o • L i t h i a • S e f f n e r • R i v e r v i e w • P l a n t C i t y • A p o l l o B e a c h Volume 23, Issue 5
Summer Camp
A Free Publication from Osprey Observer Inc.
May 2019
Family Promise Of Hillsborough County Receives Two Distinguished Awards
By Amanda Boston
25-32
VBS Camps 6-7
Concert 3
When families are faced Small Nonprofit Award,’ which with homelessness, Family recognizes organizations with a Promise, a nonprofit organizabudget under $500,000 that has tion, exists explicitly to keep fama significant impact on the comilies together. While typical munity. homeless shelters separate men Edwina Reddick, executive from women, which often director of Family Promise of includes young adolescent boys Hillsborough County, said, “It was from their mothers, Family such an honor and very humPromise’s unique setup affords bling to be selected as the winfamilies the ability to stay togethner. First time in a long time I er. was speechless.” With assistance from local Family Promise of church congregations, church Hillsborough County operates buildings provide temporary Pictured is Family Promise’s Edwina Reddick, executive director, with minimal staffing but makes and Deborah Humphrey, president of the board directors, receivin- a major impact on the communishelter as families work toward gan award from WEDU. attaining permanent and sustainty. The nonprofit heavily relies on able housing. The 90-day program equips its generous volunteers, congregations families with a plan to become self-suffiand donors. Without volunteers and cient through training in financial literacy donors, Family Promise would cease to and case-by-case management of exist. resources and services. When asked about needs, Reddick Family Promise is part of a national replied, “Currently, we need more host movement that began 28 years ago. facilities; volunteers for the Day Center on uted more than 11,000 pounds of food to Today, the national organization has the weekend; toilet paper, paper towels graduate families and others in need in 180,000 volunteers that serve more than both the single fold and roll kind; and the community. 50,000 people annually. The Hillsborough monetary donations.” Family Promise attended the County Family Promise opened its doors Family Promise has 12 host faciliCommunity Roundtable of Brandon’s on May 4, 2014. To date, the local nonties—most of which are houses of worannual dinner on February 27 and was profit has graduated 46 families to safe ship. Reddick said Family Promise is awarded ‘Nonprofit of the Year.’ Then the and affordable housing. Among those open to using other facilities as host sites. following day at the ‘WEDU Be More families were 99 school-aged children. To learn more on how you can donate or Empowered’ luncheon, Family Promise Last year, through the partnership with volunteer, please visit www.familypromisereceived the ‘Ultimate Medical Academy, Manna Ministries, Family Promise distribfl.org or call 681-6170.
Driven Church Merges With Radiant Church Of Tampa
By Amanda Boston
Books 21
Columns: GraceNotes:
Page 5
Your Monthly Catch: Page 8 Faith & Footprints:
Page 13
Hooked On Books:
Page 21
Driven Church of Brandon After envisioning how their recently merged with Radiant churches could work together, Church of Tampa. With multithey decided to combine. ple locations in the Tampa Bay Regarding the transition, area, former members of Pastor Tavarez said, “Between Driven Church are now attendnow and August, we will be ing Radiant Church locations engaged in community events until its Brandon location and interest meetings in launches in August. Brandon.” He continued, “I Radiant Church describes think this is going to be huge itself as “a life-giving and as we unite for the Kingdom of dynamic church that exists to Jesus in Brandon.” move people from where they Pastor Burke added, are to where God wants them “There are so many things to be.” It is one church with that we could do separately, three locations, and soon to be and it would make a little bit of four with the addition of the an impact, but I think togethBrandon location. Pastor Joon er...we can collaborate to do Pastor Aaron Burke (far right), Pastor Joon Tavarez and his wife more.” Tavarez, former pastor of Elizabeth recently announced that Driven Church of Brandon Driven Church, will be the locaPastor Burke went on to would merge with Radiant Church. tion pastor for the Brandon campus. say that Radiant Church will be buildIn 2013, Pastor Aaron Burke and ing on top of the great foundation that his wife, Katie, relocated to Tampa Bay Driven Church has already laid in the to plant Radiant Church South Tampa. Brandon community. The official Since then, Radiant Church has continlaunch of its Brandon location and first ued to grow with its casual atmospublic Sunday service will be held on phere, dynamic worship music and relAugust 18. evant messages. With multiple locaAs Pastor Burke and Pastor tions, the sermons are preached at one Tavarez plan for the opening of the location and streamed to the other Brandon location, you can stay up to Pastor Burke and Pastor Tavarez campuses. Information on locations and date at https://weareradiant.com/brantimes can be found at https://weareradi- are dear friends who lead churches don/. Location and times are still with a similar mission and make-up. ant.com. being determined.