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Small Church Reeling From Misfortune

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By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2007

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Members of Living Faith Baptist Church have toiled for the past five years to raise money for a permanent home, hoping to move in Nov. 1. Then thieves and vandals struck recently, delaying the move-in day and upsetting the congregation, but not shaking their faith.

Formed 15 years ago by Kevin Dennie, the church's pastor, Living Faith services were first held in his home in Twelve Oaks and later in rented rooms in various places in Town 'N Country. For the past four years, the church, which has 75 members, has used a building at The Children's Home, 10909 Memorial Highway.

While renting rooms, church members spotted a plot of land at 8607 Hulsey Road and purchased it in hopes of one day building a church.

Work on the new facility was coming along fine until a series of incidents stalled those plans. In early September, two outside air conditioners valued at $6,000 were stolen. A few weeks later, thieves broke into the church and took $2,000 worth of music equipment and two inside air conditioners.
Human excrement was found in the sanctuary.

It was 'devastating,' Dennie said. 'With each thing that has happened, my heart sinks lower and lower. Doing this to people who have worked so hard and saved so long, it's an awful thing to do. I was really walking around in a cloud in disbelief.'

Police took prints, Dennie said, but he hasn't heard anything about the case.

The opening date was pushed back one month, and members are thinking of ways to replace the stolen items. The church owes money for the first two air-conditioning units, and sellers aren't reducing the debt.

On top of having items stolen, Dennie also found out their building risk insurance lapsed in July and they weren't eligible for an extension.

'We've been busy working, and everyone is giving what they can,' he said.
Dennie doesn't believe in fundraising tactics but does believe in kind donations. Church members donated $90,000 of their money for the property. The Baptist General Conference, which the church is a part of, has also helped with money, he said.

'We know it's a long shot, but it'd be nice to recover the stolen items,' Dennie said. 'That would be the ideal.'

Mostly, though, he would 'like us to just go on. It's been amazing how everyone by faith just keeps going, just trusting God and walking by faith. That's been an encouragement to me.'

Anyone with information on the stolen items or those who wish to donate can call Dennie at (813) 884-8401 or write to P.O. Box 262664, Tampa FL 33685.

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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