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Church To Have Own Home

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By B.C. MANION

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

KEYSTONE - A new church is rising on an 18-acre tract on the south side of Van Dyke Road, just east of Gunn Highway.

Journey Christian Church, a nondenominational Christian church led by Keith Chandler, is getting a permanent home.

The church has been meeting at 10 a.m. Sundays since the fall of 1999 at Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway.

But soon - possibly as early as January - the church will be worshipping at its new location, 7708 Van Dyke Road.

About 150 people regularly attend the church, which emphasizes a philosophy of helping people through the practical, day-to-day aspects of their faith journey.

The 11,000-square-foot church building will offer plenty of room for growth in the congregation, Chandler said. The sanctuary will accommodate about 400 worshippers.

One of the benefits of having a permanent home is the ability to offer more ministries for church members, the pastor said.

"When you have a place basically for four hours - which is what we rent the school out for - it really limits your opportunity to reach out to the community."

The project, estimated at about $2 million, is being financed through the Church Development Fund out of Anaheim, Calif., Chandler said.

The steel structure will have a white and beige stucco exterior. It will be equipped with a space for children's education, a cafe, an office and restrooms.

The pastor is looking forward to his congregation having a permanent gathering space.

Under its current arrangement at Gaither, the church is a weekly visitor.

"We have to tear down and set up every week. The teardown, set up, is hard. The sound equipment is heavy. This will be a lot better."

Chandler, who typically wears jeans and a T-shirt when he's preaching, said his church offers a different feel.

"It's comfortable, casual," Chandler said.

The church maintains the philosophy that people need to be who they are, wherever they are.

"In your journey of faith, we want to help you to nurture that relationship with God and with other people. We try to make it real. It needs to be a Monday through Sunday church."

Chandler said the church is lucky to have a beautiful piece of land.

He envisions a future church picnic near the property's four-acre lake.

To learn more about the church, go to www.tampajourney.com or call (813) 920-0442.

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampatrib.com.

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