ABOUT GREAT OUTDOORS CHURCH

     The Great Outdoors Church began in 1990 with three couples meeting for a Bible study in the resort library.  A Sunday morning church service grew out of that Bible study. In 1993 Rev. Ken Vander Broek and his wife, Kathy, who were vacationing from Michigan visited the church. As the people became acquainted with Pastor Ken, they observed that he was a gifted pastor and leader. He was asked if he would be interested in becoming the pastor of the newly formed church. He accepted the call, preached his first sermon on December 12, 1993, and served faithfully until he retired in April of 2000.

     During the early years of the church, services were held in Plantation Manor with Pat Hopper serving as choir director. Volunteers set up chairs, obtained some free used hymnals, and the Word was preached from the Plantation Manor lectern with a card table used for a Communion Table.

     In April of 1994, permission was sought from TGO to construct a church building.  Jack Eckerd granted permission and donated the land to the church.  Construction of the church building started on August 1, 1997. Many in the congregation were involved in the construction process. The people worked together in a marvelous spirit of unity to plan, design and pay for the building. The first official service was held on Palm Sunday, April 5, 1998.

     The Great Outdoors Church consists of members and associate members.  Associate members retain their membership in other churches, and hold membership in our church as well. Because we come from many different denominations, backgrounds, locations, theological teaching, and traditions, our church has two unifying principles which each person affirms in order to become a member. 1. Jesus Christ, God-man, died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and is our personal Savior.  2. The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and the authority for our faith and practice. Over the Narthex doors as one enters the sanctuary are the words which summarize the heart of our faith: "Jesus Christ, Crucified, Risen, Returning."

     There is always a warm and friendly group of people full of joy who will be delighted to greet you and welcome you as a fellow worshipper. They will encourage you to become involved, and be part of our church family. The Great Outdoors Church is certainly unique, and The Great Outdoors RV and Golf Resort is a wonderful place for all of this to come together.  Praise the Lord! He has blessed His people here and provided a beautiful place of worship for those who come through our doors.