OUR STORY

Candlewood Community Church began as a vision statement many years ago at Oakwood Community Church (Carrollwood area of Tampa).  In 2006 it was clear that God was putting together a team to bring it into reality.  Oakwood's Minister of Congregational Life, Pastor Ron Day, and his wife, Ardell, along with a Church Multiplication Task Force were identified as God's appointed leaders to launch a daughter church in Pasco County, north of Tampa.

Weekly services were launched on March 4, 2007 at Pine View Middle School in Land O' Lakes. On November 29, 2007 the Elders of Oakwood officially gave their Blessing of Autonomy to Candlewood Community Church at a dinner meeting that included the giving of testimonies of faith in Christ by 24 Oakwood members ready to transfer their membership to Candlewood.  A Considering Candlewood session was held on a couple of occasions preparing an additonal nine members to be added at Candlewood's Annual Family Meeting on December 9, 2007 bringing the Charter Membership to 33.

Early in 2008 Candlewood received full autonomy and membership in the EFCA-SE District of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

Due to God's abundant blessing a 24/7 facility was leased in late 2010.  The last service at Pine View Middle School was on December 19, 2010.  After the worship service everyone helped to load up our "stuff" and move it into the new church home at 21418 Carson Dr.  We then held our Annual Family Meeting in the new facility.  January 2, 2011 marks the first service.

This is the brief version of our story.  We would love to hear your story.  Perhaps God is planning on combining our stories to His glory!