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Religion

Step back in time, giant leap to future

Bible-Based Fellowship will revisit an old home before moving to a state-of-the-art sanctuary.

By TIM GRANT
Published May 13, 2005

CARROLLWOOD - To celebrate the grand opening of its new cathedral, the congregation at Bible-Based Fellowship Church is going back to where it all began.

Members will commemorate their first Sunday worship service in the 1,700-seat sanctuary by forming a motorcade Sunday at the Quality Inn motel on Bearss Avenue and parading to the newly constructed building at 4811 Ehrlich Road.

"We're really excited about it," said Arthur T. Jones, pastor of Bible-Based Fellowship in Carrollwood.

The motorcade will gather starting at 8 a.m. Sunday. The worship service begins at 9 a.m.

Carrollwood's most prominent African-American church held its first service 16 years ago at the Quality Inn near I-275 after the membership grew too large for Jones' living room.

The Cathedral at Bible-Based Fellowship is a two-level, 41,000-square-foot building with a state-of-the-art sound system, audio and visual technology.

In addition to its theological library, bookstore, welcome center and administrative offices, the $6-million facility contains separate rooms for prayer, choir rehearsal, communion, conferences and first aid.

It will be the heart of the 10.5-acre complex members have created since moving there in 1992.

The original church at that site is now being used for children's church, special events and administrative offices. They've also added a Family Life Center, a Christian bookstore, a credit union and Christian academy.

"We set out 16 years ago to be a Bible-based, Christian-centered, Holy Spirit-led ministry," Jones said. "We've been working day-in and day-out to fulfill that mandate given to us by Christ."

Tim Grant can be reached at 813 269-5311 or at grant@sptimes.com

[Last modified May 12, 2005, 00:28:09]