local partners in ministry

DeLand Ministerial Association

Pastor Dave is the treasurer of the DeLand Ministerial Association. The pastors of churches in the DeLand area enjoy rich times of fellowship and prayer together. They have a strategy for reaching this area with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our churches work side by side in projects aimed at reaching the lost and serving those in need. The pastors pray strategically for the city of DeLand, its leaders, its citizens and its churches.

Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor John McMillon and his wife, Barbara, are active in the ministerial association. Pastor John and Pastor Dave have been friends for a number of years. Our two churches have worshiped together several times, and we conducted a weekend neighborhood outreach in Mt. Olive’s community. The goal was to build a reputation for Mt. Olive MB Church as the center of their community. Our church has held work parties at Mt. Olive to improve their facility and the pastors have preached in each other’s pulpits.

Celebrate Jesus

From July 21-28, 2007, we were a host church for the Celebrate Jesus Mission in the Deland area. We joined with many DeLand area churches in an outreach project to contact every family in our city in one week. Teams of 3 knocked on doors, introduced themselves, presented a free gift, invited them to a block party hosted by our church, and asked how we may pray for them.

We had a great week of prayer and service projects in our community. Approximately 800 people allowed us to serve them at the block party we had at the DeLand YMCA. They listened to live worship music, played games, registered for door-prizes, ate great food, swam, and were exposed to the Gospel in action.

It was a truly awesome week, and we look forward to participating in the next Celebrate Jesus Mission in our area.

DeLand Family YMCA

The DeLand Family YMCA is a strong Christian organization in our community. The YMCA hosts an annual ministers’ luncheon and provides complimentary family memberships for the pastors. Pastors serve as chaplains, available for counsel or ministry when called upon, for example, to minister to Y members who have no church home. The Y hosts an annual community prayer breakfast and occasional community worship services. Covenant Community Church worships at the YMCA every Sunday.