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An Interview with Our Pastor How does the Church at Spring Hill differ from other churches?  Pastor Dan ~ One thing this church is striving for is the transparency that I believe is so important: accepting one another where each is in our growth, personalities and callings. We encourage everyone to develop the gifts and graces the Lord has given them. For instance, Ruth Ditty has been writing poetry for years, and now she has several books of her poetry published. She has encouraged Debra Oates, who published her first book of poetry in October of 2004. ["Freely you have received, freely give..."] Geri has three books published. Those accomplishments are very encouraging.  Victories in individual relationships, especially in family life, are important in our development and testimony as believers. We "gave the Lord back His Church" a few years ago and since then, we're trying to get away from "religion" and concentrate more on our relationship with Jesus, our families and the Body of Christ. What is your vision for the Body of Christ?                                       Pastor Dan ~ I want to see God's people walk in the Spirit and in unity.  Pastor, there's been talk for many years about believers walking in the Spirit. Have we misunderstood something? Aren't we all trying to do just that?                                                                                               Pastor Dan ~ Well, you're right. It's everyone's goal. But I see people who have called themselves Christians for many years who still don't exercise any faith, don't walk in love or forgiveness and in fact, don't even tell the truth! That could be very discouraging. Do you see a lot of that?           Pastor Dan ~ I think any is too much. I believe God has an image of believers that reflects the Word of God.  I believe He expects us to walk in peace ~ no matter what the circumstances, for instance. I think He expects us to be examples to the world in our morality, our response to temptation, and particularly in our love for one another.  Some years ago you had a vision for a much larger sanctuary. Has that changed?                                                                                                                              Pastor Dan ~ No, not at all. I expect to see a mighty work here as God gets His people back in image. But my primary desire is to see a change take place in believer's hearts, more than in numbers or the size of a building, for instance.  Do you have any special programs or seminars preparing people in this way?                                                                                                     Pastor Dan ~ No, I'm just stubborn enough to think God's people should hunger for His voice and desire to please Him without any organized program. To me, a heart and behavior change is more important than recognition. I do, however, believe in acknowledging people for their accomplishments.  That sounds pretty strong, Pastor. How can people "get there" without someone to teach them?                                                           Pastor Dan ~ I agree with Apostle Dale Rumble, as he teaches leadership among God's men. He teaches that men and women submitted to a local Church and allowing their gifts and graces to be developed will become more and more like Jesus. Those will be the servant-leaders in the local Church and many will be sent out to different fields of ministry. That's the ultimate goal. That's the way I feel, too. And, we've seen that in our Church. Many people have been raised up from this body and are now ministering in Churches and fellowships in different states. They check in with us from time to time to report on their ministries. That is exciting. Just recently we received a report from Russia sent by someone whose ministry began at the Church at Spring Hill.  What a blessing that is! We remember with a smile, the night she came [reluctantly] to our Home fellowship for the first time. What a mighty work God has done through her and her husband!  Do you want to add anything further, Pastor?                                   Pastor Dan ~ I'm a man of few words, actually. I don't think I can force  someone to love Jesus or motivate them to a stronger faith. As believers really get to know the character of God and His unconditional love for them, their desire will be to please Him rather than themselves. They will trust Him completely. He calls us His Ambassadors, His Ministers of Reconciliation. I believe people who love Jesus will not indulge in self-pity, will not take offense and will walk in unconditional love and forgiveness. That's my vision of the Bride for which Jesus is returning. Church History The Church at Spring Hill was founded in January of 1979. The original vision for the church was to allow a freedom in the Spirit where believers could grow and develop their gifts and graces, in addition to a liberty in worship that would permit the gifts of the Holy Spirit to flow freely. The first meetings were held in bank buildings, community centers, homes and "The Little Red Schoolhouse" in Spring Hill. In 1981, the church was deeded a little over seven acres bordering Elgin and Deltona Blvd. in Spring Hill and in July, 1985, the first phase of the structure was dedicated; later, a wing was added for classrooms and fellowship hall. In 1992, The Shepherd's Closet opened a booth in the USA Flea Market ~ giving away clothes and house wares. That ministry is still operated by Billy and Ruth Ditty. Specific ministries have developed over the years including drama, interpretive and Jewish dance, nursing home and prison ministries, original worship music, books of poetry and testimony. Those ministries are actively ministering all over the world. In 1993, the Lord spoke to the pastor concerning the vision of the church and an admonition was given to "give God back His Church." "Body Ministry" was encouraged with the Scripture I Cor.14:26 read and referred to often: "What shall we say then, brothers, when you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. ALL OF THESE MUST BE DONE FOR THE STRENGTHENING OF THE CHURCH." We were reminded to come to Church with a song in our hearts, a testimony on our lips, a praise report, exhortation or revelation to share and to be open to hear God's voice as He chose to lead each one in different ministry gifts. We were set free to relax in an informal, "family" atmosphere. We were reminded that family members talk, they hug and are genuinely glad to see each other! "Church meetings" are becoming family gatherings, celebrating our love of the Father. The Church at Spring Hill has been challenged to a new walk of transparency. A fresh "openness" is working its way through the body. A gentle visitation of God's Spirit moves among us as He challenges us to "walk the walk" and especially to Love, Accept, and Truly Forgive Each one....of Everything. In 2007, we find ourselves humbled in the mighty Presence of Almighty God as He opened the door to an international ministry last year. At this writing, we have an outreach Church in Nairobi, Kenya, the Spring Hill International Church at Korogocho. They are under our covering as we extend ministry helps to them. In addition to helping them organize their Church, we provide salvation tracts in Swahili. Our outreach extends to the Philippines, where we send Bibles and salvation tracts to Pastor Bernie and Lucie Marzon for their church ministry. We are helping a young man in The Gambia as he grows in the Lord. God is moving in a powerful way through his life there.  We thank God for the open door of this website. We are also part of the Voice of the Martyrs ministry, sending Bibles around the world.  . His Name is Jesus and He's the same: yesterday, TODAY and forever.

About Our Pastor ~ Dan Cole Dan Cole was born in West Virginia, but moved to Tampa early in his life. He and Geri were married in 1966 and their love story is told in "Count it all Joy."  Dan was ordained through Gospel Tabernacle of Holiday, FL and also Gospel Crusade in Bradenton, FL He received training through Florida Ministry & Training Center of Odessa, FL and holds a Bachelor of Bible Theology.  In 1971, Dan had a supernatural encounter with Jesus as He sovereignly baptized him in the Holy Spirit. That was a life-changing experience giving Dan a new direction in his spiritual life. In 1973, Geri also received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and has never been the same..  Dan founded and continues as pastor of the Church at Spring Hill since January of 1979.  Their home has been open to a weekly Home Church where an informal fellowship has continued throughout the years.   Some of Dan and Geri's experiences and many of their "lessons learned," are found in Geri's three books, "Count it all Joy,"  "We're Not All Cannibals!" and "The Wedding Gift."- available by order through www.AuthorHouse.com, www.publishamerica.com,  or locally,  Christian Living Resource Center formerly C & C Christian Supply, 352-596-2865, and Barnes & Noble, or Amazon.com.