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Katie McCraw (left), one of the original church mumbers, and Hattie McGee (right), guest, join in song during Friday night services at the First University Seventh-day Adventists Church. This was part of the 4 day Grand Opening of the church at their new location at 2225 E. 109th Ave in Tampa and their 12th Anniversary Celebration.

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By LENORA LAKE, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 8, 2007

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NORTH TAMPA - A church with two congregations has grown from a handful of people who preached the Gospel on the streets.

The First University Seventh-day Adventist Church last week celebrated the grand opening of a new worship center at 2225 E. 109th Ave.

The church, which has English- and Spanish-language congregations, bought the building for $1.67 million from the New Life Tabernacle Pentecostal Church. New Life is renting space at the 109th Avenue site while it builds a new worship center on Williams Road. First University's Spanish-language congregation remains at 1212 E. 139th Ave., which is in a largely Hispanic community.

First University Seventh-day Adventist started as a tent effort 12 years ago by six people working in street ministry in the community west of the University of South Florida. That group and those it had baptized were chartered in 1996 as the 114th congregation of the Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, said Rose Gosin, a member for six years and chairwoman of the grand opening committee.

The Seventh-day Adventists, according to the denomination's Web site, believe in the trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit; observe the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week; and keep the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit through a healthful diet and exercise and no use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco and illegal drugs.

About 200 people attend the English services, and about 125 attend the Spanish services, Gosin said.

Many of First University's members are college students and young professionals who have stayed on after graduation, Gosin said. It is "a melting pot of different people" from many countries and communities, Gosin said. "We are definitely not wealthy, except wealthy in a lot of love," Gosin said.

Philip and Melonie Harris of St. Petersburg are among the members who were college students seven years ago when they joined. They have remained members and serve on the church's board of directors.

"We are the ones that need to keep it up for the next generation," said Philip Harris, a city of St. Petersburg planner.

Last weekend's grand opening drew about 500 people. It included a concert, ribbon-cutting ceremony, proclamations from government leaders, former pastors speaking at services and a fellowship luncheon.

Gosin said the events were to call attention to the new location, which includes a sanctuary, educational wing and fellowship hall, as well as community outreach programs. "It's very important people know we have put a stake in the ground," Gosin said, adding that the church offers programs for singles, families and children.

The church's pastor, Shimon M. Taylor, said the church has much to offer.

"We can offer a fellowship and Bible teaching. We have a good handle on the Scriptures and putting them into practical use," said Taylor, who came to the church in March 2006 after serving in Atlanta.

Taylor said the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist faith are setting the church's direction for its outreach. "We believe that God has called us to be busy, not just with our own, but interacting with everyone for a positive impact," Taylor said.

The church leaders have talked with neighborhood association representatives and asked what the church could do to help the community, Philip Harris said. They agreed to help with tutoring of children, work on community cleanups and stage health fairs. The church had done similar work at its previous location.

"We want to bring pride to the neighborhood we are in," Harris said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: First University Seventh-day Adventist Church

WHERE: 2225 E. 109th Ave.

WHEN: Bible study is 9:15 a.m. Saturdays; worship services are at 11 a.m. Saturdays; prayer meetings are at 7 p.m. Tuesdays.

INFORMATION: Call (813) 975-8283 or visit www.firstuniversitysda.org.

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851 or llake@tampatrib.com.

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