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Hernando Today

Greater Love Is A Growing Church With Vision

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN Hernando Today correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 2, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - A high-energy lady helps counsel local youth to be motivated, educated and successful. Teens and others call her "Moms," and she is known for helping them to finds jobs and other entries into improvement in life. Her idea of satisfaction is to help solve problems and to be encouraging.

As a pastor, she does the same for her church - "with the main help, every single day, 24/7, directly from Jesus and the deacons, members and my family and friends," said the evanescent Yvonne Woods, pastor of the Greater Love Outreach Ministries.

One of her five daughters, Wanda, used computer expertise to create her colorful church ministry card. It has Woods looking glam on the front side, with her phone number offering prayer and pastoral counseling. She prefers the other side because it contains her favorite Bible passage, Psalm 25, and its emphasis on finding strength in the Lord.

"I had many struggles as a young person," Woods said, "from monetary to raising my daughters and studying - ongoing - in my education. My daughters are educated and accomplished and life is good, Praise the Lord. Everyday, Praise the Lord."

How was church name, Greater Love Outreach Ministries, chosen?

"When I met with the deacons and members, we all created it and voted on it," Woods said. "Love is the main idea, and 'greater' means a greater love than ourselves - The Lord. And we want to have outreach by serving God and helping our community through our various ministries.

"We are a nondenominational Pentecostal church, Bible based. Full-immersion baptism is for those with age of reasoning - not infants or toddlers. We have Open Communion the first Sunday of each month. We're strong on praying and helping people in serving God."

How does your career in counseling help in church ministry?

"I see it all as inter-related. First, my education includes courses in psychology, sociology, and early childhood education, from colleges and universities mostly in Pennsylvania. I am currently taking courses in ministry from Harvard. My employment with the State of Florida Department of Labor and Employment will afford my retirement in 2012.

"I've always had a heart for serving people, so I've been involved with a host of agencies and service organizations such as Career Central Agency for Innovative Work Force - AWI - assisting Karen Nicolai, Hernando High School Advisory Board, and being president of the interfaith charity City-Wide Mission."

Woods is also a visiting pastor to the city and county jail facilities for rehab, transitions and finding jobs. "I enjoy helping teens and those who are parents in learning good parenting skills and finding resource materials and support. I get calls all the time to help youth with jobs, training and schooling. I keep appointments with employers to know what's available and what 'matches' can be made.

"In church then, we all try to do God's will in serving people. We offer support for youth, Youth Bible Study, and ministries in visiting the infirm and hospitalized, convalescent homes, and other member needs.

What special events are planned?

"At 7 p.m. Aug. 8 at The Woman's Club in Brooksville, we'll enjoy a talent show, games, prizes, raffles, praise and worship and refreshments," Ed Piper said." A love offering will be taken and we will have some crafts and things for sale, as the church goal is to raise more money for purchase of school supplies for the next day's back-to-school outreach event

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 9 the community is invited to Kennedy Park for the 'Back to School Bash.' Piper verified the day as giving away school supplies, with free refreshments such as hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and sodas. Games for boys include flag football and basketball, while softball and soccer will be for girls. "We'll have lots of other games, prizes, and DJ music," he said. "We do need donations of school supplies such as backpacks, pencils, paper, and money for buying supplies. Some will come from the talent show the night before and business donations."

The first 50 boys accompanied by a parent will receive gift cards for free haircuts.

For information and donations of school supplies or money, call Katina Cobb at 898-3629 or Christie Woods at 585-7751.

Who has influenced you as exemplary Christians and guides?

"Of course besides the Lord and the Bible, there are so many people I would thank ... My parents raised me to be Christian. My family is such a blessing, and I have to mention my husband, Willie Woods and his watermelon business."

Christie Woods voiced affirmation for her mother. "What I appreciate most about her is that she is always willing to follow her calling to and love for God. She never ever complains."

What happens musically at Greater Love Outreach Ministries?

"It's a lively blend of traditional Gospel, and praise and worship," the pastor said. "I happen to be a member of the Ladies 'N' Waiting quartet, and we also have whole congregational singing, a keyboards player and fine drummers. We'd welcome some guitars and brass and lots more people who enjoy singing."

Deacon Ed Piper praised the pastor's singing. "When we were looking for a pastor, it was a blessing to have Sister Woods so ready for it. We all feel that Sister Woods was meant to be a pastor. She knows how to run a good meeting for church business or anything. Her messages are a blessing. Sometimes we feel we ought to get her toned down a little from her singing ... She is so spirit-filled and lively in singing. You'd think she needs to save some of that energy for her sermons. Yet somehow she always finds that energy and is marvelous. The Ladies 'N' Waiting are great and the music here is spirit-filled and joyful."

Deacon-in-training Reggie Finlayson said he enjoys the musical talents and caring qualities of Woods and church members. He and his wife Delores moved from Tampa to the area four years ago to enjoy a quieter country lifestyle. "As we became friends with other church members and started this church, it was apparent that the person to be our pastor should be Yvonne Woods. She is evangelical, she makes everyone she meets feel welcome, she's approachable, and so caring."

Anything on the church wish list?

Woods has a vision for a permanent church location. "We envision a place where we can have many more offerings outreach and helping in our community," she said, "such as tutoring, education and workshops, and room for sports. So I'd pray for an investor to help us get our own permanent building instead of renting. I already have my eye on two locations nearby and we're all praying for and working toward those goals. We want to bring more people to know the many blessings of being in a church and to know what a wonderful difference God can make in your life."

When do they meet?

Sunday worship service: 11 a.m.

Tuesday Bible Study and family night: 7 p.m. in member homes

(NOTE: summer worship services at American Legion Hall

September/winter at Community Center, across from AL Hall)

Greater Love Outreach Ministries Church meets until September at Brooksville American Legion Hall, 208 E. Dade Ave., Brooksville. Beginning in September, the church will meet at the Community Parks and Recreation Center across the street. Phone: 585- 7328

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