Our Story
How it all started
Woodland Community Church began in 1980 when a small group of people shared a bold vision: to plant a relevant, people-focused church in East Manatee County. This was an area they believed would soon grow with homes and businesses. With support from the Manatee Southern Association and West Bradenton Baptist Church, 8.3 acres were purchased on State Road 70. The first service was held on October 2, 1983, and the church, originally called Woodland Baptist Mission, began to grow. They met in local homes and buildings.
In 1984, James Kelley became our first full-time pastor. By March 10, 1985, we held our first services in the original Worship Center on our current property. On March 13, 1988, we officially signed our church charter and became Woodland Baptist Church.
On November 17, 1991, Larry Wells became our second full-time pastor. In 1993, we completed a two-story Education Building and launched Woodland Early Childcare Center. That same year, we expanded our property by 20 acres, bringing the total to 28.3 acres.
In October 1996, Dr. Tim Passmore became our third pastor. Under his leadership, we moved into a 450-seat Worship Center in 1998 and soon became known as Woodland Community Church. Growth continued with the addition of the Recreation Outreach Center and Life Group classrooms in 2002. In 2006, we opened our current Worship Center to welcome the many people God was drawing in.
As our community continues to grow, so does our mission—just as it began: every number has a face, every face has a heart, and every heart matters to God. That’s why we’re here, walking daily with the Lord, committed to the journey until the work is complete.
Every day matters
What is our Purpose
Reach
Reach the world with the good news that Jesus loves us and is the way to know God.
grow
Grow to become more like Jesus in what we say and do.
serve
Serve those who are in need spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.
give
Give to change the world by making sacrifices for the good of others.
Our affiliation
Recognizing the benefits of cooperation with other churches in world missions, Woodland Community Church voluntarily affiliates with the Southern Baptist Convention in its national, state, and local expressions.
What We believe
Our beliefs
- There is only one true God - 1 Timothy 2:5
- God desires to have a personal relationship with us and that this only occurs through His Son, Jesus Christ - 1 Timothy 2:5-6
- We are to obey God and live by His commands - Deuteronomy 13:4
- Our salvation is to be followed by baptism - Mark 1:1-13; Matthew 28:19
- The Bible is God's Word given to us for daily instruction and is without error - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- God sent to us a comforter called the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily walk with Him - John 14:16-17
- In worshipping God freely, but with decency and order - 1 Corinthians 14:40
- Our bodies are the temple of God and should be treated as such - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
- We should not engage in activities which would cause others to stumble - Romans 14:19-23
- In becoming disciples of Jesus Christ - John 8:31-32
Core values
- We are to grow spiritually - 2 Peter 3:18
- We are to share our faith with a lost world - Acts 1:8
- We are to communicate with God through prayer - Ephesians 6:18
- We are to use our spiritual gifts as we minister to those who are in need - Acts 26:16
- We are to be faithful in meeting together as believers - Hebrews 10:25
- We are to give our resources obediently - Malachi 3:10; 2 Corinthians 9:7
- We are to encourage one another - Isaiah 1:17
- We are to forgive one another - Colossians 3:13
- We are to follow God's leadership - Matthew 16:24
- We are to show the love of Christ - 1 John 3:11