TBC 50th Anniversary Book

TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH 50TH ANNIVERSARY



“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works;
I muse on the work of thy hands.” - Psalm 143:5

LEFT: Dr. Bob Ware, founder of Tabernacle Baptist Church, circa 1967 • TOP: Church congregation
1972 • BOTTOM CENTER: Groundbreaking for Tabernacle Baptist, circa 1967

HI S T O R Y O F T A B E R N A C L E B A P T I S T

In August 1966, after counseling and fervent prayer, the home of the church was the Orlando Auto Auction at
Lord used Reverend D.M. Hardison of Norfolk, Virginia the corner of Kaley and Division Streets. Five months
to challenge Dr. Bob Ware, a young pastor in Edenton, later, due to the lack of building space, the church moved
North Carolina to the spiritual needs of Orlando, to the closed Lucerne Baptist Church building at 1019
Florida. Dr. Ware resigned his pastorate in Edenton to South Division Street. The average attendance was fifty-
come to Orlando and start Tabernacle Baptist Church in seven each week.
November 1966. In August 1967, three and a half acres of property at 6000
After a week long revival held in a tent erected at 2830 West Colonial Drive was acquired; the first building was
South Orange Avenue, the church was officially organized constructed that same year. Since then, the church has
December 8, 1966 with forty-four charter members. In built seven buildings and acquired several properties with
his organizational sermon, Dr. Bob Gray, then pastor of houses and duplexes. The auditorium was completely
Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, exhorted renovated to colonial style and decorated in gray and
the new church to be diligent in their efforts to win souls, burgundy in 1984. The former Game and Fresh Water
lift up Christ at all cost, support the pastor, and build Fish Commission two-story building was purchased in
a great church for Christ. Tabernacle Baptist Church 1992 to house the church administrative offices.
continues today reaching souls for our Lord. The first

TOP LEFT: Tabernacle Baptist Church construction • TOP RIGHT: Aerial view of church
BOTTOM FAR LEFT: Dr. Bob Ware with wife Gail and sons Kris and Ethan Ware, circa 1960’s
LEFT: Tent Meeting prior to church construction, circa 1966 • BOTTOM CENTER: Dr. Bob Ware
with wife Gail, sons Kris and Ethan, daughters Tootsie and Bunny Ware • BOTTOM RIGHT: Dr.
Bob Ware with Mrs. Ruth Greer, “Mother of the Church” a great soul-winner who is now with Jesus

CH A R T E R M E M B E R S

TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH

DR. BOB WARE CAROLYN COLDIRON GINNY LONG* FRED SHOFFNER*
GAIL WARE OSCAR FOUTS* BRUCE LONG ED STRICKLAND*
KRIS WARE EDNA FOUTS SHERRY LONG ELIZABETH STRICKLAND
ETHAN WARE KERRY FOUTS ELENE MOORE ED STRICKLAND, JR.
HOWARD BROWN KAREN FOUTS BILL MOORE PAUL WHITE
MAYNARD BYRD* KRISTY FOUTS JOYCE MILLER SHARON WHITE
WAUNELLE BYRD RUTH GREER* PENNY PHILLIPS DONNA WHITE
MARK BYRD EVELYN HOWELL TOM PHILLIPS DAVID WHITE
DENNIS BYRD A.J. HOWELL* BONNIE SHARP PAULA WHITE
LEE COLDIRON THOMAS E. LONG ETHERIDGE SHOFFNER* (*Deceased)

1. Admit you are a sinner HOW TO BE SURE YOU ARE SAVED
For all have sinned, and come
short of the glory of God” 2. Believe on Jesus Christ 3. Receive Christ into your life Assurance of Salvation
- Romans 3:23 “But God commendeth his love “But as many as received him, “And I give unto them eternal
toward us, in that, while we to them gave he power to be- life; and they shall never perish,
were yet sinners, Christ died come the sons of God, even to neither shall any man pluck
for us.” - Romans 5:8 them that believe on his name” them out of my hand.”
John 1:12 John 10:28

LEFT: Dr. Bob Ware with Tom Phillips, the first person converted and baptized at Tabernacle
Baptist Church • TOP CENTER: Dr. Bob Gray and Dr. Bob Ware, 1968 • TOP RIGHT: Dr. Bob
Ware and Dr. Bob Gray, 1994 • BOTTOM CENTER: Don Strange (Assistant Pastor) Bob Ware
(Pastor) and George Thornton (Assistant Pastor)

TOP LEFT: Church staff, circa 1969 - left to right, Don Strange (Assistant Pastor), Bob Ware (Pastor) Jim
Gipson (Youth Director), and Joe Norris (Bus Pastor) • ABOVE: Church staff, circa 1970’s - seated left to right:
Bob Throckmorton (Director, Bible Correspondence School), Mrs. Delores Campbell (Pastor’s Secretary), Mrs.
Janice Forrest (Church and School Receptionist), Mrs. Penny Phillips (School Secretary), Mrs. Patty Buckles
(Printer). Standing: Dave Hurd (Youth Pastor), Gary Forsyth (Bus Director) and Willard Paul (senior Citizens
Director). Absent: William Ruffin (School Principle).

LEFT: Christmas Cantata 1975, under
direction of Mr. Maynard Byrd

TOP LEFT: Dr. Steve Ware, Arthur
Ware, Dr. Bob Ware • ABOVE: Dr.
Steve Ware with parents Arthur and
Lillian Ware, 1984 • BOTTOM LEFT:
Steve and Bob Ware with their mother
Lillian Ware, 1998 • BOTTOM RIGHT:
Drs. Steve and Bob Ware, Nov. 22, 1998

CHURCH STAFF 1986
BACK ROW: Irby Lyle, Bob Throckmorton, Dr. Steve Ware, Dr. Bob Ware, Charlie Whipple and Raphael Catig

FRONT ROW: Theresa Evans, Elizabeth Piaxxa, Jaylyn Anton, Becky Ritchie and Dr. Barbara Stewart

Granted a year long sabbatical for 31 years of faithful
service to Tabernacle Baptist Church, Dr. Bob Ware left
Orlando in April 1997 to pursue mission work in India.
In his absence, Tabernacle Baptist Church continued the
Lord’s work under the leadership of Dr. Steve Ware.
In February 1998, while Dr. Bob Ware was still on the
mission field, his letter of resignation from the pastorate
of Tabernacle Baptist Church was read to the church
membership to be effective May 1, 1998. A pulpit
committee was formed to pursue the task of finding a
new pastor. On February 25, 1998, by unanimous vote of
the church membership, Dr. Steve Ware became the new
pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

LEFT: Dr. Steve Ware, 1998
ABOVE: Pastoral Staff, 2006
BACK ROW: Larry Bruton, Pastor Steve Ware, Greg Wilmore
FRONT ROW: Pat Newman, Allan DeSouza

DR . S T E V E A . W A R E , P A S T O R

Born April 5, 1953 in Greenville, South Carolina In 1998 Dr. Bob Ware resigned from TBC and upon his
to parents Arthur and Lillian Ware, Dr. Steve Ware recommendation and a 100% church vote, Dr. Steve Ware
graduated from Parker High School in 1971. He married became our Pastor. The ministry has continued to reach
his High School sweet heart, Brenda Kay Keller on May souls for Jesus Christ under Pastor Steve’s leadership.
23, 1972. The Lord has blessed them with four children In service for the Lord at Tabernacle Baptist Church for
and ten grandchildren. over 35 years, Dr. Steve Ware has served as Tabernacle’s
Called into the Lord’s service shortly after he accepted Senior Adult Director, Superintendent of buildings
Christ as his personal Savior on April 8, 1973, he began and grounds, Professor and Executive Vice President
attending Tabernacle Bible College in Greenville, South of Heritage College, teacher for Heritage Preparatory
Carolina. In 1981, his older brother Dr. Bob Ware called School, and he has worked closely with Mrs. Rebecca
him to come to Orlando, Florida and work with the Ritchie in the administration of the ministry finances.
Tabernacle “Super Seniors”. He received his Bachelor of Under Dr. Ware’s leadership, the church has gone forward
Science in Bible Degree in 1984 and Doctor of Divinity with the philosophy it was founded with in 1966.
Degree in 1989 from Heritage College.

FROM CHILDHOOD...
TO ADULTHOOD...
TO THE PULPIT

TOP LEFT: Steve Ware as a boy
ABOVE: Pastor Steve, 2015
FAR LEFT: Steve and Brenda
Ware on their wedding day,
May 23, 1972
LEFT: Steve Ware, young adult

THE STEVE WARE FAMILY, 1997

TOP LEFT: Dr. Steve Ware with wife
Brenda, June, 1997
ABOVE: From left, Jeremy Ware,
Faith Ware, Chris Ware, Pastor Steve,
Kelly Ware and Brenda Ware
BOTTOM LEFT: John, Faith, Emily,
Bethany and Katie Jensen
BOTTOM RIGHT: Marcus, Kelly,
Levi and Micah Secrist

OU T R E A C H M I N I S T R I E S

“Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye these programs to prepare students for life academically,
shall find, bid to the marriage.” - Matthew 22:9 spiritually and physically. The prayers of all teachers and
staff are that our Savior would be glorified through the
HERITAGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL ministry of Heritage Preparatory School.
Heritage Prep has served Central Florida since 1969. BUS MINISTRY
Heritage is a fully accredited institution through the All aboard the church bus! Since 1969, Tabernacle Baptist
National Private Schools Accreditation Group. This Church buses have been crisscrossing Central Florida,
certification enables Heritage to function fully under bringing families to hear the Word of God. Every Sunday
the statutes and provisions of the State of Florida. An morning, children and adults are picked up from home
experienced, well trained staff assures that each student and taken directly to Sunday School classrooms, where
from nursery to grade twelve attains his or her full that are taught about Jesus Christ and how to apply the
potential. Heritage students excel in the classroom, on Word of God to their lives. Many thousands have been
achievement tests, and in extra-curricular activities. safely transported and many young people have been
Heritage is proud to have an award-winning athletic saved throughout the life of this wonderful ministry.
program offering football, basketball, baseball, softball,
volleyball and golf. Students and parents alike have found
these programs enriching experiences. Heritage uses

H E R I TAG E P R E PA R ATORY S C HO OL

TOP LEFT: Heritage Prep 5k Graduation • TOP RIGHT: Heritage Prep graduation
BOTTOM FAR LEFT: Dr. Barbara Stewart (Principal) LEFT: Nancy Murnane (Assistant Principal)
BOTTOM CENTER: New Heritage Prep playground • BOTTOM RIGHT: Heritage High School
students having prayer at the flag pole

OUTREACH MINISTRIES - continued them grow in their faith. Teen Impact then challenges
SUPER SENIORS the growing Christians to offer themselves in service for
This is a weekly program for senior adults. Super Seniors Christ, and to honor God with their lives. Teen Impact
meet each Friday at 11:00 a.m. for a free program offers many opportunities for students to get involved.
including a delicious luncheon, surprises and special Each Summer, Teen Impact travels at home or abroad
guests from around the country. The Super Seniors on a mission trip. Teens can also be involved in a
program also embarks on frequent trips, allowing nursing home ministry, small group Bible studies, youth
senior adults to enjoy each other while seeing sights of rallies, and many other activities. A youth center was
the world. There are no strangers at the Super Seniors recently opened where teens can come and enjoy a safe,
program, only friends who haven’t met. wholesome environment.
DEAF MINISTRY AWANA PROGRAM
Reaching out to the deaf is more than simply The Awana program offers elementary aged children the
communicating a spoken message; it is providing opportunity to participate in scripture memorization,
for their social and spiritual needs in a special way. Bible lesson, and group games each Wednesday evening.
Interpretation is performed for all worship services, According to Awana, more than 3.2 million children
Sunday School class, and counseling. in more than 100 countries are reached by the Awana
programs every week.

TEEN IMPACT
This ministry exists to reach non-believing students with
the Gospel, to interact with other Christians, and help

BUS MINISTRY

LEFT: Tabernacle strives to provide reliable transportation for those in need • TOP CENTER:
Bus ministry, circa 1970 • TOP RIGHT: Thousands of souls have been saved in the bus ministry
BOTTOM: This ministry requires constant maintenance of equipment and dedicated workers

SUPER SENIORS MINISTRY

TOP LEFT: Super Seniors patriotic service • TOP CENTER: Transportation is provided
BOTTOM LEFT: Dining with friends • BOTTOM CENTER: Super Seniors always have fun
ABOVE RIGHT: We strive to make everyone feel welcome and loved

DEAF MINISTRY

TOP LEFT: Tabernacle provides interpretation for most services • TOP RIGHT: Steve Henderson
registers guests for “Fantastic Saturday” • BOTTOM FAR LEFT: Tabernacle hosts “Fantastic
Saturday” our annual teaching event for the deaf that draws over 300 • BOTTOM CENTER: Bill
and Debbie Kaufmann BOTTOM RIGHT: Mike and Lisa Parrish, TBC deaf workers

T E E N I M PAC T M I N I ST RY

TOP LEFT: Teens Revival activities • TOP CENTER: Teens enjoying Soldiers of the Cross service
TOP RIGHT: Teens Camp at the Wilds • FAR LEFT: Friendship and fun at Teens Camp • TOP
CENTER: Teen Special Forces activity • ABOVE RIGHT: Teens Knocker Ball event

T H E AWA NA P R O G R A M M I N I S T RY

TOP LEFT: Children showing what they have learned in Awana • ABOVE CENTER: Awana
reaches more than 3.2 million children in more than 100 countries every week • ABOVE RIGHT:
Young folks enjoying Awana box car races • BOTTOM LEFT: Richard Dobbs with Awana friends

MUSIC MINISTRY

TOP LEFT: TBC Adult Choir • TOP RIGHT: Children’s flutes • BOTTOM LEFT:
TBC Orchestra • ABOVE CENTER: Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass • ABOVE
RIGHT: Music Director Allan de Souza with Cassandra and their beautiful girls

MUSIC MINISTRY

TOP LEFT: Teen String Ensemble • TOP RIGHT: Kelly Secrist, Pianist
BOTTOM LEFT: TBC Teens Vocal Group



SUNDAY SCHO OL MINISTRY

TOP: Tabernacle Baptist provides Sunday School classes for all age groups
FAR LEFT: Classes are designed to help adults and young people learn the Word of God,
with a quality curriculum for each group



WORLD MISSIONS - INDIA

TOP LEFT: Smiling faces that need to hear the Gospel • TOP CENTER: Feeding
the lepers • TOP RIGHT: Crippled teenager who trusted Christ • BOTTOM LEFT:
Distribution of Bibles • ABOVE CENTER: Dr. Steve Ware preaching to the multitude

WORLD MISSIONS - MEXICO

TOP LEFT: Children receiving gifts • TOP RIGHT: Baptist Church celebration with
dinner in Guaguachique, Mexico • BOTTOM LEFT: Terry and Maria Burcham have
been faithfully serving the Lord for over thirty years in Guaguachique • ABOVE: Copper
Canyon region

WORLDWIDE MISSIONS

TOP LEFT: Jonathon and Rachel Lyons - Europe • CENTER: Primitive culture of India • TOP
RIGHT: Pastor Steve Skypes with missionaries in Italy • ABOVE RIGHT: TBC Short term
Honduras mission trip • BOTTOM LEFT: Jonathon and Holly Wheeler - Africa

WORLDWIDE MISSIONS

TOP LEFT: Primitive culture of India • TOP CENTER: Children of West Africa attending Dr.
Steve Ware Schools • TOP RIGHT: Peter and Elisabeth Putney - TBC Missionaries to Columbia
• BOTTOM LEFT: Pastor Ware with Mary Hurd - TBC Missionary to Honduras • BOTTOM
CENTER: Feeding Lepers • BOTTOM RIGHT: David and Andrea White - Missionaries to Chile

WORLDWIDE MISSIONS

TOP LEFT: Children gathering for a simple meal in India • ABOVE CENTER: Leper colony in
India • TOP RIGHT: Nationals Vladimir and Maya Kruchinin - Germany and Ukraine
BOTTOM RIGHT: Jody and Alice Miller and Muayad - reaching Arabic speaking people for Christ

The Church at Work

TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH STAFF - 2015
SECOND ROW LEFT: Mrs. Rebecca Ritchie - Financial Director • SECOND ROW CENTER: Bro. Billie Evans Maintenance Supervisor • SECOND ROW RIGHT:
Dr. Barbara Stewart - Heritage Prep School Principal • FRONT LEFT: Bro. Allan de Souza - Music Director • FRONT CENTER: Dr. Steve Ware - Pastor • Rev. Markus
Secrist Assistant Pastor & Youth Director





















TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH • 6000 WEST COLONIAL DR. • ORLANDO, FL 32808 • PHONE: (407) 293-6000 • DR. STEVE A. WARE, PASTOR

www.TBC6000.com