A closer look: One Hillsborough church

Bell Shoals Baptist Church

LOCATION: 2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon (813) 689-4229

HISTORY: The church was founded in 1961. It began as a group of 17 men who met for the first worship service at Stowers Funeral Home. Within a month, the congregation had acquired 2 acres of land and broken ground on the original sanctuary. The church has occupied the current worship center since 1985.

LEADERSHIP: John Russell has been senior associate pastor of the church since March of 1994. He served earlier as senior pastor of the West Haven Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. Born in Bessemer, Ala., Russell attended Troy State University, Samford University, and is a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Marianne, have three children; Tray, 23, Shay, 18, and Wade, 15.

SERVICES: Sunday: Worship at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m., and 5:30 p.m.; Bible fellowship groups for all ages at 9:30 and 11 a.m.; Guide to the Bible, 9:30 a.m.; Spanish Mission Worship Service, 11 a.m.; Youth Choir, 4:15 p.m.; Bible Buddies, 4:30 p.m.

RECENT SERMON TOPIC OR THEME: "An upward look: Reflections on Isaiah 6:1-5"

MEMBERSHIP: More than 6,000

OUTREACH PROGRAMS: The church is involved in many international missionary projects. In 1998, Russell and 33 others traveled to Kenya to preach the gospel to people in local villages.

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