A closer look: One Hillsborough church

By SHANNON BREEN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 7, 2001

Anointed Word Church of Tampa Bay

LOCATION: 1709 St. Joseph St., Tampa, (813) 254-5271.

SERVICES AND PROGRAMS: 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship, 7 p.m. Wednesday church services and Bible study, 7 p.m. Friday healing service. Youth service meets each Wednesday evening. Men's and women's meetings are held periodically.

LEADERSHIP: Pastor Roy Hayes, 54, who founded the church in 1990, came to Anointed Word from Living Water Church in Tampa. He also serves as principal for Anointed Word Academy for students ages 3 to eighth grade. Hayes studied communication for about a year at Hillsborough Community College. He has been married to his wife, Sandy, for 18 years. She serves as assistant pastor and assistant principal at Anointed Word Church and Academy. Since Hayes' four grown sons have left home, he has been spending his free time with his three schnauzer puppies.

HISTORY: Hayes and members of the church bought a former HRS building and renovated it into the current church in October 1990. Soon after, they bought adjacent condominiums for classrooms and 1.5 acres east of the church for a playground. The last purchase was the old Ray Williams Funeral Home in 1996, which is used for more classrooms.

RECENT SERMON TOPIC OR THEME: "What Pleases God." We should please God in everything we do.

MEMBERSHIP: About 300.

OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY: Pastor Hayes founded the Tampa Bay Summer Basketball League three years ago to provide good role models for youths. All coaches are required to learn, teach and follow godly guidelines. Seven other churches participate in the league.

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