Our job is to review businesses here at Yelp but I've been putting this review off for ages. How do…read moreI review some place that's so dear to my heart, that I LOVE with every fiber of my being? The answer is: with difficulty but I will try to articulate all my observations and feelings as best I can! First Baptist Church of Crystal River is located in downtown Crystal River in the Historical section. It's a beautiful church and owns several out buildings surrounding the church for it's large community outreach programs. A church is only as great as it's people especially the Pastoral staff. This church has three fantastic Pastors, each perfectly wonderful in their field of expertise with their unique personalities and skill sets. Pastor Tim Lantzy is our Senior Pastor. He has been at FBCCR for 9 years. He is a fabulous teacher and preacher! He can explain the bible so every one can understand- from those who have no prior knowledge to those who are familiar with their bible. With his PhD in Theology he answers THE questions we have all wondered about with 100 percent love and conviction of faith with a splash of humor thrown into his message! He is down to earth, easily approachable and has a great love of sports! He always has a ready smile and a compassionate ear for your troubles and concerns. Pastor Tim Wuester is our Minister of Music. He's been at FBCCR for 4 1/2 years. A more multi-talented and dedicated man to faith-based music you cannot find. He has a God given talent to find the perfect music to accompany the day's worship message. He can sing with the best of Gospel singers! Yes, he is that good! He can play the keyboard and does some wonderful duets with his equally talented wife and our Youth Pastor! You will always see Tim around the church helping and being a blessing to all! Speaking of our Youth Pastor Ben Gavrun - a cooler Youth Pastor you will never find! He's been at FBCCR for 4 years. His dedication and unique ways of reaching and teaching an age group that at the best of times is difficult- is awe inspiring to me. There's so many outings, trips and faith based activities for teenagers to participate in and meet other like minded kids. He has the patience of Job! Our church has so many outreach programs but I will tell you about some of the most important in my opinion. We have Awanas- a faith based fun program. Donna Cusack is the leader and does wonderful job. She's so full of fun and love for her group of kids! She does the Fall Festival ( in place of Halloween trick or treating). A day packed full of fun, games, food, bouncy houses, music, prizes and face painting for the entire community! Spring Fling is also something Donna does. All is invited to partake a wonderful breakfast then the fun begins: Easter egg hunt followed by bouncy houses, face painting and fun games for all to enjoy. Vacation Bible School is a week long program that Donna and a lot volunteers put time and effort into to ensure all the kids a fun time learning about God! Each year has a new theme for the kids (ages K- grade 5) to experience! Every Thanksgiving the church offers a free Thanksgiving Meal for all those who have no place to go. Deep fried turkey with all the trimmings is served table side. Church secretary Mary Lou Rusovitch heads up this fabulous outreach program every year! Hours of volunteer man power goes into the meal to make it a great success! Every Christmas Pastor Tim Wuester gives our community the gift of a singing Christmas tree! It is a treat for your eyes and ears. Singing and music accompanied by flashing tree lights to the rhythm of the songs are a crowd favorite. Free tickets go fast each year! Each year our Women's Ministry has an event a fabulous meal served by waiters( our men dressed up) and a guest speaker that follows the meal! FBCCR also does Meals on Wheels every Tuesday. Headed by Betty and Tom Wise for 20+ years, who coordinate the program and staffed by all volunteers who serve and deliver home cooked meals to the elderly - it's a much needed outreach for our community. Our church also has a food pantry. Open to the needy on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10-1, it feeds those who would have an empty belly otherwise! Run by all volunteers and headed by Joyce Young, the pantry does a wonderful and extremely necessary job. We also have an Agape House a sister program to the Food pantry. Agape House supplies clothing, tolietries, household items and baby items to low income families. Open twice a week Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-1, it fills a void that is needed. We offer so much more. I hope I've done justice to the Church that I adore. It's a warm and welcoming church full of wonderful, caring people that I call "My church family". I hope all who read my review will be inspired to visit us and meet the good people who put their time, effort and most importantly LOVE into making our church a great place to worship, grow and have fellowship with others!

Our new Youth Pastor Cliff Ford and his wife Stephanie are awesome with the youth, come every…read moreWednesday at 6pm you'll want to stay!

TESTIMONY TIME: God…read moreis doing amazing works through this ministry. I'm glad I reconnected with you today, Pastors Michael and Jacinta. I'm excited to see where God takes Destiny next. Folks, if you haven't visited this church, I strongly encourage you to do so. When I walked in, everyone was so welcoming. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit just inside the doors. It quickly became evident that this place IS indeed a Holy Ghost and Fire church for sure. The teaching is scripturally TRUE and ACCURATE. I have been following the teachings online since I visited a year ago. I have found no evidence of false doctrine whatsoever. God's hand is on these leaders and this congregation. The night I attended, God used Pastor Jacinta to deliver a prophetic message to me. He gave it to her in the morning and told her she would know me when she saw me that evening. He had likewise told me He had a message for me that night. The devil tried to keep me away, but I had committed to God that I would go and stood by my Word. I really didn't expect God to speak through anyone to me that night. I convinced myself that was all in my head ... wishful thinking. He is The Creator of the Universe ... He isn't going to stop what He's doing to speak to me. Right? WRONG!! If you share that misconception, get it out of your thoughts right now. That's a lie from the enemy who is the father of lies. He doesn't want us to have a close and intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father. That's the only way he can keep us from our blessing. But, I digress. Less preaching ... more testimony. Right? Anyway, during the service I could feel the Glory Cloud enter the room. We were worshipping and praising God ... He responds to that. His presence overwhelmed me. Pastor Jacinta approached me during the service and delivered the message God had for me. God, through Pastor Jacinta, answered things I had been questioning and praying about. Things she had no knowledge of .. we didn't know each other at all. I went up to the altar near the end of the service and was again overcome by the presence of God. I had walked in the door that evening in so much pain that I could hardly walk, sit or even stand. I had suffered a broken back a few years ago and have cement between L4/L5 vertebrae. I was constantly in pain and daily tasks were almost impossible. That night at the altar, God touched me. I fell under the power of the Holy Spirit. When I was ready to get up I thought, "Oh my, I can even get up out of a seated position. How am I going to get off of the floor?" Two words, folks.... BUT GOD ... God healed my back (even the crack that started forming in my cervical spine). I got up off of that floor like my back was stronger than it ever was. The enemy tried to bring on the pain a few times since. But I kept pleading the Blood of Jesus and reminding the devil that God already healed me ... even long before I stepped into Destiny Church of Ocala. I just had to receive it so it could manifest. So, if you want honest, Bible-based teaching and an atmosphere of Heaven where the presence of the Holy Spirit abounds, visit this church. God has great things in store for you, too.

Destiny was very rude We called because we had something…read morespiritual to talk about and she said "and you're calling me at this hour for that" And we didn't finish telling her what was going one

Friendly, welcoming, small congregation of adults of all ages, ethnicities & nationalities, with…read morewell-behaved & helpful, involved children. Morning Study class, Torah teaching, Davidic dance, Shabbat meal, gift shop, music.

Very warm, welcoming, and encouraging congregation. I stayed for oneg which allowed for friendly…read moreconversation, and well presented food and beverages. I decided to stay to learn Davidic dancing which was most enjoyable. I plan to return.

Pastor Phil is a big tall guy, who also shows his emotions as he preaches from the word of God,.he…read morequotes it then explains & Makes sure we understand it.. the women's Bible studies are also extremely welcoming, usually lead by the Pastors wife, Daneen. in the past, I found the ladies to be a warm and welcoming group who not only cared about sharing the gospel. They also cared about me&mine. ive been very blessed to have found this place seven years ago. ps.. be sure to stop by during December when the living nativity is done on the property and you drive through it. It's a fun, happy learning experience, but such a blessing to the community at large.

Very sweet people who love Jesus and the Bible! We enjoyed our visit very much and will probably…read morevisit this church again.

The area where the church is located is heavily populated by senior citizens so it naturally has…read morefewer youth attendance. They are welcoming folks of all ages. They have sound doctrine. They are friendly and welcoming.

Bible based teaching from a great pastor! Very friendly people. Small church with community feel…read more Love the pastor's wife! She makes people feel so welcome!

Very welcoming. Friendly.Bible-based teaching helping you to grow in faith and encouraging to live…read morea Holy Spirit directed life to walk in a path of grace, unearned favor of God.

a super nice place to go if you ever have any questions on about life or how to take life by the…read morehorns... the answers are there and will be answered! great place! thanks for the tour :)

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