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Calling brings pastor to SouthShore area

 
Pastor Michael Parnell with his wife, Amber. He recently became the pastor at Boyette Springs Church of God. 
Pastor Michael Parnell with his wife, Amber. He recently became the pastor at Boyette Springs Church of God. 
Published Oct. 17, 2015

Polk County native Michael Parnell says he felt called to minister in the SouthShore area even before a position came open in Riverview.

Now Parnell, 47, serves as the new pastor at Boyette Springs Church of God. He comes to the church from River of Life in Starke. I spoke to him about the new position, which he calls "a God thing."

Did you grow up in the Church of God denomination?

I've been around the Church of God my whole life. I was saved in the church when I was 17. I think I felt called to ministry from the moment I was saved I just didn't understand it. I tried other things and they didn't really click for me. I began seeing God's hand in my life and began my ministry career in 1990. I started pastoring in 1998 in Intercession City. I was an associate pastor in Deland for seven years. I was in Starke for 18 months.

What brought you to Riverview?

Doors opened through various divine connections. Over the past several years, the church has held its state meetings in Wimauma at the Convention Center, and driving on (U.S.) 301, I thought, 'This would be a great place to pastor a church.' Three to four years ago, I knew I wanted to go back to a lead pastor role from being an associate. Riverview held that special place in my heart but the church in Starke needed guidance and some help remodeling, so we went there to lift that church out of where it was at. When the Boyette Springs position opened, we just knew it was God directing us to take us there now. Within two weeks we left Starke and ended up here. It was a quick transition.

What are your goals for the church?

To start with, continue church growth. We are looking to develop a strong children's ministry and develop a space for that ministry. We want to begin to have a greater impact in the community. We want to make programs in place, like the food program, even better.

When you aren't working, what do you and your wife enjoy doing in the area?

We like to eat, that's for sure. We like to go to the beach. I like to play golf when I can and try to relax at home.

Boyette Springs Church of God, 12114 Boyette Road, Riverview, welcomes all to services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. A clothes closet is open from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. A Garden of Eatin Food Pantry is open from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. All are invited to a family movie night at 7 on Oct. 30.

For more information, visit boyettespringschurch.org/index.html.

Contact Sarah Whitman at sarahrothwhitman@gmail.com.