CHURCH OF GOD
Dr. Antionette Bostic, Pastor/Deacon Isaih Bostic, Jr.
Welcome to Providence Church of God
Lakeland, FL
Join us for a life-changing relationship with Jesus. No matter what you’ve been through or what questions you might have or where you are on your spiritual journey, our church is a place where you’ll find the grace, mercy, and forgiveness Jesus gives to everyone.
ABOUT US
OUR STORY
The Providence Church of God, Inc. is a direct descendant of the "Modest Street Church of God" congregation which was organized in 1924, under the umbrella the headquarters Church of God, Anderson, IN. It was initially incorporated in the State of Florida as the Modest Street Church of God, Inc. After selling the Modest Street property to the City of Lakeland, Dr. James Gil donated 7.5 acres at 1990 Providence Road, The name was changed to the Providence Church of God, Inc. in 2002. Construction of the new facility began in early 2002 and is still in progress.
The Providence Church of God, formerly Modest Street Church of God was an offspring of the Virginia Avenue Church of God founded by the late Elder Rosa Kilpatrick Davis. Elder Davis was Born in Leon County, Tallahassee, FL, to the late Mr. Jerry and Mrs. Frances Wheaton, December 1, 1886.
Elder Davis was converted at an early age under the late Elder Sanders at the St. Mary's Primitive Baptist Church. She served as Treasurer of the church for a number of years until she met the late Elder Crowell of Jacksonville, FL. She gave her life to the Lord on August 15, 1915.
Later she went to Detroit, Michigan with the late Elder Sarah Forster where she was doctorinized in the faith of the Church of God, She was later baptized in Anderson, IN. She was called to the ministry in March of 1916.
She traveled from state to state doing evangelistic work for God, sometimes on the street corners, tents, churches or wherever and whenever she could with countless numbers of souls being saved unto God.
Upon her return to Tallahassee, FL, she built a church (with her own hands and with the help of others), on the corner of Gasden and Lafayette Streets; there she pastored for more than a year. When she moved to Lakeland, FL, more than 90 odd years ago, she met and married the late Brother William Corrie Davis of Homeland, FL. During this time she was instrumental in building the Church of God in Homeland and Lakeland, FL. The church in Lakeland was on the corner of Second Street and North Virginia Avenue as well as the former Florida State Camp Ground. She pastored on alternate Sundays between the three churches in Lakeland, Homeland and Tallahassee. For many years, Lakeland was the home or mother church where she served as Pastor.
Both Rev. Luther Wright, Sr. and Rev. James Lee Williams served as Associate Pastors under Elder Rosa Davis. In 1955, Rev. James Lee Williams and a following left the Virginia Avenue church family and moved to the church's camp meeting site on Modest Street in North Lakeland, thus the name Modest Street Church of God. Rev. Luther Wright, Sr. took up the mantle of the Virginia Avenue church upon the passing of Elder Davis on December 11, 1974.
The Modest Street church was pastored by Rev. James Lee Williams for well over 30 years. In the late 1990's, the Modest Street congregation was led by Rev. Silas Oliver, Jr. and Rev. Luther Wright, Jr.
While the new sanctuary is under construction, we shared space with our with our sister church, the Tenth Street Church of God, Lakeland, FL, under the retired Rev. Arthur McCloud, Pastor.
In December, 2011, Pastor Silas Oliver, Jr. accepted another pastoral position in Virginia. The Hand of God provided a covering a a cohesion for the Providence flock to flourish as it continued its ministries without a pastor. On April 21, 2013, Rev. Eric F. Newkirk was called as Providence's new pastor. In September of 2020, Rev. Newkirk resigned as pastor.
Today the ministerial calling is carried on by Rev/Dr. Antionette Bostic as of September of 2020.
In 2015 the congregation was donated space at the Golden Gate Preparatory Academy.
As our church is thriving, so has our love for God and the people of Lakeland, FL. Our ministries include Sunday morning services via Facebook. Bible Study groups via Zoom, conference call and face to face.
We are a part of other Lakeland community spiritual organizations and partnerships with missions organizations at the state and national levels.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Worship services are spiritual at Providence Church of God. Many people wear dress or "business casual."
We encourage you to arrive about 10 minutes before the service starts so you can grab a cup of coffee and meet people.
Our services start with music, often songs you might recognize if you listen to Christian radio.
A pastor or minister teaches a bible-based message with practical application to help you live out your faith during the week.In our services we celebrate communion on first Sundays, but there is no pressure to participate if you don't want to. Services are usually a little over an hour, and then you are welcome to hang out and talk with people afterwards.
MEET OUR STAFF
OUR BELIEFS
BIBLE.
We believe the Bible, consisting of 66 books, to be the inspired Word of God, without error, the revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.
GOD.
We believe in one God existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God has always been and will always be the only God. There were none before Him and shall be none after him.
THE FATHER.
We believe that the Father created all things in heaven and on earth. He created human beings out of a love for us and desires a personal relationship with each of us.
JESUS.
We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Furthermore, He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven.
HOLY SPIRIT.
We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict men, making them aware of their sin and the salvation available through Jesus. He regenerates, guides, instructs, and empowers the believer for godly living and service.
MAN.
We believe that man was created in the image of God and sinless, but fell into sin and is therefore lost and subject to judgment. There is nothing man can do to save himself from this judgment, but he can accept the death of Jesus as punishment in place of his own eternal death by acknowledging God and accepting the free gift of salvation.
SALVATION.
We believe that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ provides the only way of justification and salvation for all who believe. Any who attach additional works of man as a requirement for salvation are false in that they infer Jesus’ death is insufficient in and of itself to save and that human beings somehow have the capability to save themselves.
ACCEPTING THE SINNER, DENOUNCING THE SIN.
We believe that no sin is too big for God to forgive. Therefore, as Christians we should be open and eager to share the Gospel with everyone regardless of their sin or affliction. However, making Jesus Lord of our lives means striving towards holiness and turning from our sinful ways. Therefore, while being open to all sinners, Christians ought not accept, ignore, or promote any sin as permissible.