Lake Forest Church of Christ has gathered on Jacksonville's north side for nearly a century, tracing its roots to a tent pitched at Eighth and Market Streets in the spring of 1927. Today the congregation meets at 950 Edgewood Avenue West, where Sunday Bible classes begin at 9:30 a.m. and the worship service follows at 10:30 a.m. The members describe their purpose simply: to honor God with lives wholly devoted to Him, whether gathered in worship, working through the week, or sitting down with family.
Sunday Morning on Edgewood Avenue
The week centers on three regular gatherings in the Edgewood Avenue building. Sunday begins with Bible classes for all ages at 9:30 a.m., followed by the worship service at 10:30 a.m. On Wednesday evening, Bible classes resume at 7:00 p.m. for every age group. Lessons follow a quarterly curriculum that walks the church through books of the Bible in order; the fall schedule moves through Exodus and Joshua, and the winter quarter continues through the Gospels.
Sermons and Bible class recordings are posted on the church's YouTube channel, and a weekly bulletin is available for download.
Five Acts of Worship
The Sunday service is shaped by five New Testament acts of worship. The Lord's Supper is taken every first day of the week as a reminder of Christ's death on the cross (I Corinthians 11:23-26). A sermon follows, anchored in passages such as Acts 20:7, Romans 10:14-15, and II Timothy 4:2. The congregation sings, following the commands of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. Prayer opens and closes the gathering, taking seriously I Thessalonians 5:17's call to pray without ceasing. Giving is set aside on the first day of the week as instructed in I Corinthians 16:2.
Months with a fifth Sunday bring a potluck lunch, and months with a fifth Wednesday feature a song service led by the men of the congregation around a chosen theme.
From a Tent at Eighth and Market
The congregation grew out of the Riverside Park church of Christ, which in 1927 was the only Church of Christ meeting in Jacksonville. A part-time preacher named Wilson Herron had moved down from Nashville two years earlier to work for a fan manufacturer; a co-worker there, Jesse Elder, attended Riverside Park and helped the elders see the need for a new work on the north side of town.
On April 10, 1927, about thirty members gathered for the first service of the Springfield church of Christ under a tent at the northeast corner of Eighth Street and Market Street. Herron preached, Murphy Smiley led the singing, and Goodson served as treasurer. A serious storm eventually put the tent out of service, and the group moved to a rented building at Ninth and Liberty. The church that became Lake Forest grew from there.
The Pulpit and the Elders
Brian Howard serves as pulpit minister and Josh Swearingen as associate minister. Three men serve as elders: Dwayne Bennett, Jerry Smiley, and Dawson Blackshear. The deacons are Jeff Brewer, Jay Griffin, Gregg Blackman, David Compton, and Bob Morris. Many other men teach Bible classes and lead in various roles of service around the church.
Lads, Leaders, and Summer Camps
Children and youth meet for Bible classes each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. Vacation Bible School welcomes all ages with lessons, crafts, snacks, and adult classes. On the first Friday of every month, the youth gather for game night with devotionals, games, and dinner.
The youth work year-round through Lads to Leaders and Leaderettes, practicing lesson presentations, song leading, Bible Bowl, debate, puppets, and mass media. The group attends the Orlando L2L Convention over Easter weekend. Summer, fall, and winter trips include Florida Bible Camp in June, Georgia Bible Camp in November, and Exposure Youth Camp in December. The Wednesday before Halloween brings an annual Trunk or Treat in the parking lot.
The Men of Lake Forest
Three men serve as elders, five as deacons, and many more teach Bible classes and lead in services. Men's Day is held on the last Saturday of January each year, with doughnuts, coffee, guest speakers, singing, and a noon meal. Once a quarter the men plan a Men's Night Out, taking in everything from dinner and bowling to paintball.
The Ladies of Lake Forest
The women of the church meet in two regular Bible studies. On Mondays at 10 a.m., from September through May, the ladies gather at the church building for a weekly lesson. On the first Monday evening of every month, they meet at 6:30 p.m., usually at a member's home, with light refreshments and a fresh curriculum each year; they are working through a study of Paul from the Women Opening the Word series.
Each year the congregation hosts a Ladies Day that draws women from neighboring congregations, with breakfast, guest speakers, singing, and scripture reading. The Annual Hoedown, held each fall at the home of Bob and Melinda Morris, is the church's casual fall gathering, with the hosts providing meats and drinks and members bringing side dishes.
The Plan of Salvation
Lake Forest teaches belief in the one God revealed in the Bible, made up of three beings: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The church's stated mission is "Go and Teach," and an outline of the Plan of Salvation is available for those who want to learn more. A New Convert's Class walks new Christians through Bible basics and core themes.