At New Port Richey Seventh-day Adventist Church, we welcome you just as you are—whether you are seeking a church home, visiting from out of town, or simply exploring what it means to walk with God. Adventists believe that God is deeply concerned with the quality of human life, and that everything—the way we live, eat, speak, think, treat one another, and care for the world around us—is part of His loving plan. Our families, our children, our jobs, our talents, our resources, and our time all matter to Him.
As a church family, we are passionate about living out that belief by encouraging spiritual growth, fostering genuine relationships, and serving both our local community and the wider world. Here you will find people of all ages and backgrounds coming together to worship, learn, and make a difference, united by the hope and promise that Jesus is coming again soon. Whether you join us in person or connect with us online, we want you to know you have a place here, and we look forward to walking this journey of faith together.
Brief History of Our Local Church
Fifty-nine years ago, Dr. and Mrs. Calvin Kinsman with their children and his Aunt, Dr. Linnie Black, moved to New Port Richey, Florida. Other Adventists came and the services that were conducted in homes, soon grew and the Westminster Presbyterian Church on US 19 began with a charter membership of 24 members.
In 1967, ground breaking for a new church took place at the corner of Gulf Drive and Charles Street on property donated by Frank Black. Formal opening services were held January 27, 1968 and the church remained at that location until 1981. Continual church growth made it necessary to conduct two services each week and once again expansion was considered. In July 1981, land on Trouble Creek was purchased and ground breaking began in December 1982.
Again in 2000, the New Port Richey Church was growing and needed to expand. The old school building, which was being used by our daycare, had an enrollment of 120 children and needed every inch of space. A seven acre parcel on Thys Road was purchased in 1992, and by 2000 it was evident that the property needed to be developed. At that point in time, the proper zoning of the property had been accomplished, architectural plans were completed, and permits to prepare the building site had been applied for at the Pasco County offices. Bids from the building contractor soon followed. Groundbreaking ceremony took place in December of 2001 and was open for the 2002-03 school year.
The New Port Richey Church members were visionaries, and were willing to sacrifice so that God’s “treasures” (our youth) would benefit. They entered into a program to raise the funds necessary. Members were excited and filled with anticipation of seeing what God wanted to do for and through His People! That campaign was about more than just bricks, mortar, and money. It was a deeply spiritual challenge to help revitalize their walk with the Lord.
The principle by which the reached their goal within 156 weeks, was based on equal sacrifice and not on equal giving. It challenged them to do the extraordinary and to give in a sacrificial way. Through fellowship and dedication to the work of God church members launched out by faith in a capital stewardship campaign, “Our Sacrifice . . . His Treasures,” to build a new school where young people would experience the blessings of a Christian education. The Co-Directors were Wayne & Marie Schaffer, and Cleo & Shirley Johnson.
The strength of any campaign is planned systematic giving. To provide the best opportunity for the greatest participation and achievement of a maximum goal, a three year, 36-month plan of giving was chosen. The commitment period lasted from September 29, 2001 through September 30, 2004.
The request for planned giving had one fundamental principle: “Not Equal Giving . . . But Equal Sacrifice.” They believed that each church family is unique, and the nature of work, the amount of income, and the level of other financial obligations were factored in. That is why decisions concerning the amount to give rested rested solely with the family or individual. There were no “public auction” fundraisers, no requests for verbal commitment at special meetings or regular gatherings of the congregation, and no publication of committed amounts. Family units were visited privately in their homes. “What should you give?” was asked. There was just one answer to that question: “A generous, sacrificial gift. As much as your income will allow. A sufficient amount to represent your gift of appreciation to God as you express thanks for all God has given you. Only you and God can make the right decision.”
Brief Global History of Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist® Church was born out of the Millerite movement of the 1840s when thousands of Christians searched for greater understanding of biblical prophecy. Among these believers was a group in New England that rediscovered the seventh-day Sabbath. They chose the name “Seventh-day” which refers to the biblical Sabbath, Saturday, ordained by God at Creation. “Adventist” refers to the return, or second advent, of Jesus Christ.
In 1863, the new Sabbath keepers officially organized into a denomination with 3,500 members worshipping in 125 churches. They soon began sharing their faith outside of North America, first Switzerland in 1874, then in Russia, Ghana, South Africa, Argentina, and Japan.
Today, as one of the fastest growing Christian Protestant churches, the Seventh-day Adventist® Church’s worldwide membership has grown to more than 20 million in more than 200 countries. The Adventist Church operates the second largest parochial education system in the world, and operates the second largest religion-based health care network in the U.S.
The Seventh-day Adventist® Church in North America, known as the North American Division, represents more than 1.2 million members from the United States, Canada, Bermuda, Guam and Micronesia. This regional division was officially formed in 1985, and moved from Silver Spring, Maryland, to Columbia, Maryland, in September 2017.