Margaret Street Church of Christ on Margaret Street in Milton, Florida, is known for Bible-centered teaching, worship without instruments, and a practical mission emphasis. The congregation at 6745 Margaret Street describes itself as Bible-based, Christ-centered, family-focused, and mission-minded. Those priorities shape its classes for every age, its Lads to Leaders youth program, its support of mission workers, and a monthly food pantry for families.
Sunday and Wednesday Gatherings
Sunday is the church's main gathering day, beginning with Bible class at 9:00 AM and continuing with worship at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The congregation meets at 6745 Margaret Street in Milton. Its regular schedule is:
- Sunday Bible class at 9:00 AM, with classes for children and adults.
- Sunday morning worship at 10:00 AM, within a 9:00-11:00 AM program.
- Sunday evening worship at 6:00 PM, ending at 7:00 PM.
- Wednesday Bible classes at 6:30 PM, ending at 7:30 PM. Classes run for 40 minutes and are followed by a 10-minute auditorium devotional for the whole church and guests.
The church's phone is (850) 623-8191, and its general email is margarstcoc@gmail.com.
A Visitor Can Settle In Without Pressure
First-time guests do not have to stand, introduce themselves, or join anything that feels uncomfortable. The congregation emphasizes that worship is directed to God, prompted by humility and done according to his Word. Visitors may participate as fully as they wish or simply listen.
A typical Sunday worship gathering includes several familiar elements:
- Prayer led by different men in the congregation.
- Cappella singing, with the words of songs available in songbooks and on a screen. Guests may sing or listen.
- The Lord's Supper each Sunday, using unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, followed by a quiet time of reflection.
- A Bible lesson lasting about 30 minutes, explaining a passage and its application to life.
- Weekly giving by church members. Visitors are not asked or expected to contribute an offering.
Classes for Babies, Students, Families, and Adults
The education ministry makes room for children, students and adults at every stage of life. Its stated priority is spiritual nourishment through regular study of God's word.
- Cradle Roll and Nursery serve the youngest children up to Pre-K in Rooms 111 and 113. During worship, the nursery is available for mothers who are nursing or training toddlers, and a live auditorium feed is streamed into the room.
- Kingdom Kids serves children ages 6-12 with separate classes and activities, including basic Bible knowledge, Memory Class, devotional times, field trips and kid-specific events.
- Middle school students have Sunday and Wednesday Bible classes and other activities. Junior and high school youth have classes, devotional gatherings, trips, camps and youth activities.
- The 20 Somethings group serves college-age members and young adults through monthly devotionals and events. Its Wednesday class runs from September through May in Room 302.
- Adult classes meet regularly for biblical, doctrinal and family-centered subjects, along with seminars and special meetings. Sunday classes meet at 9:00 AM in the auditorium and Rooms 302 and 303, while the main Wednesday class meets at 6:30 PM.
- The OWLS, Older Wiser Lauder Saints, meet every Thursday from 10:30 to 11:00 AM for Bible study and meaningful discussion.
Learning is not limited to children. Margaret Street wants the classes and midweek devotionals to strengthen adults and families as they pursue a closer walk with God.
Lads to Leaders and the Next Generation
The wider Lads to Leaders program began in 1968 with the goal of developing youth into Christian leaders. Margaret Street has a long history with the program, and its involvement is now multigenerational. Young people participate in conferences and multiple events, while parents who once took part in Lads to Leaders now help prepare youth at home, serve as judges and volunteer at the national convention. Regular Bible study, year-round participation and service opportunities form the foundation of this youth leadership emphasis.
A Drive-Through Food Pantry
The church's food pantry opens on the second Thursday of each month except December at 2:30 PM. Each family receives one large box of food. Guests present identification, complete brief paperwork and use the drive-through service lane. Feed the Gulf Coast, the USDA and private donors provide food, including perishable and nonperishable items. Volunteers unload supplies and prepare boxes for community residents. This practical work of feeding families forms a central part of the church's benevolence ministry.
Mission Work in Mississippi, Brazil, Italy, and Paraguay
Missionary service extends well beyond Milton. Domestic missions focus on communities with no church of Christ or congregations unable to sustain a full-time evangelist. Margaret Street helps prepare potential evangelists and provides workers to assist congregations in need. The congregation also supports Good News TodayTV and the work of its host, Mark Teske. That broadcast work carries Bible teaching, leads to correspondence studies and connects viewers with local congregations.
- South America and Brazil: Troy and Andrea Spradlin moved to Milton in 2009, worked with the congregation and were later sent as missionaries to South America. Troy became pulpit minister in July 2017. Margaret Street has also partnered with Sebastian and Patricia Garcia in Fortaleza, Brazil, where they work with the Conjunto Esperanza church of Christ.
- Mississippi: The church's domestic mission work has included Trevor Smoot, a 2021 Bear Valley Bible Institute graduate who worked with a congregation in Amory.
- Italy: The church has partnered with the mission work of Scott, Rebecca and Violet Shanahan in Italy. Their work has included Bible studies in Florence, Milan, Prato, Brindisi, Puglia and Vicenza.
- Paraguay: Margaret Street has supported Eliezer and Raquel Perez with the church of Christ in San Lorenzo. Eliezer also teaches and manages the online vocational training program Obrero Vocacional.
This mission emphasis follows the congregation's commitment to teach and make disciples in Milton, throughout the United States and in other countries.
Service That Uses Many Gifts
Ministry teams give members opportunities to serve according to their interests and abilities. Deacons have responsibility for education, Lads to Leaders, Kingdom Kids, worship, buildings and grounds, fellowship and missions.
- Education and Kingdom Kids focus on teaching Scripture and helping children grow.
- Worship, building and grounds, fellowship, involvement and technology support the congregation's regular gatherings, relationships and facilities.
- Evangelism uses correspondence courses, face-to-face and group Bible studies, social media, newspapers, radio and television to spread the gospel locally.
- Prison ministry sends rotating volunteers to Santa Rosa Correctional Institution to teach and mentor inmates, grade Bible correspondence courses and assist in other ways.
- Shut-in and visitation ministries encourage people who are homebound, sick or elderly and help guests and others with special needs feel welcome.
- Youth ministry organizes devotionals, camps, mission trips, community service projects and family activities.
What Margaret Street Believes
Bible Authority and Congregational Autonomy
Margaret Street has no official published confession of faith and says it does not recognize a man-made document for setting doctrine or theology. It holds that the entire Bible is infallible, inspired and the sole and final authority in doctrine and practice. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. At the same time, the congregation teaches that no central headquarters directs churches of Christ; each congregation is autonomous, recognizing Jesus as its head and applying the Bible to life and godliness.
Salvation and God
The church describes salvation through the New Testament pattern of obeying the gospel. This includes believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, turning away from sin through repentance, confessing faith in Jesus and being baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sin. The congregation says no special sinner's prayer or classroom is required before following Christ. It also teaches that one God exists eternally in three equal persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, sharing the same nature, essence and attributes while remaining distinct in office and activity.
Worship and the One Church
On the first day of the week, the congregation assembles to sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs without instrumental accompaniment. Worship also includes prayer, Bible reading and teaching, giving, and observance of the Lord's Supper. Margaret Street understands the church as the body of Christ, the household of God, the church of Christ, the church of God and the kingdom, emphasizing that there is one church belonging to the Lord. Its teaching also includes the resurrection of the dead at Christ's second coming, final judgment, and eternal conscious existence in heaven or hell.
Bible Learning and Messages
People who want to study can request a free Bible correspondence course. A dedicated church member sends a packet of Bible information and later administers tests to help gauge the learner's progress. The congregation's sermon archive is organized by topic, series, biblical book, speaker and month, with messages drawn from books across the Bible. Worship is also livestreamed through YouTube, and online giving is available through PayPal.
A Family Faith with a Missionary Reach
Margaret Street Church of Christ ties its weekly gatherings, educational ministries and service work to one central aim: knowing God's word, worshiping Christ, strengthening families and serving both Milton and the wider world. Its two worship times, classes for every age, monthly food pantry and support of domestic and foreign mission work reflect that combined focus.