Temple Terrace Church of Christ sits along Temple Terrace Highway in the city of Temple Terrace, a suburb northeast of Tampa, Florida. The congregation describes itself as "Biblical, independent, non-denominational, and uncomplicated," tracing its roots to the pattern of the earliest Christians. Members come together simply to sing, pray, take the Lord's Supper, give, and listen to a sermon from Scripture, with no instruments in the worship and no titles like "Reverend" or "Pastor" used among them. The congregation's purpose is to help imperfect, honest people become more like Jesus through straightforward teaching of the Bible and life together across every season of life.
A Simple, A Cappella Worship
The Sunday morning assembly runs about 75 minutes and gathers in the auditorium. The order of worship follows the New Testament pattern: the congregation sings together without any musical instruments, a practice drawn from Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, which they read as specifying singing alone for Christian worship. There is no choir and no praise team. Anyone is welcome to join in or simply listen.
After the singing comes prayer, the reading of Scripture, a sermon from God's word, and the observance of the Lord's Supper. Members also give as part of the worship, following the New Testament instruction that collections be taken on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). A collection is taken during the service as an act of worship among the members, but guests are not expected to give. Visitors are never asked to contribute or followed up about money.
The Lord's Supper Every Sunday
The Lord's Supper is observed every Sunday. Prepackaged emblems of unleavened bread and grape juice are set out at the entrance to the auditorium from the foyer, and members pick up a packet on their way in. The Supper is for baptized believers in Christ. Guests who have not been baptized are welcome to sit quietly during that portion of the service; nobody watches, nobody minds, and nobody is asked to explain themselves.
The congregation treats the Supper as more than a ritual. It is a moment to remember Christ's sacrifice, a unifying experience for the community, and a practice echoing the earliest Christians in Acts 20:7 who met on the first day of the week to break bread.
Baptism by Full Immersion
The church teaches that baptism by full immersion is the moment a believer's sins are washed away and new life begins, citing Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, and 1 Peter 3:21. Baptism does not save a person because it is a good work; rather, it is how a person asks God to be saved. It marks the start of a new spiritual journey and is an essential part of accepting God's saving grace.
A Seven-Step Path to Forgiveness
The congregation walks newcomers through what it calls a "Path to Forgiveness and Hope." Each step is anchored in a specific passage of Scripture and is meant to be taken in order.
Step 1: Hear Jesus' Good News. The journey begins with the message that everything wrong in this life will one day be made right by Jesus, that God promised a Deliverer who would defeat sin and death, and that this promise was kept in Jesus' death and resurrection. The Good News is that eternal, abundant life is available to anyone who follows Him.
Step 2: Look in the Mirror. The Bible is compared to a mirror that shows a person who they really are. Realizing that sin has built a wall between them and God prepares the heart for what comes next.
Step 3: Trust in Jesus. Faith in Christ is more than agreeing with facts; it is a deep trust that Jesus is the Redeemer, and it leads to transformation.
Step 4: Make a U-Turn. Repentance means deciding to turn away from sin and start living the way Jesus taught, realigning a person's life with God's will.
Step 5: Confess Faith in Christ. Openly saying that Jesus is Lord is not just a private matter. It strengthens the relationship with God and prepares the believer for baptism.
Step 6: Be Immersed in Water. Baptism reenacts the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Going under the water and coming back up symbolizes a cleansed, new life.
Step 7: Live Faithfully and Serve. Following Jesus is a lifelong journey of growth, with His grace covering every failure along the way.
The church teaches that salvation is a gift that cannot be earned (Ephesians 2:8-9), and that Scripture shows the order in which a person receives it: hear the gospel, believe in Jesus as the Son of God, repent of sin, confess Him as Lord, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and live faithfully (Revelation 2:10).
What the Church Believes
The congregation keeps its doctrine tight to the Bible and explains its core convictions in plain terms. There is no creed book, no manual, and no council that decides doctrine. If Scripture teaches it, the church teaches it; if Scripture is silent, the church does not go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 John 9; Colossians 3:17).
The Bible. Scripture is the church's guide for faith and practice. It is treated as an unchanged source of wisdom that lifts the down, gives light in dark times, and shows how to be saved from sin. The church does not add to or take away from what is written (Revelation 22:18-19).
Jesus. Jesus is confessed as Savior and the connection between this world and everlasting life (John 3:16; 1 John 4:14). Members call themselves "disciples" because they strive to follow His example (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Forgiveness. Forgiveness is a gift received through faith in Christ, not something earned by being good (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace is not a license to stay the same; it motivates change and a life of purpose.
The Church. The church aims to be a spiritual family directly connected to the congregation Jesus established (Matthew 16:18). Christ is the head of His church, and no human organization dictates doctrine for this local body (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18). Each congregation operates independently under its own leaders (Titus 1:5; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
Worship. Worship should be simple and heartfelt (John 4:24). The pattern in the early church - singing, praying, remembering Christ through the Lord's Supper, listening to God's Word, and giving (2 Corinthians 9:7) - is the pattern kept today.
Why Temple Terrace
The congregation is upfront about the kind of church it is and is not. It does not support any political party or candidate. It does not try to be trendy. It is not part of any denominational group that dictates what to believe and do. The leadership says it is tired of "churches that are mired in partisan politics, trendy consumer Christianity, and denominational bickering," and that it finds purpose and growth in "the simple but powerful beliefs and practices of the earliest Christians."
The church explicitly believes that "church" should not be a country club. It is meant to challenge members daily to become more of who they were created to be. There is no fellowship hall, gym, or kitchen on the property, because the church keeps its work and the home's work separate: hospitality, meals, and recreation belong to Christians in their homes (Acts 2:46; 1 Corinthians 11:22, 34; 1 Peter 4:9).
Shepherds, Deacons, and Evangelists
The church follows the New Testament structure described in Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5, and 1 Peter 5:2. A group of shepherds (also called elders) oversees the congregation. They are Bruce Baird, Joe Hammontree, Jim Harbaugh, Wally Hayes, Kerry Keenan, Jim King, Guthrie Nelson, Doug Nerland, Dave Roberts, and Bill Siedenstrang.
Deacons serve in specific works to ensure that what the church does is done well (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:8-13). They are Alex Chong, Brent Bennett, Chad Dorrell, David D'vorak, Glenn Collett, Ryan Graham, Eric Graves, Devin Harbaugh, Neil Harbig, Roland Jones, Michael Kearley, Jason Kendall, Andy Koonce, Richard Latta, Rich Leggatt, Wes Mallory, Tim Morris, Brandon Nichols, Matthew Richman, Todd Snapp, Brad Sullins, and Philip Witherington.
Evangelists preach and teach. Don Truex and Kerry Keenan fill this role. No one in the church carries the title "Reverend" or "Pastor"; most people simply use first names. The congregation has no headquarters, synod, or convention anywhere that makes decisions for it. Christ alone is the head of His church, and each local body is self-governing under Him.
Temple Terrace Kids
Children's ministry is built around the conviction that the Bible is meant to be understood, taught, and lived at every age. On Sunday mornings, children stay with their parents in the assembly for the worship service, learning to sing, pray, and listen by watching their own family worship. Bible classes for children meet at 5pm on Sundays and 7pm on Wednesdays. Every adult who teaches or helps in a children's class is trained and background-checked, and the building is monitored during services and classes.
A cry room and a private nursery are at the back of the auditorium for parents who need a quieter space; both have the service on audio and video so no one misses anything. The sound of a baby is the sound of a church with a future, the church says, and nobody minds.
The teachers are described as more than volunteers. They are committed Bible students with a passion for kids and the heart of an educator. The curriculum walks students through the Bible across age groups:
- Infants to age 1: Building Foundations through Bible stories and songs.
- 2- and 3-year-olds: A year-long journey through Bible history, beginning in the Old Testament and switching to the New Testament after two quarters.
- 4- and 5-year-olds: A one-year chronological study through the Old Testament.
- Kindergarten: A one-year chronological study through the New Testament.
- 1st grade: God's Covenants and His Chosen People, traced from Genesis to Revelation.
- 2nd-3rd grade: God's Covenants and Our Response, with a focus on worship.
- 4th-5th grade: God's Plan and Our Response, investigating redemption throughout Scripture.
- 6th-8th grade: A three-year cycle covering Luke and Acts, evidences of God, and family and personal issues.
- 9th-12th grade: A four-year cycle diving into Paul's writings, church history, family and personal issues, and remaining Old and New Testament foundations.
An annual Vacation Bible School is held for children in the surrounding community.
Bible Classes for Every Adult
The adult Bible class program runs four classes each quarter, intentionally balanced to give students the full scope of Scripture over time. Each quarter typically combines an Old Testament class, a New Testament class, a Christ-centered class drawn from the Gospels, and a topical class. Books and topics are revisited over time without becoming repetitive.
Classes meet Sundays at 5pm and Wednesdays at 7pm. Recent and ongoing studies include "Worship In Song 2026" led by Bart White, "The Day Jesus Took The Pulpit: The Mountain Message" led by Don Truex, a study of Hebrews titled "Jesus as the Better, Final, and Only Way to God" led by Jim King, "A Study of 2nd Corinthians" led by Morgan Tharp, and a series called "Anchor Deep: A Faith That Will Not Drift." All four adult classes are livestreamed.
The church also hosts in-home Bible studies across the Tampa area and provides an extensive online library of Bible study tools, including audio Bibles, study Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and concordances, with links to resources from Bible Gateway, e-Sword, the Florida College Bookstore, and many others.
A Place for Every Season of Life
The church organizes ministry around the seasons and stages that real life passes through.
College-age. The college years are treated as the foundation for the rest of a person's life. Bible studies focused on practical topics, student-led devotionals, opportunities to build deep relationships in members' homes, shepherds who care for students, and many ways to serve are offered.
Nearly or Newly Married. Couples in this season find Biblical counseling, helpful teaching, leadership from people with strong marriages, and a group of other couples walking through life together.
Singles. Singles are encouraged to put their time, flexibility, and skills to use in worship, teaching, evangelism, and other service areas.
Younger Family. Parents of babies and younger kids find Bible classes for every age, faith-building youth devotions, training for parents, and a network of godly families in the same stage of life.
Older Family. Parents of older children about to leave the nest are surrounded by strong leaders, godly influences, and peers committed to Jesus who can help on the family's spiritual journey.
Empty Nester. Empty nesters find help developing deep relationships with others and reconnecting with the purpose God has given them by using their talents and abilities to serve.
Retiree. Retired members are welcomed into some of the most spiritually productive years of their lives, with extra time to teach, serve, and minister in new ways.
A Teaching Archive
The church's sermon archive reaches back several years and is searchable by topic, book of the Bible, and series. Recent sermons have been preached by Don Truex, Jonathan Banning, Andy Cantrell, Jackson Powell, Chris Eppler, and John Sample, among others.
Long-running series include "The Joy Of The Journey," "Owe Nothing," "Celebrating The Seasons Of Life" (a series in Ecclesiastes), "Strong and Courageous: The Book of Joshua," "More Than Conquerors: A Study In Romans," and "Christians In the Culture," which addresses Christian engagement with modern issues.
The teaching is intentionally both topical and book-by-book. Recent and ongoing sermon series include "The Joy Of The Journey - Holy Lives, Joyful Hearts," "From The Pit To The Palace" on the life of Joseph, "Walking On Water," "Crossing The Bridge" on 1 Peter 1 and the Bible as God's bridge to humanity, and "Precious In The Sight Of God" on 1 Peter 3 and what God actually treasures.
Bible class series have covered Romans, Hebrews, Ezekiel, Ezra and Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Samuel, James, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Daniel, Genesis, Revelation, the Sermon on the Mount, the Gospel of John, the parables of Jesus, and many other books and themes.
Livestream and Online Resources
The Sunday morning assembly is livestreamed, as are all four adult Bible classes on Sunday and Wednesday. Past sermons and Bible classes are available anytime in the online archive. The church is active on Facebook and Instagram, with multiple YouTube channels hosting livestreamed services and past lessons.
Two free downloadable guides are offered: "Bible Study Made Simple," a short ebook with seven tips for beginners, and "Raising Faith At Home," a four-week devotional for busy parents. A free online course teaches God's plan of redemption step by step, and a members area provides additional resources.
Visiting for the First Time
Anyone is welcome to simply show up. The building is at 8001 Temple Terrace Highway, Temple Terrace, FL 33637, just off I-75 and about a mile and a half from Florida College. From downtown Tampa it is roughly fifteen minutes northeast; from the University of South Florida, about ten minutes southeast.
When a guest pulls into the parking lot, an immediate right leads to guest parking on the left. Greeters at the front doors hand out a bulletin and point the way to the auditorium, classrooms, or restrooms. Nobody has to figure out where to go alone.
"Come as you are" is the instruction on dress. Suits and jeans show up on the same row, and nobody is counting. The only dress guideline drawn from Scripture is modesty (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
Guests are not asked to stand, raise a hand, wear a visitor badge, or introduce themselves in front of the congregation. Sit wherever you like. People will be glad to meet you before and after the service, but nothing will put you on the spot.
Bibles are in the pews, and many verses appear on screen during the service. The preacher always names the passage being read. Bringing a Bible is welcome but not necessary; following along is encouraged but never expected.
The phone number is (813) 988-4350, and the church can also be reached through a contact form online. Guests who want someone to meet them at the door can fill out a Plan Your Visit form, but it is not required - just showing up works.