Their first challenge was finding a worship space. The only location available was Gocio Elementary School, outside the target area. They met there for more than a year.

When a new high school was finally built closer to the Lakewood Ranch area, they were able to rent the school gym and hold services there. The moved resulted in new growth. After three years, they were able to charter with 184 full members, 79 preparatory members and a congregation that averages more than 250 people per week in worship.

On Sunday, Nov. 5, 2000 approximately 250 persons gathered in the community club house of Polo Park East for the chartering of Community of Faith United Methodist Church. In June 1997 Scott Smith was assigned to launch the new church in the area along U.S. 27 south of Clermont and north of Davenport known as Four Corners. Again, the major challenge was finding a place to hold worship services. Place after place was either not big enough or refused to allow a new church to meet on its premises. Finally, by a majority vote of one, the board of directors of Polo Park East, a mobile home park on U.S. 27, agreed to rent its clubhouse to the new church. In spite of the limitation of 25 parking spaces the congregation has grown to more than 200 worshippers per Sunday. A total of 159 charter members, many on profession of faith, were received at the Nov. 5 service. This congregation, which is located in one of the fastest growing areas of Central Florida, must still find a suitable, affordable building site.

Both of these new congregations received help from a sponsoring church in their respective districts. Sun City Center United Methodist Church agreed to provide $20,000 per year for five years to Harvest. First United Methodist Church, Clermont, provided Community of Faith with $15,000 in start-up funds, plus use of their facilities on several occasions and volunteers to assist in ministry projects coordinated by the new church. Additionally, funds given through the New Church Start Apportionment provided pastoral compensation for three years for the new churches. Thanks to one and all for giving these new congregations a healthy start.