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Get to Know Us at Deland Open Bible Church
Our Story
Pastors Tommy and Sharon Avinger
For over a two decades, Pastor Tommy and Sharon have been the heart of DeLand Open Bible Church, leading with love, faith, and a deep commitment to our community. Their passion for guiding others to Christ and serving those in need has made a lasting impact on countless lives.
Married for 35 wonderful years, they share a beautiful journey of faith and family. Sharon, originally from Ohio, and Pastor Tommy, a native Floridian, have built a life filled with love, ministry, and joy. When they’re not serving the church, they’re cherishing time with their growing family—including seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Their warmth and devotion make DeLand Open Bible Church a true home for all who walk through its doors.
Jeffrey and Emily Bermudez
Co-pastors
Kimberly Saylor
Deaconess
Stefanie Falstreau
Deaconess
Our Supporting Leadership Team
A movement
Open Bible Standard Churches is a movement of over 850 churches in 32 countries. A unique quality which Open Bible offers is expressed in our position statement: A balance of affiliation and freedom while providing accountability without undue control.
DeLand Open Bible Church is built on these strong foundations, embracing both the rich heritage and guiding principles of Open Bible. We are a community of faith that values the freedom to worship while staying rooted in biblical truth, accountability, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Our Purpose
God's Word
We believe the Bible is God's Word, an accurate and reliable authority by which we know what to believe and how to live. It is our source and inspirations for why we exist as a church. We believe in prayer as a way to praise God and ask Him for help and healing. In a world where relationships are often established for selfish reason, we desire to build wholesome, loving, and nurturing relationships.
We give tithes and offerings to our church as a loving expression of our faithfulness to God and as a means of fulfilling our purpose. Visitors are not obligated to give. Teaching from the Bible is a focal point of our church meetings. Rather than building our personal lives and families on shallow and unfulfilling philosophy, we desire to learn about the standards and guidelines which God provides in the Bible. They are both timeless and contemporary.We believe Jesus Christ is the way to God.
He is God's son who died, rose to life and provides the means of personally knowing God. It is through belief in Jesus that we are made right with God and can receive spiritual, physical, emotional and mental healing. We believe God gives us power through the Holy Spirit to live what the Bible teaches about love, peace, joy and right relationships. We believe Jesus will come again with reward of eternal life in Heaven for those who believe in Him as the Son of God.
Our Beliefs
A Personal Relationship
Since we emphasize a personal relationship with God, we focus on heartfelt worship rather than ritual and form. Our services are filled with praise, music, prayer, and biblical teaching, guided by the Holy Spirit. Worship varies just as personalities do—sometimes spontaneous, sometimes reverent.
At times, the Holy Spirit may lead someone to speak in an unknown language, with another providing interpretation. This is a powerful demonstration of God’s presence and guidance.