LAKELAND, Fla. — Not many people can look at an old event center that used to host wedding receptions and see a house of worship.

But few people have had Dale Rhodes’ track record.

What You Need To Know

  • The Gathering Place holds its first food pantry at its church in Lakeland

  • The event, which took place Tuesday night at 6 p.m., offered people free food, free haircuts and job services

  • The church's senior pastor plans on holding these at least once a month, with the chance of doing more if they receive a great turnout

“When I sit in this place, I literally go, ‘Wow, you know, look what God’s done,’” he said.

Rhodes is the senior pastor of The Gathering Place and said this is the 18th church he’s planted in the country.

As a Pentecostal preacher, he says his motto with The Gathering Place is to not just be another church in Lakeland, but to be a source of support for everyone they meet.

“It’s not just a slogan for us, it’s the way we live,” Rhodes said. “It’s the way we do church. Nobody comes here as a visitor. You come here as a guest, OK? You’re a part of our family from the minute you walk through the door.”

Since the church opened its doors in January, the goal has been to be part of their community in east Lakeland, not just in it.

Which lead to the event he hosted Tuesday night, in front of The Gathering Place.

The church is doing their first food pantry, with help from Moving Hope Ministry, a mobile food pantry in Polk County. They’ll be giving away free food for folks, offering free haircuts and job services.

“My goal is 50 to 100 families for the first event,” Rhodes said. “If we have 50 or more, I’ll be extremely happy. You know, if we have more than that, then, you know, I’ll be beside myself.”

Because, even if a handful of people show up, to Rhodes, it starts a new beginning that will evolve his vision for this place.

“I always see what is there before it ever exists,” he said. “That’s how things become reality.”

It’s an event Rhodes plans to do once a month with the goal of doing it more if more people attend.

“I’m hoping a lot of people come and are part of it and receive the need, the help for the needs that they have in their life,” Rhodes said.

Because Rhodes has a vision for his new home and is eager to share it and have others be a part of it, even if it’s just through some food and a haircut.

Rhodes says he plans on staying in Lakeland for the long term after planting 18 different churches.

He hopes to add other amenities to his church in the future, like a park or a gymnasium with a basketball court.