By Sarah Whitman
Senior Staff Writer
David Bamberry, senior pastor at Heritage Christian Center, is a family man with a big heart and years of wisdom to share.
His blog, Life in the Eyes of a Pastor, offers advice on everything from marriage to finances.
“I’ve always liked to write and my teenage boys said I should start a blog,” Bamberry said. “It’s everyday issues presented from a pastor’s perspective. Through the years, I’ve talked to a lot of people and had a lot of experiences, so I have a lot to share.”
Bamberry grew up in Kansas, where he became fascinated with church as a young boy. He didn’t mind waking up on Sundays or staying awake during his pastor’s sermons.
“Even then I loved church,” he said. “I loved everything about church. I loved the people. I loved what church did for people. I saw how it made peoples’ lives better and I knew I wanted to be a part of that.”
To prepare for a career in ministry, Bamberry attended Rhema Bible in Oklahoma. He moved to Florida after graduation and met his wife, Natalie. He began his career as a youth pastor at Faith Covenant Church in Tampa.
In 1996, Bamberry decided it was time to start his own church and Heritage Christian Center was born. The church used different meeting spaces, including a day care center, until finding its home in Land O’ Lakes six years ago. The church currently meets at 21418 Carson Dr. off Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
“We loved the area and knew it was the place where people were moving to be,” Bamberry said. “We knew there would be a lot of growth.”
Heritage currently has 250 regular members and there are plans to build a larger worship center on property at County Line Road and Livingston Avenue.
“Costs have slowed the process down but we hope to build within the next couple years,” Bambery said.
Member James Watson describes Heritage as a family church built on Biblical principles.
“It has a real family feel about it and Pastor Bamberry is a great leader,” he said. “He is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.”
The pastor’s wife, Natalie, agrees.
“He is a great pastor because he loves the people,” she said. “He looks them in the eyes and he listens to them.”
Natalie said he is the same man at home.
“He is a wonderful dad to his children and he is a great husband,” she said. “To him, family always comes first.”
The Bamberrys have a daughter and son at Southeastern University in Lakeland, and a son at Steinbrenner High School.
Naturally, family life is one of the main topics on Bamberry’s blog. Posts have had titles such as For the Kids Sake, Rules for Fair Fighting in Families and Church as the Perfect Family Activity.
“There is a fair and unfair way to fight in families and it is up to the parents to set these guidelines and enforce them,” reads a November 2009 entry.
The guidelines are then listed in easy-to-read format.
“I write a lot about raising kids,” Bamberry said. “I also write a lot about the importance of a healthy marriage and how to be a good example to your kids.”
In addition to writings, Bamberry posts links to helpful sites and lists books he reads to stay inspired. There is even a list of 100 Bible chapters he recommends everyone read once a year.
Watson reads his pastor’s blog whenever he gets the chance.
“The blog is a great way to reflect on Pastor Bamberry’s messages when we’re not at church,” James Watson said. “I hop on to stay connected.”
Bamberry said blogging is a way of reaching the people when he can’t be with them face to face.
“It’s a great way to communicate,” he said. “My sons had a good idea.”
For information on Heritage Christian Center, call (813) 909-4080. Visit Life in the Eyes of a Pastor at www.davidbamberry.com.
