What is now The Life Center Church was formerly known as The Mt. Carmel Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, founded by the late Rev. J. A. Johnson in 1957. The initial church building was a small wooden structure located at 109 Washington St., Eatonville. The structure was built by neighbors and other community citizens to accommodate seventy-five (75) and had a beginning membership of one adult and eight children.
Under Rev. Johnson's leadership, the congregation out grew the small building which created a need for the one hundred-twenty five (125) members to undertake the task of constructing a larger facility. Planning and organization of this building project was under way by 1965. Rev. Johnson and the congregation worked long and hard and completed the new sanctuary facility in 1967.
The larger facility served the congregation and the Eatonville community as the only church in Eatonville to hold worship services every Sunday of each month. In 1976, the church was chartered and formally incorporated with the State of Florida as THE MT. CARMEL INSTITUTIONAL MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, INC. Rev. Johnson continued to guide this newly incorporated and growing church through 1977.
In August 1976, Bishop Ronald F. Kimble, Sr. received his ministerial license and following the May 1977 resignation of Rev. Johnson, became the interim pastor of the church. In October of the same year, Bishop Kimble was ordained and installed as the official pastor of the church. Under the leadership of Bishop Kimble, the church experienced another significant growth period and has achieved many milestones including a name change (The Life Center Church), the establishment and expansion of a variety of ministries and the continued development of ministry facilities. Three (3) additional churches have also been established under Bishop Kimble's leadership. They are: The Life Center Church Ocala, FL; Titusville, FL; and Monrovia, Liberia. There are plans to establish other churches in the Greater Central Florida area.
The Life Center complex consists of a worship center, educational facilities, administrative offices, a multi-purpose facility, a bookstore, and a prayer chapel.
The Life Academy (formerly Eatonville Christian Academy) was established in 1982 and currently services students K4-9th grade. It is located at 107 Wymore Rd., Eatonville, FL. We use the A Beka Book curriculum for all grade levels.
The Life Center complex functions for ministry to the local congregation and the Central Florida Community. It is designed for edification, education, administration, and recreation.
