Tears, laughter, applause, harmonious singing, and an uplifting sermon, were all found on the premises of the First Call church as many came out on Sunday.
It was in celebration of the church’s third anniversary. Three years of welcoming all that come through its doors, especially those who are first responders. And it’s a milestone for a sanctuary that started with small but humble beginnings.
Dr. Daniel Middlebrooks, the senior chaplain of First Call, retired from the Army in 2013, after having been in the military for over 25 years.
“We started out with about 14 [people],” he said.
There were those who doubted whether the church could continue to exist based on its numbers.
The Florida Baptist Convention set the standards for First Call as it does with other Baptist churches. The convention allows up to three years for a church to show that it is thriving as its own entity, Middlebrooks said.
Now First Call has a more sizable congregation with anywhere from 75 to 85 people, plus visitors.
Those who come for service are made up of retired or active military officers, EMTs, firefighters, and law enforcement as well as everyday citizens from the community. In the last three years, it has become a place of solace for those men and women in uniform who need spiritual rejuvenation and a congregation of friends and family who can relate to them.
Middlebrooks established the church in 2019 for that very reason, he said.
As a chaplain in the Army, he wanted to care for soldiers who were distraught and needed an uplifting message. Throughout his time in service, he relocated 19 different times before returning to his native Plant City with his wife, Arienne.
Although he retired from the Army, he didn’t retire from his missionary work, and wanted to provide a sanctuary where those in uniform could be comforted and encouraged on Sunday mornings.
At times, these first responders may have to work a shift on a Sunday and can’t make it for service. However, their families are present.
“Spouses, on behalf of First Call and those around you, that need you, thank you for who you are,” Middlebrooks said with gratitude.
Stephanie King is a member of First Call and is the wife of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputy.
“It’s very heart-warming to see people support their local first responders,” she said. “To see people support their local communities when we come together and share the comradery.”
Middlebrooks founded Chaplaincy Care Inc., a non-profit organization with the sole purpose of focusing on the well-being of first responders so they can continue to perform their duties to the fullest.
“When a person takes the moment to steady his breathing and listen to his heartbeat, the impact of the power and presence of life is amazing,” he stated on the Chaplaincy Care website. “Three crucial beats that are needed within the heart of a hero are: relationships, resiliency, and readiness.”
To provide this, the organization counsels its men and women so they can grow not only spiritually, but physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially.
Since its inception, Chaplaincy Care has expanded outside of Hillsborough County to neighboring Pinellas County, and now Pasco County is joining the ranks.
At the ceremony, it was announced that Chaplain Paul Tomlinson will lead the Pasco branch.
“It’s going to be brand new,” Tomlinson said. “We really get launched this year. We’re kind of falling in the heels of Pinellas that launched a little over a year ago, and we’re learning this together. We’re all coming at this from very different backgrounds as we come to serve those in a different uniform.”
He explained that he will be working in unison with chaplains that oversee the county’s sheriff’s office and fire departments.
Also in attendance was Will Murphy, who is one chaplain among several that serve the Largo Fire Rescue in Pinellas County. He had previously worked as a firefighter and paramedic for 26 years.
“We spend Wednesdays at Largo visiting our six fire stations and developing relationships with our firefighters, so that when they need something, they know us and can call us, and have done so,” Murphy said.
Last December, Middlebrooks started the First Friday “Hero” Fellowship. This event occurs the first Friday of each month, providing a free, hot breakfast for men and women in uniform.
The first fellowship breakfast had those from the Plant City Fire Rescue, the Plant City Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continuously coming through the door of Johnson Barbeque where they could fix a plate.
During the anniversary event, Middlebrooks presented plaques to various agencies and organizations such as:
• Plant City Police Department
• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
• Hillsborough County Public Schools Security and Emergency Management
• Chick-Fil-A
• Florida Highway Patrol
• Florida Strawberry Festival
• Hillsborough County Courthouse
He also took the time to recognize media outlets, his church staff, and the first responders who were able to be present.
For retired and active military officers, he presented each with a Chaplaincy Care Coin of Excellence. One side of the coin is engraved with a shield and sword.
“The sword represents our military that fights our battles across the street, the shield represents our first responders that protect our families across the street,” Middlebrooks said. “We need both of them and we pray for both of them. But on the other side of that coin…it has a picture of what the armor really looks like and it has a cross, and that cross represents that if you don’t protect your heart, it really doesn’t matter.
“It doesn’t matter about the car that you drive, it doesn’t matter about the weapon you bear…doesn’t matter the uniform that you wear, [if] your heart comes apart, everything comes apart.”
During the ceremony, he and his sister Debbie were brought to tears as they recalled the harrowing experience of losing their brother Michael in 2009.
He passed away on Easter, the same day Middlebrooks was scheduled to preach four sermons. Upon receiving the news, his commanding officer ordered him to leave Baghdad, Iraq. Middlebrooks decided he was going to stay and fulfill his duties as a chaplain. When asked why, he told his commanding officer that his brother was already looking down on him.
King said that First Call has been a blessing to her and her family, especially with Middlebrooks as the lead chaplain.
Just like King, others attested to how far the church has come and how far it will continue to go.
“Three years ago, what was about to close, began to be a new beginning,” Middlebrooks said. “As we come into this celebration three years later, it allows us to know that we have a whole lot more in store.”