New interdenominational groups aim to unite community through shared Christian mission.
More than a dozen faith and community leaders gathered March 24 at First Baptist Church Plant City for the inaugural ONE Plant City faith leaders prayer dinner, marking the launch of a new effort to unite local churches across denominational lines.
The evening brought pastors, ministry leaders, and civic figures together for fellowship, prayer, and a shared vision of strengthening the community through faith. Organizers describe ONE Plant City as “a fellowship of faith and community leaders called by God to unite Plant City as One City under One Savior, gathering in One Spirit as One Church.”
The initiative grew from a small group of local leaders who previously collaborated on a community event honoring Charlie Kirk, and saw an opportunity to build something broader and lasting.
“We saw a need,” said Dann Druen, president and co-owner of Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens and one of the group’s founders. “There are many things that have divided us as a people. We saw an opportunity to unite as Christians under the cross—that’s where unity is.”
Druen said the nonprofit is intentionally nonpolitical and focused solely on faith and community. “This is about Christ and what brings us together,” he said.
From that initial effort, Druen and fellow organizer Terry Pittinger helped assemble a core group of 13 founding members.
The name, ONE Plant City, emerged from the group’s guiding message and emphasis on unity. “The word ‘one’ really defined us,” Druen said.
The March 24 dinner, supported by sponsors including Felton’s and Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, saw the group’s members break bread and participate in focused prayers for Plant City and its civic leaders, local churches and their congregation, and broader societal concerns.
Organizers said the gathering stood out for bringing together leaders from different denominations with a shared purpose. “The event was so authentic,” said Kelvin Cobaris, lead pastor of New Life Church International. “It wasn’t just a formality—it was a real opportunity to network. I met pastors I had never connected with before, and we were able to build personal relationships and share a unified vision. It was one of the best gatherings I’ve been a part of, and it has started this work on a great foundation.”
ONE Plant City is rooted in a vision that includes growing worship gatherings, strengthened connections between churches, and ongoing discipleship among believers. The group cites Ephesians 4:4-6 as its guiding scripture.
Founding members represent a cross-section of Plant City’s faith and business communities. They include Brian Stowe, Calvin “Peewee” Callins, Dann G. Druen, Terry Pittinger, Jeff Robinson, Ed Raburn, Kelvin Cobaris, Michael Pippin, DeWayne Howard, Cliff Brown, Edgar De Jesus, James Garner, and Jeremy Berdorf.
Organizers said the group plans to host regular gatherings throughout the year, including quarterly prayer events that alternate between faith leaders and brick-and-mortar churches.
The next event, a citywide leaders prayer dinner, is scheduled for May 21 at Plant City Church of God. A larger community worship event, described as the ONE Plant City Crusade, is planned for Nov. 8 at the Strawberry Festival grounds, where participating churches will be encouraged to come together for a single unified service.
The group is also in the process of establishing itself as a nonprofit and emphasizes that it will operate without profit. “Our goal is zero profit,” Druen said. “We’re here to unite Plant City and honor God.”
Residents interested in getting involved can connect through local churches or contact the organization at info@OnePlantCity.org.
