About Us
Who are we? We are the people which God has chosen to be the members of Dove World Outreach Center. Our church was founded in September 1986 by Dr. Don in the living room of his home in Spring Forest here in Gainesville, Florida. After the initial meetings in his house, Dove conducted meetings at the Holiday Inn West and the former Center Theater which was located on NW 13th Street. On Thanksgiving Day 1986, the current location in the Milerun Subdivision was identified and through the sacrifice of the first members $150,000 was raised in 28 days to close the deal for the land purchase. In 1987 construction on the main sanctuary was begun and the dedication service was conducted in February 1988.
Dr. Northrup’s vision for the church was that Dove would be a total concept church for the rich, the poor, the young and the old. A church which is the expression of the fullness of Jesus Christ. A spiritual hospital where the hurting and the broken hearted are healed and restored. Growth would be 300, 700 and 2200 in the beginning.
Leadership for the church was provided by Dr Don until his death in 1996. After years of trying to find new leadership, Dr. Terry Jones was asked and accepted to take over the church and the vision of Dr. Don.
In the period since Dr. Terry assumed leadership of Dove, many aspects of the church have evolved and the vision continues to mature and expand. A new work ethic is in place with the purpose of transforming Dove from a local church to an apostolic church with a world vision. Our focus is on building God’s kingdom and preparing the next generation for their roles in proprogating the gospel.
Significant aspects of our church culture are:
- Apostolic leadership with emphasis on the apostolic anointing, the five- fold ministry role of training and equipping the saints for the works of the ministry and faithful committed members doing the work of the ministry.
- Apostolic worship which is a conscious, deliberate effort during worship to change the spiritual world, that then works its way out into the natural world and at some point will be visible as a victory over the enemy.
- DWOC Academy is a place of training the next generation to be strong and stable five-fold ministers under the apostolic anointing. We believe that God is calling a new generation in this end time – a generation of believers that are yielded to His Word and His will. Our land needs strong churches that understand and fulfill God’s vision of restoration and reformation. Churches which will be planted by the DWOC Academy graduates. Individuals who are able to handle the revival which the apostolic anointing will usher in. An anointing which will bring about Godly changes to our society through the work of these churches.
