- April 24, 2026
Flagler County Baptist Church and Church on the Rock Ministries, both located in Bunnell, switched locations earlier this month. Larry Hobbs is the pastor of Flagler County Baptist Church, and James Bellino is the pastor of Church on the Rock Ministries.
Hobbs and his church were seeking a larger space, as the church had reached capacity.
“There’s no parking spots left, no seats left,” Hobbs said. “People were sitting on the floor. We had to do something.”
At one particular Sunday night service, Hobbs says he was called to begin prayer during his preaching: “And so I said, ‘Folks, the Lord wants us to not preach right now. He wants me to pray, specifically for a building.”
That next Thursday, Hobbs’ assistant pastor sent an email to Bellino and asked if he would ever be interested in selling his church building to Hobbs.
What Hobbs was not aware of was that Bellino held a meeting with church members the night prior, and leadership of Church on the Rock Ministries decided it would be in their best interest to sell their building.
Bellino emphasized the fact that the meeting was extremely private; he was left astounded by the email.
After looking at the building thoroughly in person, Bellino decided its size was more suitable for their ministry.
Flagler County Baptist Church is now located at 2200 N. State St. (15,000 square feet), and Church on the Rock Ministries is now located at 500 N. Pine St. (3,000 square feet), both in Bunnell.
“The trading of buildings, which greatly benefits both churches, demonstrates a principle that seems to have been lost in the American church,” Bellino said. “The Bible states that we are one church, with Christ as ‘the head,’ which means we are not in competition with one another, but on the same team with the same head coach.”
Hobbs and Bellino decided to have both of their churches appraised and simply paid each other
exactly what each building was worth. Interestingly enough, Hobbs and Bellino had never met each other before they purchased one another’s buildings.
“We have kindred spirits, and both try to help people,” Hobbs said. “He’s a genuine Christian man, he’s not fake at all, so I really appreciate him.”
“We are excited about moving into a location that is more in the city center of Bunnell,” Bellino said, “as our church has always had a heart for the hurting, homeless and lost, and being more in the center of the Bunnell as opposed to out on the highway, will increase our direct connection with residents, businesses and local government.”
