Community

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

 The flight of the sandhill crane, the sight of sunning alligators, the lights of the Agri-Civic Center, the Festival of Speckled Perch, the full pens at the cattle auction, the fine horses on the rodeo grounds, the levels of the water of the Lake, the flashing of lightning on the horizon, the limitless sky and towering thunderstorms, and the evening beauty at sunset… these things tell you that you are home in Okeechobee.

Okeechobee City is a small town that links the natural beauty and industry of Florida. It brings together the agriculture, produce and citrus industries of the surrounding county with the wonderful freshwater fishing of Lake Okeechobee. The town sits at the headwaters of the lake, uniting east and west Florida with roads and canals, and north and south Florida with older, storied roads.

Okeechobee is a classic Old Florida city, where the history of Florida skims just under the surface – only a road or turn or story away. The name is Native American, uniting the words oka [water] and chobi [big], meaning “Big Water.” And it is big! The lake measures over 730 square miles, and provides water for South Florida and crucial watershed for the Everglades. The area lives and breathes with the lake. As Lake Okeechobee goes, so goes life in the Everglades and Palm Beaches.

The speckled perch is the most famous fish of Lake Okeechobee, and the lake also hosts many bass tournaments. As the tourism website states, “Okeechobee offers endless opportunities for fishing, boating, hunting, water-skiing and even hiking on the 110 miles of scenic lakefront trails.”

It is a place of beauty and history, where Old Florida maintains its natural sense and yet reaches forward for new destiny.

Yet, for all its possibility, Okeechobee is a rural county with growing pains, and the inherent life challenges that brings. There is a vital need for Christian mission in this county. It is the vision of Okeechobee Presbyterian Church to share the light of Jesus Christ in this unique place, meeting our neighbors and friends at a point of need.

If you are visiting Okeechobee, please stop in and share our worship! If you live here in Okeechobee, then stay awhile and share our service for others…

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus Christ