During his tenure with the Florida Baptist Convention, he served in multiple roles, including interim executive director-treasurer, assistant executive director and regional catalyst. He retired from the Florida Baptist Convention in 2017.

A native of El Dorado, Arkansas, Owens was reared in Louisiana, where he made his profession of faith at age 9 and was baptized at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Crossroads, Louisiana. Owens served churches in Texas, Louisiana and Georgia prior to moving to Florida. Owens first joined the Florida Baptist Convention in 1989, serving as assistant executive director to newly elected executive director-treasurer John Sullivan. In a resolution honoring Owens on his retirement, he was recognized as Sullivan’s “most trusted advisor and confidant.” Upon Sullivan’s retirement in 2015, Owens was elected to serve as interim executive director, “joining the ranks of only two other acting executive directors in the history of the Florida Baptist Convention.”

His interim service extended beyond leadership of the state convention as he served more than 80 pastoral interims in Florida Baptist churches, “where he ministered to and guided some of Florida Baptists’ most significant churches during a time of transition, often providing wise and healing counsel to troubled congregations,” his resolution of appreciation stated.

Since his retirement from the Florida Baptist Convention, Owens continued doing what he loved–strengthening churches, encouraging pastors and pointing people to Jesus.

Most recently, Owens served as senior adult pastor at North Jacksonville Baptist Church.

“Glen was a great encourager to me personally. His steady joy, his kindness and his unwavering commitment to the gospel have left a lasting imprint on our convention and on countless lives,” said Stephen Rummage, executive director-treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention.

“He was easy to know and a man of deepest integrity. In 30 years, I never questioned his integrity. He was not a compromiser. It never ran in his blood. When he knew something was right, he stood by his stuff,” said Sullivan.

Owens’ eternal impact was “very positive,” said Sullivan, who first met Owens decades ago at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana. “Whatever he did, he did in the name of the Lord. He’s the best friend you could ever have. We were more like brothers than friends.”

Survivors include his wife, Susan; two children, Kent Owens and Kathleen Owens Tompkins (Jamie) and two grandsons, Jared Glen Tompkins and Judson Kyle Tompkins.

Arrangements are being made for an interment in Louisiana, followed by a celebration of life service at North Jacksonville Baptist Church.

The family requests that memorials be made to the North Jacksonville Baptist Church Building Fund; 8531 N Main St; Jacksonville, FL 32218 or online at www.njbc.org

He plans to attend the 117^th homecoming celebration of Franklin Street Baptist Church in Jacksonville May 18, and attendees have been invited to wear old-fashioned clothes to the 10:45 a.m. service. The worship service will feature traditional preaching and singing and will be followed with a free lunch with plenty of fellowship and, of course, homemade desserts.

On May 17, 1908, 10 people met and organized Twenty-First Street Baptist Church on the corner of 21^st and Fisher Streets in the northeast Springfield neighborhood.

About five months later, the church moved to a building on the corner of 16^th and Franklin Streets and became Franklin Street Baptist Church. In 1939, construction began on the current sanctuary on that same corner. The church held its sanctuary dedication in 1941 and still holds a steady presence in the heart of Jacksonville.

‘An oasis and a lighthouse’

At age 10, Taylor was baptized in the new sanctuary in 1942, joined the church and began leading the congregational singing as a teenager.

Bobbie Gore, pastor’s wife at Franklin Street Baptist Church, shows some love to little Kaylani Hill. The church looks for opportunities to share God’s love with children in the inner-city neighborhood.

Taylor went on to serve as a minister of music in a few Baptist churches before returning to retire at Franklin Street, where “They still sing out of the hymn books.”

He admits it’s hard to see the state of his old neighborhood. His former home was torn down.

“It’s just a vacant lot now. It breaks my heart to see so many homes boarded up, and there are several homes right next to Franklin Street that are boarded up.”

Taylor is thankful the church is still going strong. He gives a lot of credit to the leadership of Pastor Terry Gore, and his wife, Bobbie.

In 1988, Gore returned to Franklin Street after serving as the church’s youth director in the 1960s.

While Gore served 18 years at San Jose Baptist Church in Jacksonville as youth leader and associate pastor, people from Franklin Street often asked him if he would consider coming back. After much prayer, he returned to become Franklin Street’s 22^nd pastor and would later become its longest serving pastor at 37 years.

Fifteen-year-old Jadalyn Norman-Bender stops by the church after her National Honor Society induction at her school to show her certificate to Pastor Terry Gore and his wife, Bobbie. “We are very proud of her,” Gore said.

“I felt like the inner city was a great challenge because at that time many inner-city churches were closing,” Gore said.

“I realized this was a community that needed an oasis and a lighthouse,” he said.

Right away the young pastor went knocking on doors to invite people to church, resulting in many professions of faith in his first 18 months as pastor.

“Our goal is to win people to Jesus Christ and to disciple them and to build a fellowship of sweet-spirited people,” he said.

‘Godly, faithful people’

Through the years, A.C. Soud Jr., retired judge of the 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida, has visited and even spoken at the church several times.

Judge A.C. Soud Jr., retired judge of the 4th Judicial Circuit of Florida, visits with his longtime friend, Pastor Terry Gore. Judge Soud says Franklin Street Baptist Church is “not a large church, but the members are godly, faithful people who are sweeter than I can say.”

“It’s not a large church, but the members are godly, faithful people who are sweeter than I can say,” said Soud, a childhood friend of the pastor.

Even with challenges that inner-city churches can experience, Soud, who still serves as a senior judge in Florida, said, “This church is welcomed in the neighborhood,” and church leaders look for ways to meet community needs.

Ron Davis, senior adult director and deacon chairman, said the church’s Heart to Heart monthly senior ministry provides neighborhood residents with a fellowship opportunity. On a recent Monday night, more than 80 people attended the dinner and enjoyed gospel music.

“We want to offer hope and a chance for salvation for folks who are looking and seeking and trying to find their way,” Davis said.

The church also reaches children who live in the inner-city neighborhood. For them, the church becomes a refuge.

“Little children come at all hours of the day and night,” Gore said.

“They knock on the door, and Bobbie meets them and brings them in, and some of them are hungry so we feed them,” he said.

“They rely on us. They come and often show us their report cards,” Bobbie Gore said.

Most of the children come by themselves without their parents on Sundays.

“I always tell them, ‘I know you could be anywhere else, but you came to church today,’” the pastor’s wife said.

“Our ministry here is greatly for these neighborhood children,” she said. “We just want to be a little small part of their lives when God lets us.”

Cindy Rhoads, Sunday School director, agrees.

“We plant the seeds, and we may not get to see (the children) all the time, but even if they come at least once, maybe it will grow,” Rhoads said.

Ninety-year-old Al Saffer of Crossroads Baptist Church in Jacksonville is served at the Heart to Heart dinner at Franklin Street Baptist Church. “I love everything here–the pastor, his wife, the camaraderie, the people and the testimony of the church,” he said.

About 15 children attend Sunday School each week. The church usually has about 80 in overall attendance on Sundays for worship with about 45 in Sunday School, she said. On Easter Sunday, 149 people attended.

Rhoads, a second-generation member, and her husband, David, make the almost hour-long drive in from Middleburg each Sunday.

“You can feel the Holy Spirit when you walk in, and you feel the love. I think that’s what people need, and that’s why they keep coming back,” she said.

Member Billie Fouty agrees. After her husband, Mike, former deacon chairman, died in February 2023, she said the church supported her as she grieved.

“Terry and Bobbie are always there when you need them. They always come; no matter what time it is, you can call on them,” she said, adding that the pastor is a “good preacher and a good shepherd.”

Associate pastor Jason Dennis, a third-generation member, is excited about the church adding more activities this summer for members and community residents. The church will start back with its Wednesday night services and will begin a movie night next month.

“As the church grows, it gives us more opportunities to share Christ with people,” he said.

“It will be exciting to see what God’s going to do through these additional activities as we open the doors up more and bring people in,” Dennis said.

The Gores, who have been married 55 years, agree that their 37 years at the church have flown.

“It’s gone by so fast that it’s hard to think we’ve been here this long, but we both feel like this is exactly where God wants us to be,” Bobbie Gore said.

The conference, which began in 2021 under the leadership of Pastor Andrew Carrington, was birthed out of a desire to strengthen men’s ministry and discipleship. Citing statistics that show men’s spiritual engagement lags behind women’s, Carrington emphasized the importance of intentional investment. According to a 2022 Lifeway Research report, “There’s a 5-point gap between men (15%) and women (20%) who attend religious services at least weekly. That’s less than half of what it was in the early 1980s.” Additionally, women are 10% more likely to spend time alone with God daily and 6% more likely to read from the Bible or a devotional.

“Men’s ministry isn’t as active as it used to be,” Carrington said. “Statistics show that if a dad comes to faith, it changes the entire family. We need men to lead—not just in their churches but also within their communities.”

A Focus on leadership and discipleship

Unlike many men’s events that emphasize outreach or evangelism, Men on Fire is focused on leadership development and discipleship among Christian men. The theme for 2025, Men Mentoring Men, underscores the ongoing goal of equipping men to invest in others beyond their immediate families.

This year’s event was streamlined into a one-day format, featuring three times of worship and four teaching sessions alongside three breakout discussion groups. The main speaker, Roger Howell, led two of the four teaching sessions. Other speakers included Jim Johnson, a local pastor, and Darren Schock, a chaplain from the local jail ministry.

Strong attendance and lasting impact

This year’s conference saw 122 men in attendance, representing 11 churches. Participation has grown annually, reflecting the increasing demand for men’s discipleship.

At the close of their time together, men were encouraged to complete a survey identifying at least one person they could pray for or mentor. “We’re calling men to look beyond their immediate families and ask, ‘Who do I need to invest in?’” Carrington explained.

Follow-up efforts include monthly men’s meetings at the church to continue discussions and provide accountability. Several families have joined First Baptist Port St. John as a direct result of this ministry, including a current co-director of the conference who first attended four years ago and is now on track to serve in church leadership.

Partnerships strengthen conference’s reach

The Men on Fire conference has received support from the Florida Baptist Convention, with Patrick Coats, Florida Baptists’ East regional catalyst, overseeing the partnership. Additionally, the Brevard Baptist Association, under the leadership of Jerry Thornton, helped promote the event and extend its reach beyond the local church.

Looking ahead, Carrington and his team are committed to deepening the impact of the conference, ensuring that men are not just attendees but active participants in discipleship and leadership within their churches and communities.

“We’re not just hosting a conference,” Carrington said. “We’re investing in men so they can invest in others.”

“God has opened the windows of heaven. I have seen more people saved in the last two years just through witnessing to them than I ever did on the mission field,” said Asa Greear, the associational mission strategist (AMS) for the association. “I can’t explain it. It’s all God.”

Greear, a 46-year ministry veteran, served as an International Mission Board missionary before becoming the executive director/AMS of the association in 2007.

The SJRBA is one of more than 1,100 Southern Baptist associations throughout the United States that Southern Baptist churches will specifically pray for this Sunday, Oct. 20, during the Day of Prayer for Associational Missions.

“The local association is like boots on the ground for us,” said Ted Owens, the founding pastor of Petra Baptist Church in St. Augustine. “We know a lot about the Southern Baptist Convention and the Florida Baptist Convention, but the local association is what connects us to those resources. It’s been there for us during tough times, like the economic collapse (of 2008-2009) and COVID, and we’ve been able to use those resources to keep going.”

The evangelistic movement Greear mentioned began at the Putnam County Fair almost two years ago. The SJRBA organized a weeklong ministry booth where they offered Bibles, Gospel tracts and Christian literature. Volunteers from local churches rotated through the booth, sharing the Gospel using tools like the EvangeCube — a visual aid that helps explain the story of salvation to both children and adults.

During the 2023 fair, 50 people committed their lives to Christ.

A few months later, tragedy struck one of the churches. A deacon’s daughter from Trinity Baptist Church, a young, growing congregation in the association, was struck by lightning while out hunting with her father. The teenage girl had been a dynamic witness for Christ, sending Bible verses to her high school friends and inviting anyone she met to church.

“Because of all that, the kids began to come to the Lord,” Greear said. “They realized that death is imminent, and they weren’t ready. In one meeting, where we had about 600 kids, we saw 65 of them give their hearts and lives to Christ.”

Several other pastors from local churches were at the event to help counsel the youth who attended. Many of those youth were plugged into Trinity Baptist in Palatka, while others were connected to other churches in the association.

Two weeks after the girl’s death, 172 middle and high school students were baptized. Many of those new believers said they were personally impacted by the girl’s testimony.

Greear pointed to a number of ways the local churches are partnering to share the Gospel, including a popular block party trailer that provides resources for churches hosting evangelistic events in their neighborhoods.

The SJRBA also purchases as many as 600 turkeys for local churches to give away during Thanksgiving.

“In our turkey giveaway, we’ve had to pull money out of savings and spend more than we budgeted at times,” Greear said. “But to make an impact locally for the church, we say, ‘Hey, we have turkeys. The churches fill the baskets, take it to this person, and give it to them.’ We’ve actually heard stories of people being saved through that ministry. Churches have told us about people who started coming to church because of these turkey giveaways.”

The association invites North American Mission Board and IMB missionaries to missions connections where churches can get to know them and learn about their ministries.

The SJRBA also helps to support pastors by standing alongside them during difficult times in their ministries, including health problems, church crises and family struggles.

“Just being with pastors – that is such a key,” Greear said. “I believe in associational ministries: walk with your pastors. Don’t be afraid; you’re going to get into their stuff. They’ll tell you if you are, but walk with them.”

For example, when Pastor David Shull had open-heart surgery earlier this year, Greear preached for him for a few weeks and mobilized the other churches to pray for him. Shull says Greear does a great job of “pastoring pastors.”

“It can get a little lonely out here if you’re by yourself,” Shull said. “Being a part of the association means knowing someone has your back when you need help. That’s been a huge blessing for me and my church over the years.”

“The greatest gift we can give at the fair is the gospel,” said Asa Greear, St. Johns River Baptist Association’s mission strategist.

The 2024 Putnam County Fair marked the eighth year the association shared the gospel at this annual event. In 2023, 50 people made professions of faith in Christ through this ministry, and 18 have done so thus far in 2024. Greear credits the positive response at the fair first to God and then to the collaboration of multiple church leaders and volunteers from Putnam and neighboring counties as well as the Florida Baptist Convention.

Each year, as preparations begin for the fair, Baptist church leaders and evangelists from nearby cities plan and strategize. “First Baptist Church of Palatka designs our booth according to the theme set forth by the county,” said Greear, a task the church has handled for three years. In addition, pastors and members of various churches take turns manning the booth to share the gospel with everyone. The booth offers Bibles, Bible tracts, other Christian literature for the whole family and toys for children.

One of the most popular tools used at the fair to engage parents and children in listening to the gospel story is the Evangelism Cube or EvangeCube. Volunteers use the cube as a visual tool while sharing how people are separated from God. The conversation progresses to the death of Christ on the cross, as displayed on the cube, and to Jesus’ resurrection, which guarantees salvation for everyone who believes. Every volunteer, pastor, evangelist and new team member is engaged in sharing the message of Christ.

“The SJRBA does this outreach at the Putnam County Fair every year and is very effective at that venue,” said Patrick Coats, Florida Baptists’ Central region catalyst for FBC. Coats said he has personally witnessed many gospel conversations and prayers among people of all ages.

Some may question why a Baptist association puts such a priority on a county fair.  Greear explained, “Jesus commanded us. Matthew 28:19 reads, ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’”

Individuals who make salvation decisions are connected immediately with churches represented at the fair. The specific church then follows up with the new convert for discipleship. The current membership of St. Johns River Baptist Association is 54 churches, with 18 represented at this year’s event.

Many of the new converts become active members of a church, Greear said. Over time, he added, some new believers approach him and say, “I saw you at the fair.”

“We can give people food every week, and they will be hungry; toys, and happy for a moment; but give them the gospel message, and they will live forever,”  Greear said.

The church recently called Josh as the church’s co-pastor, and both father and son say the transition has been practically seamless.

“Everyone is really excited about this,” said Herb. “There has not been too much of a transition because we were already functioning like this. But the vote from our church just made it official. We’re ready for whatever the future holds.”

Josh agrees. “We’re working side by side. He’s the pastor, and I’m the pastor. We’re making decisions together and leading together,” he said. “I understand what an anomaly it is and what a unique opportunity this is. But I am not overstating this when I say this is great because he’s great.”

‘Church in good hands’

Herb has been pastor of the church for 33 years. Josh came on as an associate pastor about 18 years ago, serving in variety of roles over the years. As the associate pastor for pastoral ministries, Josh began working more closely with his dad, overseeing directors, assisting with day-to-day operations, churchwide planning, and preaching on Sundays when his dad was out.

Herb, who will be 68 in June, said he has no plans to retire, but as he began to think of the church’s future, he thought it would be a good idea to have a co-pastor in place. He appointed a co-pastor search committee that included only one staff member along with several church members, and he suggested his son for the role. The committee met for about a month before leading the church to call Josh for the position.

“The church is in good hands,” Herb said. “If I step aside for any reason, or if the Lord calls me home, Josh would be the sole senior pastor.”

“We’ll have the continued momentum and the consistency we’ve had. We feel that’s important practically and also theologically. People can know it’s a pretty smooth handing off of the baton,” Josh said.

‘Young eyes’ and trusting the gut

About 10 years ago, Josh began preaching during the church’s Wednesday night service, which draws about 700 to 800 each week. “We feel like people can’t get too much of the Bible,” he said, noting that the Wednesday and Sunday sermon series, while different, are both leading the congregation through the Bible. “It’s been a really good model for us.”

Meanwhile, Herb continues to preach the two Sunday morning services, which attract about 1,700.

Herb said the two have worked well together, noting how his son brings a younger perspective that is needed as they plan together and make decisions. “He’s given me young eyes to look through, and I think that has been very helpful. I have been so proud to watch him grow into this role.”

Meanwhile Josh raves about his father’s church experience and knowledge, which has helped them fine -tune some ideas and forego others. “I’ve learned to trust his gut as much as he does,” Josh said.

Both are excited about the continued growth the church is experiencing and the upcoming expansion of its preschool space offering new outdoor and indoor play areas, a new worship space and expansion of small group space.

“I think our church is expecting about 15 or 16 babies,” Josh said. “We have a ton of young families, which is a real testament to my father’s leadership.”

Josh is the oldest of Herb’s three sons, all of whom are pastors. Middle son Jonathan is the pastor at Shindler Drive Baptist Church in Jacksonville, and youngest Joseph served at North Jacksonville Baptist before recently accepting the associate pastor position at University Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

“All three ended up answering God’s call into ministry, and I am thrilled,” Herb said. “It’s all due to God Almighty and the prayers of their mother during their teen years.”

Josh said he loves getting to work with his dad, whom he calls his hero and best friend. “I told the church when they voted me in, I’ll never be able to fill his shoes, but I promise to keep mine pointed in the same direction,” he said.

It’s true, their family photos are eclectic and multi-colored. “That’s because we have two biological children,” Josh says, “and we also have three adopted children.”

And it’s also true that four years ago, they planted a church. “We were sent out to do that,” Josh says, “simply because there are people all over that aren’t hearing the gospel.”

A fostering and adoptive family is not especially unique. And a church planting family is not especially unique. What makes Josh and Beth Glymph so uncommon is this: four years ago, God told them to simultaneously do the two hardest things they’d ever done. “Foster care and church planting,” says Beth. “I thought there was no way He’d ask us to do both at the same time. But that’s just what he did.”

The Glymphs would come to learn that God had his reasons.

In 2019, Josh Glymph was serving on staff at Fruit Cove Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. He was content, and yet strangely restless.

“I’d been there ten years, and we loved it,” he says. “But God just began to do something in our hearts that made us say, ‘Alright Lord, what’s next?’”

The leaders at Fruit Cove had a ready answer for that “What’s next?” question—Ortega.

“Ortega was a community in Jacksonville that was very unreached,” Josh says. “You’ve got hipsters, you’ve got military, you have wealthy people and then you also have a lower socioeconomic area. It really is a melting pot. And, there were a handful of churches in the area, but some of them were dying, and some others had faded into no longer being what you’d call Christian, and all of us at Fruit Cove saw the need and got really excited about what the Lord might do if we planted a church there.”

When Fruit Cove decided to send the Glymphs to Ortega to plant a church, Josh and Beth were excited. And stressed. The timing felt overwhelming, especially to Beth, because the call to plant came at the same time their family of five was expanding to a family of seven.

“We had actually just set out on our foster care journey, and some of our kids had special needs,” she says. “Foster care is so hard because anytime a child is removed from their biological family, there’s deep suffering that comes with that, and as a foster parent, you’re asked to step into that suffering with them. I knew the Lord was asking us to plant this church and to foster, but the timing of it all was just hard for me to accept.”

As Josh and Beth began to meet, then invite and then gather people together in Ortega, God’s grand plan for what would become Refuge Church began to take shape. The Glymphs discovered that Ortega, just like almost every other community, had families that were fostering and adopting. Josh and Beth’s biggest and most visible concern became Refuge Church’s biggest draw.

“People here who were fostering and adopting said, ‘Hey, there’s a family that’s doing what we’re doing. That pastor’s family looks just like ours,’” Josh says. “And that’s how the Lord began to build this church.”

When Refuge Church launched in 2020, one of the first things they did was start a ministry called Seek Refuge. Seek Refuge provides just about everything a fostering or adoptive family in Ortega might need: diapers, car seats, baby toys and even date night childcare.

“Fostering and adoptive families found out that here’s a pastor and a family who’s joining them in the fight,” Josh says. “They saw that, and they came here to get a need met, and through that we built relationships. Next thing we know, they’re in our church on a Sunday.”

A significant percentage of the more than 200 people who now attend Refuge Church are from fostering or adoptive families. The Glymphs never expected to plant a church like this, but now that they’ve done so, they recognize how God had this whole thing planned out from the very beginning.

“We didn’t set out to plant a church for foster and adoptive families,” says Beth. “The Lord just did it. And now that it’s happened, we get to see Him working right in front of our eyes.”

Southern Baptist’s gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering helped the Glymphs get Refuge Church up and running. Now in Ortega, where not too long ago churches were few and far between, Josh and Beth are making Jesus known.

“I think about the number of children who come to our church who, if families didn’t say yes to foster care and adoption, those children would never hear about Jesus,” says Josh. “I believe there’s no greater opportunity than this to share the gospel.”

The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering^® provides half of NAMB’s annual budget, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to the field. The offering is used for training, support and care for missionaries, like Josh and Beth Glymph, and for evangelism resources.

Tony Hudson writes for the North American Mission Board.

The gathering focused on camaraderie, relaxation, and physical and spiritual nourishment. It also zeroed in on building a Hispanic fellowship in the East Central Baptist Network that will encourage healthy relationships and increase the visibility of language churches among Florida Baptists.

“We wanted pastors to relax in an atmosphere where they can be themselves,” said Misael Castillo, Florida Baptists’ migrant ministries catalyst. “We recognize their hard labor and want them to know they are not alone in the field.”

Castillo added, “The men were helping cook and could be seen serving each other in the spirit of camaraderie and eating together.” Pastors and wives had opportunities to network with fellow ministers and participate in an ice cream social and challenging games.

Carlos Mendez, lead pastor of Iglesia Nuevo Comienzo in Sanford, spearheaded the pastors/wives retreat, and he explained the vision for the East Central Baptist Hispanic Network began to take shape in September 2023 with Hispanic pastors coming together in a roundtable event to discuss launching the network.

“Everyone was on board with the idea of building the fellowship from the ground up and being able to participate in the process,” he said.

Retreat guest speaker Samuel Otero, from San Antonio, Texas, spoke on spiritual leadership based on 1 Timothy 6:3-5. He reminded the pastors and wives of the importance of God’s leaders remaining subject to the Lord, His Word and sound doctrine.

Catalyst Castillo read from 2 Timothy 4:1-8 and challenged pastors and their wives to “be faithful to what God has called us to be and do.” His wife, Silvia Tamez, ministered to pastors’ wives.

The feedback from the retreat was encouraging.  “Some told me it was too short. Others asked me when are we doing this again,” reported Castillo.

Mendez added, “Pastor William Garay of Iglesia Cristiana Nueva Creación in Deltona exclaimed that the retreat was fantastic! Pastor Carlos Mendez of Iglesia Bautista Anastasis in Deltona said he has never gone to a pastor’s retreat, but he loved this and was truly blessed. His wife, Elsie Mendez, called our director of missions and expressed her gratitude for the retreat; she is ready for next year’s.”

Patrick Coats, Florida Baptists’ East region catalyst, said he is “excited to partner with the East Central Baptist Hispanic Network and delighted and honored to have met the pastors and wives and fellowship with their families.”

Coats added, “It is great to see how we support one another in the Florida Baptist Convention and see our language churches working together.”

Castillo agreed, “There is no reason for Hispanic pastors and their wives to feel alone anymore.”

El encuentro se enfocó en el compañerismo, el descanso y la nutrición física y espiritual. También se enfatizó el construir una comunidad hispana en la Red Bautista Central Este que fomentará relaciones saludables y aumentará la visibilidad de las iglesias lingüísticas entre los bautistas de Florida.

“Queríamos que los pastores se relajaran en una atmósfera en la que pudieran ser ellos mismos”, dijo Misael Castillo, catalizador del ministerio a migrantes de los bautistas de Florida. “Reconocemos su arduo trabajo y queremos que sepan que no están solos en el campo”.

Castillo agregó: “Los hombres estaban ayudando a cocinar y se los podía ver sirviéndose unos a otros en un espíritu de camaradería y comiendo juntos”.

Los pastores y esposas tuvieron oportunidades de establecer contactos con compañeros ministros y participar en juegos desafiantes y sociales con helado.

Carlos Méndez, pastor principal de la Iglesia Nuevo Comienzo en Sanford, encabezó el retiro de pastores y esposas y explicó que la visión de la Red Hispana Bautista del Este Central comenzó a tomar forma en septiembre de 2023 cuando los pastores hispanos se reunieron en una mesa redonda para discutir el lanzamiento la red.

“Todos estaban de acuerdo con la idea de construir la confraternidad desde cero y poder participar en el proceso”, dijo.

El orador invitado al retiro Samuel Otero, de San Antonio, Texas, habló sobre el liderazgo espiritual basado en 1 Timoteo 6:3-5. Recordó a los pastores y esposas la importancia de que los líderes de Dios permanezcan sujetos al Señor, Su Palabra y sana doctrina.

El catalizador Castillo leyó 2 Timoteo 4:1-8 y desafió a los pastores y sus esposas a “ser fieles a lo que Dios nos ha llamado a ser y hacer”. Su esposa, Silvia Tamez, ministraba a las esposas de los pastores.

Los comentarios del retiro fueron alentadores. “Algunos me dijeron que era demasiado corto. Otros me preguntaban cuándo volveremos a hacer esto”, informó Castillo.

Méndez agregó: “¡El pastor William Garay de la Iglesia Cristiana Nueva Creación en Deltona exclamó que el retiro fue fantástico! El pastor Carlos Méndez de la Iglesia Bautista Anastasis en Deltona dijo que nunca había asistido a un retiro de pastores, pero le encantó y fue verdaderamente bendecido. Su esposa, Elsie Méndez, llamó a nuestro director de misiones y le expresó su gratitud por el retiro; ella está lista para el año que viene”.

Patrick Coats, catalizador de la región Este de los Bautistas de Florida, dijo que está “emocionado de asociarse con la Red Hispana Bautista Central del Este y encantado y honrado de haber conocido a los pastores y esposas y haber tenido compañerismo con sus familias”.

Coats agregó: “Es fantástico ver cómo nos apoyamos unos a otros en la Convención Bautista de Florida y ver a nuestras iglesias lingüísticas trabajando juntas”.

Castillo estuvo de acuerdo: “Ya no hay razón para que los pastores hispanos y sus esposas se sientan solos”.

Recently several Florida Baptist leaders traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, to speak and serve at the 2023 Ohio African American Fellowship.

Florida Baptist leaders included Jeffery Singletary, Florida Baptists’ Central region catalyst; Patrick Coats, Florida Baptists’ East region catalyst; Erik Cummings, Florida Baptists’ Black multicultural catalyst; and Zelvis Applin, pastor, South Hills Church, Wimauma.

“The experience was incredible.  I felt like the Lord was able to use my journey as a pastor who has served in various roles, the most recent being a church planter, to equip and bless those in attendance,” Applin said.

Reginald Hayes, convention relations-community leader for the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, agreed, saying that the gathering “helped in sharing and understanding techniques used in Florida that are most effective in urban areas.” The collaboration and ideas, he said, “galvanized best practices for planning, revitalizing and strengthening pastors and churches in urban communities.”

Cummings welcomed the opportunity to share with Ohio Baptist pastors. He said, “We can encourage each other to go beyond traditional practices as it relates to reaching and engaging diverse communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”  Floridians, he said, have long been familiar with diversity, and Ohioans are now seeing demographic shifts in their population. “These partnerships provide dialogue and strategy to be proactive in preparing to minister in changing times.”

Applin recalls a testimony from Ohio pastor Darryl Baker, who, though not knowing what to expect from the fellowship meeting, “felt encouraged as he realized that he and I were both ministering in suburban/rural contexts with diverse congregations.”

Returning home from the Ohio visit, Applin said he realized he was “part of something bigger than what’s happening in Wimauma, Florida. I am committed to assisting my Ohio brothers and churches in any way I can as we continue to build upon the established partnership between our two state conventions. We are truly better together.”

Collaboration between regional catalysts

Regional catalysts in Ohio recently have been matched with regional catalysts in Florida “to communicate better and collaborate for a more effective partnership,” said Jeremy Westbrook, Ohio Baptists’ executive director/treasurer.

“Now that our regional catalysts have been connected in both state conventions, we will begin to see momentum between the churches and catalysts as they partner for missions and revitalization efforts,” he said.

Hayes is optimistic about the partnership’s potential. Such a partnership, he said, provides “opportunities to strengthen communities by growing healthy churches,” and he commended Florida Baptist catalysts as “wonderful advisors with a wealth of information about how to organize, develop and build lasting evangelism models in communities.”

Cummings said he prays “that we will continue to have fruitful conversations and even possibly collaborate on combining our efforts to encourage like-minded church leaders across the country in the ever-changing landscape in which we all minister.”