Cooperating Ministries – Florida Baptist Convention https://flbaptist.org Mon, 08 Dec 2025 18:17:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://flbaptist.org/wp-content/uploads/cropped-FLBaptist-Icon-32x32.png Cooperating Ministries – Florida Baptist Convention https://flbaptist.org 32 32 Baptist University of Florida Celebrates Historic December 2025 Graduation https://flbaptist.org/baptist-university-of-florida-celebrates-historic-december-2025-graduation/ https://flbaptist.org/baptist-university-of-florida-celebrates-historic-december-2025-graduation/#respond Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://flbaptist.org/?p=69978 GRACEVILLE, FL —December 2025 — Baptist University of Florida (BUF), founded in 1943 and located in Graceville, Florida, celebrated a landmark achievement this week by conferring degrees on the largest graduating class in its history. The 2025 Commencement marked a milestone for the institution, with graduates representing students from the Spanish, French, and English programs, from certificate to graduate levels. 

This year’s diverse, multilingual graduating class reflects BUF’s expanding mission to prepare global Christian leaders. Students from South and Central Florida, along with Haitian, Hispanic, and English-speaking communities, gathered with family, friends, and distinguished guests to celebrate academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the advancement of Christian higher education.

“This historic class represents the heart and future of BUF,” said University President, Dr. Clayton Cloer, “Their accomplishments stand as a testimony to our founding vision and our continued commitment to train leaders who serve Christ around the world.”

Commencement ceremonies highlighted the growth of BUF Global initiatives and celebrated first-generation college graduates, ministry leaders, educators, and professionals equipped to serve in multicultural settings.

Baptist University of Florida extends its congratulations to the December Class of 2025 and looks forward to seeing them impact churches, communities, and nations with their calling and preparation.

For more information, visit www.buf.edu

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Florida Baptist volunteers among first responders in Jamaica’s long recovery https://flbaptist.org/florida-baptist-volunteers-among-first-responders-in-jamaicas-long-recovery/ https://flbaptist.org/florida-baptist-volunteers-among-first-responders-in-jamaicas-long-recovery/#respond Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:16:12 +0000 https://flbaptist.org/?p=69960

Florida Baptist Disaster Relief and Send Network remain committed to supporting recovery efforts in Jamaica following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. The Category 5 hurricane was among the most powerful storms ever to tear through the Atlantic.

Billy Ray, a retired international missionary and minister who attends First Baptist Church Wildwood, and JD James, a member of Central Baptist Church in Monticello, were among the first Florida Baptist Disaster Relief team members to set foot on the ground in Jamaica. Joining Send Network in partnership with the Jamaica Baptist Union, volunteers worked to repair roofs on local churches.

Pauline Dawkins-Cole, a member of First Baptist Church Orlando, was born in Jamaica. She and her daughter are serving with relief teams to bring restoration and hope to the community.

Local churches have become sources of hope and help for people who are displaced and without access to daily necessities such as clean water and food. Functioning as relief centers, churches are distributing food and supplies to community members.

“Finding materials and resources to rebuild and finding adequate housing and transportation have been a challenge, but God has provided for all of these things as we simply trust Him to provide and He has shown Himself faithful to us in providing what we have needed,” said Coggins.

As they work to repair damage at church facilities, Florida Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers also serve the people they encounter. “Being there for our brothers and sisters in Christ, listening to the stories of survivors, offering an encouraging word and providing physical help in the form of needed supplies are all important aspects of ministry after a disaster,” James said. Ministers serving with the Send Network team have also been able to preach at local churches, sharing the gospel message of hope.

The team has faced challenges due to widespread infrastructure damage. With only one main road open, heavy traffic has hindered progress. Volunteers leave their hotel at 5:30 a.m. and make multiple trips to transport team members between the hotel and the church. “Traveling in hurricane-affected areas is always challenging, but Jamaica brought it to a whole new level,” James said. “Our group had to turn around several times after hours of travel because roads were washed out or flooded.”

Supply chain disruptions have also made sourcing materials difficult, with many suppliers out of stock on construction items needed for repairs.

“After the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, Florida Baptist Disaster Relief was able to send an assessment team to work with Send Relief and International Mission Board to assess damages, talk with local leaders of the Jamaica Baptist Union and formulate a plan of assistance moving forward,” said David Coggins, state director, Florida Baptist Disaster Relief.

“Serving was a great reset for me,” James said. “It was amazing to see storm survivors praising God for their lives being spared. Instead of looking at all the material things they had lost, they were grateful for the gift of life.”

Florida Baptist Disaster Relief plans to maintain a presence in Jamaica through December and potentially into 2026. The primary goal is to help local churches reach a place of healing so they can continue serving those in need in their communities.

James encouraged others to pray, give and serve in the affected areas “even after the news stories end. This will be a long recovery in heavily impacted areas, with rebuilding continuing for years to come.”

Editors Note: To provide financial gifts to aid Hurricane Melissa response efforts, visit the FLDR giving page.

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Record-breaking financial distribution given to support retired Florida Baptist pastors and spouses/widows https://flbaptist.org/florida-baptist-retired-shepherds-fund/ https://flbaptist.org/florida-baptist-retired-shepherds-fund/#respond Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:00:55 +0000 https://flbaptist.org/?p=51385 JACKSONVILLE—This month, Rick Wheeler, president and chief executive officer of Florida Baptist Financial Services, signed the 2025 distribution of the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund to Mission:Dignity. Supporting nearly 300 retired Florida Baptist pastors and their spouses or widows, this year’s record-breaking amount represents the largest gift in the history of the fund—$278,285.41.

“On behalf of our board of directors, I am pleased to announce that this year’s gift from the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund represents the single largest gift we have been delighted to forward to these saints in need,” said Wheeler. “As a cooperating ministry of the Florida Baptist Convention, ‘Stewardship. Simplified. is constantly looking for ways to financially resource the many Great Commission causes of Florida Baptists.”

Through the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund, Florida Baptist Financial Services is able to partner with GuideStone’s Mission:Dignity to provide an extra check—a 13th check—to retired pastors and their wives or their widows in the Sunshine State, many of whom spent their entire lives in ministry, often serving at smaller churches which had smaller budgets and were unable to contribute toward any type of retirement fund.

“We are grateful to provide these funds from the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund. Together, we are truly making a difference in the lives of these heroes of the faith who have faithfully led and blessed Florida Baptist churches.”

Rick Wheeler
president and chief executive officer, Florida Baptist Financial Services

Aaron Meraz, director of GuideStone’s Mission:Dignity, immediately posted to social media his appreciation to Florida Baptists for this record-breaking financial gift.

“Mission:Dignity can’t say ‘THANK YOU’ enough to Florida Baptist Financial Services and Rick Wheeler. The generosity to these Florida recipients and those who served in Florida is truly an incredible blessing!”

Florida Baptist Financial Services has facilitated stewardship and generosity among Florida Baptists and has served as the charitable foundation of the Florida Baptist Convention since 1947. In 2022 Florida Baptist Financial Services began partnering with Mission:Dignity and GuideStone when the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund was launched following the sale of the Florida Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach. Since then, the total amount distributed from the fund has been more than $750,000.

“We are grateful to provide these funds from the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund,” said Wheeler. “Together, we are truly making a difference in the lives of these heroes of the faith who have faithfully led and blessed Florida Baptist churches.”

Across the nation, more than $9 million is distributed annually through Mission:Dignity, ensuring a well-deserved dignity and independence to those who have served faithfully in local Southern Baptist churches. Of the 2,700 individuals receiving assistance each year, approximately 60% of the recipients are widows. One of four is a pastor’s widow age 85 or older.

Wheeler said Mission:Dignity and the Retired Shepherd’s Fund are a natural channel to provide aid to those who deserve the highest honor as “heroes of the faith.”

In 2022 Rick Wheeler signs the paperwork to establish the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund.

“We stand on the shoulders of these wonderful heroes of the faith who have faithfully served churches across Florida,” he said. “What a joy it is to help meet their needs. May we be found faithful in our generation as they were in theirs.”

To participate in giving to the Florida Baptist Retired Shepherd’s Fund, please contact Florida Baptist Financial Services at 904-345-3222 or by email at rwheeler@floridabaptist.org.

For more information on assistance provided by Mission:Dignity for retired ministers, please go to https://www.guidestone.org/Mission-Dignity.

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Amendment 4 defeated: Florida Baptists lead the way in rejecting ballot initiative to expand abortion rights https://flbaptist.org/amendment-4-defeated-florida-baptists-lead-the-way-in-rejecting-ballot-initiative-to-expand-abortion-rights/ https://flbaptist.org/amendment-4-defeated-florida-baptists-lead-the-way-in-rejecting-ballot-initiative-to-expand-abortion-rights/#respond Wed, 06 Nov 2024 18:17:02 +0000 https://flbaptist.org/?p=48564 Working together, Florida Baptists took their beliefs to the polls and helped defeat Amendment 4, a ballot initiative that sought to loosen abortion restrictions across the state.

In early September, the State Board of Missions, acting on behalf of the Florida Baptist State Convention, approved a resolution related to Amendment 4, which was on the Nov. 5 statewide ballot. The resolution called on “Florida Baptist pastors to implore their congregations to mobilize and make their voices heard by voting against Amendment 4,” titled “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.”

Since that time Florida Baptists have worked tirelessly to rally as many Florida residents as possible to see the harm in this ballot initiative and to understand how rejecting it would positively impact life in the Sunshine State.

Advocating for the ‘voiceless’

“There will be countless precious little lives saved as a result of Amendment 4 being voted down. We rejoice in the fact that the abortion agenda does not move forward,” said Aaron Burgner, senior pastor of Lakes Church in Lakeland, and president of Florida Baptists’ State Board of Missions.

The rejection of Amendment 4 is an affirmation of life, believes Stephen Rummage, executive director-treasurer for the Florida Baptist Convention. Rummage expressed gratefulness for Florida Baptists’ in leading the way to defeat the amendment and in supporting pro-life efforts in the state through the years.

“I’m tremendously grateful for Florida Baptists in every regard with respect to Amendment 4. I’m thankful for pastors who have led the way to remind their congregations to vote–and to vote no on Amendment 4. I’m thankful for our State Board of Missions that adopted a resolution that stood strongly against Amendment 4. I’m thankful for Florida Baptists who went out and voted and made a difference for life in our state,” he said.

Burgner also affirmed Florida Baptists’ leadership in defeating Amendment 4. “We are grateful that God has chosen to use Christians to have an influence in our communities and our state. It is our holy calling to advocate for the voiceless.”

Both Rummage and Burgner agree that, although Floridians affirmed life in voting down Amendment 4, the battle is not over.

“We have to continue to be vigilant in standing for life. When Roe v. Wade was overturned, some people made the mistake in thinking that it was the end of the battle, and that’s obviously not the case. We have to continue to stand strongly for life. We have to continue to stand with those who are making a difference for life,” Rummage said.

Burgner added, “We still have a lot of work to do in this area to defend life. Churches must continue to stay on the frontlines of the battle for the sanctity of human life. While this is a huge win for the kingdom, until Christ returns, we will certainly continue to be engaged in the battle for life. Satan wants nothing more than to destroy all persons. But we know that our God is sovereign and on His throne, and we know that He cares for those babies more than we do, so we must continue to fight for righteousness.

“We must continue to pray and work diligently to defend life and do all that we can when given the opportunity to make truth known.”

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Florida’s vote to reject the significant advance of abortion rights in the state was the first abortion-related ballot initiative to fail. Because 60% of voters were necessary to amend Florida’s constitution regarding abortion rights, the 57% who approved the ballot initiative fell three percentage points short. Florida’s six-week ban on abortion will remain in place.

After Florida was the first state on Nov. 5 to affirm a pro-life stance, two other states—Nebraska and South Dakota—likewise affirmed pro-life stances just hours later. Another 14 states have passed ballot measures affirming or expanding abortion rights.

“My prayer is that Florida will lead the way for other states … and that other states will take the same direction that Florida has done in standing firmly for life,” Rummage said.

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Enmienda 4 derrotada: los bautistas de Florida lideran el camino en el rechazo de la iniciativa electoral para ampliar los derechos al aborto https://flbaptist.org/enmienda-4-derrotada-los-bautistas-de-florida-lideran-el-camino-en-el-rechazo-de-la-iniciativa-electoral-para-ampliar-los-derechos-al-aborto/ https://flbaptist.org/enmienda-4-derrotada-los-bautistas-de-florida-lideran-el-camino-en-el-rechazo-de-la-iniciativa-electoral-para-ampliar-los-derechos-al-aborto/#respond Wed, 06 Nov 2024 13:00:51 +0000 https://flbaptist.org/?p=48648 Trabajando juntos, los Bautistas de Florida llevaron sus creencias a las urnas y ayudaron a derrotar la Enmienda 4, una iniciativa electoral que buscaba relajar las restricciones al aborto en todo el estado.

A principios de septiembre, la Junta Estatal de Misiones, actuando en nombre de la Convención Estatal Bautista de Florida, aprobó una resolución relacionada con la Enmienda 4, que estaba en la boleta electoral estatal del 5 de noviembre. La resolución instaba a los “pastores Bautistas de Florida a implorar a sus congregaciones que se movilicen y hagan oír su voz votando en contra de la Enmienda 4”, titulada “Enmienda para limitar la interferencia del gobierno en el aborto”.

Desde entonces, los bautistas de Florida han trabajado incansablemente para movilizar a la mayor cantidad posible de residentes de Florida para que vean el daño de esta iniciativa electoral y comprendan cómo rechazarla afectaría positivamente la vida en el Estado del Sol.

Defensa de los “sin voz”

“Se salvarán innumerables vidas preciosas como resultado de la votación en contra de la Enmienda 4. Nos alegramos de que la agenda del aborto no avance”, dijo Aaron Burgner, pastor principal de la Iglesia Lakes en Lakeland y presidente de la Junta Estatal de Misiones de los Bautistas de Florida.

El rechazo de la Enmienda 4 es una afirmación de la vida, cree Stephen Rummage, director ejecutivo y tesorero de la Convención Bautista de Florida. Rummage expresó su agradecimiento a los Bautistas de Florida por liderar el camino para derrotar la enmienda y por apoyar los esfuerzos pro vida en el estado a lo largo de los años.

“Estoy tremendamente agradecido a los bautistas de Florida en todos los aspectos relacionados con la Enmienda 4. Estoy agradecido a los pastores que han liderado el camino para recordarles a sus congregaciones que voten, y que voten no a la Enmienda 4. Estoy agradecido a nuestra Junta Estatal de Misiones que adoptó una resolución que se opuso firmemente a la Enmienda 4. Estoy agradecido a los Bautistas de Florida que salieron a votar e hicieron una diferencia para la vida en nuestro estado”, dijo.

Burgner también afirmó el liderazgo de los bautistas de Florida en la derrota de la Enmienda 4. “Estamos agradecidos de que Dios haya elegido usar a los cristianos para tener una influencia en nuestras comunidades y nuestro estado. Es nuestro santo llamado defender a los que no tienen voz”.

Tanto Rummage como Burgner están de acuerdo en que, aunque los floridanos afirmaron la vida al votar en contra de la Enmienda 4, la batalla no ha terminado.

“Tenemos que seguir estando atentos y defender la vida. Cuando se revocó Roe v. Wade, algunas personas cometieron el error de pensar que era el final de la batalla, y ese obviamente no es el caso. “Tenemos que seguir defendiendo firmemente la vida. Tenemos que seguir apoyando a quienes están marcando una diferencia en la vida”, dijo Rummage.

Burgner agregó: “Todavía tenemos mucho trabajo por hacer en esta área para defender la vida. Las iglesias deben seguir estando en la primera línea de la batalla por la santidad de la vida humana. Si bien esta es una gran victoria para el reino, hasta que Cristo regrese, ciertamente continuaremos participando en la batalla por la vida. Satanás no quiere nada más que destruir a todas las personas. Pero sabemos que nuestro Dios es soberano y está en Su trono, y sabemos que Él se preocupa por esos bebés más que nosotros, por lo que debemos seguir luchando por la justicia.

“Debemos seguir orando y trabajando diligentemente para defender la vida y hacer todo lo que podamos cuando se nos presente la oportunidad de dar a conocer la verdad”.

Desde que la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos revocó Roe v. Wade en 2022, la votación de Florida para rechazar el avance significativo de los derechos al aborto en el estado fue la primera iniciativa de votación relacionada con el aborto que fracasó. Como era necesario el 60% de los votantes para modificar la constitución de Florida en lo que respecta al derecho al aborto, el 57% que aprobó la iniciativa de votación se quedó tres puntos porcentuales por debajo. La prohibición de seis semanas de aborto en Florida seguirá vigente.

Después de que Florida fuera el primer estado el 5 de noviembre en afirmar una postura pro vida, otros dos estados, Nebraska y Dakota del Sur, también afirmaron posturas pro vida apenas horas después. Otros 14 estados han aprobado medidas electorales que afirman o amplían el derecho al aborto.

“Mi oración es que Florida muestre el camino a otros estados… y que otros estados tomen la misma dirección que Florida ha tomado al defender firmemente la vida”, dijo Rummage.

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Thomas Kinchen, president emeritus of Baptist University of Florida, dies https://flbaptist.org/thomas-kinchen-president-emeritus-of-baptist-university-of-florida-dies/ https://flbaptist.org/thomas-kinchen-president-emeritus-of-baptist-university-of-florida-dies/#respond Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:15:24 +0000 https://floridabaptist.wpengine.com/?p=46286 Pictured above: Thomas Kinchen, retiring as 30+ year president of Baptist University of Florida, thanks students and alumni for their support through the years during alumni breakfast at Florida Baptist State Convention gathering in 2022.

GRACEVILLE – Thomas A. Kinchen, president emeritus of the Baptist University of Florida (formerly Baptist College of Florida), died Thursday, Jan. 11, of pancreatic cancer. He retired from the school in December 2022 after 32 years as its president.

His tenure was the longest of any person serving as president of the same Southern Baptist institution of higher education.

Founded in 1943, BUF trains and develops Christian leaders for the church and marketplace through offering 19 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The college is a cooperating ministry of the Florida Baptist State Convention, and it operates campuses in Graceville, Central Florida and Miami.

In 1990 when Kinchen was called to lead the college, “He inherited an organization experiencing declining enrollment and with the mandate that if things did not change, the college would likely close within 18 months,” according to a resolution adopted by messengers to the 2022 Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Pensacola.

“When I arrived, I thought that the first two words in the name of the school were ‘Poor Old,’” Kinchen recalled.

“When I bragged about what was going on, I was cautioned not to brag on a poor little school in a tiny town in rural Florida. What folks did not recognize was that I was bragging on a mighty God in heaven who had initiated and supported this unique school.

“I have sought to face the challenges by never letting the school be defined by what we are not, but by what we are.”

The school did not close; instead, it grew tremendously over the decades of Kinchen’s leadership.

“BUF is asking our faithful Lord to provide love, comfort, and support for the Kinchen family,” the school posted on social media. “Please join in praying and supporting the Kinchen family. We grieve Dr. Kinchen’s passing but rejoice in our great hope of eternal life for him through the Lord Jesus.”

Tommy Green, Florida Baptist Convention executive director-treasure posted: “Dr. Kinchen was a friend to Florida Baptists, and his impact and influence in Christ continue across Florida and to the nations!”

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann; two children, Alexander (Gretchen) Kinchen, church planter in Lexington, Kentucky, and Lisa Ann Kinchen, former adjunct professor of music at BUF; and six grandchildren.

Visitation will be Sunday, Jan. 21, from 2 until 5 p.m. CST, at Damascus Baptist Church in Graceville, where Kinchen was a member, Sunday school teacher and deacon.

Celebration of life service will be Monday, Jan. 22, at 1 p.m. CST, also at Damascus.

The family asks that any monetary donations be given to Damascus Baptist Church in memory of Kinchen for the construction of a family life center, 5083 Hwy. 77, Graceville, FL 32440.

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More than 50 Florida Baptists receive academic scholarships https://flbaptist.org/more-than-50-florida-baptists-receive-academic-scholarships/ https://flbaptist.org/more-than-50-florida-baptists-receive-academic-scholarships/#respond Tue, 15 Aug 2023 12:00:14 +0000 https://floridabaptist.wpengine.com/?p=44571 More than 50 Florida Baptists have received $1,000 scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year through a cooperative effort between Florida Baptist Financial Services and the Florida Baptist Convention.

The Florida Baptist Pastor’s Theological Education Scholarship was established in April 2022 at the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions meeting, and this year’s recipients are the second group to be awarded the scholarships.

“We are excited to partner in providing resources for theological education to Florida Baptists. The calling out of the called is critical for the advance of the gospel. It is a blessing to share in the equipping of the called for ministry. The generosity of Florida Baptists provides tangible encouragement to those preparing for ministry,” said Tommy Green, Florida Baptists’ executive director-treasurer.

“It is a blessing to share in the equipping of the called for ministry. The generosity of Florida Baptists provides tangible encouragement to those preparing for ministry.”

Tommy Green
Executive director-treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention

Rick Wheeler, president/CEO of Florida Baptist Financial Services, added, “Through the generosity of our board members, we were once again able to offer these scholarships from the Florida1Fund. While life and ministry can be difficult at times, we want to make it as easy as possible for Florida Baptist pastors and their immediate family members to be equipped as they fulfill God’s call to serve the church. We were delighted to receive so many words of thanks and gratitude from the scholarship recipients, and we are honored to serve them in this way.”

Among this year’s 50-plus recipients is Aaron Chan, assistant pastor at River City Baptist Church in Jacksonville and church planter at the Hope Church of Mayport in Jacksonville.

“As a church planter, personal finances are often tight and unpredictable. As a church planter who is also a fulltime seminary student, paying for a theological education is just another addition to the stress that I face daily. I am so thankful for the Florida Baptist Pastor’s Theological Education Scholarship. The generosity of so many through this scholarship truly makes a difference to me and my family, and it allows me to care for my family and my church in an even greater way,” Chan said.

Chan has two more semesters before earning a master of divinity degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Seana Reavis, wife of Josh Reavis, associate pastor at North JAX Baptist Church, is a second-year recipient of the scholarship. She is studying to attain a master of theological studies degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

“I have been serving in ministry alongside my pastor husband for nearly 18 years and have long prayed about the opportunity to receive seminary training. As a mother of three growing children, receiving this scholarship means that I won’t have to defer taking seminary classes as it removes some of the financial barrier that parents often have for further education,” she said.

“My prayer is that this degree program will strengthen and further equip me to effectively teach and serve at the church where my husband is a pastor.”

Garrett Johnson, worship pastor at Mandarin Baptist Church in Jacksonville, said he “began sensing God expanding my calling to other areas of ministry. God has been using me and my family to meet the needs of our faith family in ways I most certainly wasn’t anticipating early on in ministry!”

He and his wife, Alejandra, felt that “pursuing a seminary degree was something God was leading me to, but yet again, things didn’t quite make sense or add up, especially financially. But having seen God come through in the past made us believe He will provide again. So, we jumped in!”

Still, as due dates for tuition payments drew closer, the couple began to feel financial pressure “that we might not be able to make certain ends meet, or that it might have just been an unwise time.”

Johnson learned about the scholarship opportunity and quickly submitted his application. “As He always does, the Lord shows up with what we were

“As He always does, the Lord shows up with what we were needing! He is a faithful God and will always provide for what He calls us to!”

Garrett Johnson
Worship pastor, Mandarin Baptist Church, Jacksonville

needing! He is a faithful God and will always provide for what He calls us to!”

Expressing gratefulness for the scholarship, Johnson said, “I believe that God wants to use this next season of life to train and prepare me for what He has in store for me serving His church.”

Johnson is beginning his seminary journey this semester, pursuing a master of arts in ministry leadership degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Scholarship applicants must be actively serving, or be an immediate family member of one who is actively serving, in an ordained pastoral role within a Florida Baptist church for at least one year and must also be pursuing a ministry-focused degree through a Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated college or seminary.

The deadline for applications for the 2024-25 academic year will be in June 2024, and scholarships may be renewed for up to two years.

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Baptist College of Florida partners with local church to launch extension campus https://flbaptist.org/baptist-college-of-florida-partners-with-local-church-to-launch-extension-campus/ https://flbaptist.org/baptist-college-of-florida-partners-with-local-church-to-launch-extension-campus/#respond Thu, 10 Aug 2023 12:00:22 +0000 https://floridabaptist.wpengine.com/?p=44550 Pictured above: Calvary Church facility purchased for Calvary College use.

CLEARWATER– The Baptist College of Florida recently has announced a partnership with Calvary Church in Clearwater to launch a new extension campus slated to open in August 2024.

Named Calvary College, the campus will strive “to change the world through the unchanging word by providing excellent, Christ-centered higher education to our students,” said David Rice, director of operations for the extension campus.

“A school has great sending power when partnerships are harnessed and resources are leveraged to the end that the nations be reached.”

Clayton Cloer
President, The Baptist College of Florida

Such a partnership furthers the mission of The Baptist College of Florida, led by its seventh president Clayton Cloer.

Convinced that “college students need to be educated with a Christian worldview in order to stand for Christ in our communities, churches and the world,” Cloer believes that Florida Baptists have a responsibility and opportunity to educate and shepherd students.

In a recent interview, Cloer said that he is looking forward to “partnering with Florida Baptist churches to train the next generation of pastors, missionaries and Christian leaders. A school has great sending power when partnerships are harnessed and resources are leveraged to the end that the nations be reached.”

At Calvary College’s launch, students will experience an in-person learning environment with options to take online courses through the school’s main campus in Graceville.

“The ‘pioneer class’ of Calvary College is prepared to receive 150 students as new enrollees in August 2024,” said Rice. “Moving forward we have the resources to accommodate whatever increase God chooses to trust with us.”

In addition to receiving a distinctively Baptist education, “Calvary College students will be invited to participate fully in the life of Calvary. … Students will have access to our Florida Baptist ministry partnerships around our region, state and world,” said Rice.

“Opportunities for preaching and teaching, worship and production, generational ministries, missions, education and even business and psychology will be made available to all Calvary College students as a part of their collegiate experience.”

Calvary Church “comes to this partnership with an open heart,” Rice said. With a churchwide emphasis on “building relationships to bring people to dynamic life in Christ,” the church is excited to “participate in Jesus building His kingdom by raising up His champions for generations to come until His return.”

The church has recently purchased a 30,000-square-foot facility adjacent to its main campus for Calvary College to serve the needs and expansion of training and equipping the next generation through education.

“Florida Baptists are very blessed,” said Rice. “God has given us so much in people, land, buildings and other resources. Let’s bring everything we’ve got to the table in order to magnify the glory of Jesus. … Let’s work until the glory of Jesus covers our state.”

“Florida Baptists need and deserve a great, distinctively Baptist university. The system that Dr. Cloer is building is going to serve Florida Baptists well while creating a new paradigm for higher education among our people.”

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Baptist College of Florida to launch Miami Campus in August https://flbaptist.org/baptist-college-of-florida-to-launch-miami-campus-in-august/ https://flbaptist.org/baptist-college-of-florida-to-launch-miami-campus-in-august/#respond Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:44:20 +0000 https://floridabaptist.wpengine.com/?p=44514 MIAMI— On August 14 the Baptist College of Florida will launch its Miami campus located in the Southeast Regional Center of the Florida Baptist Convention.

The Miami campus will offer classes in English, Spanish and French to effectively meet the needs of pastors ministering in the multicultural and multilingual South Florida context.

The new campus launch is part of newly elected college president Clayton Cloer’s vision for BCF. His vision over the next five years is to have BCF’s full program of study, currently offered at the main campus in Graceville, also available at the South Florida campus. That includes offering music, worship, education and psychology degrees at the Miami campus.

Baptist College of Florida“We want to make it so that any and every Florida Baptist who wants a higher education will have it available to them,” Cloer told a group of South Florida pastors when he originally presented his plan to open a BCF campus in Miami. His plan to make this happen involves forming dual-enrollment partnerships with Christian high schools, developing a program in which all classes are available online, and launching sites across the state.

When classes begin on August 14, the Miami fall semester course schedule will include general education, biblical and theological foundation, and theology classes. Some classes will be taught in person by local professors while others will be connection classes taught by professors in Graceville and broadcast to students in Miami.

The group of local professors include pastor Javier Sotolongo of Iglesia Bautista Estrella de Belen, pastor Jose Saint Hilaire of Eglise de la Grande Commission, pastor Seneque Saintil of Emmaus Haitian, and pastor Evens Jules of Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church of Delray Beach.

The number of students enrolled is not yet available as applications are still being accepted, said registrar Stephanie Orr.

Keeping in step with the school’s chapel tradition, the Miami campus will also observe chapel service every Monday and Tuesday, 10:30 – 11:20 a.m. Services are broadcast on Facebook Live and through the college radio station, WFBU – 94.7. Chapel services are led by faculty members, local pastors or other invited guests of the BCF president.

A complete list of courses to be offered at the Miami campus can be found here. For applications visit baptistcollege.edu/apply. For a list of scholarships and financial aid forms visit baptistcollege.edu/financial-aid-forms.

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Baptist College of Florida inaugurará campus en Miami en agosto https://flbaptist.org/baptist-college-of-florida-inaugurara-campus-en-miami-en-agosto/ https://flbaptist.org/baptist-college-of-florida-inaugurara-campus-en-miami-en-agosto/#respond Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:40:51 +0000 https://floridabaptist.wpengine.com/?p=44509 MIAMI— El 14 de agosto, el Baptist College of Florida (BCF) inaugurará su campus en Miami ubicado en el Southeast Regional Center de la Convención Bautista de Florida.

El campus de Miami ofrecerá clases en inglés, español y francés para satisfacer de manera efectiva las necesidades de los pastores que ministran en el contexto multicultural y multilingüe del sur de la Florida.

El lanzamiento del nuevo campus es parte de la visión del recién elegido presidente de la universidad, Clayton Cloer, para BCF. Su visión para los próximos cinco años es tener el programa de estudio completo de BCF, que actualmente se ofrece en el campus principal en Graceville, también disponible en el campus del sur de la Florida. Eso incluye ofrecer títulos en música, adoración, educación y psicología en el campus de Miami.

“Queremos lograr que todos y cada uno de los bautistas de Florida que quieran una educación superior la tengan disponible”, dijo Cloer a un grupo de pastores del sur de Florida cuando presentó originalmente su plan para abrir un campus de BCF en Miami. Su plan para que esto suceda consiste en formar asociaciones de inscripción dual con escuelas secundarias cristianas, desarrollar un programa en el que todas las clases estén disponibles en línea y lanzar sitios en todo el estado.

Cuando las clases comiencen el 14 de agosto, el programa de cursos del semestre de otoño de Miami incluirá clases de educación general, fundamentos bíblicos y teológicos y teología. Algunas clases serán impartidas en persona por profesores locales, mientras que otras serán clases de conexión impartidas por profesores en Graceville y transmitidas a estudiantes en Miami.

Baptist College of FloridaEl grupo de profesores locales incluye al pastor Javier Sotolongo de la Iglesia Bautista Estrella de Belén, el pastor José Saint Hilaire de la Eglise de la Grande Comisión, el pastor Seneque Saintil de Emmaus Haitian y el pastor Evens Jules Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church of Delray Beach.

El número de estudiantes inscritos aún no está disponible ya que aún se aceptan solicitudes, dijo la registradora Stephanie Orr.

Siguiendo el paso con la tradición de la capilla de la escuela, el campus de Miami también observará el servicio de capilla todos los lunes y martes, de 10:30 a. m. a 11:20 a. m. Los servicios se transmiten en Facebook Live y a través de la estación de radio de la universidad, WFBU – 94.7. Los servicios de la capilla son dirigidos por miembros de la facultad, pastores locales u otros invitados del presidente de BCF.

Puede encontrar una lista completa de los cursos que se ofrecerán en el campus de Miami aquí. Para solicitudes, visite baptistcollege.edu/apply. Para obtener una lista de becas y formularios de ayuda financiera, visite baptistcollege.edu/financial-aid-forms.

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