Haitian, Hispanic, Black/Multicultural, and Asian-American Baptists each gathered to share a meal, connect in fellowship, and testify to how God is moving in their churches and communities.

Below are scenes from these gatherings.

LAKE WORTH—When Pastor Andy Vital and his wife, Deborha, packed up their belongings in New Jersey and drove toward an uncertain future in South Florida, they had no jobs, no savings for the journey—and no doubt that God had called them.

“We didn’t have enough money to make the trip,” Vital recalled. “But we knew God had said to go. And from the U-Haul rental the night before we left, to meals and gas money along the way, He provided through the kindness of friends—every single step.”

Now, four years later, the couple is preparing to launch Glory City Church in Lake Worth, a gospel-centered church plant focused on reaching Haitian Americans and young minorities in South Florida with a message of purpose and hope.

It’s a journey marked by faith, hardship and provision—and one that’s been made possible in part through the generous gifts of Florida Baptists to the Maguire State Mission Offering.

From loss to new life

The road to church planting hasn’t been easy. After arriving in Florida in 2020, Vital accepted a ministry role at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale—an unexpected opportunity that reaffirmed God’s provision. But as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the couple faced wave after wave of personal tragedy.

His wife’s father passed away in 2020, followed by her mother’s rapid decline due to dementia in 2021. Then, just before their son was born, her brother died suddenly in 2022.

“In America, we don’t talk much about the gospel of suffering,” Vital said. “But we’ve learned that joy and sorrow can live in the same house. Those years were difficult, but they also deepened our faith and our understanding of who God is.”

During a mission trip to London, Vital met Pastor Cliff McCray, pastor of Radiant City Church in Boca Raton, who became a mentor and sending pastor. Their meeting reignited the call to plant a church and laid the groundwork for the establishment of Glory City Church.

A vision for Lake Worth

Glory City Church exists to help people without purpose find meaning in Jesus. Strategically located in Lake Worth, the church seeks to serve a diverse and underserved community, with outreach efforts already underway before its official launch.

“The pressures of this generation—financial, emotional, societal—are real,” Vital said. “People are searching for meaning. We believe they can find it in the gospel.”

The church’s vision is focused on reaching Haitian Americans—especially second-generation immigrants who often feel culturally disconnected from both traditional Haitian churches and broader American congregations.

“We want to build a truly Haitian-American church that resonates across cultures and generations,” explained Vital, a second-generation Haitian. “Our goal is to offer a space where young people feel seen, known and called.”

Fueling the mission

Thanks to the generous gifts through the Maguire State Mission Offering, Glory City Church has been able to put its missional heart into action. “We are deeply grateful for your support and invite you to continue supporting us as we prepare for our outreach launch.”

Recent projects include a community backpack drive and the launch of a “care closet” at a local elementary school, designed to meet practical needs—like clothing, hygiene items, and school supplies—while offering prayer and encouragement.

“We’re working with the school and local partners like CarePortal to be present before we even launch,” Vital said. “We want people to know: the church is here, and we care.”

How to support Glory City Church

As part of this year’s Maguire State Mission Offering emphasis, Florida Baptists are invited to pray for and support new churches like Glory City.

Vital shared two specific prayer requests: that God would continue to bring a diverse and committed launch team—including seasoned saints who can offer wisdom—and that financial support would grow as the church prepares for its official launch.

On a personal note, he also asked for prayers for balance and wisdom as he and his wife parent their two young children, Ezra (3) and Hadasah (1), while planting a church from the ground up.

“More than anything, we want our family to enjoy the process and draw closer to Jesus through it,” he said. “This isn’t just about starting a church—it’s about transformation, one life at a time.”

Churches represented at the event spanned the state, from as far south as Miami to as far north as Panama City, all coming together to grow in faith, leadership and unity. This year marked the 10th annual gathering of the fellowship, continuing a tradition of cultivating cultural expression and spiritual enrichment within the Florida Baptist family.

“We are individually and collectively part of the Florida Baptist Convention as a whole,” said Erik Cummings, Black multicultural catalyst for the Florida Baptist Convention. “This has been an opportunity for cultural expression—a place where we can glean and grow in our various ministry contexts.”

A spirit of authentic worship

Each of the four main worship services centered on a different theme, with powerful messages delivered by respected pastors from across the country:

Pastor Parnell Smith, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Panama City, opened the gathering with a message titled “God Is,” setting a tone of reflection and hope. Pastor Larry Mouton, No Greater Love Baptist Church, Tampa, challenged attendees with a message on “The Just Shall Live by Faith.” Adron Robinson, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Chicago, brought insight into “The Paradox of Pastoral Ministry” during the Friday evening session. Stephen Rummage, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention, closed the event on Saturday morning with a timely word on “How to Pray When You Don’t Know How to Pray.”

Worship was led by David Ward of Durham, North Carolina, who guided attendees in heartfelt praise throughout the conference.

Fellowship and focused training

The fellowship offered more than just worship; it was a space of deep encouragement and equipping. Attendees chose from 12 intensive training classes designed to meet the needs of churches today, including sessions on stewardship and generosity, retaining new members, reaching college students and the next generation, worship leadership and music ministry, church administration, and women’s and men’s ministry development.

Morning breakouts and special events

Friday began with men’s and women’s breakfast gatherings designed to inspire and encourage. Kim Hardy, of Atlanta, spoke at the women’s breakfast on “Activating Your Yes.” Pastor C. Dwight Woods, Family of God Baptist Church,Panama City, challenged the men to lead faithfully in their homes and churches.

Florida Baptist Financial Services sponsored these breakouts and presented information on renovation projects and stewardship opportunities across the state.

A decade of impact

This year’s conference marked 10 years since the reintroduction of the fellowship in 2015, when it was started by Patrick Coats, former Black multicultural catalyst. Since then, the event has grown in size, scope and spiritual impact.

“I am so grateful for all the volunteers, speakers and everyone who made this event possible,” Cummings said.

As participants returned to their churches across Florida, they carried with them more than notes and material. They returned with renewed conviction to live out their faith authentically, every single day.

The minister equipping pipeline from the Florida Baptist Convention is a resource that any church, association or ministry network can use to mentor men called to ministry. And its creators say it’s a resource that is much needed and long overdue.

Patrick Coats, East region catalyst for the Florida Baptist Convention, said he started the equipping pipeline to help mentor those who sense God’s call to ministry. He said many of today’s churches no longer ask members if they have felt God’s call in their lives, as was done in the past.

“We wanted to help them understand their calling,” he said. “This connects them with mentors in the ministry so they can be guided to what God has called them to do.”

At the heart of the minister equipping pipeline are the “13 Core Essentials for Ministry Readiness.” These are subject areas that are taught to aspiring pastors to equip them for the ministry and give them an overview. And each of these is considered essential by many churches and senior pastors in search of pastoral candidates.

• The call
• What we believe
• Preaching and teaching
• Spiritual disciplines and discipleship
• Family and marriage
• Leadership
• Shepherding
• Multiplication
• God’s kingdom vision for pipeline ministry
• Church planting
• Stewardship
• Personal life and soul care
• Worship

‘Legacy’ in equipping ‘next generation’

Micah Whitley, who just completed his first year as pastor of Kingdom Covenant Church in Homestead, is one of the first four men to complete the pilot minister equipping pipeline program. He said the discipleship and stewardship components were standouts for him.

“I am very passionate about discipleship, and this gave me a reliable framework to develop this for my church,” he said. “The session on generosity and church finances really taught me how to approach this as a pastor. I didn’t have any of that background, and this provided tons of resources. My first year would have been very different without that, and not in a good way.”

The pipeline process calls for a variety of experienced pastors to teach each of these subject matters during weekly meetings that typically run about two hours. The total course lasts anywhere from 18 to 24 months, with some topics spread across multiple weeks. The pastor teaching each topic may do so in person or over a virtual call, making this program doable for churches big and small.

Coats said former Florida Baptist Executive Director Tommy Green and Micah Ferguson, director of Florida Baptists’ strategic initiatives, helped him develop the minister pipeline course. He started the pilot program about two years ago with four men that asked him to mentor them. All four were recognized for completing the pipeline process at the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting in November.

“All four of those guys that we equipped through this program have been placed in churches in two years’ time,” Coats said. “This was started here in Florida, but we don’t mind sharing it. I believe our legacy hangs on how we equip the next generation.”

Erik Cummings, Florida Baptists’ Black multicultural catalyst, is currently leading the second group through the course and is currently in the fifth of the 13 core essentials. He expects to begin a third group in the second quarter of 2025. The current group is made up of men ranging form early 30s to early 60s.

“The ministry pipeline is for men who have been identified by their pastors who have displayed a call to ministry,” Cummings said. “The cohort equips these men for ministry preparedness, in allowing them to see if their call is to vocational or lay ministry. Our prayer is that after engaging the pipeline, these men will go on to not only serve in the local church, but also engage further ministry training.”

For those who decide to pursue further ministry training, both the Baptist University of Florida and Florida Baptist Financial Services are providing scholarships to those who complete the pipeline course, Coats said.

‘Catching on like wildfire’

And while this minister equipping pipeline originally started with Coats in his former role as Black multicultural catalyst in Florida, it can be used by anyone who feels called to Baptist ministry.

“This originated because of a need in the Black multicultural space, but this is a need for every church,” Coats said. “There are associations and churches in networks that are not Black that are adopting this and running with this. It is catching on like wildfire. This is a problem that is statewide and nationwide.”

The National African American Fellowship (NAAF), a fellowship of more than 4,000 predominately African American churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, will begin using the program in January, and Coats said the Florida Baptist Convention is also partnering with Ohio Baptists on this.

Whitley said he would highly recommend the minister equipping pipeline program not only to aspiring pastors, but also to anyone who wants to better understand church leadership and how to support pastors.

“The number one benefit is the wisdom you obtain and the relationships you have the opportunity to develop while in the pipeline,” he said. “I know I have 10 or more current pastors who I can call on or lean on or ask for advice. That is tremendous for me as a new pastor. You also develop great relationships with those in your cohort who are going through the same things as you are. It helps you to see that you are not alone.”

ORLANDO- Florida Baptist diversity was on full display on Monday night’s dinner fellowships at First Orlando during the Florida Baptist State Convention annual gathering. Haitian, Hispanic, multicultural, and Asian-American Baptists gathered to fellowship and celebrate what God is doing in and through each of their churches. Below are scenes of these diverse gatherings.

Haitian Fellowship

Mimose Jules and husband Erik Jules, pastor of One God in Three Persons, worship during the Haitian Fellowship.

Retired pastor Luc Dominique worships alongside Haitian brothers and sisters during the group’s fellowship.

Asian-American Fellowship

Pablito Lucas (center), Asian-American multicultural consultant and Asian-American Baptists at the Florida Baptist State Convention.

Hispanic Fellowship

Hector Torres, the Spanish/discipleship pastor at Elevate Church, enjoys dinner with his daughter and wife at the Hispanic Fellowship dinner.

Eloy Rodriguez (sitting), Spanish pastor at Idlewild Baptist Church, catches up with Emanuel Roque (left), FBC Hispanic ministries catalyst, at the Hispanic Fellowship.

Multicultural Fellowship

Erik Cummings, multicultural catalyst for the Florida Baptist Convention, conveys diplomas on Baptist University of Florida graduates and honors retired pastors during the multicultural fellowship gathering.

Second-Chair Fellowship

Micah Fergurson, director of strategic initiatives for the Florida Baptist Convention, meets with second-chair cohorts gathered for a celebratory dinner.

How is God moving through the Sunshine State? Here’s your answer. Planting and revitalizing churches, reaching unreached people groups, baptizing new believers, ministering and witnessing during times of crisis–these are just a few of the Florida Baptist Convention’s 20 most-read stories in 2023.

1. Pastor Brings Churches Together to Revitalize First Baptist Fort Lauderdale

By David Moore, Oct. 13. 

FORT LAUDERDALE–Pastor David Hughes helped turn things around for what is now Church by the Glades decades ago, and now he and members of that church are working together to help revitalize First Baptist Fort Lauderdale.

2. Brazilian Church Plant in Delray Beach Reaches Haitians with Gospel

By Keila Diaz, June 2.

DELRAY BEACH— One-year-old church plant Brazilian Baptist Church is reaching not only Brazilians in the Delray Beach community, but also Portuguese-speaking Haitian families.

3. Baptist College of Florida Partners with Local Church to Launch Extension Campus

By Jessica Pigg, Aug. 9. 

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.

4. Southwest Florida Church Witnesses Unprecedented Number of Baptisms/Life Change

By Jessica Pigg, May 18.

NAPLES—April found herself searching for purpose and struggling to find direction. She had grown up attending church with her family, so she did an online search for Baptist churches near her and found First Naples. On January 23, after years of searching for purpose, April found life change.

5. Pastors to Be Nominated to Lead 2024 Florida Baptist Pastors’ Conference

By Margaret Colson, Oct. 2.

LUTZ­–Aaron Burgner will be nominated by fellow Florida Baptist pastor Alan Brumback to serve as president of the 2024 Florida Baptist Pastors’ Conference.

6. Church Replant Breathes New Life into Historic Community/Unites Local Churches

By Brooke Mannion, March 8.

PENSACOLA­–A new God story is unfolding in West Pensacola’s rich historic religious landscape. The Point Church Jackson Campus, a replant of West Pensacola Baptist Church, is breathing new life into the historic 12-acre campus, which had been “a foothold for the gospel” in the community for more than half a century.

7. Florida Baptists to Celebrate/Conduct Business at 2023 Annual Meeting

By Margaret Colson, Oct. 30.

LUTZ–Florida Baptists will gather to conduct business and celebrate churches working together to expand God’s kingdom when the 2023 Florida Baptist State Convention convenes at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz Nov. 13-14.

8. Horseshoe Beach Church Serves ss ‘Lighthouse’ for Community Amid Hurricane Devastation

By Jessica Pigg, Sept. 5.

HORSESHOE BEACH—Known as a laid-back, friendly fishing village, the quaint community of Horseshoe Beach found itself directly in the path of Hurricane Idalia’s 125 mph winds and 10-foot storm surge. The catastrophic devastation has left the fishing and boating community in pieces.

Picking up some of those pieces is Robin Hoffman. Hoffman’s family has owned a home in Horseshoe Beach since the early 1970s and is a longtime member of First Baptist Church Horseshoe Beach—the only local church within 20 miles.

9. ‘Incredibly Gracious and Big God’ Fuels Partnerships Between Churches/Regions

By Jessica Pigg, June 28.

FT. LAUDERDALE–The long, scenic miles across Alligator Alley could not hinder southwest Florida Baptist pastors from coming “right beside” Larry Brister, a pastor serving in Ft. Lauderdale.

10. Calvary Church Reaches Deaf Community for Christ

By Jessica Pigg, July 18.

CLEARWATER—For Ron Cooney, a specific church ministry originally brought his family through the doors of Calvary Church when he was 14 years old. As a child of a deaf adult (CODA), Cooney and his family were able to find a home at the Central Florida church. Now, years later, Cooney still calls Calvary Church home—as its executive pastor.

11. ‘God Has Showed Up and Showed Out’ for Worship/Youth Pastor

By Brooke Mannion, Oct. 15.

CRAWFORDVILLE–An excruciating cry of pain rang out through the worship center as Pastor Wayne Baker presented the altar call at First Baptist Church of Wakulla Station on Sunday, April 23. Baker quickly realized that Pastor Daniel Lloyd, worship and youth pastor, had fallen to the ground in debilitating back pain.

12. ‘I’ve Always Had a Love for Pastors’ Says Retiring Catalyst Gary Townsend

By David Moore, July 16.

Helping pastors and their churches was one of the things Gary Townsend enjoyed most about his role as north regional catalyst for the Florida Baptist Convention.

13. Monticello Church Marks 192nd Anniversary with Heritage Day Celebration

By David Moore, July 6.

MONTICELLO­–When Elizabeth Baptist Church in Monticello held its heritage day celebration recently, members and guests gathered to commemorate 192 years of history in various ways, which included:

Dedicating its new bronze plaque containing a handwritten replica of the church’s original constitution, now attached to the front of the church.
Honoring its historian and a couple of longtime, dedicated members.
Thanking its members for its status as one of the most generous Baptist churches in Florida.
Rejoicing in the baptism of a new believer.

14. UF Students Spend Spring Break on Mission in South Sudan

By David Moore, May 11.

GAINESVILLE–South Sudan in East Africa is not your typical spring break destination for today’s college students, but when the opportunity arose to go there on a mission trip, Emma Formet was all in.

15. Diverse Populations Unified in Christ at Crestview Baptist Church

By Teodosia Rivera, Oct. 10.

LAKELAND­–As David Renfroe celebrates his 20th anniversary as senior pastor of Crestview Baptist Church in Lakeland, the true celebration focuses on the more than 1,500 individuals­–representing dramatically diverse walks of life­–who have made professions of faith and been baptized over the past two decades at the Central Florida church.

16. Florida Baptists Come Together to Celebrate Victories, Look to Future During Challenge 2025 Gathering

By Margaret Colson and Keila Diaz, March 3.

ORLANDO­–Close to 1,000 Florida Baptists came together to celebrate victories and look to the future in reaching Florida’s 22 million residents with the gospel during the Challenge 2025 Gathering held Feb. 28 at First Baptist Church in Orlando.

17. Cloer Inaugurated as Seventh President of Baptist College of Florida

By Margaret Colson, April 26.

GRACEVILLE–The Baptist College of Florida inaugurated Clayton Cloer as it seventh president in a ceremony April 25 on the school’s main campus in Graceville.

18. Culbreth Retires, Credits God with Ministry Opportunities/Impact

By Margaret Colson, March 24.

JACKSONVILLE–After serving the Florida Baptist Convention, where he has “invested his life in the church,” for 25 years, Craig Culbreth, is retiring March 31, 2023.

19. Cooking up a Community that Glorifies God

By Brooke Mannion, June 1.

PENSACOLA­–Working late nights and serving the Sunday brunch crowd, restaurant workers can find it difficult to draw near to God, consistently fellowship with believers and receive encouragement to walk with Christ.

20. Chipola Churches Share Christ, Give Generously and Celebrate Milestone

By Brooke Mannion, Sept. 21.

MARIANNA–Smiles, singing, crafts, praising Jesus and learning about His love and sacrifice fueled the summer for churches in Chipola Baptist Association.

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.”

On Christmas Eve, for the first time in the church’s 48-year history, the congregation will be worshipping in its newly purchased property and facility in West Little River.

Under the leadership of Pastor Ricardo Moore, the church will be celebrating the purchase of its first home following a challenging journey that began in 2019.

The diverse congregation, consisting of government workers, young people, veterans, law enforcement officers and retired educators, rallied together in faith and determination to overcome various obstacles, including complex real estate market conditions and city permit issues.

Reflecting on this journey, Pastor Moore shared, “We were somewhat discouraged because the market in South Florida is misaligned to say it best. We started back in 2019 looking for a property, and we purchased a piece of property. We ran into some challenges getting permits from the city to operate as a church and were never able to meet in that building. It eventually had to be sold.”

The church then leased space in Opa-Locka, only to face the sale of the building in September 2023, which led the congregation to hold services temporarily at a school. The new location in West Little River resonates with the church’s history, as it closely mirrors the cultural and demographic makeup of its original community in Opa-Locka.

The church’s resilience and faith never wavered. Church leaders found the current location online, and after viewing it, quickly made an offer. Pastor Moore added, “This is my seventh year serving the church as pastor. We are set to close around the time I started, Dec. 20.”

Throughout this journey, Pastor Moore’s transparent leadership and commitment to prayer played a crucial role. “I was transparent and communicated clearly. I kept the truth in front of them, didn’t make false promises,” he explains. The congregation’s appreciation of this approach was evident, as they remained supportive and engaged.

The Florida Baptist Convention, particularly Al Fernandez, Southeast regional catalyst, provided crucial support. “Al reminded me that the Florida Baptist Convention will be there if anything were to happen to the church,” Pastor Moore recalls. This encouragement, coupled with a financial gift and a financially strategic move to pay cash for the new property, significantly aided their mission.

“Like the children of Israel, Saint Andrew Missionary Baptist Church was wandering the city of Opa-Locka without a permanent home for 48 years,” said Fernandez. “Through the generosity of Florida Baptist churches giving through the Cooperative Program, the convention was able to assist in helping this faithful church purchase its very first property. This is a testament to God’s faithfulness demonstrated through His people.”

Moore is grateful for the leadership of Fernandez.

“Al is just phenomenal. He is not just a regional catalyst; he is a dear friend to me and my wife. He is a prayer partner for me and a sounding board,” Pastor Moore shared. After a conversation with Fernandez, the church shifted from financing the new building to a cash purchase, utilizing profits from their first property sale, alleviating the burden of hefty insurance.

This new property and facility represent more than just a physical space; rather, they are a symbol of stability and a beacon of hope. The congregation’s generosity was pivotal, with a significant gift from a member catalyzing the initial property purchase.

Looking ahead, Pastor Moore envisions an active role in the community, including the establishment of a music academy for children, spearheaded by the church’s minister of music, who is also a music professor at Miami Dade College. “Through our evangelistic efforts, I hope we are led to see the need in the community and come up with ways to meet that need while pointing them to Jesus,” Pastor Moore stated.

This Christmas Eve, as Saint Andrew Missionary Baptist Church holds its inaugural service in its new home, church members not only will celebrate God’s faithfulness but also will focus on God’s leadership moving forward.

Aaron Burgner, State Board of Missions president, encouraged Florida Baptists to “keep working” as he focused on Luke 19:11-13. “Jesus is King,” Burgner proclaimed. The King, he said, has given us all the same resources while “He is away,” just as the king in the parable provided resources to his servants. Believers today have the resources of the Holy Spirit and Scripture. Florida Baptists “have good reason to engage,” he continued, because we have been changed, have been commanded and have a fertile field. Burgner, senior pastor of Lakes Church in Lakeland, concluded that the hope of Florida Baptists and all believers is that the King is returning.

During the State Board of Missions meeting, Tommy Green, Florida Baptists’ executive director-treasurer, proclaimed that the work of Florida Baptists is “unfinished,” as he focused on 2 Timothy 4:24. Calling on Florida Baptists to “rejoice in what God is doing everywhere,” he also focused on how to strengthen the work of the church in the present and future. There is a critical need for partnership, he said, explaining, “Isolation is never healthy for your church or your personal ministry.” Further, there is a critical nature of purpose. “Sometimes we need to show up and show up big,” he said, giving all for the glory of God. Finally, there is a critical necessity of priority, stating, “We must come together because the work is unfinished.”

Paul Purvis, Florida Baptist State Convention president, called on State Board members to focus on the kingdom of God: “We must do everything we can to help others experience the kingdom of God … to help others experience the joy of kingdom living … to expand the kingdom.” Purvis, senior pastor of Mission Hill Church in Tampa, announced the theme of the Nov. 12-14, 2023, Florida Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz will be “It’s Still the Kingdom.”

Financial snapshot

Florida Baptists’ financial report revealed that the Convention received a total of $29,180,689 toward the 2022 Florida Baptist Convention Cooperative Program budget. Of the total receipts, 51% was forwarded to the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee for distribution denomination-wide, and 49% was retained in Florida.

Board members learned that the year-to-date total for Florida Baptist CP budget receipts is $169,816 above projections. Additionally, during the first two months of 2023, Florida Baptists have given $4,363,974 in designated gifts.

The Board approved a distribution of 4% from the CP Endowment Fund, established in 2000 to create an income stream to supplement CP giving, to the convention’s 2023 CP budget.

After reporting that $939,238 was received for the 2022 Maguire State Mission Offering, the Board recommended a 2023 goal of $880,000, earmarked exclusively for the Florida Send Network for church planting. Florida Baptists are moving toward a Challenge 2025 goal of $1 million for the Maguire State Mission Offering in 2025.

The Board learned that a total of $27,817 was provided in financial assistance for 59 pastors January-February 2023.

Denominational matters

During the meeting, Florida Baptists’ State Board of Missions, acting ad interim on behalf of the Florida Baptist State Convention, unanimously approved a resolution March 31 expressing deep concern with the utilization of Guidepost Solutions or its subsidiary Faith Based Solutions in Southern Baptists’ sexual abuse response initiative.

The Board also approved a recommendation for the Florida Baptist State Convention to establish an affiliate relationship with the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention “for the primary purpose of training/resourcing Florida Baptist churches in the areas of child protection, abuse prevention and response.”

The affiliate relationship with ECAP is a “very positive and proactive step to help churches excel in abuse prevention,” said Green.

Personnel changes

The State Board of Missions approved numerous personnel changes, including new catalysts for the North and East regions of Florida. Following the March 31 retirement of Craig Culbreth as East region catalyst, the Board approved naming Patrick Coats to fill the position. Coats has served as Black multicultural church catalyst for Florida Baptists since 2017 in addition to serving in numerous other ministerial roles in Florida for close to 20 years. In anticipation of the retirement of North region catalyst Gary Townsend on June 30, 2023, the Board approved Florida Baptist pastor Phillip Herrington to assume the role. Herrington has served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Live Oak since 2005 and served the church as associate pastor of students and children 2000-2005.

Additionally, the Board approved the transition of the Board-elected positions of Black multicultural catalyst to a consultant/contract position, with Erik Cummings named to the role. Cummings will continue to serve as pastor of New Life Church in Carol City. The Board also welcomed Pablito Lucas to serve as Florida Baptists’ Asian-American multicultural consultant. Lucas will continue to serve as pastor of Philippine International Christian Fellowship in Lakeland. The Board also approved renaming the Hispanic and Haitian church catalyst positions to Hispanic and Haitian multicultural catalysts.

Other business

Board members learned that the Florida Baptist Convention signed on to an amicus brief with the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops in support of Florida’s current 15-week abortion ban which is being challenged in the Florida Supreme Court. The Florida Legislature is currently considering a bill that would ban abortion after six weeks gestation.

The Board approved the recommendation to change the official name of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes to One More Child. The name change requires affirmative votes by messengers at two consecutive Florida Baptist annual meetings.

The State Board of Missions will next meet Aug. 24-25 at the Baptist Building in Jacksonville.