Florida Fellowship NewsFellowship NewsFellowship News A publication of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida

2013 Second Quarter - Volume 23, Number 2

The Spring Celebration held in Jacksonville

at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, April

25-27, said much about us who call

ourselves Cooperative Baptists in Florida.

It was a superb meeting. Both the Clergy

Conference that began on Thursday and

the Spring Celebration, which started

Friday afternoon and ended Saturday

afternoon, were exceptional.

I offer these observations:

1. Our mission efforts together are making

a difference. Karen Alford from Bayshore

Baptist Church is simply inspirational.

Karen serves in Indonesia as a nurse

practitioner. The work she does makes a

difference for people who do not have

easy access to health care. A portion of

the annual CBF Florida Missions Offering

goes to her and allows CBF Florida to claim

her as one of us.

Wanda Ashworth-Valencia from Open

House Ministries in Homestead and Angel

Pittman from Touching Miami with Love

were present and shared the challenges of

working in their communities to bring

change. We heard about missions in Cuba

and the Caribbean. The impact of our

mission endeavors goes further than what

any one church could do.

2. CBF Florida is a diverse extended family.

Our extended family helps us to have an

identity and place of belonging outside of

our immediate family, which is our church

family. Gatherings like the Spring Celebra-

tion give us time to be inspired, meet new

people, and be encouraged that much of

what we support is beyond our immediate

scope. God is working through others we

are related to by beliefs and by history.

Our extended family is growing, maybe

not always as fast as we wish, but growing

nonetheless. Barry Wright from Destiny

Ministries and Susan Rogers from The Well

at Springfield are pastors in new church

starts. Their success is critical to the

growth of CBF Florida. I was amazed to see

so many women, so many seniors, and

particularly women who understand that

they have a place of high regard in CBF

Florida.

3. Training and preparation are necessary

for reaching a world that is rapidly

changing. Natalie Aho, a social media

expert, shared that we are not going back

to a simpler time where print media ruled

the day. We are connecting to others with

smart phones, computers, and tablets. We

are redefining what it means to be com-

munity. The present and the future

require that we increase our skills in

marketing, technology, and communica-

tions. Our websites are not as good as

they should be. We need to grow in our

ability to use social media. We cannot hide

our heads in the sand and pretend the

Internet is going to go away. The people

who spend the most time online are

seniors and teenagers. Sixty-nine percent

of adults are online; 95% of teenagers.

4. We have outstanding leadership in CBF

Florida. Dr. Ray Johnson has been serving

CBF Florida as Coordinator for over six

years. His leadership is shaping who we

are. The new church starts, our commit-

ment to missions, the Stetson Baptist

Collegiate Fellowship and the partnerships

in the Caribbean and Cuba are a direct

reflection of Ray recognizing opportunities

(Continued on page 3)

Destiny Ministries Choir led by Barry Wright (far right), pastor

My Spring Celebration Experience By Gary McCall

Photo by Tim Rucci

It’s time to make plans to attend General Assembly

Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Pre-Register. It’s free and fast to sign up for the Assembly. You can register at the CBF website at: www.thefellowship.info/assembly/preregister.

Once you’re registered, you’ll receive updates and information about special events and opportunities. If you are attending the Assembly as a family, register your kids and learn more about the Preschool, Children's and Youth Assemblies at: www.thefellowship.info/assembly/family.

Step 2: Make your travel arrangements. If you are taking air transportation into Greensboro, you’ll fly in and out of the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO). Planning to drive to Assembly? The Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons is located at 3121 High Point Road in Greensboro. If you’re traveling by train, book your ticket to Amtrak’s Greensboro (GRO) station at www.amtrak.com.

Step 3: Book your hotel room.

For your convenience and comfort, the 2013 General Assembly will be hosted and held under one roof. CBF has partnered with the Sheraton Greensboro Hotel (www.sheratongreensboro.com) at Four Seasons to create a centralized Assembly experience. The CBF room rate is $120 per night. To reserve your room, call (800) 242-6556. Make sure you request the CBF General Assembly group rate.

Go to the CBF website at www.thefellowship.info/assembly for more detailed information on the 2013 CBF General Assembly.

Page 2 www.floridacbf.org Florida Fellowship News

Florida’s Cooperative Baptists contributed more than $42,880 to

the state’s 2012 Annual Missions Offering. The offering, which

was received over the course of a year, is divided equally

between ten different mission causes.

Four recipients include the ministry projects of CBF field person-

nel who are from Florida: Karen Alford

(serving in Indonesia from Bayshore

Baptist Church in Tampa), Mike and

Brenda Harwood (serving in Haiti from

North Stuart Baptist Church), Don and

Barbara Pearson (serving in Ethiopia

from College Park Baptist Church in

Orlando), and Missy Ward (serving in

Uganda from Merritt Island).

Other ministries that received more

than $4,200 each were Touching Miami

with Love, Open House Ministries, CBF

Florida’s new church starts fund, and

Stetson University’s Baptist Collegiate Fellowship. For Stetson’s

BCF the funds helped send 30 students to LaPlace, Louisiana

where more than 500 homes were declared uninhabitable

because of Hurricane Isaac’s damage.

The Pat and Carolyn Anderson Cadet Scholarship Fund also

received more than $4,200. That fund, when fully endowed

($20,000), will provide income to pay the summer stipend for

young leaders from Open House and Touching Miami with Love.

Each leader will have grown up in the ministry of OHM or TML

and as a cadet they will help lead the centers’ summer camp

programs.

The 2012 Annual Missions Offering

theme, Above and Beyond, was designed

to inspire Cooperative Baptists in Florida

to envision having an impact upon the

state and the world that was beyond

imagining. So, for the first time in a

number of years, the offering supported

mission causes beyond the borders of

Florida. The Cooperative Baptist Fellow-

ship of the Bahamas received $2,100 to

provide educational materials for children

and to repair churches damaged by

previous years’ hurricanes. In Cuba,

mission pastors will be provided with bicycles through CBF

Florida’s partnership with the Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention.

The 2012 Annual Missions Offering has concluded. Now, the

2013 Annual Missions Offering has begun. For updated infor-

mation on this year’s offering, watch CBF Florida’s webpage,

www.floridacbf.org.

Floridians donate $42,000 to 2012 Annual Missions Offering

By Ray Johnson

Open House students face their fears and learn how to swim.

(Continued from page 1)

for CBF Florida and making sure resources such as money, time, energy and

focus were available.

Rachel Gunter Shapard will soon celebrate one year as the Associate Coordi-

nator. She was instrumental in planning the details of the Spring Celebration.

What a great job she has done and what a wonderful team she and Ray make

along with Marti Edwards and Pat Herold.

Hendricks Avenue hosted us well. Christi Matteson, the Moderator, gave

enormous time and energy to make sure all went well. Rachel Jeyaseelan, the

Director of the Baptist Collegiate Fellowship at Stetson, was present with

several students sharing their mission efforts over spring break in LaPlace, LA.

5. We welcomed Suzii Paynter, the new Executive Director of CBF National, to

Florida as a friend and new partner. Suzii is down to earth, knows how to

laugh at herself, and has extensive history with CBF. She is taking time to get

to know CBF people all across the United States. She is visiting state and

regional CBF groups and churches. She will be an important spokesperson and leader for CBF National. What she does first will be

watched closely as it will reflect her priorities. She needs our prayers.

What could be better? Maybe someone can find something that could have been done differently. I was seeing so much good

happening I did not notice anything else. God is at work in the life of CBF. Those who attended the Spring Celebration felt a special

sense of God’s presence and knew it was a marking point for CBF Florida to celebrate God at work in and through us.

Florida Fellowship News www.floridacbf.org Page 3

Meet Holly Johnson: A conversation with a young Baptist leader

Why Cooperative Baptists? As a young woman in seminary, I find it is easy to feel discouraged. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s stance on women in ministry has helped me feel affirmed and validated as a woman seeking to answer God’s call.

What’s playing on your iPod these days? Gungor, Brooke Fraser, Adele, Mumford & Sons

Who was instrumental in your being called into Christian ministry? My parents have been and continue to be the most influential people in my life. They have provided me with a wonderful example of what it means to serve God in all that we do, and have been my biggest supporters in my decision to go to seminary. While I was serving as a Student.Go intern at Open House Ministries in Homestead, Wanda Ashworth-Valencia helped me to see that my calling is a life in ministry.

What was it about your home church that helped you hear God’s calling? I was very lucky to be a part of a very strong, mission-oriented, youth group that provided many opportunities for us to get involved in the community around us. I feel that God has been prepping me for a life in ministry since I was about 14, and that is in great part due to the support of the leadership in my home church.

What are your plans for ministry when you finish your degree? I am working on a dual degree with a Master of Divinity and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During my internships and studies, I have noticed a gap within communities of lower socioeconomic status when it comes to mental health. I hope to use my degrees to serve in areas where there are few opportunities for community members to receive coun-seling.

The best part about seminary for you is . . . I am just starting my seminary experience, but I thoroughly enjoy the level of community established among the students. I have enjoyed getting to know my peers, and learning about their callings and what they are passionate about.

If you could give any advice to someone who is considering going to seminary, what would you say? Get the booklist in advance, and start reading! It can be easy to get discouraged -- remember that the God who called you will sustain you and keep you. Connect with your classmates who understand what you are going through to find support in the challenging moments.

Natalie Aho, Workshop and Clergy Conference Leader

Photo by Tim Rucci

Karen Alford, (left) CBF field personnel with Florence Robinson,

FBC, Ft. Myers

From left to right Rachel Shapard (Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church), Ouida Wyatt (FBC, Vero Beach) and Judy Henderson (FBC, Vero Beach)

Wanda Ashworth-Valencia

OHM

Jean-Paul Calixte Parkview Baptist Church

Gainesville

Pat Herold from CBF Florida assisting John McIntosh with registration.

Page 4 www.floridacbf.org Florida Fellowship News

Photography by Tim Rucci (www.timrucci.com)

Great Time at the 2013 Spring Celebration in Jacksonville

Captain Dennis Andrews (left) and

Kevin Collison, pastor at Island View,

Orange Park

Mark and Sarah Groves Deermeadows Church

Suzii Paynter, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Executive Coordinator

Florida Fellowship News www.floridacbf.org Page 5

Photography by Tim Rucci (www.timrucci.com)

Great Time at the 2013 Spring Celebration in Jacksonville

Susan Rogers - Church Planter The Well at Springfield

From left to right, Gary Skeen, Ron Rooks, Karen Rooks and Karen Alford

Mary Lois and Tom Sanders exchanging pleasantries Karen Heistand, CBF-endorsed chaplain and member at Hendricks Avenue

Robert Pruette, Breanna Howell and Rachel Jeyaseelan Baptist Collegiate Fellowship, Stetson University

Chuck Gates, HAB Volunteer

Christ Journey Church (formerly University Baptist Church) in Miami began with

a mission to reach the nations. Church founders envisioned a community of faith

that would “make North and South America one in the bonds of love.” The

people of Christ Journey now seek to carry that mission forward as they

embrace their community and the nearly 150 nations of the world that are

represented therein.

Previously in this series it has been noted that mission matters, no matter how

large or small a community of faith may be. Christ Journey Church is no excep-

tion. The congregation has two physical locations with an average of 2,000 each

week in attendance, and 700 participating weekly through their church online. In

2012, over one million in actual dollars and gifts-in-kind were given; 290,000

meals were provided; 120 people traveled outside the U.S., and 683 volunteers

served in Miami to offer hope to the poorest of those in the city and around the world.

An event created three years ago, entitled CityServe, is one specific way in which the people of Christ Journey participate in local

missions. On several Saturdays throughout the year, church and community members come together to give back to Miami by

choosing to serve at one of four sites. On one occasion last fall, participants chose between a beautification project at Mount

Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, various outdoor tasks at Florida Baptist Children’s Home, church improvement projects at Christ

Journey, and several construction jobs at Touching Miami with Love. “CityServe creates a way for all of our members to get on

mission,” said Chris Lane, Missions Coordinator at Christ Journey Church. “From the youngest child to the elders of the church,

there is an appropriate place for everyone to get involved.”

Page 6 www.floridacbf.org Florida Fellowship News

CBF FLORIDA FINANCIAL SUMMARY January - April 2013

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

IndividualGifts

ChurchGifts

2012Annual

MissionsOffering

Actual Budget

Thank you for the gift!

To the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida, an anonymous gift in memory of Felix T. Ziegler.

To make a contribution to CBF Florida, visit www.floridacbf.org, or mail to P. O. Box 2556, Lakeland 33806.

Employment Opportunities

Bayshore Baptist Church (Tampa) Children's Ministry Director

Part-time, permanent position for individual with early childhood education background to implement the cur-riculum and coordinate volunteer staffing for children's religious education program at Bayshore Baptist Church in Tampa. Program addresses children ages birth through fifth grade, Sunday morning and Wednesday evening program, plus annual events such as Vacation Bible School and summer camp. Responsibilities include sup-port to parents and collaboration with church's on-going outreach activities. Position is supported by a part-time assistant. 24 hours weekly. Contact Dr. Chris Cadenhead, 813-253-3411 .

Cross Creek Baptist Church (Pelham, Alabama) Senior Pastor

Cross Creek is located just south of Birmingham. The church is seeking resumes from pastoral candidates who would lead the church in facilitating creative liturgical worship services, pastor the church body, encourage transformational ministry efforts and recognize the value of self-care. Send correspondence to Pastor Search Com-mittee, 600 Crosscreek Trail, Pelham, AL 35124 or pastorsearch@crosscreekbaptist.org .

Small . . . Medium . . . Large: Doing missions in a large church The third of three articles on missions and church size

By Rachel Gunter Shapard

Members of Christ Journey Church minister at TML through CityServe.

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida 2013 Representative Assembly

Officers Christi Matteson Moderator Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church (Jacksonville)

Rubén Ortiz Moderator-elect La Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana (Deltona)

Ron Rooks Treasurer Bayshore Baptist Church (Tampa)

Gary McCall Secretary Community Presbyterian Church (Celebration)

Greg Magruder Past Moderator Parkview Baptist Church (Gainesville)

Florida Fellowship News www.floridacbf.org Page 7

Panhandle Representatives

Ken Boutwell (Tallahassee)

Ned Couey (Pensacola)

Andy Creel (Monticello)

Dawson McQuaig, Jr. (Tallahassee)

Hazel Rosser (Tallahassee)

NE Florida Representatives

Jean-Paul Calixte (Gainesville) Kevin Collison (Orange Park) Sara Holladay-Tobias (Jacksonville) Laurie McDonald (Jacksonville) Thomas E. Sanders (The Villages) Lynn Williams (Gainesville)

East Central Representatives

Dianne Forrest (DeLand) Garth Jenkins (DeLand) David Medley (Orlando) Don Pratt (Eustis) Ramona Reynolds (Orlando) Sally Rivera (Deltona)

West Central Representatives

Alberto Bent (St. Petersburg) Phil Miller-Evans (St. Petersburg) Lyn Payne (Lakeland) Aubrey Smith (Tampa) Bud Strawn (St. Petersburg)

South Florida Representatives

Paula Carroll (Stuart) John Daugherty (Ft. Myers) Greg Gackle (Miami) Hiram Henderson (Vero Beach) Allan Mitchell (Venice) Ouida Wyatt (Vero Beach)

CBF Florida Representative Assembly: Have you considered serving?

Each year a new slate of CBF Florida Representative Assembly (RA) members is elected to serve a three-year term. Representatives are nominated from each of CBF Florida’s six districts with an equal ratio of male and female, laypersons and clergy. To be eligible to serve, a person must either donate to CBF Florida or be a member of a church that does so.

What is required of RA members? The responsibilities and expectations are: 1. Attend the two bi-annual meetings of the Representative Assembly (generally

held on the first Friday and Saturday of March and November). 2. To the extent possible, RA members are encouraged to cover their travel and

hotel expenses for RA meetings. 3. Serve on at least one ministry team each year. 4. Serve as an advocate in one’s local church for the Cooperative Baptist Fellow-

ship, both the national and the Florida community.

Greg Magruder, Pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Gainesville and the former moderator of CBF Florida, has served on the RA for several years. About his expe-rience of serving CBF Florida, he says, “On a personal level, I have made friend-ships that will last. The camaraderie, the laughter, and the give-and-take of crea-tive minds has made me appreciate the work and ministry of CBF. I have had the opportunity to travel, meet missionaries and leaders from around the world, and to struggle and share in the nuts and bolts operations of a growing organization. But most importantly, I have grown spiritually. To be a part of a group that leans on the Holy Spirit to develop and expand the Kingdom of God is humbling and rewarding. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve on the RA.”

Ray Johnson, CBF Florida’s Coordinator, recognizes Christi Matteson for her service as the 2013 Representative Assembly Moderator during the Spring Celebration.

Florida Fellowship News is published quarterly by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida, Ray Johnson, Coordinator. P. O. Box 2556, Lakeland, FL 33806-2556. Postage paid at Jack-sonville, Fla. Phone (863) 682-6802. Toll free (888) 241-2233. Fax (863) 683-5797. CBF-Florida’s e-mail address is contact@floridacbf.org; Web address is www.floridacbf.org. A COPY OF

THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE: 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

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Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida

Serving and connecting churches and individuals in their calling to be the presence of Christ

2013 Second Quarter Issue

Contact CBF Florida at:

P. O. Box 2556

Lakeland. FL 33806-2556

217 Hillcrest Street

Lakeland, FL 33815

Toll-free 888•241•2233

Email:

contact@floridacbf.org

Website:

www.floridacbf.org

Staff

Ray Johnson

Coordinator

Rachel Gunter Shapard

Associate Coordinator

Marti Edwards

Administrative Assistant

Newsletter Editor

Pat Herold Financial Secretary

Doing missions in a large church (Page 6)

Meet Holly Johnson (Page 3)

CBF General Assembly (Page 2)

2013 CBF Florida Spring Celebration Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church

Jacksonville (Pages 1, 3, 4 and 5)