State Convention unveils 150^th anniversary 'logo mark'

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Seeking to capture the spirit, focus and diversity of Florida Baptists drove the development of a unique logo mark designed for the Florida Baptist State Convention’s 150th anniversary.

Illustrating the anniversary theme, "Celebrating Heritage and Hope," the logo mark features individuals of differing ages walking toward a stylized globe with a cross graphically positioned in the center of the world.

The logo mark also includes 19 language translations of the phrase, "Jesus Loves You," one for every language spoken in Florida Baptist churches.

The mark will be used extensively during a yearlong emphasis in 2004 when the Florida Baptist State Convention observes its 150th anniversary since being founded in Madison on Nov. 20, 1854.

The theme "Celebrating Heritage and Hope" was selected by the 30-member 150th Anniversary Committee, which has worked for the past two years to develop plans for the anniversary celebration.

Don Hepburn, director of the public relations division, Florida Baptist Convention, explained that the logo’s globe and the cross represent Florida Baptists’ commitment to take the Great Commission to their state and the world.

"The Florida Baptist State Convention was founded in 1854 to unite the then 13 Florida Baptist churches to cooperate in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this frontier territory known as Florida. The state convention founders saw their corporate formation as a missionary endeavor.

"When producing the logo, we had several key concepts in mind. We wanted to speak to both Baptist and non-Baptist audiences and to identify ourselves as a Christian people. And as we stressed our mission orientation, we sought to reflect the diversity of our language and culture and people of all ages. And finally, we wanted to say enthusiastically ‘we are a family of Florida Baptists.’"

The use of the 19 languages saying "Jesus Loves You," demonstrates the ethnic diversity of Florida Baptists, said Hepburn. "The members of 600 of the 2,707 churches speak a language other than English. I think that would have been unimaginable to our founders. But it is to the glory of God that an organization was established that could become that dynamic. As a result, one of the anniversary’s objectives is to help Florida Baptists to thank God for the numerous and varied blessings we have experienced individually and corporately."

Hepburn added, "We used the phrase, "Jesus Loves You," because of its simplicity. It will speak to the youngest among us and yet has profound meaning to the most seasoned Christians. And when you get right down to it, that phrase reflects Florida Baptists’ heritage for the past 150 years and their collective hope to share for future generations.

Florida’s $9 billion-a-year citrus crop influenced the selection of the logo’s colors of lime green and yellow, complemented with navy blue. "We wanted to use a color scheme that reflected freshness and appeared to be bright and lively," said Hepburn. "We wanted the logo to have a tropical Florida appeal. Also, the yellow globe portrays the Florida sunshine!"

Throughout the next 12 months, the logo will be displayed on exhibits, business cards, Web site, publications, books, stones and place markers.