A one-time announcement of special events is a free service provided by the Witness to Florida Baptist churches. Please send materials at least three weeks before the date of the event, to Florida Baptist Witness, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207, fax 904-346-0696 or submitted using our online form. Items received after deadline may appear in our exclusive on-line version.

APALACHEE

Poplar Head Baptist Church, Clarksville, will mark its 120th anniversary in a two-day celebration June 4-5. A fellowship will begin Saturday at 5 p.m. followed by music by Buddy Smith and the Rivertown Girls. Visiting former pastors will be honored in the Sunday 10 a.m. service. Local talent will entertain after lunch. For more information, call 850-674-4201.

GREATER ORLANDO

Oak Level Baptist Church, Ocoee, will honor Walter M. Fowler May 15 on his 35th anniversary as pastor. While serving as pastor, he also served on the State Board of Missions, Greater Orlando Baptist Association and as chaplain with the Ocoee Police Department. A former associate pastor, Chris Lybarger, pastor of Rima Ridge Baptist Church in Ormond Beach, will preach and sing in the 9:30 a.m. service. For more information, call 407-656-1523.

JACKSONVILLE

Highlands Baptist Church will celebrate its 50th anniversary May 14-15. A fellowship and barbecue will begin Saturday at 2 p.m.  On Sunday, John Sullivan, executive director/treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention will speak and One Hope will sing in the 11 a.m. service. For more information, call 904-751-3500.

MARION

First Baptist Church, Ocala, has called Jeffrey M. Ayers as associate pastor of discipleship. He and his wife, Marie, and two children will move to Ocala from Warner Robins, Ga., where he served First Baptist Church of Centerville as minister of education, outreach and senior adults. He is a graduate of Mercer University, Georgia State University and Psychological Studies Institute, all in Atlanta, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently in the D.Ed.Min. degree program at NOBTS.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA

First Baptist Church, Callahan, is offering DivorceCare, a support group for those experiencing divorce and separation. Meetings are Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. until Aug. 3. For more information, call 904-879-2172.

PASCO

Pasco Baptist Association, with offices in Land O’ Lakes, has called John Kuespert as director of missions. He is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently in D.Min. studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C. He served as a church planter in New England nine years and was director of missions of the New Hampshire Baptist Association 11 years. He and his wife, Melissa, have three children.