Church Services Division

The Church Services Division desires to aid churches with "foundational ministries" that are not always focused on, "but are indispensable for the work of Christ," said Glen Owens, division director, in a videotaped report shown at the 145th annual Florida Baptist State Convention Meeting.

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During the presentation, Owens introduced the division's department directors and explained how each help Florida Baptists to be good "stewards" of God's gifts.

The Stewardship Department, led by Clarence Hackett, has programs to help churches deal with money and budgeting "so that we are good stewards of that which God has entrusted to us," said Owens.

Brenda McCollum, an attorney, is director of Strategic Endowed Giving. "We also should be good stewards of that which we accumulate," said Owens, "Brenda helps us to understand that we can make those plans that go even after our physical earthly existence is over."

The Annuity Promotion Department director, Gary Townsend, "helps ministers and churches as they tend to maximize what they are paying their staff," said Owens.

Owens concluded the presentation with a focus on the importance of Cooperative Program giving. "Plans are being developed to further tell the story of how God has used the Cooperative Program as the channel of financial support that reaches into the entire world," said Owens. "We want to do our very best in telling the story of what God has done with Southern Baptists."

Evangelism Division

Evangelism Division Director David Burton highlighted the "Celebrate Jesus" events that took place the prior weekend in his live report Tuesday afternoon Nov. 14 and encouraged church messengers to focus on saving the lost close to home.

At the "Celebrate Jesus" events in Fort Myers, 95 professions of faith were made. "It shows that when people are active and intentional in showing their faith things happen," said Burton.

Included in his presentation, Burton aired a video that showed a need for Florida Baptists to be Christian witnesses close to home by featuring interviews with Fort Myers residents.

"As a state convention and individual churches we need to come to a fresh understanding and burden, realizing that over 13 million spiritually lost people live in Florida," said Burton.

The Florida Baptist Convention was ranked second in the number of baptisms among Southern Baptists, behind Texas, this year, Burton reported. Though Texas "greatly outnumbers Florida in number of churches and membership," Burton suggested that Florida could surpass them in baptisms in the coming year.

"It would be my desire as evangelism director for the Florida Baptist Convention to see at least 200 additional churches baptize 50 or more [people] this coming church year," said Burton.

Language Division

Frank Moreno, new director of the Language Division, focused on "Changing lives to change the world" in his video report seen in the Tuesday afternoon session of the Florida Baptist State Convention meeting in Fort Myers.

"Missions is no longer a matter of crossing the seas or of going to the ends of the earth," said Moreno. "We can reach the world in our own communities."

The Language Division staff, said Moreno, is comprised of individuals from 10 different countries and reflects the state's diversity. He hopes that the division will partner with the many additional language and cultural groups in the state.

The video also highlighted testimonies from Jose Vega, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Hispania Deermeadows in Jacksonville, and Jedaias Azevedo, pastor of Primera Igneja Batista Brasileirna in Orlando. They spoke to the importance of having churches that relate to people on a cultural level.

Moreno concluded his report, charging Florida Baptists to "seize the moment by preaching the Gospel to those who have come to our state from all over the world."

Missions Division

In the 2006 Mission Division video report, Division Director Cecil Seagle concentrated on the question, "What would it take for God to reveal His glory, restore His power and re-insert us in the harvest field?"

Seagle pledged his staff's intention to "do whatever it takes. We're committed and surrendered to harvest-field ministry," said Seagle.

In his annual report, Seagle emphasized the many ways in which Florida Baptists are engaged in spreading the Gospel.

"We accomplish this major and massive assignment through camps, vacation Bible schools, block parties, worship and celebration, Sunday School, life groups and cell groups as well as sharing one-to-one the life-changing, life-shaping Gospel of Jesus Christ," said Seagle. "That is, in fact, what life in Him is about."

Church Development Division

"Passing the Baton" was the theme of the Church Development Division video report which centered on how the division leaders will continue to work diligently for churches in Florida after retiring Division Director Jim Chavis "passes the baton" to the new Division Director Bob Bumgarner.

In a roundtable discussion, department directors Bill Carmichael, John Boone, Mark Stephens and Bob Mounts discussed with Bumgarner the needs of Florida churches in the upcoming year, highlighting the need for teamwork, theological education and disciple-making.

Bumgarner concluded the report by speaking to Florida Baptist churches.

"As I think of you, small church, changing community, church on the edge of growth and pastor, it is important that you know there are a group of guys who want to come alongside you," said Bumgarner. "The race is too long to run it alone, let us be part of your relay team."

African-American Division

In a video report to Florida Baptist messengers, Maxie Miller, interim director of the African-American Ministries Division, said offering cutting-edge material in ministering to African-Americans in Florida has been a focus for the division.

"We do this in several ways," said Miller. He added, "Through starting churches in predominantly African-American communities to reaching African-Americans wherever they may exist and incorporating them into any local church desired, and also through the training of African-Americans."

The video featured testimonies from Timothy Bennett, pastor of New Beginnings Christian Faith Center in Miramar; Eric Cummings, pastor of New Life Baptist in Carol City; Gary Crawford, pastor of Westside Baptist in Gainesville; and David Middlebrooks, pastor of Harvest Baptist in Gainesville.

Each shared African-American ministry issues in their areas. "I would encourage Florida pastors to ask for God's heart on the matter and then how to carry out a vision to meet needs in other areas of the community," said Crawford.

Addressing Convention messengers, Miller stated that he and his staff are ready to assist Florida churches in reaching African-Americans in their communities.