Florida’s churches lead nation in baptisms for 2007

LEESBURG (FBC)—Florida Baptist churches baptized 38,303 new believers in 2007, more than any other Southern Baptist state convention, reported David Burton, director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s Evangelism Division.

“Praise the Lord for the way God has used Florida Baptists this past year,” he added.

Florida’s record number was produced by combining 32,928 baptisms reported by Florida Baptist churches with 5,375 baptisms recorded by churches in Haiti.

Since 1995, Florida Baptists have supported a partnership with Haitian Baptists by establishing the Confraternite’ Missionaire Baptiste d’Haiti (CMBH). The Convention employs six indigenous directors of missions and a director of ministry to give structure and help strengthen the 700 Baptist churches there. As a result, the state convention counts selected statistics of Florida-supported church-type missions in Haiti.

Coming in behind Florida in the number of baptisms was the Baptist General Convention of Texas which baptized 36,279 new converts in 2007. Rounding up the top five are: Georgia Baptist Convention, 31,581, Tennessee Baptist Convention, 29,209; and Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, 24,971.

Among Florida Baptist churches, Flamingo Road Church in Ft. Lauderdale led the state, baptizing 833 people. First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland was second with 607 baptisms. Others in the top five are: Church by the Glades in Coral Springs, 519; Orlando First, 405; and Idlewild in Lutz, 377.

Burton recognized other leaders in the state, including the 1,708-member Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City, which baptized 303 people; and the 742- member Crestview Baptist Church in Lakeland, which reported 184 baptisms.

Forty-seven of Florida Baptists’ 2,811 churches baptized more than 100 persons in 2007. “This should be a goal that many churches set in their sights, which is very reachable and attainable if the correct energy, focus and disciplines take place,” said Burton.

“We praise the Lord for the commitment level they have,” said Burton. “This shows that pastors and people who have a great vision and heart can produce a great deal for the Kingdom.”

Statistics are gathered from the Annual Church Profile, a statistical summary compiled from reports of individual churches, for the 2006-2007 church year.

Another measure Southern Baptists use to define the health of a congregation is the baptism-to-resident member ratio, which determines how many members it takes to reach a person for Christ. Statewide, it took 23 resident members to produce one baptism.

Florida Baptist churches with 1-to-1 ratios—meaning that one person was led to Christ for every resident member—include the 100-member Kings Way Community Church in Homestead, which reported 238 baptisms in 2007; the 231-member Palm Coast Community with 162 baptisms; and the 175-member New Vision Emmanuel in Miami with 220 baptisms.

The 112 members of Celebration Church in Valrico produced 54 baptisms, for a 2-to-1 ratio. Nine Florida Baptist churches had a 3-to-1 ratio.

“One-on-one we must be about asking God to send people our way and give us the spirit of boldness to have the opportunity of sharing Christ with them.”

Burton cautions Florida Baptists to not be content with the current baptism statistics. “We have so much more to do,” said Burton. “It’s sad to know that we led the nation with only 38,303 baptisms. We can do better and this nation can do better. We as Florida Baptists must do all that we can do to share Christ.”

“It is a commitment from the pastor and the people to follow the Lord’s command and fulfill the Great Commission,” said Burton. “Let’s be reminded that all our churches could always do better in being intentionally aggressive and un-apologetic in sharing the Good News of Jesus.”

Among those baptized in Florida, 8,173 persons were between the ages of 30 and 59, representing 30 percent of baptisms reported. Baptisms among youth, ages 12 to 17, totaled 5,353; and among 9-to-11 year olds, 3,794 were baptized.

Burton said this pointed out the need to “reach and win students for the Lord. By getting your students out on the streets inviting their friends, you will allow leaders the privilege of sharing the good news with them and seeing many of them come to know Christ.”