Sharing the News:

A weekly publication of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida

November 14, 2018
In This Issue:
Two Things to Know in CBF Florida Life
Touching Miami with Love Day and Thanksgiving
 

Thing One: Support Touching Miami with Love on Thursday, Nov. 15!

Tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 15) is "Give Miami Day." CBF Florida's very own Touching Miami with Love is one of the many organizations that benefit from this one day of giving through The Miami Foundation. Join me in giving to TML tomorrow, particularly from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., when the organization that raises the most money during that time gets a $1,000 bonus. What a great way to support one of CBF Florida's mission partnerships and to say thank you for the lives that are being transformed through our missionaries in Overtown and Homestead. To give to TML during Give Miami Day, simply click on the logo above or click here.

Thing Two: Thank you, Cooperative Baptists!

I don't have to tell you that Thanksgiving Day is next week. I probably don't even have to tell you that CBF Florida's office will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the holiday. What I must tell you, though, is that I am thankful for you!

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida is not the Four Fragile Freedoms. We are not our ministries or our mission work, nor are we our budget or our governance structures. We are our churches. We are our individual supporters. In a word, we are you! We are friends and family who work together, pray together, share together, worship together, give together, fellowship together. We go out into our neighborhoods and our world together.

All of that is a marvelous thing, for Jesus said that when two or three of us are together in his name then he is in our midst. So thank you, Cooperative Baptists, with whom I share so much of my life in Christ! I am thankful that I have been in the presence of Jesus with you this year in Orange Park and Orlando, in Uganda and The Bahamas, in Dallas and DeLand, in Marianna and Miami, in Cocoa and Gainesville, in Decatur and the Dominican Republic, in St. Petersburg and St. Augustine.

I am thankful to live this life together with you, Cooperative Baptists!

Ray Johnson
Coordinator, CBF Florida and the Caribbean Islands

Invitation to Pray
As you take time to pray this week, you are invited to remember the following concerns in the CBF family:  
  • Pray for the families and communities of the Panhandle of Florida who are suffering following the destruction of category 4 Hurricane Michael. Pray too for those who are working to restore power and communications, as well as those who are bringing comfort and aide to the victims of the storm.
  • Sharon Jewett, the wife of Doug Jewett, who has been in treatment for recurrent cancer. We celebrate that Sharon received good results on her most recent tests and scans.
  • Join CBF Florida in giving thanks for Rev. Al Lawson, who was recently called as the new pastor for Brownwood Baptist Church in The Villages.
  • Pray for the following churches as they search for new senior pastors: First Baptist Church of Gainesville, First Baptist Church of Cocoa, Riverside Baptist Church (Jacksonville), and South Venice Baptist Church.
  • Pray for Joe Boronat, a former youth pastor for Ray Johnson. Joe has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.
25 YOUNG ADULTS TO KNOW

If you know a college student or college-aged person to nominate for CBF Global's 25 Young Adults to Know, please do so. We know there are plenty of young adults in Florida who are making a difference in their church and community, so let's honor them! Pastors/ministers are invited to fill out the nomination form.  https://cbf.net/25-leaders-to-know
 
A WHISPERING CALL
I am happy to announce that my new book of on the Old Testament, A Whispering Call, is now available online at Amazon.  It has been a labor of love for the last four years.  It is based on a sermon series I preached over an 6-month period in 2015 at Trinity Baptist Church.
 
I hope that you will take time to check it out and consider purchasing a copy for you or your family.  It also makes for a great Christmas gift!
 
Each essay explores an aspect of the Old (or "first") Testament and the stories that make up the great drama of God's redemption from the earliest pages of Genesis to the advent of Jesus Christ.  It is good for general readers, students of the Bibles, small-group studies, and church leaders.  It is an easy read for personal devotions but thorough enough for deeper Bible study.

Florida PASSPORTkids!

CBF Florida is partnering with Passport Camps to bring PASSPORT kids  to Florida again this summer.  PASSPORTkids will be held at Stetson University in DeLand on June 12- 15, 2019 . PASSPORT kids  is 4-day, 3-night children's camp for children who have completed 3rd - 6th grade, filled with fun, faith-building programming and hands-on missions education. 
 
At camp, your children will discover God's love and practice being followers of Jesus through an active schedule of Bible study, missions education, recreation, and worship. Group leaders will be able to focus on engaging with children as they explore their faith without the burden of planning and logistics. Plus you will get to be at camp with other CBF Florida churches and get to know members of our CBF family. To see the PASSPORTkids camp promotional video, click here.
 
What to expect:
  • Safe, Structured Environment
  • Hands-On Mission Education
  • Developmentally Appropriate Programming Rooted In Scripture
  • Intimate, Low-Pressure Experience Aimed At Equipping Children For A Lifetime Of Faith
  • Mentorship and Pastoring By Young Christian Women & Men
  • Ability To Tailor Experience To Your Group's Needs
We hope you will consider being a part of the PASSPORTkids Florida site this summer. Passport Camps has been a partner organization of CBF Florida's for many years, during which they have provided a meaningful camp experience to many CBF Florida-affiliated churches. Save the date on your calendar now and help us promote the camp by inviting other children's ministry leaders from your community. 
 
For more information on Passport Camps, click here.

Mission Madness 2019

Mission Madness 2019 is a weekend retreat for youth groups interested in mission service, worship, fellowship and fun. Youth currently enrolled in grades 6-12 are invited to participate. Hendricks Avenue Baptist will serve as the event host. This year's theme will be Seeking Transformation. One of the highlights of this weekend will be the hands-on mission experience that students will participate in all day on Saturday. The cost is $75/person. Feel free to invite other churches from your area to attend. Save the date and plan to participate! 

Lodging - Local Jacksonville churches are planning to do a "Disciple Now" style lodging at people's homes. Out of town attendees can check with Rachel regarding possible lodging at local churches or book lodging at the Wyndham Garden (4660 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256) for $89.00 a night. Contact Maureen at 904-562-5946 by January 25, 2019 to reserve your room. After January 25th the $89.00 per night rate cannot be guaranteed. If a cancellation must be made, please do so 24 hours prior to arrival to avoid being charged. 

Contact Rachel at rshapard12@floridacbf.org for more information.


Birthday Celebrations
Happy birthday to all of the following CBF field personnel, chaplains, counselors and church planters!

Wednesday, November 14
  • Katie Anderson, Louisville, KY (Chaplain)
Thursday, November 15
  • Elizabeth Eaton, Fredericksburg, VA (Chaplain)
  • Marcia McQueen, Eden, NC (Chaplain)
  • David Simmons, Harrisburg, PA (Chaplain)
  • Eric Whitfield, Round Rock, TX (Chaplain)
Friday, November 16
  • Anita Snell Daniels, Emeritus (Field Personnel)
  • Edwin Hollis, Odenville, AL (Chaplain)
Saturday, November 17
  • Elizabeth Thompson, Littleton, CO (Pastoral Counselor)
  • Cade Whitley, France (Child of Field Personnel)
  • Dylan Whitley, France (Child of Field Personnel)
Monday, November 18
  • Elaine Greer, Frankfort, KY (Chaplain)
  • Jody Long, (Staff Georgia)
  • Kristin Long, Richmond, VA (Pastoral Counselor)
Tuesday, November 19
  • Will Kinnaird, Keller, TX (Chaplain)
  • T. Nancy Cox, Gerogetown, KY (Chaplain)
Wednesday, November 20
  • Chuck Christie, Loganville, GA (Chaplain)
  • Kevin Park, Bellingham, WA (Chaplain)
  • Steven Porter, (Staff Decatur)
  • Dean Vonfeldt, Marietta, GA (Chaplain)
Prayers of the People

Ministry in the Middle East 
Middle East 


CBF field personnel serve in the Middle East and, due to the dangerous areas where they live and rising levels of persecution against Christians, their identities must remain anonymous. Their work is to plant churches, lead Bible studies, disciple new believers, focus on education and leadership development in local congregations as well as to facilitate a variety of vital programs and ministries to children, women and migrants. Serving alongside local partners, they also provide life changing relief to Syrian refugees living in dire conditions. 

Pray for:
  • Local churches and national leaders, for their strength and perseverance. 
  • Ministries to the local orphanage, deaf school and blind schools to share Jesus' love for the children and provide for those at the lowest level in society. The handicapped and the motherless and the fatherless are most at risk.
  • The thousands of displaced refugees leaving Syria and other countries due to war and religious persecution. Children and babies are at particular risk. 
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord gaurds the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.

Psalm 127:1
Job Openings

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina seeks an Associate Coordinator with primary responsibilities in the areas of missions and young Baptists. The successful candidate will demonstrate understanding and passion for CBFSC and CBF missions commitments, contexts, partners, and projects. Additionally, the associate coordinator will possess a deep understanding of ministry among young Baptists (birth - young adult) and a passion for supporting church ministry with them.  Requirements: spiritually mature Christian, theological master's degree from accredited seminary/divinity school, strong organizational skills, CBF-related experience, the ability to travel, and excellence in public speaking. Preferences: church or missions experience.  For more information see "core competencies" listed in the job description .  To apply submit a resume, cover letter, and at least 3 references to acsearch@cbfsc.org (PDF files with applicant name in the file name). Priority is given to applications submitted by November 10.

First Baptist Church of Vero Beach, Florida, is seeking a full-time ASSOCIATE PASTOR of Community Faith Formation and Outreach who will encourage growth and equip the saints for ministry in the areas of education, youth, and outreach.  We are seeking a person who is energetic, collaborative, entrepreneurial, and missions-minded.  FBC is over 103 years old and fosters vibrant leaders dedicated to sharing the love of Christ with others.  It partners with the CBF and SBC, and boasts an average attendance of 220.  Requirements include master's degree or higher from an accredited seminary or university and at least 2 years' experience in local congregational ministry.  Please view our website at http://www.fbcvero.org/employment-opportunities/ for more information.  Send resume and references to personnel_committee@fbcvero.org.


Ox Hill Baptist Church, Chantilly, Virginia,   is seeking a Senior Pastor.  Ox Hill is located about 20 miles west of Washington, D.C.  Approximately 40% of Chantilly's population speaks a language other than English at home. We are truly a melting pot of culturally diverse people from many backgrounds.   Ox Hill is about 50 years old and has transitioned from an almost rural church to a suburban church.  The average Sunday morning worship attendance is about 150 and the average Sunday School attendance is about 125.  The Senior Pastor will be responsible for preaching; for leading the congregation in developing a vision for reaching and integrating diverse groups into our congregation; exploring methods for incorporating more millennials; re-visiting and updating our vision for missions; exploring various types of worship; and leading & managing the staff and lay leaders.  Interested candidates should send their resumes with references to  pastorsearch@oxhillbaptist.org .

Riverside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL is seeking a part-time Pastor. Those interested in the position can contact Tammy Oliver, Search Committee Chairperson, by phone at 904-388-7692, or via email at tammy5912554@gmail.com.