Greetings from
Florida and the Caribbean Islands
January 10, 2024
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Here's a quick look midweek to strengthen your faith and connect with your CBF family. | |
La Poza del Obispo, Puerto Rico
prayer from Daily Feast, Meditations from Feasting on the Word
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Above: A weekend with BWIM and New Covenant, a church seeking their next senior pastor. The search committee spent time with Meredith Stone, hoping to reduce unrealized patriarchy and come to terms with equity vs equality.
Below: Meredith, who preached, and I enjoyed worshiping, and spending time with Kevin Collison, Interim Pastor. It was a good day, indeed.
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In 2024 ...
RESOLVE TO:
1. Realize in January
2. Rebuild in February
3. Restore in March
| After our time at New Covenant, Meredith and I drove across I-4 and BWIM hosted their first showing in a local church of “Midwives of a Movement,” the new documentary from BWIM which chronicles the stories of the women who boldly birthed a movement to seek greater visibility and opportunities for women in the SBC over 40 years ago. |
CBF of South Carolina and Florida / Caribbean Islands, together, are offering this inter-generational mission engagement opportunity to families, singles, young, old and everyone in between. Spend this 2024 holiday weekend making a difference and making new friends. "Credit" is available to FL students seeking community service hours.
$100 per person (covers lodging and food) to engage in this joint mission endeavor.
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What should I expect? Our SC/FL teams will be working on projects ranging from painting and light household repairs to building wheelchair ramps. There will be projects for everyone and all skill levels. All meals on Saturday and Sunday are covered in your registration fee. There are two lodging options - motel rooms (at an extra cost) and cabins with bunk beds. You can indicate your preference when you register.
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3. Let's Restore
Take Note: CBF FL and Caribbean Islands
will cover 1/2 of your tuition!
Reassurance of renewal assured :)
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In 2024, it is time
to attend to your soul...
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Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation
SOUL CARE
Cultivating an Awareness of Divine Presence
MARCH 3-8, 2024
Fruitland Park, FL
Read More Here
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A letter of thanks from Yajaira one of our seminary scholarship recipients...
Yajaira was awarded a $1000 scholarship for the upcoming 2024 term
at Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico
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Dear CBF,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the invaluable opportunity you have provided by awarding me the scholarship. I deeply appreciate your support, which strengthens my dedication to my studies and my ongoing commitment to ministry.
I take this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to making the most of this educational opportunity and applying the knowledge gained to my ministerial service. I am excited about the personal and professional growth I will experience during this period.
I thank you once again for the trust placed in me and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the academic and ecclesiastical community.
Sincerely,
Yajaira E. Cintrón Marcano
| "As you explore this report, do so with gratitude for the collective impact we've made and with anticipation of the transformative possibilities that lie ahead." Paul Baxley |
2024 IMPACT REPORT TOP TEN
1. $142,114
in migration support and services volunteer hours
2. 14,439
disaster victims served
3. 880
active CBF-endorsed chaplains and pastoral counselors
4. 130
peer learning groups
5. 350
first-time attendees at General Assembly
6. $196,000
in college and seminary scholarships
7. 360,906
volunteer hours through Together for Hope
8. $5.6 million
distributed for ministry causes through CBF Foundation
9. $6.6 million
in rollovers through CBF Church Benefits
10. $1.2 million
to ministry partners through CBF States and Regions
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January 2024 CBF Book Club | |
Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times
By Otis Moss
Dancing in the Darkness is a “life-affirming” (Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown) guide to the practical, political, and spiritual challenges of our day. Drawing on the teachings of Dr. King, Howard Thurman, sacred scripture, southern wisdom, global spiritual traditions, Black culture, and his own personal experiences, Dr. Moss instructs you on how to practice spiritual resistance by combining justice and love. This collection helps us tap into the spiritual reserves we all possess but too often overlook, so we can slay our personal demons, confront our civic challenges, and reach our highest goals.
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Click here to download the book discussion guide | |
Church musicians ... take note of this wonderful opportunity. | |
This year’s theme, “Equipping With Every Good Thing,” is based on Hebrews 13:20-21: "Now may the God of peace … equip you with every good thing to do his will, by developing in us what pleases him through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory forever and always.” The Offering for Global Missions equips the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship with the gifts and passions of 46 Field Personnel in 17 different countries and the United States, spreading the hope of Jesus Christ. When you give to the Offering for Global Missions, you also participate in this mission of Jesus Christ around the world.
This year we have a goal of $4 million. Every gift helps us reach this goal to support the presence of Field Personnel.
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Get your copy of the
OGM Prayer Guide below
| "Writers were invited to share about someone who has made a significant impact on their lives, a spiritual guide so to speak - one who has shaped their faith, their theology or their prayer life." Thanks Meg Lacy Vega for compiling these beautiful Spiritual Guides. | |
On the road...
Jan 20 & 21 - First Baptist Gainesville
Jan 25/26 - CBF Global Missions Council, Decatur, GA
Jan 28 - Bluewater Community Church, Niceville AND Tallahassee Fellowship
Feb 11 - Church on the Drive, Orlando
Feb 16 - 19 Building Hope Weekend, South Carolina
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2024 CBF Florida and Caribbean Islands Spring Celebration
May 4, 2024 at First Baptist
St Petersburg (Thank you
Pastor Ben Winder for hosting us)
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To stay connected, a few links for you to explore with a quick click. | |
[813.810.7499] [tsnyder@floridacbf.org] [www.floridacbf.org] | |
A direct and compelling headline | | | | |