Greetings from

Florida and the Caribbean Islands

January 17, 2024

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

2024 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series

 

The 2024 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series is prepared by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family and friends. It is a project of love that is designed to be read during the season of Lent, which begins February 14, 2024.

 

There are wonderful reflections on God's Word, thought-provoking questions, prayers, incorporation of the arts and noteworthy information.

 

As the devotional is read, our prayer is that our hearts open to the call of God to speak, walk and act justly. And, may our faith, courage and boldness grow stronger.

 

Available in both English and Spanish.

Sign up to receive the devotional here.

P.P.P.P.

Planning & Prepping 4 #PassportPuertoRico

This past week Passport (David Burroughs) met with a group of la pastoras in Carolina, Puerto Rico.


"Thank you especially to Rev Xiomara Reboyras Ortiz for inviting us to participate in this CBF Florida/ Caribbean Islands / Cooperative Baptist Fellowship cohort gathering. We are grateful to be welcomed by La Familia in Puerto Rico."


The first ever PASSPORT Puerto Rico Camp will happen July 23 – 27, 2024! We can't wait.


#passportpuertorico #LaFamilia

Its Time For Restoration...


Take Note: CBF FL and Caribbean Islands

will cover 1/2 of your tuition!

Registration closes Feb. 2, 2024

Five Day Academy for Spiritual Formation

SOUL CARE

Cultivating an Awareness of Divine Presence

MARCH 3-8, 2024

Fruitland Park, FL


Read More Here

Congrats Pastor Bill White for 30 Years

with Christ Journey Church, Coral Gables, FL

Pray for our Thriving Congregations Cohort as they reconvene Friday - Sunday, (1/19, 20, 21) in Lakeland.


Churches Include:


First Baptist St Petersburg, St Petersburg

Bayshore Baptist, Tampa

Waters Avenue, Tampa

Greater Faith, Gainesville



Register Here

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.

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.


New Year, New Job?

2 Opportunities with CBF

  • Associate Coordinator for FL & the Caribbean Islands


  • PAK Field Ministry Coordinator
Apply Here

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

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

Click here to view!

"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


Read the latest Fellowship magazine HERE.  PS. Check out pages 26-29!

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.

 


Click here to download the book discussion guide

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.

Make a gift to the offering here

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.

Order Copies of 2023-24 Prayers of the People HERE.

On the road...

Jan 20 & 21 - Thriving Congregations, Lakeland and 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


2024 CBF Florida and Caribbean Islands Spring Celebration


May 4, 2024 at First Baptist

St Petersburg (Thank you

Pastor Ben Winder for hosting us)



Visit CBF FL and Caribbean Islands website for job opportunities throughout CBF.  CBF FL and CI Website

Thank you for your contributions that keep your CBF FL/CI family thriving. 

We are grateful. To help us ... hover over QR Code or the click on

the pink button.

Visit our Website

To stay connected, a few links for you to explore with a quick click.

[813.810.7499]  [tsnyder@floridacbf.org]  [www.floridacbf.org]

Facebook  X  Instagram

A direct and compelling headline