Testimonies of gang rescue, Red Tide

Nov 21, 2002

Leading 149 souls to faith in Christ while doing summer missions. Showing the love of Christ to juvenile offenders who turned to gangs as their substitute families. Helping fishermen recoup from financial losses sustained from a bay shutdown. These are some of the ways that Florida Baptists have been "Embracing God's Heart" for missions and ministry in the state's Panhandle this year.

Among those featured during the state convention meeting were Amy Chavers, a graduate student at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. While serving as a summer missionary in eastern Kentucky, she led 149 persons to Christ.

Many of the professions of faith occurred during Vacation Bible Schools in which Chavers shared the plan of salvation in classes each day. This was in sharp contrast to a predominate religion in the area that teaches children they are not eligible to become Christians until adulthood.

"I realized this summer it's not about me at all, in any way, shape or form," Chavers said. "I have nothing to do with it, other than saying, 'OK, God, I want you to use me' and then letting Him do it.

"It isn't about numbers," she said. "It's about souls, individual souls, people that are coming to Christ and changing their lives."

Gang Rescue

Since volunteers from First Baptist Church, Niceville, began leading Bible studies at juvenile detention centers in the area a few years ago, 500 former gang members have made professions of faith. The Gang Rescue ministry of First Baptist Church, Niceville also was highlighted during the state convention meeting.

Niceville layman Art Wilson has never been part of a gang, but he befriends the youth who have joined gangs to feel a sense of belonging.

One of the youths told Wilson he had forgotten how warm a mother's hand felt when she held his hand. He told Wilson, 'I know there's something better,' Wilson recounted. 'I know God's got a better plan for me.'

Wilson said the volunteers are committed to not missing a week of Bible study "because these kids have had promises broken to them their whole lives. We can't represent Christ and break promises."

Wilson wants to establish a half-way house for the youth to help them learn a trade and re-enter society as productive citizens.

Red Tide Relief

When Red Tide contaminated Gulf Coast waters in Apalachicola Bay this past winter, 1,200 local fishermen lost their primary source of income during a four-month bay shutdown.

Unable to secure financial assistance, many of the residents' homes and property were in danger of foreclosure. Some families didn't have money to buy food or heat their homes during the winter.

In response, First Baptist churches of St. George Island and Apalachicola provided immediate assistance and concerned Baptists contributed nearly $63,000 to help the families.

In addition to individual contributions of nearly $9,000, about $54,000 in relief aid was donated by the Florida Baptist Convention ($45,000), Northwest Coast Baptist Association where the two churches are located ($5,000), and nearby Florida Baptist Association ($4,000).

Pastors Mike Whaley of St. George Island and Bill Plazarin of Apalachicola, with the help of dozens of church members, transformed their church facilities into family assistance stations.

They gave away food, negotiated with bill collectors, staved off foreclosures, and prayed with the residents in need. Each person heard the plan of salvation, Plazarin said.

"Because of the monies that came," Plazarin said, "we had the opportunity to witness to people. ... Because of this we know that many people went back to their churches, families were reunited and people did give their hearts to Christ.

"Thank you Southern Baptists, Florida Baptists, people in our Baptist churches who gave of their money. Now, we are seeing results in people's lives by them being changed by the Son of God, and by them being changed in their attitude toward the church in their time of need."

"If it hadn't been for First Baptist Church helping us," said Apalachicola resident Donnie Gay, "we would have lost everything. That just shows you the Lord was working. The Lord's always there for you. He'll make a way. I just thank the Lord for the First Baptist Church." (FBC)

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