Florida Focus - Florida Baptist Witness

Florida Focus

Nov 19, 2003

A one-time announcement of special events is a free service provided by the Witness to Florida Baptist churches. Please send materials at least three weeks before the date of the event, to Florida Baptist Witness, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207, fax 904-346-0696 or submitted using our online form. Items received after deadline may appear in our exclusive on-line version.

Beulah

Celebration Community Church in Fort White will meet for the first time Nov. 23 at 10:15 a.m. The church is located at 174 SW Morningstar Glen. Richard Shore is pastor. For more information, call 386-754-1144.

Choctaw

First Baptist Church in Niceville will present its 22nd annual Singing Christmas Tree, "A Midnight Clear," Dec. 4-7, 7 p.m., with a matinee performance Sunday at 3 p.m. For ticket information, call 850-678-4621.

Greater Orlando

Thomas J. Draper, retired director of missions of the Greater Orlando Baptist Association, 1968-81, died Nov. 2. He was 88. As one of the first ministers of education in the Southern Baptist Convention, he served churches in Tallahassee and Pensacola; Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Missouri. He also served as director of development and church relations with Stetson University, DeLand. He is survived by his wife, Helen; children, David Draper, Deborah Boulier, Valerie Springfield, Donna Speers, Karen Minish, Jeff Hiers and Kathleen Hiers; and thirteen grandchildren. His first wife, Anne, preceded him in death.
Winter Park First Baptist Church will hold its Hanging of the Green celebration Dec. 7 at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. The event will feature the Celebration Choir and Orchestra. For more information, call 407-644-3061.

Holmes

The association of churches previously known as Holmes County has dropped the word "County" from its name. The Holmes Baptist Association office is in Bonifay.

Jacksonville

Belton S. (Buddy) Wall Jr., 84, former member of the State Board of Missions and a founder of the Florida Baptist Credit Union, died Nov. 3 after a short illness. Wall, a member of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, 70 years, and a deacon 50 years, was active in the Jacksonville Baptist Association. He is survived by his children, Lois Kelly, Belton Wall IV and Elbert Wall, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. His wife of 60 years, Marie, preceded him in death.

Lake County

First Baptist Church in Leesburg recently honored Barbara Garrett on her retirement as full-time church organist. She served the church 55 years. She was guest of honor at a reception and shower in the fellowship hall.

Manatee Southern

Mill Creek Baptist Church in Bradenton has called Rick Nations as transitional pastor. He is one of only six transitional pastors in Florida who received certification from LifeWay Christian Resources. He and his wife, Betty, have served churches in Englewood and Sarasota, and are active in Florida Baptist Convention Discipleship Training.

Marion

First Baptist Church of Eureka in Fort McCoy will mark the end of "Forty Days of Purpose" with a Western Celebration Nov. 23. Pastor David Allen will speak and the McDaniel family will sing in the 10 a.m. service. Lunch will be served. For more information, call 352-546-2370, or e-mail eurekabc@yahoo.com.

Pensacola Bay

Hillcrest Baptist Church has called L.C. Rucker as special assistant to the pastor. He previously served as minister of music at Calvary Baptist Church, Clearwater. Since retiring, he has served Oak Haven Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church, both in Pensacola. He and his wife, Imogene, have four adult children and seven grandchildren.
Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, will present the 2003 Pensacola Christmas Festival, "How His Heart was Won," Dec. 4-7. Performance times are 7 p.m. nightly, with 2:30 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 850-473-4470 or go to www.olivebaptist.org.

Tampa Bay

The music ministry of Carrollwood Baptist Church will present "Prelude to Christmas" Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. For more information, call 813-962-3214.

West Florida

James P. Hughes, chairman of the Time, Place and Preacher Committee of the West Florida Baptist Association, died Oct. 9 at age 75. He had served as pastor of First Baptist Church of Sunny Hills, Chipley, and First Baptist Church, Wausau, and was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, Chipley, at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife, Lois; three children, James Jr. Lee Ann Gates and Patricia Joiner; and three grandchildren.

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