Korean fellowship offers church software training

Nov 23, 2004
VANESSA RODRIGUEZ
Florida Baptist Convention

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Haitian, Korean, Filipino and Hispanic Fellowships conducted their annual meetings in Jacksonville in honor of the 150th anniversary celebration of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

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For some the annual gathering was a first-time event. Others came together as they do annually to conduct business and for a time of encouragement and training.

A number of the churches represented by these ethnically diverse men and women meet in buildings they have come to own with the help of the Convention’s building programs or church start loans.

Each of the groups represents the diversity of Florida Baptists and the missions and ministry accomplished through cooperative efforts—the foundation of the Florida Baptist State Convention that was built 150 years ago.

Haitian Fellowship

“Because of the work of the Florida Baptist Convention, I am able to do the work I am doing today,” said Pastor Antoine V. Fils-Aimé, First Haitian Baptist Church, Orlando.

Fils-Aimé was one of 100 Haitians who met for the Haitian State Fellowship Nov. 8 at Premiere Eglise Baptiste Haitienne.

Wilner Maxy, pastor of Haitian Emmanuel Baptist Church in Miami, echoed his fellow minister’s sentiments about the extended opportunities Haitian congregations have as a direct result of their relationship with the Convention.

“They have helped a lot in my ministry,” said Maxy. “The convention’s heritage sets a good example for our churches that teaches us to be united and work cooperatively.

During the meeting, pastors and church representatives in attendance discussed the formation of a national Haitian fellowship and conducted preliminary planning for a 2005 evangelism conference.

The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 5, 2005, in Miami.

Korean Fellowship

Pastors from among Florida Baptists’ 33 Korean churches attended the Korean Fellowship meeting at First Jacksonville Korean Baptist Church. In total, 30 individuals came together for a time of encouragement, and to attend the annual State Convention together.

“We want to be part of the Florida Baptist Convention and part of its history,” said Bok Man Han, pastor of Melbourne First Korean and president of the Korean Fellowship.

The meeting included dinner and a special computer seminar to learn about software programs that would help the pastors better utilize technology to conduct church programs.

“Helping them have a sense of technology can help as they reach out to the younger generations,” said Han of those in attendance.

As part of the business session of the meeting, the group conducted an ordination service for Heung Jik Kin, the pastor of a new church plant, Navarre Korean Hope Baptist.

New officers were named for the 2004-2005 year. The following were appointed as officers: Jong Ha Park, Korean Open Door Baptist Church in Oveido, president; Young Yi Choi, Korean Baptist Church in Fort Pierce, vice president; and Jong Soo Lim, Tallahassee Korean Baptist Church, Secretary.

Filipino Fellowship

Conducting its first official meeting, the Florida Baptist Filipino fellowship met at the First Filipino Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

Twelve men and women attended the special meeting coordinated by Aurthur Pabellon, pastor of the International Christian Fellowship in Brandon.

The “Fellowship of Filipino International Baptists of Florida was organized to bring encouragement, mutual development and to collaborate in ministry,” said Pabellon.

During the meeting, Pabellon was elected president of the group. Other officers elected were David Scammell, pastor, Filipino Fellowship at First Central Baptist Church, Orlando, secretary; and Danilo Santiago, First Filipino, Jacksonville, treasurer.

Ralph Garay, pastor of Agape Community Baptist Church in San Diego, Calif. and president of the Filipino Southern Baptist Fellowship of North America was a special guest at the meeting.

Garay said he attended the gathering to show his support and encourage the groups’ coming together.

“This connection will enhance the friendship among Filipino pastors and form a connection among churches in the state and nationally,” Garay said.

Daniel Paixao, director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s Language Church Development Department delivered a special message.

In other business, the Fellowship discussed scheduling a family retreat for July of 2005 and participation in the Language Missions Conference in April 2005 at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center.

Hispanic Fellowship

Traveling to Jacksonville to meet with his fellow Hispanic Florida Baptists and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Florida Baptist State Convention was not a difficult decision for Hector Magica.

For Magica, pastor of Primera Iglesia Bautista De Wahneta in Eagle Lake, attending the meeting was important because, like those who founded the State Convention in 1854, he believes a unified group can win more souls for God’s Kingdom then one church working alone. Leaders of the fellowship agreed.

“We feel that we identify with the principle of mission that the Convention has always had,” said Sergio Rodriguez, president of the programs and nomination for the Hispanic Fellowship. “We are fruit of that missionary work.”

The annual fellowship drew 120 pastors and church representatives to Deermeadows Baptist Church. While conducting business, the group voted to change the office of secretary-treasurer to business secretary. Leaders reported on business discussed at the annual meeting in June in Indianapolis of the National Fellowship of Hispanic Southern Baptist Churches, including a vote against a name change that would identify the group as a convention. Two seminars dealt with church doctrine and difficult people.

A special service honoring three Miami–area pastors recognized Marcos Antonio Ramos, pastor of Iglesia Bautista el Calvario, Miami, for being the most distinguished and influential Hispanic pastor in Florida. Ramos is a published historian and seminary professor who writes for several secular newspapers. He previously hosted one of Miami’s most popular radio programs. Others receiving recognition included Augusto Valverde, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Resurreccion, Miami, for starting 18 new congregations in the past 20 years and Jorge Comesanas and his church, Iglesia Bautista Coral Park, Miami for giving $48,023 to the Cooperative Program, making it the highest giving language congregation in 2003.

Raul Vazquez, director of the Convention’s Language Division delivered a special message. The group will meet again Sept. 9 in Orlando.

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