Georgia
At Georgia Baptists’ inaugural Hispanic Leadership Summit, 115 participants adopted a five-year Hispanic ministry plan, The Christian Index reported. Goals include: 5,000 new converts and baptisms, 10% increase in Cooperative Program giving, planting more urban churches, generational change and empowerment of younger leaders and greater participation of Hispanic leaders in the Georgia Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist Convention.
Florida
Soon after becoming bivocational pastor of First Baptist Church in Bonita Springs, Florida, Ernest Harvard learned that the church, with an annual budget of $35,000, had a $700,000 mortgage and numerous other debts, the Florida Baptist Witness reported. Within four years and with “one miracle after another,” according to the pastor, the church has erased all debt, including the large mortgage. “We have seen God’s hand in one thing after another,” Harvard said. “It has been … awesome to watch unfold.”
Louisiana
Louisiana received a “gut punch” Oct. 9 as the second hurricane in six weeks made landfall in the state. Hurricane Delta dumped close to 18 inches of rain in some areas. Disaster Relief teams have begun their response to Hurricane Delta, even as some teams are still in place following Hurricane Laura’s landfall on Aug. 27, the Baptist Message reported.
Mississippi
The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board has committed $1 million dollars to the 2020 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. The MBCB underspent its budget this year, primarily because of pandemic-induced cancellations and travel restrictions. In late August the MBCB’s executive committee and board voted on the gift, and it was transferred electronically on Oct. 11 to the International Mission Board, The Baptist Record reported.
Tennessee
Oak Valley Baptist Church in Franklin, Tennessee, offers two weekly Sunday services — one mask-required and one mask-optional, the Baptist and Reflector reported. With social distancing observed in both services, the mask-required service currently attracts 50–60 people, mostly senior adults, while the mask-optional service attracts 70–80 people. Before COVID-19, the church averaged about 250 people in both services. As many as 100 people watch the church’s live-streamed service. “Our people have been very receptive,” said Pastor Jerry Winfield.
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