Good Morning from Miami
Friday, May 29th, 2009
I am here today for the FBC State Board of Missions meeting. Our focus has been to spend time at the South Florida Urban Impact Center in Hialeah. The following description of this ministry is quoted from the Florida Baptist Convention website:
The center assists urban associations and churches in developing and implementing Kingdom impact churches by identifying urban issues and needs.
Three South Florida counties—Miami, Broward and Palm Lake—comprise one of the most challenging missions fields in the United States with a estimated population of 10 million persons—a figure that includes undocumented persons—who represented more than 175 nationalities and speak in dozens of languages.
To strengthen existing congregations to more effectively start new churches and evangelize their unique communities, the Urban Impact Center was established in South Florida as a branch office of the Florida Baptist Convention.
From this center, Convention staff coordinates training and resources, including a specific coaching process to assist pastors and congregations in developing a Kingdom-impacting ministry.
Under the direction of Southern Baptist missionary Al Fernandez, the center is thriving and facing the challenges of diversity and multiculturalism with boldness for Christ. There is much we can learn from this ministry as we move forth with Ministry Village. To find out more about the excellent Kingdom work being done in Miami, check out www.baptistcourier.com/3146.article.
I have been reading Francis Chan’s Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. In this he writes with passion about living life with urgency for Christ. Join me Sunday morning as I bring a message about the danger of casual lukewarm religion. We will also celebrate with our graduating high school seniors in the 11:00am service.
Pastor Ted Traylor