• Encouraging church pastors, leaders and members
• Seeking ways to help struggling churches become vital again
• Providing opportunities for church leadership development
• Discovering new work opportunities and supporting those who launch them
• Walking alongside those God has called to ministry service

These are the most significant functions we focus on. The specifics of how we flesh them out changes as each new opportunity to serve arises, but the mission stays the same: helping the local church fulfill her mission to take the gospel to a lost, dying world. And we are able to do this because YOU – the churches which comprise the Florida Baptist Association – come together, knowing that collectively we can accomplish so much more than we will ever do individually.

I look forward to what God may do in the coming year. I encourage you to pray for, encourage and support one another. Remember, you are not merely a part of the Florida Baptist Association, you ARE the Florida Baptist Association. We don’t merely represent the nearly 60 churches and missions of this region, we are comprised of the nearly 60 churches of this region.

May God bless this work we do, taking the gospel to this part of our state, and around the world.

The Leadership Project
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Thomasville Road Baptist Church
3131 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee

Ministry is like a puzzle: the right people need to be in the right places. Once in place, they need knowledge, support and encouragement. The Leadership Project is designed to assist with this process, with conferences chosen to meet critical needs your church and leaders face every day. For 2014 we have chosen five conferences to offer, with leaders considered to be tops in their field. Consider these opportunities being provided for you:

❑ Four keys to church health and growth
You will learn the critical factors for a church to be spiritually healthy, vibrant, prepared and in position for God to move and to grow. Pastors, this one is especially viable for you and your key lay leaders.

❑ Preparing for disaster before it happens
Do you have a plan in place if you were to lose your facilities due to fire, storm or other disasters? We’ve enlisted a top expert in the area of preparing churches for disaster before it happens to facilitate this important conference, which is especially viable for church leaders responsible for facilities.

❑ Parenting teenagers in a dangerous world
Are you fully aware of the risks teens face, and how you can help them avoid the peril? A retired police officer, with a burden for helping teens avoid the traps and pitfalls which can ruin their lives, will guide you to discover how to help navigate teens through life’s challenges. This conference is especially designed for student workers and parents of teens and pre-teens.

❑ Preparation for LifeWay VBS 2014
Discover, Decide and Defend the truth about who Jesus really is with LifeWay’s “Agency D3.” Do we need to say it? This prep time for VBS workers is always a favorite – and for good reason! You’ll get the hands-on information which will help you have an outstanding Vacation Bible School this summer!

❑ Basic training for new Sunday School leaders
You’ve agreed to lead in a Sunday School class or department, now what? If you are new to, or considering, working in Sunday School, this is for you! You’ll get the “nuts and bolts” which will enable you to approach this task with confidence.

There you have it. Five options to choose from – each designed to help you and your church be better prepared for ministry. There is no charge for this top-level training, and preschool childcare is provided. So mark your calendars and plan now to be part of The Leadership Project, Tuesday, February 25, from 7:00pm – 9:00pm, at Thomasville Road Baptist Church in Tallahassee.

I pray 2014 is a year all our churches see a great moving of God! It is a privilege to serve you.

By His grace, for His glory.

Sean McMahon

Pastor Stewardship Meeting

The Florida Baptist Association is hosting the annual Pastor Stewardship Meeting on Thursday, February 6.

Date: February 6, 2014
Time: 10:00 - Noon (Lunch will be provided.)
Location: 1839 Jacliff Court, Tallahassee

The Pastors Stewardship Meeting will feature the following NEW Stewardship materials:

• "7 Keys to Open-Handed Living in a Tight–Fisted World"
• Pastors' book "Impact: Seeking God's Best"
  • A four–Sunday annual emphasis that includes bulletin inserts, a poster/emphasis guide, Sunday School lessons, dramas and sermon ideas on CD/DVD
• New Member Stewardship Training (NEW)
• Church Financial Guidebook (New)
• The Importance of Church Audit/ Financial Examination (NEW)
• BTF brochure (NEW)

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend. Please RSVP by Monday, February 3, 2014 by email or by calling (850) 877-7600.


FSU Baptist Collegiate Ensemble Sharing About Trip to Germany

The Florida State University Baptist Collegiate ministry ensemble Undivided traveled to Germany in May 2013, and they are anxious to share about their trip. We are scheduling them to visit churches to sing and share. They are available both Sunday mornings and evenings, as well as Wednesday evenings. They are willing to share as little as one song and testimony, or share through the entire service.

Safe Homes: Helping Victims Find Healing and Hope

Every year, there are as many as 300,000 children in the U.S. who will become victims of sex trafficking, while their predators financially profit. Recognizing that Florida is the third largest national hub for sex trafficking, and that there are few places for victims to find true restoration, there is an urgent need to act. The victims, girls who average 12 years of age, need a place to turn to with the necessary resources available for them to start anew.

Through its Safe Homes program, the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes (FBCH) is helping to restore these girls physically, emotionally and spiritually. Through prevention efforts, FBCH will also make strides to stop domestic trafficking before it starts for the next child. This program began when the Florida Department of Children and Families requested that the FBCH build a safe haven where these victims can begin a new life.

With your help, FBCH will open the doors of its first safe home early in 2014. The house will include rooms for up to five girls and a caregiver in an undisclosed location. However, FBCH cannot do this alone.

To open its doors, FBCH needs financial gifts of all sizes from individuals, businesses and churches. Join us in the fight against domestic sex trafficking. For more information about the Safe Homes project, visit FBCH’s website.