2007 Florida Evangelism Conference: ‘The Cross’ gives inspiration, purpose and unity

by Barbara Denman

BRANDON (FBC)—Steadfastly holding to the Biblical truth, “The cross makes the difference,” nearly 1,500 persons attending the Florida Baptist Evangelism Conference were challenged anew to reach their community and state with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“We have the mandate and the message to take the precious Gospel to every man and woman, boy and girl in this state,” said host pastor Tommy Green.

“This is where God has planted us and we will win the world by winning our state.”

Throughout the March 5-6 event at First Baptist Church of Brandon, participants were stirred by inspirational messages, practical methods and effective models to claim the power of the cross to a spiritually lost and dying world.

“It is the cross that determines our purpose,” said Willy Rice, pastor of Clearwater’s Calvary Baptist Church. “It is the cross that defines our perspective. It is the cross that gives us our passion.”

“It is the cross that draws us to a vibrant and healthy ministry.”

Speaking during the Tuesday afternoon session, the Florida Baptist State Convention president cited I Corinthians 9:19-23 as “Paul’s DNA. This is his heartbeat, this is his focus; this is what he was called to do; free to all, servant to others.”

“Paul said, ‘I’m here to serve others. I’m not here for me—that I might win more,’” explained Rice.

Rice noted in that passage, Paul used the phrase “to win them” four times and the phrase, “might save some,” another time, emphasizing the same thing five times in four verses. “Paul said my purpose is to win them. If the church is going to be healthy, it must have a clear and compelling mission. The church exists to see people saved.”

The Clearwater pastor bemoaned the “fragmentation” and “division” he has seen in recent days, noting “veiled references on young and creative leaders,” “fussing and fighting” and “blogging.”

“In too many places we have lost our sense of purpose.” Rice said. “We live in a state where little boys and girls are lost. Our churches have forgotten we are on a search and rescue mission.

Paul “adjusted his ministry to reach his culture,” said Rice. “We have forgotten to see the world through the eyes of lost people. It’s compassion, not compromise.”

Recalling the film, “The Passion of Christ,” Rice spoke of the sacrifices made by Jesus to provide saving grace for the sinner. He urged Florida Baptists to step back from being a generation that believes “it’s all about us,” to model Christ’s servant spirit.

The Monday evening session featured Troy Gramling, pastor of Flamingo Road Church in Fort Lauderdale whose congregation has become the leading Florida Baptist church in baptisms. Using creative and innovative approaches to worship and reaching the South Florida community, the church baptized 732 persons in 2006 and 534 persons in 2005.

Yet Gramling contends that the baptism numbers do not give him “significance” and encouraged participants to embrace their own differences as they find their significance in following God’s calling.

“We are all fighting for significance,” Gramling said. “Why are you significant? Why do you have value?” While performance is most easily recognized, he said judging one’s accomplishments allow others to “rob you of your significance.”

The South Florida pastor acknowledged his own uniqueness when compared to other pastors in this diverse state. But persons should not be afraid of who they are, Gramling noted, because God made them that way.

Using Genesis 1:27-28, 31 as his text, Gramling explained, “We sometimes look to the wrong people for significance,” including parent, wife and deacons. “But God, the all-powerful and all-knowing, said you are very good.”

Significance is found in the Creator, he added, and “to discredit who you are is to discredit who made you and who He wants to reach your community for Christ.”

Every Florida Baptist minister is “significant because God commissioned them to be fruitful and increase in numbers,” he added, challenging participants to pour their lives into other ministers.

“You came to Florida because you are significant. You have been commissioned. That had nothing to do with any of the numbers that have been reported.”

Also, speaking during the Monday evening session, Ed Young, pastor of Second Baptist Church of Houston, urged Florida Baptists to make radical, paradigm changes “to get back in the business” of reaching people with the gospel. See related story.

Young called Florida Baptists to take the gospel message beyond the walls of the church focusing outward instead inward. “Jesus was a friend of sinners. That’s what we are missing; we have forgotten to be friends of sinners.”

Leading the conference participants in worship were recording artist Russ Lee, who performed his hit song, “I Smile,” and the Florida Men’s Worship Choir and Orchestra.

Mike Landry , pastor of Sarasota Baptist Church, brought 20 church leaders to the conference, an effort he said was well-worth the trip. “ Second Baptist Church and Flamingo Church were excellent examples of effective evangelism to showcase,” he said.

“It so helps to see timeless Biblical principles of evangelism lived out in very different ways," he added. “Troy Grambling's message was excellent and helped us to better appreciate our differences in ministry styles and methods by clearly communicating how these differences are a strength to us in evangelism when we are committed to working together."  

Throughout the two-day conference, opportunities to gain hands-on practical insights were available to participants.

A symposium roundtable held Tuesday afternoon encouraged participants to ask specific questions of pastors who have developed extensive and effective evangelism programs in their churches.

During this discussion, Tommy Green, pastor of First Baptist Brandon said his church had been successful by utilizing the FAITH emphasis and “knocking on doors.” It is critical, he said, for the congregation “to develop an evangelistic mindset, where everything you do must include an evangelistic invitation.”

Rodney Baker, pastor of Hopeful Baptist Church in a rural part of Lake City, sponsored a monster truck rally to attract the unchurched in his community. Evangelism is grounded in leaders who have that vision, adding that he has a personal goal of sharing his faith with someone every day.

On Tuesday afternoon, Florida Baptist Convention staff led special interest groups focusing on evangelistic helps for the local church. These conferences included: “A Blueprint for Discipleship; “Cross-Web Evangelism; Childhood Conversion; Friends Intentionally Sharing Hope” (a Sunday school campaign intentionally focused on reaching the unchurched); Reaching Florida’s African Americans through Missional Churches” and “Praying for the Lost.”

Activities throughout the conference week targeted niche groups and their role in the evangelistic mission of the church. A senior adult evangelism conference on Tuesday drew 355 participants who learned how to share their faith through the use of the EvangeCube witnessing tool. A special conference offered to worship leaders reinforced their role in the evangelistic mission of the church.

Prior to the conference on Saturday, 115 women attended an evangelism training event led by Margaret Tucker, a member of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. In this meeting, Tucker demonstrated how to make witnessing an everyday occurrence.

Landry reported that the event was a great learning experience for his staff. “ I had my staff identify the things that were said that were relevant to their ministry responsibilities. 

“The common denominator of our discussions dealt with the importance of intentionality and strategic planning.  Another very important lesson we took home was how very important that all our evangelistic efforts be connected to our small group structure to insure effective follow up.”

“The conference was most effective,” said Pace pastor Kevin Goza of Emmanuel Baptist Church. “The time of fellowship with the Florida Baptist team was encouraging. David Burton, director of the Convention’s evangelism division, makes his passion for evangelism clear—and it’s contagious!