Pensacola congregation adopts global vision

By Lauren Urtel
June 6, 2008

PENSACOLA (FBC)—Myrtle Grove Baptist Church in Pensacola has embraced a world wide view of missions—both right at home and thousands of miles away.

The congregation, comprised of people from varied backgrounds, has come together with a singular mission, giving all they can to reach the world for Christ.

The evangelistic ministries of Myrtle Grove touch the Hispanic, Russian, deaf and military communities providing a church home and an open place to worship. They serve the economically downtrodden by hosting outreach events in neighboring low-income apartment communities and a weekly food and clothing ministry. They open their doors to those suffering from addiction and mental handicaps, by offering classes and support groups at the church. In Indonesia, Javanese seminary students are able to follow their calling thanks to the financial gifts of the Pensacola congregation.

Even with many of their resources invested in ministry activities, Myrtle Grove continues their strong support of the Cooperative Program by giving 15 percent of the church’s budget.

For ten years, the church members and leaders have been trained in FAITH evangelism strategy, courses and seminars in sharing their faith and developing ministries to meet needs locally, nationally and internationally.

In a special worship service earlier this year, the many ministry groups at Myrtle Grove came together to celebrate their growing congregation, their missions outreach efforts and the blessing of being able to give strong support to Florida and Southern Baptists worldwide through the Cooperative Program. Over 5,000 North American missionaries and 5,000 international missionaries are supported annually through giving to the Cooperative Program.

Ron Lentine, who has served as pastor of the congregation for more than a decade, recognizes that, “Without faith, equipping people and making evangelism a priority we would not have been able to provide the leadership for our folks to be able to cross those barriers and to start those kinds of ministries.”

When Lentine first came to Myrtle Grove, the church was in transition as some members left when the previous long-term pastor retired. Even during this time, the congregation continued its avid missions giving and looked for more ways to reach the world for Christ.

After the church chose to adopt a wider global vision, Lentine was unsure of how it would be supported when the church historically gave 15 percent through the Cooperative Program and participated in international, national and state mission offerings.

“How could I even begin to ask our people to go beyond that, to embrace nationals on the other side of the world,” recalled Lentine.

Yet the congregation enthusiastically supported the new ministries. When the challenge was put before the church, they funded the education of 11 seminary students in Indonesia.

“Last year was one of the toughest economically, but instead of cutting back, which would have been a temptation to do, we met every mission obligation,” said Lentine. “We met every goal, including our support for the Javanese students and the 15 percent to the Cooperative Program. God honored the spirit of mission giving of the Myrtle Grove Baptist Church and I thank the Lord for it.”

The congregation continues to look upward and outward, searching for new mission fields in which to share the Gospel. Anthony and Jane-Ellen Bennett joined Myrtle Grove five years ago because they believed in the church’s mission focus.

“When it comes to missions the door is wide open here,” said Anthony Bennett. “Our pastor encourages us to really reach out and stretch. The Bible says it is about reaching others, across the street and across the world. God didn’t say do mission when you can afford it, when you are ready, or when you are comfortable and we are continually asking ourselves what more can we do”

“A lot of our members have to dig deep to give, but every time the pastor asks, the money comes and people come to Christ,” said Jane-Ellen Bennett.

“It’s not a big mega church but it’s a great church,” said Lentine. “Great in spirit and in willingness to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.”