Ashley Russell

After noticing a decline in baptisms during the past five years, Holmes Baptist Association hosted an “Evangelism Reboot” weekend to help church members refocus on the importance of sharing the Gospel. At the conclusion of the weekend, 13 new believers were added to the Kingdom.

After a tough year of ministry, Pastor Cody Watson of Lake Mystic Baptist Church wanted to plan a special weekend to minister to the Bristol area.

David Flatt was working as a student minister in the early 1990s when his senior pastor brought him a World Changers brochure–which he promptly disregarded.

Student pastor Matt Sawyer worked tirelessly to get his student ministry online in 2020 when the pandemic hit, so that they could stay connected and continue learning about God.

Pastor Shelly Chandler was on his way to Walmart to pick up groceries Jan. 5, when he came upon a line of vehicles stretched along the side of the road.
The line, he soon realized, were hundreds of people anxiously waiting to receive COVID-19 vaccinations from the Holmes County Health Department.

During Ted Traylor’s 30 years as pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, his leadership has not only impacted the world, but generations to come as he mentors the next generation who feel the Lord calling them to ministry.

When Pastor Derrick Gerber delivered backpacks filled with food to children at a local elementary school over fall break, “One child mentioned that they had just used up their food stamps and didn’t know where they would get any food to eat.”

Kory Gordon was introduced to drugs at an early age by his stepfather. By the age of 12 he tried his first pain medication and quickly became addicted.

“That opened up the doors for a long, hard life,” said Gordon.

Baptism is a special act of obedience for those who choose to follow Jesus, symbolizing the death of an old sin-filled life, and the newness of life found in Christ. By its very nature, baptism takes a personal decision and makes it public.

Two northwest Florida Baptist churches–Pensacola’s Olive Baptist Church and First Baptist Church on Bayshore in Niceville–are ministering to families who are bringing the light and hope of Christ into a child’s life through foster care and spurring other families to consider a similar path.