On Friday, September 28 believers from multiple cultural and ethnic backgrounds will gather to worship and fellowship at First Baptist Church of Hialeah as one family.
“The coming together of pastors and churches in South Florida is inspiring,” said Tommy Green, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention. “The crossing of ethnic, cultural, linguistic, and generational lines for the Gospel is a model for churches in every setting.”
The One Family Worship Night, as the event is called, is the follow-up to the One Family Beach Baptisms that took place earlier this year at Bill Baggs State Park to which over 300 diverse believers of showed up. More about that here https://flbaptist.org/one-family-event-celebrates-baptism-unity/
“At a time when the country is divided over race and ethnicity, we now have a unique opportunity to show that whatever our differences—cultural and political—we truly are one in Christ,” said Al Fernandez, south east regional catalyst of the FBC.
“My hope for that night is that we will see the beauty in a body of Christ that is diverse,” said Sherard Burns, pastor of Renewing Life Church and author. Afterwards, Burns said that he hopes churches in Florida and beyond will see that unity among believers of different cultures is possible.
Alberto Ocaña, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Northside, is looking forward to the event. For him it is practice for what heaven will be like. “This is what the Bible tells us will happen in heaven,” he said. Also, he added, this event will showcase to the community that Christians truly are one in Christ.
The evening will start with dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the Southeast Regional Center’s cafeteria followed by worship in First Baptist’s sanctuary. Those who attend will hear three separate messages from Burns; Noel Lozano, pastor of Turning Point Church; and Green.
Following each message there will be a special prayer focusing on unity, country and revival led by pastors Ocaña; Willie Williams, of Greater Mercy Missionary Baptist Church; Jerome Symonette, of Restoring Grace Community Church; and Carlos Carbonell, of Iglesia Bautista Doral.
The night of worship is scheduled to end with Communion administered by Green.
“This is something new that I am looking forward to,” said Ocaña. “I can’t recall another event of this magnitude that included Communion. It is not usual.”
“It will be a tremendous evening of worship and celebration of our unity in Christ,” finished Green.
By Keila Diaz, Florida Baptist Convention, September 21, 2018