What began as a week of evangelistic outreach has become an ongoing season of ministry for Hispanic Florida Baptist churches across Central Florida.
Follow-up reports from 14 Hispanic churches involved in Crossover Orlando show 2,237 people attended outreach events, 375 volunteers served and 105 people made decisions for Christ. In the weeks since, pastors have reported new families attending worship, previously inactive members returning and congregations making fresh commitments to community evangelism.
Evident fruit
From Kissimmee to Palm Bay, churches hosted Vacation Bible Schools, family festivals, prayer ministries and other events intended to meet needs, build relationships and share the gospel. Now, church leaders say, the lasting fruit is becoming evident.
For Julio Viera, pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Casa de Redencion in Kissimmee, one of the most encouraging results was seeing members of the local church become personally invested in reaching their neighbors.
“Many of them had not demonstrated a commitment to the church,” Viera said. “Now they are excited about more activities that will impact the community.”
Some people attended the church’s Crossover event after simply passing by, turning around and coming inside. Others arrived expecting to pay and were surprised to learn that the activities were free. The church ministered in both Spanish and English, and two families have begun attending as a result.
The event also helped communicate a message Viera hopes the community will remember: “The church is alive, and we are here for them.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Keila Diaz and originally published by the Florida Baptist Convention.
