MISSION GROUP HOLDS INAUGURAL SABBATH

by Orpha Ale Mineque
Members of Tampa Bay Filipino-American Mission Group in Clearwater, Fla., dedicated a special Sabbath to commemorate Florida Conference approval of their mission group status and inaugurate their 2014 officers. More than 100 guests attended the services, including friends from various churches, pastors, and church leaders. The group’s sponsoring congregations are Clearwater and St. Petersburg Churches.
Volunteer Lay Pastor Angel Lucena and church Elder Perry de Guzman had a burning desire to leave a legacy for the Church’s next generation. They wished to train young adults for serving the Lord and ignite them to organize a congregation. Lucena’s inspiration came from his father who started a church in the Philippines. Meanwhile, de Guzman envisioned organizing a mission group that would keep him motivated to spread the gospel.
During Tampa Bay Filipino-American Mission Group’s inaugural worship service, Walter Castro, Florida Conference Lay Ministries Coordinator, shared experiences and challenges he encountered in his ministry. Anthony WagenerSmith, Florida Conference Church Planting Coordinator, offered a dedicatory prayer. Orlando Filipino Church Pastor Daniel Catangay presented the sermon, “Our Identity with Jesus.”
In the afternoon, Castro and WagenerSmith reviewed the new congregation’s mission statement with group members and assisted them in developing communication, evangelism, and spiritual enrichment goals for 2014.
Additional photos from the organization service are available on the following Facebook photo album for Florida Conference Volunteer Lay Pastors.
// Post by Volunteer Lay Pastors.