Summer 2023

A quarterly journal of Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

4 LAY EVANGELISM TRAINING 12 COMMUNION WITH OUR CREATOR 22 UPCOMING EVENTS

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

WHAT ARE YOU BUILDING? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 This year at Florida Conference, we have talked a lot about Building the Kingdom of God. It was the theme of our 2023 Camp Meeting and the driving force behind many of our initiatives this year. You will read about some of them in this edition of our magazine.

As we are called to build the Kingdom of God, we must first meditate on what we are trying to build, how we are trying to build it, and the materials we use. Why is this so important? Many believe they are building the Kingdom of God, but their hearts are deceiving.

They are building, but God does not recognize the builders or their efforts. Jesus said it this way: Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not [built a lot for you] prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me. [You never built anything for me]. (Matthew 7:21-23) In the Lord’s prayer, we find many of our answers. Jesus prays: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” Matthew 6:9. We are building the Kingdom of God. It is not our kingdom; it is not based on my desires or opinions. It has nothing to do with your blueprint. It is not your design, it is God’s design.

In God’s Kingdom, what you eat and how you dress—in addition to many other things —are not important. Jesus taught us not to be anxious about our lives, what we eat or drink, or what we put on. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and [everything will be provided] Matthew 6:33.

Seek an intimate relationship with Jesus, live according to the principles of God’s Kingdom, and find peace in the truth that God is in control. Bring God’s Kingdom into your life. Allow God to establish His throne in your heart, and everything else will fall into place.

Ellen G. White shared that to enter the Kingdom of God there, we must first have it here. “If we would see heaven, we must have heaven below. We must have a heaven to go to heaven in,” The Signs of the Times, July 31, 1893. “Those who are prepared for the communion of heaven; it is because they have heaven in their hearts,” Christ’s Object Lessons, pg 421.

What is the Kingdom you are building? I pray that as we preach, share, and talk about the Kingdom of God, people would want to experience Jesus’ Kingdom here and in the Kingdom to come.

It is my hope that this edition of Florida Focus inspires you to help build His Kingdom. It is not only the work of our pastors and evangelists to share the Gospel; every church member can build the Kingdom of God. In this issue, you will see how our members became lay evangelism leaders, how impactful sharing your table with someone can be, the importance of prayer, and more. As always, it is my prayer that this issue uplifts and encourages you to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, one that transforms you into Kingdom Builder.

May the Lord bless you always,

Allan Machado, D.Min. Florida Conference President

Table of CONTENTS 4 FCLIFE HELPS BUILD THE KINGDOM OF GOD

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5 KINGDOM BUILDING ENTITIES 6 DECLARE EVANGELISM 8 2,000 MESAS ABREN PUERTAS AL EVANGELISMO 10 FUNDRACE

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11 FIT TOGETHER 12 COMMUNION WITH OUR CREATOR 14 PRAYER MINISTRIES COUNCIL 15 MY PRAYER REFLECTION 16 ABC BOOKS

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19 ABC DELIVERY SCHEDULE 22 UPCOMING EVENTS

FLORIDA FOCUS is published quarterly by Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® and mailed free of charge to constituent members with nonprofit standard postage paid in Orlando, Florida.

Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® 351 S. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-3824 (407) 644-5000 • www.floridaconference.com • floridafocus@floridaconference.com President: Allan Machado floridaconference Executive Secretary: Tim Goff floridaconf Treasurer: Elisa Rahming florida.conference Editor: Raquel Levy Editorial Staff: Gladys Neigel / Public Relations Department

Helps Build the KINGDOM OF GOD

by Raquel Levy Gonzalez This summer, more than 300 individuals passionate about the gospel walked into churches in Miami, Tampa, and Deltona to receive free evangelism training.

The Florida Conference Lay Institute for Evangelism, or FCLIFE, was established this year to train believers who are faithful to Kingdom Growth, equipping them to be missionaries at their churches, workplaces, schools, homes, and communities.

“There is no higher calling that can come to us as followers of Jesus than to commit ourselves to the sacred duty of living and sharing the Gospel,” wrote Florida Conference president Allan Machado in a letter to FCLIFE participants. “Jesus’ commission to proclaim the good news, baptize for the forgiveness of sin, and teach His Word should not be considered the privilege of the few but the heartburning desire of every believer in the Christian church.”

Jesus has called us to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations. To accomplish this, we will need every kingdom builder—every church member—to work in harmony. It is not just the work of our pastors and evangelists.

The FCLIFE curriculum was designed for 21st-century evangelism and includes: Proclamation: Hearing the Gospel Relational: Seeing the Gospel Bible Study: Learning the Gospel Discipleship: Living the Gospel Witness to the World: Sharing the Gospel This year, seven instructors—Florida Conference pastors and leaders— taught three of the five curriculum topics, and the remaining two will be covered next year. Julie MacLafferty, Kendall Turcios, and Marcus Bates instructed Witness to the 4

FLORIDA FOCUS | SUMMER 2023

World; Matt Smith, Noel Rose, and Jeffrey Crain taught Relational; and William Earnhardt coached attendees on giving Bible Studies.

“I have really appreciated the seminar,” said Kimberly Vezilic.

“When we let Jesus live in us, He is able to shine out. Evangelism is something that happens naturally, if we are walking with Jesus and living for Him, He will give us opportunities to find and reach people where they’re at and love on them like God loves on us.”

FCLIFE participants received books, materials, and a vital assignment: to use their new evangelism skills to make a difference in their communities and bring people to Christ. The groundwork was laid, and attendees were also encouraged to invite others to Declare: Building the Kingdom of God, an evangelistic impact series later this fall. Please see the following page for the first set of programs in the Tampa area. Central area impacts will take place from November 9-11, and South area impacts from October 26-28.

Though preaching the gospel to the world may be a daunting task, president Machado writes this encouraging message: “God sees our hearts, and He will not forget our labor of love.

Don’t give up, don’t lose heart, and don’t lose hope! Refuse to be discouraged! Let us commit our plans to God, always trusting Him with everything.”

To learn more, watch recordings of FCLIFE, and stay up to date on events, visit fc-life.com.

As Director of Communication & Public Relations, Raquel is passionate about telling the story of Florida Conference. She has been a communication professional for more than ten years and has served the Lord in Florida for six years. Raquel lives in Lakeland with her husband, Jonathan, and their two dogs.

Kingdom Building Entities 303 Churches 196 Pastors 75 Volunteer Lay Pastors 80 Chaplains 30 Schools 480 Educators Kingdom Builders: Every Member

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“Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church, so that everyone shall be working for Him according to his ability.”

Acts of the Apostles, p. 111

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ABREN PUERTAS AL EVANGELISMO por Abdiel del Toro El Departamento de Ministerios en Español escogió la fecha del 4 al 6 de agosto para llevar a cabo un proyecto titulado las “2,000 Mesas.” Este proyecto se basó en que 2,000 hogares a través del territorio de nuestra Conferencia pudieran abrir sus puertas y servir sus mesas para invitar a un amigo. Estos hogares que recibieron amigos debían hacer tres cosas; compartir una comida, compartir una historia de algo que Jesús haya hecho en sus vidas y por último compartir una oración. El propósito fue que al invitar a estos amigos primero a nuestros hogares se pudieron crear lazos de amistad, compartir algunos testimonios del poder de Dios y orar por sus necesidades. Este proyecto es evangelístico por naturaleza. Siguiendo el modelo de Jesús de sentarse a la Mesa con la gente y allí compartir el Reino de Dios, también fue nuestro plan crear ese mismo ambiente en nuestra iglesias.

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Con alegría podemos expresar que en todo el territorio mesas y mesas fueron servidas para bendecir y recibir amigos. Desde Tallahassee hasta Miami cientos y cientos de hogares abrieron sus puertas para compartir comida, historias y oraciones. Tenemos ya testimonios desde diferentes regiones del estado que nos relatan lo bendecido que fue este evento en sus iglesias. Una de nuestras iglesias en sur de la Florida nos reporta que más de 7 personas decidieron bautizarse como consecuencia directa del proyecto de las 2,000 Mesas, también tenemos reportes similares en la zona de Orlando y Tampa. Dios se manifestó poderosamente a través de este plan y ya nos proponemos continuar sirviendo nuestras mesas para lograr que nuestros hogares se conviertan en centros de bendición.

Abdiel del Toro es el vicepresidente de Ministerios en Español de Florida Conference. Abdiel y su esposa, Maritza, tienen como principal objetivo seguir creciendo en una experiencia profunda con Dios y servirle con todas sus fuerzas en beneficio de Su misión y Su iglesia.

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Communion With Our Creator

by Tim Goff, Executive Secretary (COO)

The discipline of not breathing when my lungs were screaming for life-giving oxygen was nearly impossible. I made a near-fatal mistake by not connecting the inflator hose to my buoyancy compensator. My friend and I were scuba diving in a quarry— an unfamiliar place but a very familiar activity. After all, I was experienced, I was confident, with more than thirty years of experience scuba diving in quarries, oceans, reefs, and shipwrecks.

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Our first failure was not taking the time to do the safety check on each other’s equipment. If we had done this, it would have revealed a loose hose, one that is vital for maintaining neutral buoyancy underwater. So, when we started our descent, I was unable to maintain control and rapidly started sinking to the bottom. It was too late to make the hose connection. Failure number two was my resistance to release my weight belt, and as a result, I began to fight to get back to the surface. The effort to do so brought on hyperventilation in the cold water, which resulted in my regulator beginning to freeze, significantly reducing my ability to breathe.

It was a full tank of air, but a full breath was impossible. It took all the strength and discipline I could manage not to breathe so the ice in my equipment could thaw and I could regain muchneeded air. That was the first, and last, time I made a mistake assembling my dive equipment. It was the first, and last, time I made a dive without checking my friend’s equipment to ensure all was in order. Maintaining good habits matter.

Prayer, communion with our Creator, is spiritual breathing. When we think of respiration, we do not usually start with exhale; we start with inhale. We expand our chest, lower our diaphragm, and enjoy the benefits of oxygen-rich air and stabilizing nitrogen.

Breathing is natural and automatic—the first sign of life from a newborn. Breathing helps us explain true communion with God. Prayer is also the first sign of spiritual life, and it is evidenced when someone does what is not natural by looking up with eyes of trust, with empty hands of hope, exercising a childlike faith, prompted by human need, brokenness, or personal crisis.

My lungs are not screaming for air, but my heart and a lack of strength beyond my ability compels me to believe, to trust in a written word thousands of years old. “Ask and it shall be given to you,” Matthew 7:7. “Whatever you ask in my name I will give it,” John 14:13. “Seek me while I may be found,” Isaiah 55:6.

I learn to pray by breathing thoughts toward my Creator and experientially living in the written Word of God. While doing so, I discover a precious truth. Jesus describes the best news when He teaches, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them,” John 6:44.

The prayer of faith that reaches up in fear and hope is a response to what God is already doing in my life. Communion with my Creator does not begin with me finally surrendering my will and crying out for help, it begins with the subtle and beautiful influence of the Holy Spirit drawing me, wooing me, helping me see my need, and nurturing my heart through circumstances of my day to respond to this extravagant, kind, gracious invitation.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28.

Prayer can be as natural as breathing. Singers and public speakers learn breathing technics using their diaphragm to enhance their abilities. Prayer does not require special training; however, communion with our Creator can be greatly enhanced with practice, training, and insights from mature disciples. Psalms and hymns equip us with prayer language and help describe emotions that can express what is in and on our hearts. Biblical reflections

from scripture narratives and meditation on a revelation of Jesus prepare my heart for deep water.

Prayer partners help us too. Without judging, I help my friend, and my friend helps me. I trust my prayer partners because I know they love me. Blessed is the person who benefits from “life on life” discipling.

Prayer is indeed a personal private experience. Jesus teaches us to enter a private space to commune alone with God. Prayer is also a shared experience. Some prayers are only answered by the Lord when we fellowship with other believers. Jesus promises, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you,” John 15:7.

Florida Conference Prayer Ministries is expanding. Recently a prayer ministry council has formed comprised of twelve pastors who will serve the eight regions of the conference plus Spanish, Portuguese, and Creole/French speaking churches. Each pastor will serve their region and language by cultivating prayer ministry activity. Each church will be nurtured to have a prayer ministry coordinator. Together, the churches in their region will plan prayer ministry events and life-transforming discipleship.

When Youth and Young Adult Ministries hosts functions, Prayer Ministries will be active. When Pathfinders and Adventures conduct events like Red Zone and camporees, Prayer Ministries will be engaged. When soul-winning events are being conducted like FCLIFE, Caravan, or Impact events, Prayer Ministries will be there. When the Executive Committee is in session, the Florida Conference Prayer Council will lift our members to the Lord because when God’s people pray in faith, our loving Lord is present with blessing. We will pray for all our people, especially our children, schools, and sister churches. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need,” Hebrews 4:16.

“Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again, Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven,’”John 20:19-23.

Have hope; Jesus died for you and is risen. Take a deep breath and receive the Spirit. Praise the Lord; we are forgiven. Practice forgiving one another.

I believe; therefore, I pray.

Tim Goff is the Executive Secretary of Florida Conference. While working as a pipe welder at a nuclear plant, Tim and his newlywed wife, Carolyn, felt the call to ministry. Tim has served the Lord as a pastor in Potomac, Chesapeake, and Florida conferences. Tim and Carolyn have two children, Arianne and Andrew.

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Prayer Ministries Council

Ben Shurtliff SouthWest

Brad Cassell Central

Brendan White North

Edwin De Paula Spanish

Garry Gordon Broward

Julie MacLafferty East

Lawren Fogg East

Rodrigo Becker Portuguese

Ruben Joseph Miami-Keys

Shane Vidal Treasure Coast

Sidney Champagne French/Creole

William Earnhardt Gulf

My Prayer Reflection When I reflect on prayer, I _________________________________________________________.

Scripture to pray: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ I praise God for: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Prayers for others: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ Prayers for me: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ The Lord is faithful, He has answered my prayer: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ The Lord is faithful, I trust He will answer my prayer in His time according to His will: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ My prayer reflection: _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ FLORIDA FOCUS | SUMMER 2023

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November 19

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Express Delivery Specials Food Specials and Book Sales are available statewide! Take advantage of discounted prices and get everything you need delivered to your area!

- To order, call (407) 644-4255 or email floridaABC@floridaconference.com.

- For Sunday delivery, order by Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

- Get everything you need without having to pay shipping or drive far.

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A BUILDER OR A WRECKER

by Edgar A. Guest, adapted by Charles Franklin Benvegar

As I watched them tear a building down A gang of men in a busy town With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell They swung a beam and the side wall fell.

I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled, And the men you’d hire if you wanted to build?”

He gave a laugh and said, “No, indeed, Just common labor is all I need.”

“I can easily wreck in a day or two, What builders have taken years to do.”

And I thought to myself, as I went my way Which of these roles have I tried to play?

Am I a builder who works with care, Measuring life by rule and square?

Am I shaping my work to a well-made plan Patiently doing the best I can?

Or am I a wrecker who walks to town Content with the labor of tearing down?

“O Lord let my life and my labors be That which will build for eternity!”

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Upcoming Events

Sabbath, October 14, 2023 9:00 AM Check in starts at 8:00 AM First Baptist Church 631 E 1st Ave. Hialeah, FL 33010

cost: $75 per person. LIMITED SPACE For registration: oneday.floridaconference.com Price will include materials, seminars, food and gift.

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