Our Ministries
How Our Association Is Ministering in Our Community
Vicki Lawrence, Church and Community Ministries Director
Mary Lynne Moore, International Learning Center Director
Tower Road Triangle (TRT) Ministry
Vicki Lawrence, Church and Community Ministries Director
For more than a year, our association has been involved in ministry in the Tower Road Triangle, an area north of SW 24th Ave., west of I-75, east of Tower Road, and south of W. University Ave. We welcome churches and individuals to join us in ministering in Triangle neighborhoods. If you are interested in becoming involved in ministry to residents, plan on building long-term relationships, not on short-term activity alone.
Here are some facts that will help describe the area and its people:
- Among a population of about 6400, many residents live in government-subsidized housing.
- According to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office, t his small area has more crimes and drug use per capita than any other area of the county.
- This area also has the highest rate of low-birth-weight babies than any other part of the county.
- Most of the residents are poor and many own no automobile, meaning, for example, that they must take a bus for a 1 ½-hour trip to east Gainesville for medical care.
- The population is composed of almost the same amount of blacks and whites.
- Among the 2911 households:
- 522 are married, 626 unmarried
- 76 households have single fathers, 550 single mothers
- 4116 (65%) are under the age of 30, 5065 (80%) under 40
- 588 (9%) are under the age of 5, 1075 (17%) under 18
- No building is available for general meetings for large groups, something a church could provide.
- The Church at Linton Oaks (Arthur Clark, pastor), a church in our association, began ministry in February 2010. Besides worship services, they provide after-school tutoring year round for children in the Triangle.
- Most of the residents are friendly and welcoming and would appreciate your interest.
- The immediate needs in which you can become involved are after-school tutoring and organized recreation for children
Alachua County Fair Ministry
Vicki Lawrence, Church and Community Ministries Director
Each year we host a booth at the Alachua County Fair to share the gospel and to make the community aware of our member churches. Volunteers from our churches use a variety of ways to share Christ.
We also minister to fair workers who are away from home and family for most of the year. We have provided free haircuts, Bible studies, household items and toiletries they requested, Bibles, devotional books, and Sunday morning worship services.
Mobile Dental Clinic
Vicki Lawrence, Church and Community Ministries Director
One week each year we host the Florida Baptist Convention's Mobile Dental Clinic. Volunteer dentists from the community and support personnel from our churches staff the clinic. About fifty patients are treated annually at a savings to them of at least $7500!
In addition to these ministries, we help our churches learn about local needs, help them work together in ministry, and provide training and expertise to churches and individuals.
Alachua County Literacy Fair
Mary Lynne Moore, Director
Each year we host a booth at the Alachua County Literacy Fair, including exhibits on the International Learning Center, offering children's salvation tracts.
International Learning Center
Mary Lynne Moore, Director
This ministry was begun in our association over 33 years ago. We teach conversational English to internationals to help them function in our culture, be more comfortable in our society, and learn about Jesus Christ. We pray that every student would return to his or her homeland knowing him as Savior.
• Class schedule: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m., now includes summer session in June and July
• Location: Parkview Baptist Church, 3403 NW 13th Street, Gainesville; 352/378-2606
• Number of students enrolled in the past year: 111 from 22 countries
• Average daily attendance: 25 students
• Languages represented: Primarily Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Farsi
• Religions represented: Christian Protestant, Roman Catholic, Buddhism, Islam, but, most of all, none
• Average number of students' children cared for daily by volunteers from our churches: 10
• Devotionals are done each class day
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For the second consecutive year, the International Learning Center of Santa Fe River Baptist Association has been selected for the 2009 Best of Gainesville Award in the Religious Organizations category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).
The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2008 Award recipients qualified as 2009 Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.
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"We are Jerusalem. This is where missions begins." Acts 1:8
