ORLANDO – The 2020 U.S. Census data provides population counts of 313 race and ethnicity groups living in the United States, plus 1,187 American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) tribes and villages.
Within the Southern Baptist Convention, in addition to African American and Hispanic fellowships, at least three ethnic fellowships are in the development stage, and 17 others have or are organizing, including the newest: Slavic. Slavs are considered to have originated in Eastern Europe (modern Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland) before spreading throughout Europe.
Here are plans from those fellowships not related to African Americans, Hispanics or Asians that plan to meet during the week of June 7-10, when the SBC annual meeting (and its related events) takes place at the Orange County Convention Center.
Brazil
The Fellowship of Brazilian Baptist Churches in America plans to meet for two hours Monday, June 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. in Salon 14, second floor of the Rosen Centre Hotel adjacent to the Orange County Convention Center, with a theme of “Unstoppable Churches” – Igrejas Imparáveis – based on Matthew 16:18.
“The purpose of the gathering is to provide members of Brazilian churches in Orlando the opportunity to get to know the relationship between Brazilian Baptists and the Southern Baptist Convention,” Executive Director Ebenezer Santos said. “Since there are more than 100 Brazilian churches ofvarious denominations in the Orlando area, our Fellowship aimsto encourage Brazilian churches to engage with and learn more about the SBC’s work in supporting churches.”
Santos, retired from the pastorate, and Ney Ladeia, pastor of First Brazilian Baptist Church of South Florida – Igreja brasileira no sul da florida – are to speak.
“We look forward to planting new churches, strengthening God’s people through His Word, and encouraging church members to share with others what God is doing through their lives and ministries,” Santos said.
Haiti
The SBC National Haitian Fellowship plans to meet at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 7, at First Haitian Baptist Church of Orlando, 4701 Lenox Blvd., in Orlando, with a theme of “We are more than conquerors: Navigating triumphantly through a season of hardship and opportunity!” based on Romans 8:37.
Special speakers are to include Keny Felix, inaugural national president and pastor of Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church in Miami; Jackson Voltaire, president of the Florida Haitian Baptist Fellowship, and pastor of Grace Connection Baptist Church in Sunrise, Kendall, and Naranja, Fla.; Dawest Louis, pastor of International Connect Church in New Orleans, La.; Chilere St. Victor, pastor of French-Speaking Baptist Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Dieudonné Raymond, pastor of Eglise Baptiste De La Bible in Somerville, Mass.
Special music is to be provided by the First Haitian Baptist Church of Orlando choir and Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church worship team.
Special remarks are to be given by Florida Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist Convention leaders, as well as other ethnic fellowship presidents.
“We are going to celebrate God’s faithfulness through a turbulent season and strengthen the connection across state fellowships and regions within the SBC Haitian National Fellowship,” Felix said. “Our aim is to support the work of the SBC in fulfilling the Grand Commission, while caring for our local communities.
“We are also going to explore mission endeavors to minister to Haitian migrants in Mexico and elsewhere, while supporting the network of Baptist churches in Haiti. Additionally, we will address how we can continue to advocate and care for our church members and our communities as we face present immigration challenges,” Felix continued.
“Lastly, we plan to discuss the organizational development of the National Haitian Fellowship, affirming the present and newly appointed officers.”
Felix expressed concern about “our various communities related to immigration, suffering, and instability.”
“It’s important for us to gather now more than ever to encourage one another, be equipped and continue the mission that God has given us to reach the lost, act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God,” Felix said. “This gathering is an opportunity for the diverse body of Christ to rally under the same banner but also meet each other at our point of need through dialogue, understanding and a renewed commitment to bear with one another in love as we fulfill God’s call upon our lives.”
Messianic
The Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship plans to convene a business meeting for the SBMF leadership team during the week of June 7-10.
“It will be a small luncheon or dinner meeting with about 14 attendees,” said the Messianic Fellowship’s Executive Director and Chaplain Ric Worshill. “Most of our affiliated congregations are house churches and travel for them is expensive. Our other affiliates are self-supported Jewish evangelists and missionaries.
“We will have a Zoom general membership meeting later in the summer,” Worshill added. “Any of our affiliated members who are attending the SBC annual meeting should connect with us at the SBC’s All Nations Booth.”
The Messianic Fellowship’s elected president is H. Bruce Stokes of Disciple Center, a Judeo-Christian Community of Faith in Anaheim, Calif. The vice president is Rabbi Michael Saffle of Sabbath Peace Fellowship in Chugiak, Alaska. All officers and leaders serve as volunteers for the Fellowship’s ministry.
At the booth, “We hope to connect with pastors and church leaders who are willing to connect with us to help them with Jewish evangelism in their mission field,” Worshill said. “We will have a team of 14 SBMF leaders working at that booth.”
Native Americans
The Fellowship of Native American Christians (FoNAC) plans to meet from 10 a.m.-noon Monday, June 8, in Room 225B in the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center, with a theme of “Better together,” based on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10.
Guest speaker is to be Steve Strickland, director of missions for the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association in Pembroke, N.C. Worship and special music is to be provided by Kelvin Locklear, pastor of Mt Airy Baptist Church in Pembroke. In addition to tribal hymns, there is to be a presentation of Pawnee cultural dances by the Tribe of Judah, based in Pawnee, Okla.
Representatives from IMB, NAMB and state conventions, as well as Native Christian leaders, are to bring greetings or more. Reports covering the last year are to be given by the organization’s leaders, and plans for the upcoming year are to be discussed.
“The Native peoples of North America, though diverse – in culture, religious values, and traditions – hold a unique kinship extending across many boundaries,” Executive Director Gary Hawkins said. “FoNAC strives to be a healthy Native Christian network that enhances, encourages and empowers the free flow of the Gospel of Christ from and to the indigenous peoples throughout Native America.”
Attendees from throughout the SBC are invited to join the gathering, where they will have opportunity to gain insight to Native ministry, discover potential ways of developing partnerships, enjoy interaction with Native Christian people, “and just enjoy the fellowship of God’s family,” Hawkins said. “We’re looking forward to seeing God open doors that no one will be able to close and to see Him close doors that no one will be able to open.”
FoNAC also will have a booth in the Exhibit Hall throughout the week.
Slavic
A dinner for pastors of Slavic and Ukrainian Southern Baptist churches is to take place from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, in Salons 7-8 at the Rosen Centre Hotel adjacent to the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center.
“During the dinner, there will be time for fellowship, as well as presentations of mission opportunities from the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board,” coordinator Ivan Mileyev said. “You will have a unique opportunity to learn about SBC ministries.”
Registration is required because dinner is to be served. https://welcome.imb.org/2026SBCSlavicNetworkDinnerRegistration.html
The gathering’s languages are to be in Ukrainian, Russian and American.
“Your church does not have to be a member of the Southern Baptist Convention to do this,” Mileyev said. “We look forward to meeting you at the gathering of Slavic ministers in Orlando.”
Related posts:
2017 SBC Annual Meeting Program 2018 SBC Annual Meeting Program 2019 SBC Annual Meeting Program 
SBC Asian Fellowships offering special events in June and year-round 2015 SBC Program 
National African American Fellowship continues five-year Vision 2030 2016 SBC Annual Meeting Program 
SBC entities to host enriching, encouraging events in Orlando
