Bell Shoals Baptist Reaches Out to Latino Community

was in the news recently with its “fellowship of encouragement” extended to the Latino community, through the establishment of Iglesia Bautista (“Baptist Church”), in a renovated former sanctuary.

The Tampa Tribune reports that the congregation began meeting in December and was heralded at a Latin festival and soccer camp on Easter weekend that drew hundreds of people from the Greater Brandon and South Shore region.

The paper quotes Tomas Pizana, who heads a support team he founded to serve the growing Latino population with social services and spiritual support. Pizana noted that “not many larger churches have made the commitment this church is making” to the Latino population.

According to Pizana, “there are 33,000 Hispanics within five miles of” the Bell Shoals Baptist Church community at 2101 Bell Shoals Road in Brandon.

The church on its Web site offers a rundown of recent happenings and upcoming events, as noted below.

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Defining Moments Family Conference

• The Defining Moments Family Conference is scheduled to kick off April 21 at 6 p.m., with FX Live (“Family Experience Live”), “a high-octane show where you and your kids become the stars.”
• Charles Lowery is the featured speaker at both morning worship services on Sunday, April 22, as well as at the 6 p.m. “Defining Moments” service. A fellowship meeting in the Special Events Center will follow.
• The conference concludes April 23 with a Family Fellowship Meal in the Special Events Center, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Richard Ross and Danny Akin will participate in the evening worship service, with the Zack Olsen Band set to perform.

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Tough Questions Answered

• Pastor Stephen Rummage, on Wednesdays through May 16, tackles “some of the most frequently asked questions about the Christian faith in a teaching series entitled, ‘Tough Questions Answered.’ ”
• Community worship is 7 p.m. in the Special Events Center, preceded by a Family Fellowship Meal, available for purchase from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., also in the center.

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Daily Devotionals and Sermons Online

Recent sermons include:

• “Setting Your Spiritual Compass” (April 15)
• “The Resurrection and the Life” (April 8)
• “In Your Place, For Your Sin: (April 1)
• “Profile of a Christ Follower” (March 25)
• “Following Jesus” (March 18)
• Becoming a Person of Influence” (March 11)
• “How To Be Happy When You’re Hassled” (March 4)
• “How To Make Someone’s Day” (Feb. 26)

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Greater Brandon Day Of Prayer

• The Greater Brandon National Day of Prayer Gathering is scheduled for May 3, 7-8 p.m., at Brandon Auto Mall on State Road 60 in Valrico.

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