Life is better when we come together. That's why ARISE, a vibrant and rapidly growing church of all cultures and lifestyles, invites you to join us. Our ministries for children and young people, dynamic music, and inspiring messages will help you experience God every week. Bell Shoals Church is a Baptist church located in Brandon, Florida.
It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Unfortunately, the SBC has a long history of racism that dates back to its founding in 1845. The issue of whether or not a slave owner could be named a foreign missionary was at the center of the debate, and the SBC was formed by those who supported appointing slave owners as missionaries. The Cooperative Program (CP) is one of the ways we are united for ministry and mission. Since its inception in 1925, churches of the SBC have sent billions of dollars to the CP to jointly fund a variety of ministries.
This program expresses our commitment as a local church to join with other like-minded believers and churches across the country. The mission of the Florida Baptist Convention is to support local churches in their mission to make disciples of all nations through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In June, Adam Greenway, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), denounced racism and called for justice and righteousness. As someone who is Baptist by conviction, I believe that individual churches (and Christians) are free to associate with denominations or networks in ways that make sense to them, as they seek to love God and love people.
Joining a Baptist association in Valrico, Florida can be beneficial in many ways. It can help you connect with other believers who share your values, provide financial support for ministries, and help you spread the Gospel to all nations.
