SMALL GROUPS LEAD TO BAPTISMS
by Naomi Zalabak
Avon Park, Fla., Church members have welcomed 14 individuals through baptism since their new pastor, Frank Gonzalez, arrived in January 2013. Twelve of the baptisms occurred as a result of nurturing found in small groups.
Gonzalez, an enthusiastic proponent of small group ministry, first presented this idea to his elders. Twelve small groups are presently in place with the motivation for each coming from mutual interests such as: prophecy, the life of Jesus, or the diet for Christians.
One reason for the pastor’s emphasis on small groups at this time is to encourage members to pray and prepare for an upcoming evangelistic series. Gonzalez, a veteran of evangelism, served as Speaker/Director of La Voz de la Esperanza (The Voice of Hope) radio and television broadcasts for 16 years prior to joining Avon Park Church as senior pastor.