CHURCH PROFILE

 

 Table of Contents

     

COVENANT AND CORE VALUES

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

WHO WE ARE

SURVEY

A HISTORY OF BBIC & SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

WORSHIP

MUSIC

OUTREACH

MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATIONS

CHALLENGES

GOVERNANCE

THE IMAGE OF BBIC (HOW OTHERS SEE US)

REAL ESTATE

CHURCH PASTORAL SEARCH

DEACONS,DEACONESS AND TRUSTEES

STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION

CITY AND COMMUNITY

PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Beulah Baptist Institutional Church is a Spirit-led, Bible-teaching and servant-practicing church in the tradition of the best African American Baptist churches. Our membership totals 376 on the rolls; however, the active participation is about 245 members. Beulah is located in the gentrifying neighborhood of North Hyde Park in West Tampa. The church is located in a rapidly growing and developing city filled with ever expanding commercial projects in our neighborhood.

 

Beulah Baptist Institutional Church was founded in 1865, by a visionary group of newly freed slaves who shared a dream: to build a church that preached the gospel and reflected the spirit of religious freedom. The vision was rooted in their desires to faithfully serve God and their community. They also envisioned a place where people would have the freedom of worship and dignity as newly freed individuals. Beulah is the the oldest African American church in the city of Tampa. It was established before Tampa was officially organized as a city. For more than 154 years, Beulah Baptist Institutional Church has built a reputation as a place where members are encouraged to grow spiritually, to pray continually, to study God’s Word and to love unconditionally. The church has flourished under the leadership of Spirit-filled pastors, strong leadership, faithful congregations and high-quality staff. Our doors are open to all who wish to follow Jesus on a journey of faith. Beulah Baptist Institutional Church is a healthy church in the midst of transitions, seeking new God-led leadership. We have transitioned from an aging congregation to one needing to develop younger members and families; from a neighborhood with a predominately African-American majority to one that has become majority white and younger. The church is seeking a strong preacher and a vigorous leader who, as Senior Pastor, will work with the congregation to build on the church’s historical Servant and Leadership tradition. That tradition is embodied in the church’s long and storied walk with God, its’ dedication to Christian education and its commitment to taking care of people in need. The following pages provide a profile of our church’s history, facilities, budget, staff, programs and the city that it calls home. In addition, you will get insight into our members thoughts about our church, as well as the view of others. 

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These pages will also point out the challenges and opportunities awaiting our new Pastor, only the sixth in our 154 year history. We are people on a journey of faith. With prayers that we will find God’s will for our future, we are looking for the right man or woman to become our Senior Pastor and experience that exciting journey as a part of our spirited, challenging, sometimes contentious but always dedicated community of faith.  

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 CHURCH COVENANT

 

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour; and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ. 

 

We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, towards its expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern. 

 

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith. 

 

We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other’s reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other’s joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another’s burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Saviour in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. 

 

When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.

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MISSION & CORE VALUES

   

The mission of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church is to save the lost by sharing the Love Of Jesus. The four-fold goal of our church is to make disciples and win souls for the Kingdom; grow our membership through the knowledge of the word of God; invest in the growth and development of our youth and to be a blessing for our community. Our efforts are guided by the foundational scriptures and instructions given by Jesus to the Disciples in Matthew 28:18-20. 

 

WHO WE ARE

 

It is vitally important that a church has as much information about its membership as possible in order to develop successful programming for them. Knowin who our membership is, what they do, their spiritual desires and aspirations and the problems they face is vital in our  programming for ministry and outreach.

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BBIC Active Membership                   Break Down Professionally  # 

DATE             #                                       Educators

10/15/2012   717                                    Lawyers

12/15/2013   647                                   Doctors

12/30/2014   550                                  Health & Human Services Professionals  

06/30/2015   470                                 Government & Public Administration

02/10/2016   463                                  Information Technology

12/30/2016   455                                  Finance & Business                              

02/10/2017   448                                  Self Employed & Business Owners

06/01/2017   392                                  Student

10/01/2018   342

03/01/2019   364

03/15/2019   344

 

BBIC Church Demographics

Members age:#

0-6                  1

7-10               14

11-15              29

16-18             20

19-25            36

26-35            28

36-45            36

46-55            56

56-70            114

71-and up     59

TOTAL         393

 

 

BEULAH BAPTIST INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH

PASTORAL SEARCH COMMITTEE

CONGREGATIONAL SURVEY RESULTS

 

 

As the Pastoral Search Committee began the process of identifying prospective candidates for our Senior Pastor position, engaging the membership was paramount to our efforts. It was very important that we communicated to the congregation their stake in the future and vision of the church. We recognized that having accurate and objective information from our entire church family would give us a solid baseline and increase our ability to plan, strategize and lead this effort for which God has called us. We eliminated anecdotal and hear-say information to give members the opportunity to speak to us through their responses to a series of specific, targeted questions. This survey was designed for us to listen to and hear them on top-line issues. Their comprehensive, anonymous feedback and desires for the future direction of the church and its leadership was considered as we outlined the process.

 

We have come together through prayer and Spiritual directions, with no individual agendas, to identify the person whom God has identified to serve our congregation.The information that we have gathered has shed light on the kind of leader the church feels that we need. It has  guided us throughout our Pastoral search process and provided useful information about the congregation’s needs, their demographics, and what they want in their next leader.

 

We are mindful that survey results need to be interpreted and not taken at face value. We know that they can only tell so much and should be used as a means to inform and guide the search process rather than used as hard and fast tools for disqualifying candidates. With our use of this  information we endeavored to communicate to the congregation that they have a stake in the future and vision of the church.

 

The information that follows represents the church's responses to the survey:

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1. I am:  24 Male             62 Female             Total Respondents = 86

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   2.  My age is:   3  12-19         5 20-39           16   40-59          62  60+

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   3. My opinion is that the minimum acceptable educational level of our Pastor should be

     38    College graduate from an accredited school

 

      47     Advanced degree from an accredited seminar

4.   Years of prior pastoral experience that I prefer:

      6  Under 5 Years                                      55  5-10 Years

 

      19  11-20 Years                                        3    20+ Years as a pastor

 

5.  Preferred age range for our pastor:

     30    No age Preference                    2  20-29 Years                      5   30-39 Years

 

     28    40-49 Years                              6   50-59 Years                      1    60+ Years

 

6.  The search committee should consider a candidate who is:

    33  Male                                              1  Female                             52  No Gender preference

 

7.  Our new pastor's ministry priorities should be (Select Five):

    70    A gifted teacher, enables our learning and understanding of deep spiritual truths

 

     76   An effective communicator of well prepared, life applicable sermons

 

     33  A person who emphasizes evangelism and the importance of witnessing

 

     39  An administrator of the clergy staff and all spiritual activities of the church

 

    18  Active in association and denominational activities/programs

 

    21  A community volunteer in activities/programs

 

    77 A person with leadership vision, inclusive of a well-developed vision for the future of the               church

 

  47   skilled counselor, available to assist persons with personal and spiritual problems

 

 15  One who incorporates praise songs and/or drama into the worship experience

 

 26  A nurturing leader who continues personal growth and also enables the growth of others

 

 19  One who understands and communicates well with youth, preschoolers and children

14  One who understands and communicates well with senior adults

 

 22  One who understands and communicates well with young and single adults

 

 17  One who values and emphasizes the importance of strong families

 

 34  One who cares for the needs of both his family and his church family

 

Other:

• Pastor willing to engage his spiritual gifts & encourage the same in others, which leads to an outpouring of life & oneness in the body

• Pastor accepting and supportive of women in ministry

• One who seeks the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ for guidance, following the Word of God; loving, caring, open-minded

• Know the Word and doesn’t just preach with cliches

• One who us a motivational teacher, determined to lead some to Christ and strengthen the relationship of others with Christ

• I think Rev. Rogiers would be an excellent candidate

• One who believes in the five-fold ministry as stated in Ephesians 4-11 & all of the spiritual gifts in the Bible, prophecy, tongues, etc

• One who accepts help when needed & treats all members with concern & caring

• Dynamic, personable, honest, spiritual, financial planning, communicates with everyone

• All loving, all caring, great listener

• One who practices what he preaches

• Be a pastor who is fair to everyone; all equally important

• A leader who is involved in community issues

• Someone who knows its members and visit the sick, not a selected few; someone who is not        money driven for self

• A pastor who is not a respecter of persons or status; but, one who values & treats all members the same

• Missed opportunity, Rev. Taylor; should bring him back

• Pastor should be married

• Choice of five not enough

• Godly person, value & love people

 

 

A HISTORY OF BBIC & SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

1865

A group of Negroes, recently given their  freedom from slavery, withdrew from the First Baptist Church of Tampa to organize a church that was given the name of Beulah Baptist Church.  Land for a sanctuary was donated to the group lead by Mrs. Fortune-Ransome.  The first pastor called to serve was Reverend Elder Hadley.

 

1869

Reverend Hadley terminated his pastorate of the congregation and was replaced by Reverend Anderson who added several new members to the growing congregation.

 

1875

Reverend Sinclair came to serve as pastor of Beulah for the next five years.  The church was remodeled under his

administration.

 

1878

Reverend N.A. Johnson was called to serve as pastor of this growing congregation.  His leadership covered a three year span during which time the church’s membership continued to grow.

 

1881

Under the pastorate of Reverend L.G. Carro, the original frame structure of the church was moved from its old street location to Harrison Street.

 

1887

Reverend H. Holman was called and accepted the pastorate of the church.  The church membership grew rapidly and extensively, necessitating a renovation of the building to accommodate the large number of worshipers.  In the mid part of his pastorate, the church had to undergo a second renovation to serve its growing membership.

 

1889

It was during this same period that Usher Board #1 was organized.  Of great significance to the community, and a tribute to Reverend Holman, was the organization of the People Investment Company under the auspices of the church and the first Negro Investment of the City of Tampa. During the same year, an office building was purchased to house the People’s Investment Company and other business activities.

1903

The membership voted to purchase a new site for the church. Reverend Holman’s pastorate climaxed with the great baptismal service in the Hillsborough River. Reverend J.B. Green became pastor and conducted a 45 day revival.

 

1908

The church was incorporated as the Beulah Baptist  Institutional Church (non-profit).

 

1914

Elder S.A. Norris became pastor. During his administration, the Floral Club was organized.

 

1916

Reverend G.D. Griffin became pastor and increased the membership to a total of 425.

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1917

The property located at the corner of Tyler and Pierce Streets was purchased at a cost of $90,000 on which an 11 room modern pastorate was built.

1922
The congregation contracted with the Tri-State Construction Company to erect a new sanctuary on the purchased site at a cost of $85,000.
 

1926

Reverend H.E. Jones became pastor.  He organized the White Robe Choir which later became the first Negro church choir to sing on the radio station in Tampa.  Some years later, this choir became Choir #2.

 

1931

Reverend W.M. Davis was called as pastor of the church. His first effort was to spearhead a drive to complete the new sanctuary structure.

 

1932

The Red Circle and Courtesy Clubs were organized.

 

1937

The congregation moved into the newly completed edifice after many sacrifices had been made by the members through cash donations.

 

1938

Dedicatory Services of the new church were held from October 10-30.  Participating in the services were representatives of national, state and local governments and ministries and supporters of Beulah from throughout the area.

 

1940

Usher Board #2 was organized.

 

1942

The Quarterman’s Glee Club was organized.

 

1954

Reverend W.M. Davis passed away. Reverend G.T. Martin was called to serve as interim pastor. The Youth Choir was organized.

 

1956

Reverend A. Leon Lowry became the 13th pastor of the church. The Beulah Baptist Church Federal Credit Union was organized. A group of ladies formed the A. Leon Lowry Club.  The congregation purchased the Burn’s Memorial Chapel and four and one half adjoining lots on Delaware and Cypress Streets in West Tampa, site of the new church

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1957

The Children’s Choir was organized.

1958

The Mattie Jackson Courtesy Club was organized.

1963

A committee was appointed to conduct a feasibility study to determine whether the old building should be renovated or a new church erected.

1963-1965

Architectural plans and drawings were presented to the congregation for approval.

 

1966

The congregation launched a sale of bonds to finance construction of a new church on Delaware and Cypress Streets.

 

1968

Ground breaking ceremonies were held and work was begun on the new church building. The Sanctuary   Ladies Auxiliary was organized.

1969

A loan was secured from the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Tampa in April to complete construction of the new church.   On Sunday, December 21, Consecration Services for the new church were held.

 

1970

The Angelic Choir and Junior Usher Board were organized.

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1971

The first “ Beulah Day” was launched as a joint financial effort for the men and women of the church.

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1972

A Youth Choir was organized and named the A. Leon Lowry Tabernacle Choir. Beulah became the host church for “ Chapel 8,” a televised religious service of the WFLA Broadcasting Station. 

 

1973

The Cornerstone was laid during a very impressive ceremony conducted by the Grand Assembly of the Lily White Association of which Deacon C. Blythe Andrews was Grand President.  The Cornerstone was donated by Deacon Andrews. The sermon for this memorable occasion was delivered by Reverend Benjamin Lowry,  father or our pastor, Reverend A. Leon Lowry.  Pastor Lowry instituted the first massive Retirement Services honoring all members of the church who retired from their various types of jobs.

1974

The outdoor Cross was erected. The Dedicatory Services were held February 24. The property on the southeast corner of Delaware and Cypress was acquired for parking and recreational activities.  The parking area on the south and west sides of the Sanctuary were marked off and surfaced.

1975

Beulah’s 1st Pictorial Directory was published. The congregation voted to acquire adjacent property when it became available.  The Youth Department was organized for the purpose of studying current problems.  The Church participated in the First Church Family Reunion and Unified Church Songfest which included Beulah, Greater Bethel and Faith Temple Churches.

1976

Property at the southwest corner of Gilchrist and Cypress was purchased for future use.  The Building Fund contributions were increased with the intent of retiring the church mortgage within 5 years, and entered into a lease (with option to buy) with the Tony Grandoff Enterprises on our old Beulah site property.

 

1977

The Youth Matrons Auxiliary was organized.

1979

Re-supplied the Sanctuary with bibles and hymnals. A sizeable number of each were donated by the Wilson   family.

 

1980

The Pastor’s Aid Club, Voluntary Youth Program and first church nursery were established.

 

1981

The “ Sons of Beulah,” a male church support group was organized.   Pastor’s 25th Anniversary was observed.

 

1982

The Church purchased property at the northeast corner of Lemon and Delaware Streets for future use.  The name of the church was installed at the base of the cross.  The Youth Department published the 1st Edition of its newspaper, The Beulah Bugle.

1983

The mortgage on the Sanctuary was retired and a “Mortgage Burning Service” was held on January 23.  Reverend Gardner C. Taylor delivered the sermon for this memorable occasion. Business machines were updated via purchases and donations.  The mortgage held by Central Life Insurance Company and Community Federal Savings and Loan Association was retired.  New public address and security control systems were installed.

 

1984

The ‘Sons of Beulah’ and The Male Chorus were reorganized.  Four time-controlled security lights were installed.

 

1985

Additional business machines were purchased and a Tape Ministry was established for the sick and shut-in with the help of the Sanctuary Ladies.  The Church accepted a monetary gift of $44,625 from our pastor,  Rev. A. Leon Lowry to go toward the construction of our educational center.

1986

The members honored Reverend Lowry on his 30th year as pastor of the church with a banquet.  The first ‘Birthday Extravaganza’ was celebrated. The first church calendar was made available for each family.

 

1987

A contract was signed to build an educational center.  A new piano and new robes were purchased.  The Pastor’s Aid Club honored the Pastor with a birthday dinner.  Furniture was purchased for the conference room, narthex and church office and rails were installed at the main entrance of the Sanctuary.

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1988

A loan was secured to finance the construction of the educational center from First Florida Bank, N.A.  Ground breaking ceremonies were held for the new Educational building.

1989

Construction of the educational building began and a duplex was purchased at the southwest corner of Lemon and Gilchrist. The entire edifice was re-carpeted.  The Youth Usher Board was re-organized.

 

1990

The Church hosted the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc.  Property at the corner of Cypress and North Delaware was purchased. Dedicatory Services and Open House was held for our new education facility which was named “The A. Leon Lowry Sr. Family Services Center.”   The Youth Mission was organized and the Young Matrons was renamed the Ladies of Emerald Mission 2.  Additional furniture was purchased for the new facility.

 

1991

The Beulah Baptist Institutional Church Day Care Center was officially opened.  Necessary items for the operation of the center, such as furniture, playground equipment, fencing, etc. were purchased.  

 

1992

The Church began a Church Bond Drive. Saturday School was opened.  Youth Church was organized.  Karate classes were offered.  The Brotherhood of Beulah was re-organized.

1993

A ‘ down stage ’ podium was installed with the assistance of the A. Leon Lowry Club.  The Church accepted Rev. Lowry’s retirement plans and selected a search committee for a new pastor.

 

1994

The Church’s Pictorial Directory was updated.  The cornerstone for the A. Leon Lowry Family Service Center was laid during a very impressive ceremony which was conducted by the Masons. The sermon was delivered by our Pastor, Reverend A. Leon Lowry.

1995

The Church accepted the search committee’s ‘New Pastor’s report and voted on the same. None of the candidates obtained the recommended percentage to call the new Pastor. Thus, a second vote was necessary and another selection was held at a later date. Reverend W. James Favorite accepted the call to become the 14th Pastor of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church. Property at the southeast corner of Lemon and  Delaware Avenue was purchased.  The Cora Lee Sutton Scholarship Fund was established and pledged financial support.

1996

Reverend W. James Favorite began the ‘Vision Toward the Year 2000’. The vision adopted the idea of Ministry and encourages all boards to do the work of a ministry.  The Board of Christian Education was established.  A Before and After Care Program was added.  A full scale tithing program was introduced through pastoral  teaching and preaching. Membership was increased through Evangelism and a total evangelical program with an emphasis on the family was developed.

1997

An emphasis was placed on Evangelism and building Sunday School. Two revivals were scheduled.  The Beautification Committee was established.  The Young Men and Women of Excellence program began. 

1998

The Youth Adult Choir was established and made their debut.  Computer School was founded.  A new church directory was published.  Beulah’s Brotherhood Ministry regrouped and expanded their activities.  The Young Adult Choir was renamed Young Believers.  Reverend Favorite ordained four Deacons.  The first Church Anniversary banquet held and the first A. Leon Lowry Sr. Day was celebrated.

1999

Beulah’s first female minister, Rev. Delores J. Cain was licensed.  The Children’s Choir renamed “The New  Generation Choir.”  Renovations began in the church and A. Leon Lowry Center.  A new organ for the main sanctuary was purchased. A Vision Ministry and The Married Couples Ministry was organized.  The 1st Annual Street Festival was held.

 

2000

Succession Training was established for the purpose of preparing the members for leadership roles in the Church.  The first Ordination of Deaconess was held December 10th.  The Deacon Board was increased by 3 members. The Singles and the Health Ministries were established.  A SAT Training Program was introduced as a result of  funding from the Florida Education Fund.

2001

The Church hosted the PNBC Convention in August and coordinated transportation of attendees.  The Youth Church for teens was reorganized and experienced tremendous growth within The Children’s Church.

 

2002

Total Involvement theme was introduced in January.

2003

Fifth Sunday Mortgage Reduction Program introduced to enable early payoff of mortgage on the Education Center.  The Pastor initiated the first reunion with First Baptist Church of Tampa since the organization of Beulah Baptist 
Institutional Church in 1865.

2004

Unity Sunday was initiated bringing two congregations into one worship hour.  The Jamaica Ministry sent a team of twelve to Jamaica to render services to those in  need.  This effort was supported in part by the Beulah membership.

 

2005

The parking lot property which had been the site of our old church built in 1931 under Reverend W.M. Davis was sold.  The Church received a gift of land from the City of Tampa for the site of our Senior Housing Complex.

 

2006

Additional land across from the church was purchased to accommodate our continuous need for additional parking.  The Evangelism Ministry developed a follow-up segment.  An additional contract was awarded by the Children’s Board to continue our Out of School Time (OST) Program.

2007

The mortgage was burned and work began on our Senior Housing project in November.  Our Pastor met with the  National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (NBLCA) in New York to begin work on our HIV/AIDS Outreach Ministry.  Funding was awarded by the United Way to   assist with a year-round after school program.  

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2008

A new roof was installed on the Sanctuary and a new “state-of-the-art” security system was installed in the Lowry Center.  The “Home Today” program for First Time Home Buyers was sponsored by Third Federal Savings  and Loan.  A new Mid-day Bible Study was instituted.

2009

The VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program was reinstituted for the 2009 tax season.  The Advisory Board for Ministries was established and a new Leadership Training Program was initiated.  The new NBLCA-Tampa Affiliate Program was launched. 

2010-2011

An emphasis was placed on identifying each member’s talents through the Spiritual Gifts Inventory.

 

2013

The Voices of Beulah (Young Adults) Choir was organized.

2014

Live streaming of Sunday Services was offered on YouTube and streaming was made available in the Lowry Center primarily for the benefit of our Culinary Ministry.

2015

The Technology Ministry initiated the capability for online contributions (i.e. tithes, offerings, special events).   A Fall Festival Community Outreach event was held featuring health screenings, diet and nutrition education, job fair, games, songs, clothing giveaway and an outdoor song and praise service.  The Church celebrated 150 years of ‘Faithful Service to God and Community’ with a Grand Banquet, historical events on display and extensive media coverage.

 

2016

The 1st Annual Deacon/Deaconess Day of Worship and Fellowship was held.  The Church’s pictorial directory was updated.  The Young Adult Sunday School Class was reorganized.  The Evangelism Ministry was restructured to better meet the needs of the community and to increase participation from membership.

 

2017

The Church purchased two 2 lots from the City of Tampa.  The Mother’s Ministry organized a Teen Initiative.
 

WORSHIP

 

Our worship services at Beulah Baptist Institutional Church consist of a range of worship activities and opportunities in which one can participate and grow spiritually: 

•  Sunday School                          8:45 AM

•  Sunday Morning Worship   10:00 AM

• Bible Study

  •   Tuesday                          12:00 PM (Noon)

  •   Wednesday                      6:30 PM

 

There are also opportunities to participate in programs organized by various ministries and church organizations and special worship programs in conjunction with Christian calendar dates:

● Prayer Services

● Vacation Bible School

● Women’s Fellowship

● Men’s Fellowship

● Resurrection Sunday 

● Christmas

 

MUSIC

 

Beulah, like many churches born out of the circumstances of slavery and an African ancestry, has music as a central part of their worship, celebration, struggles and daily lives.That music normally has the Bible as the basis for its lyrics and story. Music is an integral part of our worship, programming and communal praise.

 

The music program is led by our Minister of Music, in consultation with our Pastor. All choirs are under the direction of the Minister of music. A wide variety of Christian music and styles is sung while always mindful of the object of the songs as evident by their stated mission. 

Mission: to empower the pew for the work of redemption through praise and worship, choral ministry and evangelism in hymns and contemporary gospel songs.

 

Our music is a dynamic worship ministry of anointed, talented and loving people who serve the Lord through songs in response to His great love towards us. The music creates, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, an atmosphere in which we rejoice and worship the Lord.

 

OUTREACH

 

Outreach is and should be an essential and natural part of the totality of ministry at Beulah Baptist Institutional Church. The sad truth, however, is that it has not. There has been a diminution of our efforts over the last few years. As a community, we are drawn to service and to live out our commission, to be the hands and feet of God. Recognizing the importance of both giving and receiving, we endeavor, though not always successfully, to pour back into our community the gifts we have received. Our vision is to provide opportunities for every member to become involved in outreach. Beulah and its members support and/or serve through many programs beyond the church and external agencies.

 

We are proud, however, of two of our signature efforts that bring us great joy and provides enormous help to the groups we serve:

 

 

 

● Jamaica Medical Mission

 In 2004 Beulah Baptist Institutional Church started a medical outreach ministry for the poor and underserved children and families in Jamaica. We started with the idea of helping to facilitate the delivery of free, accessible and quality healthcare services to the poor in correctional institutions and rural and underserved communities. Our initial focus was on the Parish of St. Catherine. The catalyst for this program was a native-born Jamaican couple, Leslie and Elloreece Burrell, who had been engaged in this health outreach with other organizations since 1997.  Leslie has since made his transition, but Elloreece continues to lead, direct and expand this mission throughout Jamaica with a volunteer team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, counselors, ministers, and administrative assistants.  Beulah Baptist Institutional Church and Mrs. Burrell’s efforts have been acknowledged and honored at the highest levels of Jamaican Government. She is a caring member of the Jamaican Diaspora and Beulah Baptist Institutional Church who takes seriously her call to be a servant leader.  

Since 2004 our mission team has made a major difference in the provision of healthcare relief for this underserved population of Jamaicans, who in most cases get to receive medical treatment only when we make our annual visits to their communities.  While there are other missions throughout the country, there are not enough. Observing the existing conditions breaks our hearts. For that reason, our dedicated team continues, through prayer and struggle, to maintain this outreach.

 

Here is a listing of our efforts in Jamaica since this mission began and some of what we have accomplished:

● Provided medications valued at over $440,000.

● Treated over 4,800 patients and provided home visits for some who could not get to healthcare centers.

● Counseled some 4,500 students at schools and health fairs.

● Delivered over 4,500+ books.

● Visited women’s correctional institutions and provided medical treatment and counseling.

● Established and funded vocational programs in boys’ correctional institutions.

● Provided barber chairs, supplies, tools and equipment for barber training programs.

● Ministered to all and shared with them the important concept of salvation through Jesus Christ.

As you can see, over the years we have done a good job but there still remains plenty to do.

 

● National HIV/AIDS PROGRAM

 

MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION

• Membership Progressive National Baptist Convention

• Pastors on Patrol - an organization of area clergy with an objective to advocate and fight for the under- privileged citizens of Hillsborough County in the areas of education,economics,healthcare, family and spiritual needs.

 

CHALLENGES

 

As we search for a new Senior Pastor, we view this time of transition as an opportunity to look with fresh eyes at the challenges faced by our church with the resolve to work together to address them. The congregation is aging, with more members over 60 than under 40. North Hyde Park,  once a stable neighborhood of middle class Blacks on the edge of downtown, is now becoming an affluent in-town neighborhood of young white millennials. That shift prices long time residents out of the neighborhood.  

 

While the church has many worship opportunities, programs and facilities to attract new families and younger members, we are aware of the need to do more on this front; particularly if we are to achieve a healthier and more sustainable demographic mix in our congregation for the future. Programming for young adults, singles and younger couples without children are areas in need of development, as are programs to fully integrate new members into the life of the church, and help them strengthen their commitment. 

 

Beulah Baptist Institutional Church historically was associated with and attended by prominent Black and affluent families, sadly that is no longer the case.We have, over the last several years, lost many of the children of these families who no longer attend our church. Our efforts to understand and work to mitigate this disastrous situation has not been as successful as we would desire.  Moreover, our new members tend not to be as affluent as the older generation they are replacing. This change has created challenges for our annual budget campaign as well as any long term fundraising projects. Since Beulah Baptist was founded more than 154 years ago it has been a haven for children, families and the poor. But, the perception in the community is quite different. We need to counter that presumption with all of our communication and tell our story to the community about who we are and how we live as a body of faith.

 

We are seeking a leader who, from the pulpit and in working with the staff and congregation, can help us re-energize our existing membership and appeal to new members from around the Tampa community. We seek a partner who will help us make the next 154 years of our journey of faith as inspiring and rewarding as the first 154.

 

GOVERNANCE

 

The Governance of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church is established by the church’s Constitution And Bylaws. It establishes two mandatory offices, Pastor and Deacons. Further, it also establishes their qualifications, duties and responsibilities. It identifies two elected positions, Clerk and Treasurer with the option for the church to also elect assistants for these positions.

 

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