Our current church planting involvement is Southwood Baptist Church, Pastor John Sharff, located in South East Tallahassee.  Maranatha Baptist Church, Pastor Sergio Reyes, and our Mission Board, I.B.C.P.A are supporting this new church plant.  Our first Sunday service was on January 18, 2004 at the John Paul II Catholic High School.  Out of Southwood Plantation came 12 people from 5 families and all showed a good interest in coming again.  Jade and I are overseeing the childrens ministries - we had 14 children in Childrens Church, 6 were from Southwood families.

There are 4 families and 2 singles involved in this church planting team.  Our responsibility is to lead the childrens ministries.  (Policy, curriculum, records management, assist administrative responsibilities, teacher training).  We will be training lay people to take on responsibilities in the church.  Once the church reaches a mature and stable situation, we will transition out and help start another church in the Florida panhandle area.

There is a great opportunity to build a strong church here.  Currently there are 192 occupied homes in Southwood Plantation and they are building 4700 total homes by 2020.  They expect a final build out population of over 32,000 persons.  Much of the surrounding area already comes into Southwood for lunch and work.  There are many government and college employees moving into Southwood and the immediate area.  The 3 major colleges have over 52,000 students.  There is certainly much growth here and an exciting opportunity for the church.  There is more information about Southwood and the church planting team on our web site.  Please pray for the growth of Southwood Baptist Church as we seek to glorify God by reaching souls, discipling and training converts to serve, and sending missionaries.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

The Girard Family

Missionary Church Planters

Building Churches to Evangelize and Train the Next Generation

Current Church Plant:

Southwood Baptist Church, Pastor John Sharff

P. O. Box 2831 Tallahassee, FL 32316

850-878-3699 www.southwoodbaptistchurch.org

info@southwoodbaptistchurch.org

Supported by:

Maranatha Baptist Church, Pastor Sergio Reyes

2532 West Tharpe Street Tallahassee, FL 32303

850-386-8909 www.mbctal.org  maranath@polaris.net