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BCF AWARDS THIRTY-EIGHT CERTIFICATES IN BRAZIL
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2008
BCF President Thomas A. Kinchen with the graduating class in Cururupu, Brazil.
The building was filled, and crowds were standing outside of the open windows as thirty-eight students graduated from the Leadership Certificate Program of The Baptist College of Florida (BCF) in Graceville, Fla. The ceremony took place at I Igregia Batista in Cururupu, Brazil where the students had attended classes in the two year program.
The Leadership Program began in the heart of Richie Allen, BCF alumnus and former trustee, who has been working in northeast Brazil for six years. Prior to devoting full time leadership to LINC-UP Missions, Allen served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Hilliard, Fla. Linc-Up seeks to link churches in the United States with areas of need in Brazil in order to plant churches and provide leadership training. The Leadership Certificate Program came as the result of a partnership between LINC-UP and BCF for the purpose of providing well trained leadership for the new church plants in northeast Brazil.
The first graduating class represents a monumental accomplishment in the mission effort in the Brazilian interior. According to Allen, "This type of leadership development is essential to reaching the interior of Brazil. Without it, the church planting process is severely hamstrung, if not crippled altogether. The dividends from this investment will be reaped for generations."
Students, friends and family members gathered at the I Igregia Batista in Cururupu, Brazil for the graduation ceremony.
Thomas A. Kinchen, BCF President, traveled to Cururupu for the ceremony, as well as visits to several of the churches being led by graduates of the program. After a message from Jeremiah 29:11 emphasizing God's plan for each of them, Kinchen presented certificates and gifts from the College to the graduates. "I have participated in many graduations," stated Kinchen, "but I have never seen so many who have worked so hard and accomplished so much in the face of almost overwhelming obstacles. I am both humbled and challenged by the spirit of these people. Certainly I am proud to count them among the alumni of The Baptist College of Florida."
The graduation ceremony concluded with a presentation by Riba Labato, Executive Secretary of the Baixada Maranhense Baptist Association. Discussions are currently underway between Linc-Up, the association, and BCF concerning additional sites where training is needed.