In Thanksgiving... by Carolyn Anderson, CBF FL Coordinator

OHM's page

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida marks its 14th anniversary in November. The first state gathering was hosted by Bayshore Baptist Church in Tampa in November 1990. It was a wonderful breakfast meeting with over 240 folks gathered, hoping to find fellowship and dreaming of finding a new way to express our Baptist faith.

Two years later, we discovered that God had another important purpose for us, to be a missional people. When Hurricane Andrew blew through South Florida, we responded to the physical needs of the migrant families living in Homestead and Florida City. CBFers from every corner of our state joined with hundreds of volunteers from across the country to clean up and care for lost and hurting people. John and Christine Smith and Lucille and Richard Smith were two of the many couples who came and stayed for extended times living in their Recreational Vehicles.

John and Christine were later commissioned as CBF missionaries and joined David and Tracy Bengtson on the Open House Ministry team, completing construction on a beautiful ministry center. Richard and Lucille continued to come every winter to volunteer their time to this ministry. Many others came from far away states and neighbor states. Some names we know and some we have forgotten.

In December 2002, Richard and Lucille, at the age of 70, once again volunteered to serve at OHM. This time they came to serve as volunteer interim directors for the ministries while we conducted a search for a new director. They came for 3 months…They stayed for twenty months! They have enriched the OHM presence in the community by being the presence of Christ.

The Smiths’ love for the children and families in this community is reflected in many ways. For instance, they provided chess games for the older children’s Christmas gifts several years ago, and taught the children to play chess. (click here for more info)

Open House Ministries’ foundation is strong. We give thanks to those who have given sacrificially of their lives to make it so. We are grateful for each individual who has volunteered to do the construction work, to serve in the communities, to lead in the summer camp programs and who has given sacrificially to provide the funds needed over the last twelve years.

And now we look forward to even brighter days as we welcome Wanda Ashworth as the new OHM Director. Wanda arrived in Homestead in the midst of our hurricane season with her husband Alan. They come from York, South Carolina, where Wanda served on the First Baptist Church staff as director of music and youth. Wanda has a degree in Human Services.

Wanda told us that she believes that OHM provides her with the opportunity “…to put hands and feet on my faith. I believe Open House is the answer to this prayer!” She has been warmly welcomed by the partners at Open House and told me that “There are already wonderful things happening at Open House — the uninsured receive healthcare at the Open Door Health Clinic, the disenfranchised connect with resources through the We-Care Social Service network and the Human Services Coalition, spiritual hunger is fed by Cornerstone Church, and the physical needs of our community are addressed in our food pantry and clothing closet.”

Wanda also said “I am thrilled to be in Homestead, Florida. My husband and I have received a warm welcome from all of our partners at Open House Ministries and have been blessed by the kind words and prayers from our friends throughout the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.”

“There is still much more we can do. As we begin to seek God’s will in our programming decisions, please pray that Open House will glorify God in such a way that all will know him.”

Open House Ministries is a collaborative ministry that receives support from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida and national CBF Global Missions. Together we continue to provide places of grace. Thank you for your help.