Last month, Pastor Robert A. Vinson, Jr. and Faith Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its fifth annual holiday worship, praise and outreach service on the property across the street the church calls Faith Land.
BY KARIN DAVIS-THOMPSON, Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG – Last month, Pastor Robert A. Vinson, Jr. and Faith Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its fifth annual holiday worship, praise and outreach service on the property across the street the church calls Faith Land.
Vinson, who has been a pastor for nearly seven years, said the vision for the event came to him in 2017.
“I was sitting on my couch, and I heard the spirit of God say, ‘Clean and clear my property and call it Faith Land.’ Faith Land is for outreach,” he said.
As Vinson began to share what God had given him, members wanted to lend their support and suggested a musical on the property where anyone who wanted to attend could walk up and join in.
“Each year, we pray, plan, publicize and praise God,” Vinson said.
This year’s theme was Faith Land Musical Extravaganza — Cantata Light of the World.
Along with a night of uplifting music, the congregation hopes to reach community members who may need prayer and support. Vinson said he loves the opportunity to use the event to reach lost souls and let them know they are not alone.
“I love people, and I love lost people,” he said. “Outreach is a key component to our church; I preach and teach the importance of going to where the people are and showing them that they matter to God.”
Along with offering prayer and a place to worship, the congregation provided 120 free hot meals courtesy of Baja’s Southern Cooking. Some attendees left the service with gift cards for gas or the local grocery store.
More than 100 people attended the Dec. 17 event, with some so moved by the service that they wanted to know more about serving God in their daily lives.
“We were very thankful that three adults and two children surrendered their life to the Lord,” Vinson said. “We believe that God desires for all men to be saved. All five individuals confessed their need for Jesus and baptism.”
Vinson said bringing people to Christ is why he chose to be a part of the ministry more than 30 years ago.
“I was called into the ministry in my late teens,” he revealed. “The burning desire and necessity to read God’s Word and practice God’s Word was overwhelming.”
This yearly event allows Vinson and his church to practice God’s word through music, with performances from a variety of groups:
- Faith Memorial Missionary Baptist Church
- Spirit of Tampa Bay Community Choir
- Christmas Liturgical Dance by Pure Expressions Dance Ministry
- Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist Church
- Mary Missionary Baptist Church
- Carlton and Caleb Lattimore
- Mark Missionary Baptist Church
- New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
For more information about the Faith Missionary Baptist Church, visit faithmemorialmbc.org.
