Ministries

Missions

As an evangelical, Southern Baptist church, Hillcrest has always had a vision for being obedient to the Great Commission task of our Lord. Our church motto, “Becoming Like Christ,” has come alive through the testimony and faithfulness of our people in sharing God’s love with others, baptizing them, and discipling them in God’s unfailing word.

Guiding principles

Accepting the Challenge

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – ACTS 1:8

Our Commitment

As we read Acts 1:8, we realize that our Lord commands us to be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. As followers of Jesus, we are supposed to be witnesses to each and all of these areas at the same time.

Remember – God only asks us to be faithful and share about Jesus with others as we have the opportunity, in the best way we can. We are to trust God with the results!

Our Focus

As the body of Christ at Hillcrest, our “Jerusalem” lies in the individual neighborhoods, schools, offices, work places, and family/friendship relationships of our church members. These are the people to whom we are closest and for whom we are most responsible to share God’s love.

Join with us

EVANGELISM

As the body of Christ at Hillcrest, our “Jerusalem” lies in the individual neighborhoods, schools, offices, work places, and family/friendship relationships of our church members. These are the people to whom we are closest and for whom we are most responsible to share God’s love.

When was the last time you shared your faith with your spouse, your child, an extended family member, your co-workers, or your neighbors? God’s word commands us to be ready to share our faith at all times, to be ready to share the joy of Christ that dwells within us.

Below you will find some tips and some aids that may help you share your faith with others. Remember – God only asks us to be faithful and share about Jesus with others as we have the opportunity, in the best way we can. We are to trust God with the results!

• Do You Know Jesus? (FAITH)
• Evangelism Tools
• Evangelism Tools for Children
• Language Evangelism Tools

Active project

Global Missions House

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” Proverbs 24:3

Global Missions House — Renovation and Furnishings

Funding Goal – $52,000

Our Global Missions House project is entering the next phase, that of completing renovations and fully furnishing the house for our visiting missionaries. Our Theme and Design Steering Committee has carefully evaluated the needs of the different sizes and composition of missionary families who will temporarily live in the house, from two weeks up to four months, while on their stateside assignment.

The committee has developed a comprehensive plan for completely equipping and furnishing the 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, kitchen, office area, dining room, children’s play area, laundry area, seven closet areas, and for adding new light/ceiling fan fixtures, floor coverings, appliances, and doors.

To finish renovations and completely equip and furnish the house in a way that will meet the varying needs of the future residents, the committee needs your help and is asking for financial donations with which to purchase all the needed items.

Prayerfully consider how the Lord is leading you to contribute, then make a donation of any size by clicking on the link below:

Make Donation

or by making a donation by cash or check using a pink offering envelope and Mission House Furnishings written on the “other” line.

All donations are counted as charitable contributions. For further information, please contact Kathy Schultz.

Email Kathy

Thank you for supporting Hillcrest on mission!

Local Mission

Ministry Opportunities in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

When was the last time you volunteered your time to minister in our community? Was it yesterday, this week, last month, last year, perhaps never? This week would be a good time to start.

At Hillcrest we believe that every member should be a minister. We encourage our members to be active in some ministry both inside the church and outside the church.

The following is just a sample of those ministries that are meeting the needs of people in our community. For more information, please click on the name of the community ministry and it will take you directly to the ministry’s website.

Community Based Ministries

• Florida Baptist Children’s Homes
• Health and Hope Clinic
• Waterfront Rescue Mission
• Safe Harbor Women’s Resource Center
• Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen
• Favor House: (850) 434-1177
• Emerald Coast Hospice: (850) 474-7288 (contact Vangie)
• Habitat for Humanity

Hillcrest Intensive Service Weekends

Hillcrest partners with several community based ministries on an ongoing basis. Several times in the year we do labor intensive ministry over a weekend. These projects typically involve renovation/repair work, new construction, paint, sawdust, hammers, noise, sweat, and getting dirty! Please check our church calendar for the event details.

National mission

Ministry Opportunities in North America

Our “Samaria” consists of those people living in North America. In partnership with the Florida Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board, we work together in identifying opportunities to share the gospel in places and ways that encourage and strengthen the local existing church.

The following is just a small sample of those ministries that are meeting the needs of people in our region and in our nation. For more information, please click on the name of the ministry and it will take you directly to the ministry’s website.

Global Mission

Mission Opportunities around the World

Our “ends of the earth” are just that, wherever in His creation our Lord bids Hillcrest come, where He has empowered us by the Holy Spirit, to partner with the International Mission Board and other evangelical Great Commissions Christians, to reach the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to follow Him – not for our glory but for His!

When was the last time you volunteered your time to minister outside of the United States? Was it yesterday, this week, last month, last year, perhaps never? This week would be a good time to start planning.

The following is just a small sample of those ministries that are meeting the needs of people in our world. For more information, please click on the name of the ministry and it will take you directly to the ministry’s website.

Be a volunteer​

FLORIDA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF

Fifteen spray jobs and five muck out jobs have been completed to date. One of our assessment teams was instrumental in leading a family of three to the Lord on Thursday and another team had a profession of faith on Friday. God’s Spirit is active here!

By Monday 8/29 we will have 11 Florida C/R teams and over 100 C/R volunteers on the ground serving here in Baton Rouge Aug 28-Sept 3.

I wish I could say that these volunteers could complete the task we’ve been assigned but unfortunately the first wave is only the tip of the ice-burg; we will need many more teams before completing this task.

If you are serving or preparing to serve we thank you. If you are wondering if there would be work waiting for your team’s arrival, the answer is yes. We need C/R teams, Florida’s incident command team is expected to be operational for at least a month, and we desperately need C/R teams for the weeks starting 9/3, 9/10, 9/17, and 9/24 or any dates during this time period you or your team can serve.

Louisiana is open to our C/R teams bringing un-credentialed volunteers. If you know of church teams who are willing to bring teams, we will have plenty of work for them also. If church teams or individuals plan to work through Florida DR we ask that they coordinate their arrival and departure through our command center # 304-400-2598 or 304-400-2257 or e-mail dr.assistant@flbaptist.org.

To date the Florida volunteers have had 180 chaplain contacts, 4 professions of faith, shared the gospel 30 times and presented 71 bibles.

Helpful Answers

FAQs

God has gifted each of us with different gifts, talents, experience, education, abilities, and desires. Figuring out what you do and like to do best is a good place to start. God can use all of us in building His kingdom however so don’t be afraid to try something new!

There are several criteria that every participant must meet:

  • be a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ
  • be an active member in good standing of a Southern Baptist or other great commission evangelical Christian church
  • complete an application form (completing the form does not guarantee acceptance)
  • participate as necessary in training for the mission trip or ministry event
  • work as much as needed to raise the funds necessary to fully pay for your expenses related to the mission trip
  • be willing to make changes in personal habits and/or dress to avoid being offensive in another area or country. (This includes not smoking or drinking any alcoholic beverages while on the trip)
  • be in reasonably good physical shape
  • pray daily that God’s will be done and that He be glorified through this mission trip

All team leaders are extensively interviewed by the pastor of missions. You can be assured that your team leaders are prepared, enthusiastic, and ready to lead the team to accomplish great things for God!

All funds given for mission trips or ministry events are non-refundable. Any unused funds given for a specific mission project or trip will be dispersed only for other mission efforts. The Pastor of Missions and Evangelism will determine how these unused funds are dispersed. For more information concerning trip finances please contact Pastor Brian or Rita Malone.

We’re here to help

Missions staff

We may be biased on this one but we have a great team here at Hillcrest.

BRIAN BARLOW
Missions & Evangelism Pastor
Jim Carmack
Community Development Director
Rita Malone
Senior Pastor's Ministry Assistant

Why Hillcrest?

Ask us anything