A Message from the Interim Pastor

A Message from the Interim Pastor

One of the books the staff and deacons will be studying this fall is How Your Congregation Learns by Tim Shapiro. From the book, here is Peter Senge’s classic description of a learning organization: a place “where people continually expand their capacity to create the results they truly desire, where new andexpansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free, and where people are continually learning how to learn together.”

Making a Joyful Noise for the Last Five Years!

Making a Joyful Noise for the Last Five Years!

This month, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of Robert Gammon's ministry at Broadway. When the search committee was given the job description by the deacons and surveyed the congregation, it was clear that expectations were very high. In unanimously recommending  Robert, we believed that we had found the person who could meet those expectations - and he exceeds them!

PASSPORTkids! Learn to Walk Humbly During Camp

PASSPORTkids! Learn to Walk Humbly During Camp

This summer, I had the pleasure of taking Broadway’s children to PASSPORTkids! camp in Maryville, Tenn. Wetraveled to camp with Buechel Park Baptist Church, one of our Louisville partner churches, and met new friends from First Baptist Middletown and Lexington Avenue Baptist of Danville, Ky. The children all had a great time together, and are now begging us for a joint lock-in this fall!

 

 

Exemplifying 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “...for God Loves a Cheerful Giver.”

Exemplifying 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “...for God Loves a Cheerful Giver.”

Special thanks to our members, Steve Hymer and Emily Dotson, for their tireless work in our office this summer. Both of these talented individuals made the transition between former and new staff members so effortlessly seamless. From the creation of our weekly worship and communications pieces to updating of our website, these two individuals personify the teaching of Jesus, and we are so grateful for all they did! 

Second Quarter Giving Statements

Second Quarter Giving Statements

Second Quarter Giving Statements

The Second Quarter Giving Statements (January through June 30) were mailed on Monday, July 31. Please review your statement for accuracy, particularly if you have given for more than one purpose. With contributions coming in for both general budget and the Capital Campaign, we want to make sure all contributions are posted correctly. One way to help us is to be sure to clearly mark the envelope or check for the amount for each designation of your contribution. 

 

Thank You - Americana World Community Center

Americana World Community Center's mission is to provide holistic services to Louisville's refugee, immigrant and underserved population to build strong and healthy families, create a safe and supportive community and help every individual realize their potential. We bridge the gap from surviving to thriving through education family support, youth achievement, and career and financial development. Each year, we serve more than 5,000 people from over 100 countries in their pursuits of better days and brighter futures. We give them roots so they can begin to thrive. 

The individuals and families we serve are remarkably resilient and full of dreams for their futures. However, many of them face educational, psychological, linguistic, and economic disadvantages that make it difficult for them to achieve self-sufficiency. Americana works to support these individuals in overcoming these challenges to create strong families and supportive communities. Last program year, we saw the following successes:

  • For five consecutive years, 100% of seniors in the Youth Program have graduated high school and enrolled in colleges like UofL, Berea College, Eastern Kentucky University, and IUS;
  • 318 K-12 youth participated in out-of-school time programming and maintained an average attendance rate of 97% and an average GPA of 3.3;
  • 1,277 adults participated in adult education classes, including English as a Second Language, GED/ABE, and citizenship classes;
  • 42 families consisting of 119 individuals participated in the Family Education Program to improve literacy and self-sufficiency for refugee and immigrant families; and
  • Americana expanded the number of community garden plots from 12 to 133, increasing the number of families in the community with access to fresh produce tenfold.

Americana is the only organization in Louisville providing holistic programs and services to this vulnerable population, and yet, all of our programs have lengthy waiting lists. Like Broadway Baptist Church, we are committed to diversity and social justice and to providing care for the stranger and the poor. We are a local organization that is funded only by local companies, foundations, and private donors. We couldn't do this work without the generous support of our community. Broadway Baptist's support is crucial for us to be able to continue providing quality, holistic, and community-based services to the refugees, immigrants, and underserved population here in Louisville.

On behalf of Americana, I want to thank you for Broadway Baptist Church's continued support of our organization.

Sincerely,

Edgardo Mansilla

Executive Director