Open Bible Churches is excited to welcome a new church plant, Open Bible Prayer Chapel in Wesley Chapel, Florida, founded and pastored by Rev. Calbert Mark. Open Bible Prayer Chapel was affiliated with Open Bible Churches in May of 2020.
Calbert Mark, who serves as the field director for Open Bible Churches in Venezuela, and his wife, Beverly, are prolific church planters. Sent out from Trinidad more than 27 years ago, the Marks established 12 pioneer works in Venezuela and brought many other churches under the umbrella of Open Bible Churches. They were also instrumental in planting churches in Trinidad with Pastor Cecil Quamina and in Monteria, Colombia, with missionaries Annel and Lumaira Perez (who came to Christ under the Marks’ ministry).
Calbert Mark has always had a strong passion for church planting and leadership training, which was wrapped up in the call God gave him when he was sent out from Trinidad. So even though the urging from the Lord to start another new church did not really surprise him back in January of 2016, he did not expect the call to take him outside of Venezuela into the U.S.
In August of 2015 the Marks’ son Joshua had traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend an intensive youth training program. It was while visiting him that Pastor Calbert received a call to start a new work in the U.S. This impression was strongly confirmed by the great number of Venezuelans and Hispanic peoples they found in the States who were unchurched. The surge of Venezuelans in the U.S. increased as life in Venezuela got worse.
The Marks felt the real affirmation of God’s divine plan was seen in the fact that a pastor of a church in Tampa applied for their religious visa so that the Marks could come to the U.S. to help him, and for the past three years the Marks have assisted the pastor and his church. However, instead of being approved for a religious visa, the Marks’ entire family was approved with full residency status for ten years. The immigration department can seem to be a formidable opponent, but if you ask Calbert and Beverly, they will affirm that God is still in the miracle-working business. They received their permanent residents’ cards in 18 months!
When the couple arrived in Tampa, Florida, they ministered to the Hispanic community there because of their deep connection to Venezuela, but through one disciple that Calbert won at his local bank, Carlos Castro, and his wife, Zenia, they were able to reach six American families, most of whom live in Wesley Chapel. While the search goes on for some space in which the church can meet, church members join during the week in small groups for prayer and Bible study and on Sundays in a bit larger group to celebrate Jesus.
Church planting does not happen without a few challenges along the way. For Calbert and Beverly there were two major obstacles: One was the search for rental space and the other was a cultural barrier, or “commitment” issue, so to speak. The Marks discovered that affordable spaces for small congregations that are just starting out are mostly relegated to sharing a building with two or three other small churches because of the high cost of leases and the fact that many small malls won’t rent to churches. The second challenge relates to people’s willingness and ability to commit. Commitment for many people here in the U.S. is difficult as many other responsibilities compete for their time. Working hours that are unconventional is one primary hindrance. In addition, travel, school functions, family occasions, and other activities all sum up the justifications for people not committing completely. Of course, every congregation has its faithful few, so the Marks work with them and encourage them to multiply their faith in others.
Their efforts and God’s blessings have paid off. Despite being a newly-formed congregation (with fewer than fifty), they have many praise reports:
They started a children’s ministry on June 21 for the ten kids who attend church regularly with their parents. Both parents and kids are excited.
Church members share several testimonies of financial blessings: people starting new jobs, getting promotions, and salary increases. During all the upheaval because of COVID-19, one family purchased a brand-new home, and others have moved to larger homes. People believe that their newfound commitment to God and this ministry resulted in blessings they were not experiencing before.
The Marks and the disciples they pastor all have a heart for souls, so the church grows mainly by personal evangelism although they have plans to do community outreach even more in this time of need.
Calbert Mark said, “As we move on from our initial assignment, we align ourselves with our Open Bible fellowship and our primary call, to plant churches and raise up leaders.”
Nathan Hagan, the executive director for Open Bible’s Southeast Region said, “I first met the Marks in Chicago at the Open Bible National Convention and had the opportunity to experience firsthand their passion for church planting. After hearing they had already planted over twenty churches in Venezuela, I was excited to learn they had their sights set on planting in the Tampa/Brandon area. This past year has been a joy for us as we’ve watched God use them to gather a great core group and lay a strong foundation for what is sure to be a Kingdom-building church. We are proud they are a part of the Southeast region ministry family.”
(Left) Calbert and Beverly Mark with their sons, Joshua Mark and Daniel Mark .
Life “happened” to me when my first husband died. After walking through my own grief, the Lord allowed me to walk alongside many others who were also grieving. Doors continued to open in this area, and when the opportunity arose to serve with Marketplace Chaplains, I felt a confirmation from God that this was where He wanted me. I started as a chaplain shortly after applying, and two years later I was offered the job as Director of Operations for a new team formed in South Florida.
Marketplace Chaplains is a ministry that stands out from others due to how it was formed and its core reason for existing. It was formed by a former military chaplain, Lee Strickland, in 1984. After his experience of being served by chaplains in the military, Lee desired to provide a similar service for his community through this unique ministry. Marketplace Chaplains has teams made up of male and female chaplains who each assist in the care of the employees within companies throughout the United States and Canada. Relationships within these companies are built through routine chaplain visits that happen weekly, bimonthly, or monthly. These regular visits help the employees become comfortable with the chaplains so that when a crisis happens, they are more likely to call for help. Chaplains are available to the employees 24/7, assisting with bereavement, funerals, suicide prevention/support, and family crises.
A few years back, a leader of one of the companies I serve called in a panic when one of his employees was sobbing, having discovered that her healthy, 40-year-old husband had died suddenly in his sleep. The leader asked me, “What do I do?” He had offered her condolences and covered her flight home to begin arrangements, but despite this, he shared that such a tragic situation made him feel helpless and weak. I reminded him that when we feel weak, the Lord promises to be our strength. I also let him know that in times of tragedy it is often not what we say but simply our presence that God uses. As I spoke, I realized that all I had walked through in my own grief had helped me support this leader through this huge trial.
There are challenges with being a Christian chaplain in spaces that recognize all faith traditions. I remember a particular moment when I was in training at the hospital when the program’s director insisted that the name of Jesus could not be used to close a prayer without the patient’s consent. I wrestled with this concept, even wondering if this limitation was God telling me not to serve in this type of ministry. Later that day, I was making my rounds on my assigned floor in the paralysis unit, which serves patients with injuries impacting their ability to walk. I entered a male patient’s room, greeting him with a simple, “Hello, sir, how are you?” In an extremely loud and animated voice, the patient responded, “There you go!” Assuming I wasn’t welcome, I responded, “I’m sorry, sir, I’m not sure I understand you. Did you want me to come back a different time?” To which he responded, “How can you leave now? You just brought the Holy Spirit in here!”
I was shocked; I knew that a greeting was all that I had spoken. I hadn’t offered prayer or said anything about God. This man hadn’t even seen my badge of chaplaincy when he made this statement. In this moment I saw the power of God’s presence in my life. I was able to see that when I support and serve patients or employees in secular spaces, Jesus goes with me whether I mention His name or not. God can and will use me in this role as a chaplain, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Him in the marketplace.
For those who sense a calling to serve as a chaplain or who simply want to learn more, Marketplace Chaplains is often looking for men and women who sense the call of God to impact their community outside of their church. Visit this website to search for jobs and learn more about this amazing way to transform lives: www.mchapcares.com
About the Author
Kwabea Francis
Kwabea Francis serves as Executive Director of Operations with Marketplace Chaplains and is an ordained Open Bible minister. Her heart is to share the love and purpose of God with those she ministers to as a chaplain, preacher, and teacher of the Word of God. She attends Living Word Open Bible Church in Cooper City, Florida. Kwabea earned her Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and is a graduate of the University of Florida. She and her husband have five sons and three grandchildren.Â
On September 19-21, pastors from around the country gathered for the 2024 Open Bible National Hispanic Conference, held in Antioch, California. Attendees of the conference numbered close to one hundred and represented nineteen different Open Bible churches. Templo Santo Community Church was the hosting church for the conference, and our theme was “CHANGED: Transformed to Transform.” We were blessed with the presence of powerful speakers: President Michael Nortune, Dr. Nicholas Venditti, and Pastors John Mendez, Michael Zakarian, and Caleb Plummer.
The conference started with a welcome dinner where pastors and leaders were able to reconnect with old friends and connect with new friends who were first-time attenders. We had a powerful night of worship during which President Nortune spoke a prophetic word about entering a new season. God has opened a wide door for Open Bible, and new opportunities are on the horizon for our ministries.
Throughout the following days, we heard challenging messages on embracing our vision (Dr. Venditti), navigating culturing changes (Pastor Mendez), loving and embracing the next generation (Pastors Zakarian and Plummer), and depending on the presence of God (President Nortune). In addition to these incredible sessions, we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful city of San Francisco and the surrounding areas.
In our closing session, Pastor Mendez encouraged us that we were chosen for this time in history. The Church as a whole, the Open Bible denomination, and Hispanic Ministries are needed for such a time as this.
As we concluded with a time for more fellowship, here are a few of the things we heard people saying:
“This conference exceeded my expectations.”
“I felt the love and unity within the Hispanic Ministries.”
“The messages were relevant for our time.”
“Best conference ever!”
We look forward to what God has in store for Open Bible’s Hispanic Ministries. We believe that a door has been opened for our dream to come to life – having a Hispanic ministry in every state in this nation.
About the Author
Jorge Navarrete
Jorge Navarrete was appointed as the senior pastor of Templo Santo Community Church in May 2002. Prior to that, he served as youth pastor, Sunday school teacher, member of the Board of Elders, and as church administrator for Templo Santo. In May 2017, Jorge was appointed to serve in his current role as Director of the Hispanic Ministries for the West Sector. Pastor Navarrete also works for the Supreme Court of California as the Clerk/Executive Officer. He has served in this role since 2016.
There are over 10,000 homeless citizens in Lee County, Florida, but thanks to a creative nonprofit idea and a fully sponsored shower trailer, Open Bible Community Church (OBCC) has found a unique way to serve them.
Located in North Fort Myers, OBCC is pastored by Joe and Pat VanEst. When Hurricane Ian hit their county in 2022 and homelessness exploded, pastors Joe and Pat responded by founding “Hope Ambassadors,” a nonprofit designed to empower individuals through disaster relief and ongoing rehabilitative efforts.
Beginning by providing food and hygiene kits to homeless communities, the team soon realized there was a need for showering facilities. Through a string of miracles and one philanthropic donor, a shower trailer was purchased, and Hope Ambassadors now owns the only shower trailer in Southwest Florida. Housing two rooms and ten total shower units, the trailer visits two homeless communities twice a week and has already provided nearly 500 showers to families in need.
“This has totally changed the thinking of our church,” says Pastor Joe VanEst. “We are building relationships with these folks, and it’s only a matter of time until we can share Jesus with them.” Already, the church has seen growth from visitors who have come to church after using the shower trailer.
Hope Ambassadors is quickly building relationships with other local nonprofits that provide services like haircuts, food, and clothing. Future dreams include creating a commercial kitchen that would create nutritious, freeze-dried meals for hungry families. Hope Ambassadors’ mission statement is “To heal communities in the spirit of unity,” and thanks to God’s grace and provision, they are well on their way.