BCI History: Beyond
- Nov 21, 1992
- Series: 10th Anniversary
Sometime in 1988, three families left New Jersey… and BCI establish a new residence in Tampa, Florida in search of new opportunities. Arthur and Cristy Santos moved with their children, Grace and Joy, to begin a laundromat business. Luke and Deborah Abara joined their daughter Elizabeth, who is now Mrs. Edwin Morris. Elizabeth moved to pursue her career in nursing, Cirilo and becky Dizon and their children, Larry and Kimberly, relocated due to a job transfer for Becky.
Not long after they had moved, they started holding a weekly Bible study. The core group progressively grew and became a church two years later. They call themselves… Tampa Bible Church International! The thirty-five charter members have grown to seventy-five weekly worshippers. They are also affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Under the leadership of their Pastor, Sonny Vitaliz, they minister to Physical Therapists, who are recruited in great numbers from the Philippines by Florida hospitals. They also have a ministry among Filipino crewmen employed by a large number of cargo shipping companies in their area. Filipinos and Thais make up most of the Tampa BCI. They hold their worship service at the facilities of the First Baptist Church of Carrollwood on Sunday evenings which is followed by an… Agape Fellowship! Their vision? A daughter church in Orlando, Florida in the near future.