The Jazz Band at the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville recently proved that it is possible to minister to multiple cultures and age groups at once, without having to change your style.  With its eclectic collection of the college’s most talented musicians, the band took South Florida by storm with a smooth sax sound, funky guitar, big-band brass, and syncopated Latin rhythm. 

Over the course of their five-day tour in April, the Jazz Band played 11 shows in six different venues with audiences ranging from school children to an older, seasoned crowd, providing entertainment and worship for Haitians, Cubans, and Americans in Cape Coral, Miami, Naples, and Gainesville. 

The first performance took place at New Hope Baptist Church in Cape Coral, where young, old, churched, and un-churched gathered to hear a mix of well-known hymns and classic jazz.  They then traveled to Miami for several performances.  When they played for children at Florida Christian School there, the Jazz Band received such compliments as “you rock!” from the kids, who cheered when guitar professor Jay Erp performed a rock solo. 

As jazz music has roots deeply embedded in Latin folk sounds, the blended Haitian and Cuban communities in Miami responded well to the BCF musicians.  In addition to performances, BCF students had the opportunity to become better acquainted with the Cuban culture.  They enjoyed authentic food from Cuba and Nicaragua, including spicy pepper steak, custard style desserts, and Cuban coffee. 

During their two days at South Biscayne Baptist Church, the Jazz Band played for over 1,500 people as the church’s pastor, Dr. John Cross, preached. Over the three Sunday services, 17 people received Christ.  That evening the tour concluded at West Side Baptist in Gainesville, where an enthusiastic crowd was treated to jazz hymns and classic musical compositions. 

Those who participated in the tour said that though they had fun and enjoyed themselves, they kept in mind that the focus of the trip was worship.  Their ultimate goal was to help people experience the love of Christ and see ministry in a very nontraditional form. 

For more information on music programs at the Baptist College of Florida, call 800-328-2660 x 427 or access the website at baptistcollege.edu.