Quantcast

FREE Registration Now Required

You must be a registered user to access our website. Please complete the registration form at no cost, or login if you are already a registered user. Be assured, your registration information is secure and will not be sold or made available to others.

To learn why registration is now required, see this editorial on the website changes. Once you have completed the registration process, to include verification of your email address, a cookie will be placed on your computer to automatically complete the login process in the future.

Registered users, click here.

New users or if you have never registered before, click here.

Sponsors
Special Reports
Gambling with Florida
Feb 6, 2012
TALLAHASSEE (NSF/FBW) – Voters in two north Florida counties approved measures Jan. 31 that may allow slot machine permits at pari-mutuel facilities in the counties.
Dec 7, 2011
TALLAHASSEE (NSF)—The only winners so far in the effort to allow luxury resort casinos in South Florida, which has widespread implications for every form of gambling in the state, are lobbyists.
Dec 7, 2011
TALLAHASSEE (NSF)—A controversial decision this month by Gadsden County allowing voters to decide whether to have slot machines at the new Gretna horse race track has prompted several copycat efforts in other counties, despite questions over the legality of slots.
Nov 23, 2011
Advocates for mega casinos were embarrassed—and amused—last week when a gambling mogul made lavish promises to legislators concerning the benefits proposed “destination resorts” will bring Florida. Incredibly, the glitzy talk before a Senate committee with rosy economic scenarios was punctuated with barnyard expletives not fit for civil discourse.
Nov 9, 2011
Pensacola News Journal editorial cartoonist on casino bills in Florida Legislature
Nov 9, 2011
TALLAHASSEE (NSF/FBW)—The Florida Baptist Convention and other religious and anti-gambling groups said Nov. 1 they are launching an aggressive lobbying campaign to convince the Legislature to reject a plan to allow massive luxury casinos in two South Florida counties.
Sep 21, 2011
In the midst of a sluggish economy that may be slipping back into recession—although many Floridians would say it feels like the Great Recession never ended—gambling interests from Malaysia, Las Vegas and closer to home are investing huge sums of money in real estate and lobbying armies to convince policymakers in Tallahassee more gambling is the answer.

For legislative leaders and the governor—who would profess to be conservative and pro-family—yet more gambling in the Sunshine State shouldn’t be a matter of serious consideration. But, as we saw from the last legislative session in which gambling expansion was only narrowly averted in the very last hours before adjournment, anti-gambling citizens should not assume this latest gambling expansion will be unwelcomed in Tallahassee.
Aug 10, 2011
There is a problem in state law when members of Florida’s Cabinet interpret it differently, when various police jurisdictions and state attorneys enforce it differently, and when at least two state judges rule contradictorily on the very same statute.

It’s time for the Florida Legislature to clarify the “gray area” in state law that is being exploited across the state to establish Internet “sweepstakes cafes”—thinly disguised gambling parlors that prey on senior citizens and the poor under the guise of selling time for web surfing and/or phone cards.
Apr 27, 2010
TALLAHASSEE (FBW)—The Florida Legislature has easily approved major gambling expansion legislation, sending the bill to the governor, after limited debate in the Senate and House in successive weeks.

Meanwhile, several bills of interest to pro-family leaders may not become law as the Legislature moves towards its April 30 scheduled adjournment of the session.
Mar 8, 2010
Our problem-solver-in-chief who occupies the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee rebuked ideological opponents of all sorts in his March 2 State of the State Address, arguing that Florida's challenges will not be fixed by public officials adhering to dogmatic principles but by those who are committed to "realism."
DOM’s Raising Cain identifies 900 expressions based on biblical texts
GAINESVILLE (FBW)–In Raising Cain: How the Bible Shapes the Things You Say, Wayne Harvey has provided a catalog of popular expressions that can be traced to the Bible. Read More Eternity takes readers on exploration of first-century Jerusalem
LEESBURG (FBW)--Kingstone Comics announces this month the launch of Eternity, a graphic novel by New York best-selling author Randy Alcorn. Read More Florida Baptists graduate from Southern Baptist seminaries
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Several Florida Baptists were among those who graduated from among the six Southern Baptist theological seminaries in spring commencement Read More Adam Greenway, a native Floridian, named dean of Billy Graham School at Southern Seminary
Louisville, Ky. (SBTS)—The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president, R. Albert Mohler Jr., today announced his appointment of evangelism professor and denominational statesman Adam Greenway Read More ‘Who’s Got Your Back?’ BCF president asks graduates
GRACEVILLE (BCF)—A warm sunny day greeted an overflow crowd May 17 to recognize the Spring 2013 graduates at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville. Representing 15 different degree fields, 56 Read More James Oney ‘honored’ by landmark achievement at BCF
GRACEVILLE (BCF)—James Oney Jr. made history May 7 when he received the Presidential Excellence in Preaching Award at Baptist College of Florida in Graceville. He is quick to give credit for his Read More Collegians chosen for Who’s Who
GRACEVILLE (BCF)—During a whirlwind of activities on Senior Honor’s Day and during graduation at The Baptist College of Florida several seniors were recognized for nomination into Who’s Who Among Read More Florida native is modern-day abolitionist
NEW YORK CITY (BP)—Raleigh Sadler says he’s just a Florida boy who wears cardigans—he has no business kicking down the door of a brothel. “It’s pretty much Read More
B&H named Spanish publisher of the year
NASHVILLE (BP)—B&H Publishing Group has garnered seven awards from the Spanish Evangelical Publishers Association, including Publisher of the Year. Read More Sharing GuideStone ministry a ‘family thing’
DALLAS (GuideStone)—It was October 2001 and Buddy Temple was in a quandary. The retired postal service worker and court bailiff had sold a house a few months earlier and couldn’t figure out where Read More NAMB trustees pledge to plant ‘more churches’
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—“We have to plant more churches,” North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell emphasized to NAMB trustees during their May 14-15 meeting in Read More Mission board urges July 4 honors for military & chaplains
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (NAMB)—Many churches recently honored military members on Memorial Day weekend. The North American Mission Board encourages churches to consider planning now to honor returning Read More Documentary tells vet’s post-battlefield spiritual journey
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)—Greg Tomlin will always remember the day he and his father Jerry, a Vietnam veteran, visited the site where Jerry was wounded in combat. Read More Great Commission moment is now, IMB’s Elliff tells trustees
ROGERS, Ark. (BP)—It’s a question that both haunts and drives Tom Elliff, the kind that sometimes wakes him in the middle of night. But IMB’s president won’t answer it until he dies, stands before Read More Jail chaplain pledges to rescue those in spiritual bondage
ROGERS, Ark. (BP)—Turner Bowman* walked into a jail cell as the door slammed behind him. He knew all too well the sounds, smells and sights of captivity. Read More New ERLC president: SBC public policy arm committed to immigration reform
WASHINGTON (BP)—The Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm will maintain its dedication to immigration reform under his leadership, Russell Moore has assured reporters and evangelical Read More
Missionary teacher ‘travels light’ from Africa to High Springs
HIGH SPRINGS (FBW)—In Kenya for 28 years Jenny Musen learned to be flexible and willing to move about at the Baptist High School in Mombasa and as a volunteer coordinator in Nairobi. The Read More Preschool minister & family exchange Jacksonville for Gonubie, South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA (FBW)—Beth Chin, a member of Chets Creek Baptist Church in Jackson­ville, recently moved to South Africa with her family to work with the children of the Mzamomhle Township at Living Read More King’s Faith in theaters May 10
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Kings Faith is an emotional, provocative movie eaturing a foster kid who grew up on the wrong side of the law. Read More Bay City couple leads ‘perspective-changing’ strategy
SAN FRANCISCO (NAMB)—There are more affluent places in the United States than San Francisco, but not many. Living in that environment can numb people to need. Ben Pilgreen Read More South African entrepreneurs overstay honeymoon in Canada
VANCOUVER (NAMB)—Victor and Candice Thomas landed in Vancouver, British Columbia, promising they’d never stay—that was five years ago. They arrived in 2007, so Victor could start a four-month stint Read More ‘The Bible’ opens with Noah’s Ark & culminates with Easter Sunday resurrection
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Tossed about in ferocious, frothing seas amidst driving rain, Noah’s Ark was the focal point in the creation opener of the epic new miniseries “The Bible,” Read More AAEO PRAYER GUIDE
Week of Prayer for North American Missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering 2013 Goal: $70,000... Read More Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from the staff of Florida Baptist Witness
Read More
The Cooperative Program Factor: Mandate, Missions, Ministries
Following the Great Commission Mandate, the Florida Baptist Convention has set as its priorities to reach people for Jesus Christ, start new churches and strengthen existing churches. The summary of Read More
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-8, 12-17; 24:4-8: June 23—God instructs His people
I have a plaque hanging on a wall which reads, “The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice. God.” We sometimes get the feeling that the Ten Commandments applied primarily to individuals. After all... Read More Job 28: June 23—Where can wisdom be found?
Much of Job is at times a heated disputation between Job and his so-called friends. Each of the individuals claimed to speak with wisdom. Yet, neither Job nor his three friends expressed wisdom Read More Exodus 3:7-10; 12:12-13, 29-31; 14:5-6, 13-14, 21, 26: June 16—God delivers His people
Back in the seventies, liberal theologians in South America bought into the Marxist concept that powerful capitalist/imperialist nations, such as the United States, set up business ventures in poor Read More Job 16-19: June 16—Living hope when life seems unfair
I recall a bumper sticker from years ago. The bumper sticker stated, “Life Happens.” While I do not know the story behind the bumper sticker, I perceived the bumper sticker as expressive of a Read More Genesis 12:1-7; 15:5-8, 13-17: June 9—God chooses a people
Few people can lay claim to equal the influence of Abraham. Jews and Muslims cite him as the founder of their nations. Jews go back to Abraham through Isaac, whereas the Arabs count their lineage to Read More Job 4-13 (Selected Passages): June 9—Human solutions to suffering
Vance Havner, the famed North Carolina mountain preacher, commenting about suffering stated, “Anyone that tries to explain the mysteries of God has not traveled very far in life” (my paraphrase). We Read More Genesis 1:1, 26-27; 2:15-17; 3:6-7, 14-19, 23-24: June 2—God begins the story
By temperament and training I try to understand an opponent’s point of view. The title of a book by Leonard Susskind caught my attention: The Cosmic Landscape: String Theory and the Illusion of Read More Job 1 to 2:13: June 2—How to respond to difficult days
The name “Job” means, “Where is my father?” His name described his experience with God. Because of his life experiences, Job felt separated from God like a child cut off from a parent. The primary Read More
Iglesia multilingüe lleva a las familias a Cristo
KENDALL (BP)—Después de ver los anuncios de la iglesia por los caminos del suroeste de Miami cerca de su casa, Sergio Barrero, de 23 años, y su familia comenzaron a visitar Turning Point Church en Read More ‘EtniCiudad’: Conferencia en Ingles/Español explora alcanzando al perdido en centros urbanos
HIALEAH (FBC)—Una conferencia nacional diseñada para explorar la urbanización del mundo y como captar los centros urbanos inalcanzados será celebrada en español y traducida al ingles en el Centro de Read More Lideres misioneros ven los bautistas perseverantes y vibrantes
LA HABANA, CUBA (FBC)—Caminando por los pasillos del seminario de la Convención Bautista de Cuba Occidental (CBCO), Kevin Ezell oía como los misioneros domésticos Herbert Caudill y David Fite fueron Read More ‘Visionario’ pastor bautista hispano de Florida muere
HIALEAH GARDENS, Fla. (FBW)--Jorge Comesañas, 71 años, líder de la obra hispana en Florida, y pastor de First Baptist Church Hialeah Gardens, murió el 27 de octubre. Él fue diagnosticado con un Read More Punto de vista: la esclavitud, el aborto y el entumecimiento de una nación
NASHVILLE (BP)-Mis parientes me han dicho que la familia de Rainer era una familia esclavista de entrar en la Guerra Civil. No tengo ninguna razón para dudar la cruda realidad, aunque no lo he Read More Editorial: Un debate digno de tener, una causa digna de apoyo
Un debate se está librando en el Congreso sobre el papel del gobierno federal en la financiación de Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). Es un debate que debe tenerse en cuenta, cuyo Read More
Pat Summerall remembered for his Christian faith
DALLAS (BP)—Pat Summerall stood in the front row at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, on Easter Sunday, next to his wife Cheri, as the congregation sang “The Old Rugged Cross. Read More Past FBSC president Keith Thomas dies at 57
THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (FBC)--Keith Thomas, past president of the Florida Baptist State Convention 1996-1997, died Saturday April 6 in The Woodlands, Texas, from pancreatic Read More Retired IMB missionary to Lebanon, Vivian Trimble, dies
MILTON (FBW)—Vivian Paulk Trimble, 87, retired IMB missionary to the Middle East, died Dec. 20 in Milton. She and her husband James W. (Bill) Trimble served more than 30 Read More Jackie Register, 63, dies
Jackie Register of Graceville, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Malone, died Nov. 12. He was 63. Read More Fred Boehmer, pastor emeritus FBC Brandon, dies Oct. 30
BRANDON (FBW)—Fred H. Boehmer, 82, pastor emeritus of First Baptist Church in Brandon, died Oct. 30 in Virginia. He served as pastor of First Baptist Church 1976-1995, and had previously served Read More Cheryl Babington dies at 64
COCOA BEACH (FBW)—Cheryl S. Babington, wife of Pastor Ken Babington of First Baptist Church in Cocoa Beach, died Oct. 24. She was 64. Read More Roy Fish honored by family, students, friends at memorial service
FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS)—Faculty, former students, denominational leaders, and pastors from across the country joined with the family of Roy Fish to celebrate the life of the distinguished Read More Obituary: Wayne Upton, 82
Wayne Upton, 82, retired pastor and seminary professor, died Aug. 14 in Jacksonville. He served as pastor of Jacksonville Heights Baptist Church 28 years and was professor of missiology at Luther Read More