Courageous’ ‘Snake King’ challenges men at Brooksville church
BROOKSVILLE (FBW)—Miami native Robert Amaya, known as Javier Martinez or the “Snake King,” in the movie “Courageous”—thrilled listeners at First Baptist Church of Brooksville Jan. 14 with real life anecdotes and snippets of his unforgettable experience—but reminded them that when production was finished he couldn’t wait to return home to live out his most cherished role, being a dad.
Although the role he played as a father in the movie brought him a screen family and a friendship with four police officers in Albany, Ga.—Amaya begins by telling a story about his 2-year-old daughter, Sophia, and his wife, Colleen. Amidst belly laughs, the overall message was poignant and stern: the world needs more courageous fathers.
Straight talk with Pastor Michael Catt about the movie ‘Courageous’
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga., answered questions about his church’s new movie “Courageous” while he was at the Pastors’ Conference at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville Jan. 27. Sherwood has produced four films, three of which begin with an “F”—“Flywheel,” “Facing the Giants,” and “Fireproof”—Catt joked, but “Courageous” broke the mold. On its opening weekend in September 2011, more than 1 million saw it and it finished it’s first No. 4 in total gross and No. 1 in per-theater average and was the No. 1 new movie. Heading into its third weekend, it
Q&A with Robert Amaya, AKA Javier Martinez, the ‘Snake King’
BROOKSVILLE (FBW)—Miami native Robert Amaya, known as Javier
Martinez or the “Snake King,” answered questions about his role in the Sherwood Baptist Church (Albany, Ga.) production of the movie “Courageous” in a question and answer session following a talk at First Baptist Church in Brooksville Jan. 14. Courageous was released on DVD Jan. 17. See related story on page 6.
Hialeah couple featured in week of prayer for North America
MIAMI (NAMB)—At a brawny 6 foot-6 inches and 255 lbs., 36-year-old Danny Egipciaco looks more like a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins than a North American Mission Board (NAMB) national missionary and church planter.
Danny and Karina Egipciaco are among five NAMB missionaries featured as part of the annual Week of Prayer for North American Missions, March 4-11, 2012, and Annie
2012 AAEO Prayer Guide
The annual Week of Prayer for North American Missions is March 4-11, 2012. This year, five missionaries representing thousands of missionaries serving throughout the United States, Canada, and their territories are spotlighted. The other three days focus on ways Southern Baptists are reaching the lost in North America.
First Baptist Plant City to host State Evangelism Conference
PLANT CITY (FBC)—“Courageous” executive producer Michael Catt, retired Lt. General William Boykin, evangelist Junior Hill, and Pensacola Pastor Ted Traylor are among a slate of speakers at the 2012 State Evangelism Conference March 25-27 at First Baptist Church of Plant City.
Other keynotes include John Sullivan, executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention; Larry Wynn, vice president of the North American Mission Board’s evangelism group; and Danny Forshee, pastor of Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas.
‘Iron Sharpens Iron’ men’s rally designed to draw non-believers
PLANT CITY (FBC)—Archery, hunting and fishing skills; motorcycles, monster trucks and collectable cars will be displayed and demonstrated during the “Iron Sharpens Iron” Men’s Rally, Sat., March 24 at the Plant City Strawberry Festival Expo Pavilion.
Florida Focus
A one-time announcement of special events is a free service provided by the Witness to Florida Baptist churches. Please send materials at least three weeks before the date of the event, to Florida Baptist Witness, 1230 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207, fax 904-346-0696 or submitted using our online form. Items received after deadline may appear in our exclusive on-line version.
House leader says casino bill ‘dead for this year’
TALLAHASSEE (NSF/FBW)—As the Legislature moves towards its half-way point in the 60-day session, a controversial bill to permit three “destination resort” casinos appears to be dead after failing to get a vote in a House committee Feb. 3.
Meanwhile, Bill Bunkley, president of Florida Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, surveyed other legislation pending before the Legislature in a Feb. 3 interview with Florida Baptist Witness.