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Feb 10, 2012
‘Stand up and be bold’ Miami native Robert Amaya says
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.
Feb 10, 2012
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
Feb 10, 2012
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.
Feb 9, 2012
Daniel & Karina Egipciaco connect with second-generation Hispanics in South Florida who speak Englis
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
Feb 9, 2012
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.
Feb 9, 2012
National Goal: $70 million
Feb 8, 2012
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.
Feb 8, 2012
Michael Catt & Lt. Gen. William Boykin among speakers
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.
Feb 8, 2012
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.
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.
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 Read More 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 Read More 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 Read More 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 Read More ‘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 Read More 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 Read More 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 Read More Slots referenda approved in two counties while others set Nov. votes
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. Read More
2012 church compensation survey under way
DALLAS (BP)—The 2012 Compensation Survey of ministers and staff at Southern Baptist churches is underway at www.guidestone.org/CompensationSurvey. The deadline for completion is May 31. Read More Audio options added to Bible reading initiative
JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)—Union University and LifeWay Christian Resources have released the “Reading God’s Story Audio Bible,” a recording of the entire Bible by 38 members of the Union faculty and staff. Read More Survey shows pastors reject evolution, but split on earth’s age
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Pastors overwhelmingly believe that God did not use evolution to create humans and think Adam and Eve were literal people, according to a survey by LifeWay Research. Read More LifeWay’s Gospel Project to provide in-depth curriculum
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—For the first time in more than a decade, LifeWay Christian Resources is releasing a new ongoing Bible study series for children, students and adults under one theme. Read More ‘Rooftop’ view called catalyst for the Gospel
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Much like Peter’s rooftop vision experience, author and evangelist Dennis Pethers says a clearer understanding of God’s vision for a city and people can be found from a rooftop Read More Supreme Court sides with churches in ‘ministerial exception’ employment case
WASHINGTON (BP)—In a landmark decision for churches, the U.S. Supreme Court has for the first time ruled that a “ministerial exception” allows congregations and religious groups to hire and fire Read More High Court examines 'safe haven' from TV nudity, profanity
WASHINGTON (BP)—U.S. Supreme Court justices challenged lawyers for major networks Tuesday to explain why the federal government should not be able to establish a “safe haven” from nudity and obscene Read More Student in gay counseling case loses in court
ATLANTA (BP)—Counseling student Jennifer Keeton will not be returning to Augusta State University while she fights against the school’s attempt to make her complete a remediation plan designed to Read More
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 Read More 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 Read More Gifts to Annie
Read More FBCH advances sanctity of human life ministry on multiple fronts
LAKELAND (FBCH)—A young woman got out of a van in the parking lot and began a slow but determined walk to the doors of the Planned Parenthood clinic in East Orlando. She Read More ERLC’s Land to speak at Miami rally Jan. 21
MIAMI (FBCH)—Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, is the keynote speaker Jan. 21 at the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes’ Sanctity of Read More Florida events commemorating Roe v. Wade anniversary
JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Following is a partial listing of Florida events being held to commemorate the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion on demand. For more Read More Sanctity of Human Life Resources
Read More First-Person: An inside look at human trafficking in Johannesburg
SOUTH AFRICA (BP)—The odors of liquor, smoke and sweat permeate the air. One small bulb lights the alleyway. Traffic is light on the main road, but this side street keeps 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
Colossians 1:24 to 2:7: February 12—Center of my church
Some of the most popular TV programs revolve around what could be called murder mysteries. The formats are similar. In the opening scenes, the viewer is presented with a corpse or some other crime Read More Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 19:14; 19:15-20; 25:13-16: February 12—Love others - Live righteously
Loving God is the supreme commandment. Loving others flows out of a proper love for God. Each of the great commandments is necessary for the fulfillment of the other commandment. One cannot properly Read More Colossians 1:9-23: February 5—Center of everything
One undetected cancer cell in the body can grow, infect differing organs of the body and eventually destroy it. So is it with biblical doctrines. One false doctrine, unanswered, can spread outward Read More Deuteronomy 14-15: February 5—Living distinctively
As a child of God, you are special! Your special status is not explained because of achievement, talent, or privileged status. Like the Hebrews, God has chosen His children to be holy and special Read More Deuteronomy 15:7-11; 24:10-15, 17-18: January 29—Giving in a greedy culture
Greed in its most basic sense refers to an excessive desire for food. However, desire for food in families which lack enough food for health maintenance is a different matter entirely. Obtaining Read More Deuteronomy 6: January 29—Passionately in love
Passion may be good or bad depending upon the object of our passion. Passions may ruin an individual or help an individual achieve greatness. What is your passion? What energizes you in your life? Read More Acts 10:9-15, 22-38, 28-29, 34-35: January 22—Loving in a divided culture
In order to appreciate fully the significance of Peter’s encounter with the Roman Centurion, we need a firm grasp of the Holy Spirit’s design and actions for the Book of Acts. It is a chronicle of Read More Deuteronomy 4:5-10, 15-19, 39-40: January 22—Membership has its responsibilities
A financial institution advertising slogan states, “Membership has its privileges!” In a spiritual sense, the slogan is true. Membership in the people of God has manifold privileges including 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