In the Witness this week

Courtesy photo

A girl at the NFL Experience block party Jan. 13 at Pines Baptist Church in Pembrook Pines makes a field goal with a paper football and plastic field goal posts.

Ministry coordinators hopeful for Miami Super Bowl outreach Published January 18, 2007: MIAMI (FBW)-The promise of free hot dogs and prizes such as a 32-inch plasma television drew 250 people to the NFL Experience block party Jan 13 at Pines Baptist Church in Pembrook Pines. The event also featured members from local churches sporting EvangeCubes and practicing their witnessing techniques.
'06 CP receipts $1 million above budget Published January 18, 2007: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-Florida Baptists gave $39,443,813 through the Cooperative Program in 2006, nearly a million dollars over budgeted needs.
Bible travels to 4 wars with 5 members of Baptist family Published January 18, 2007: HAUGHTON, La. (BP)-With his return from Iraq in 2003, U.S. Marine Cpl. Jermey Vickers of First Baptist Haughton, La., became the fifth member of his family to carry the same New Testament to war and back.

Opinion

Editorial

The Carter-Clinton Baptists JAMES A SMITH SR. Executive Editor: There he goes again – and this time, former president Jimmy Carter has brought along former president Bill Clinton as a “cheerleader.”

Point of View

Alcohol abstinence in the FBSC, part 2 of 3 JOHN SULLIVAN Executive Director-Treasurer, FBC: There is a great possibility that what I say in this article will not change a single opinion about the issue of alcohol consumption. And believe me, I am not riding a social or theological "hobby-horse." It has always been my nature to be clear on issues facing the church. None of the congregations where I served could ever say, "When you were our pastor you never did point out the problem of alcohol abuse. You did not warn us!"
Getting the words right will clarify the meaning THOM S. RAINER LifeWay Christian Resources: Community outreach activities are not evangelism and missions is not a synonym for ministry.
The 'greatest offense' against radical Islam CHARLES COLSON Breakpoint: After Sept. 11, 2001, you may recall that many members of the press were going around asking plaintively, "Why do they hate us?" Some journalists seemed to imply that if we could just be a little nicer, a little more "tolerant," the jihadists would opt for a group hug instead of terrorism.

Cartoon

Cartoon JOE MCKEEVER Baptist Press

Florida

Florida News

Ministry coordinators hopeful for Miami Super Bowl outreach: MIAMI (FBW)-The promise of free hot dogs and prizes such as a 32-inch plasma television drew 250 people to the NFL Experience block party Jan 13 at Pines Baptist Church in Pembrook Pines. The event also featured members from local churches sporting EvangeCubes and practicing their witnessing techniques.
'06 CP receipts $1 million above budget: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-Florida Baptists gave $39,443,813 through the Cooperative Program in 2006, nearly a million dollars over budgeted needs.
BCF student donates kidney to fellow church member: Graceville (BCF)-As millions around the world swapped gifts at Christmas, Baptist College of Florida Student Government Association President John Phipps gave a friend a priceless and costly treasure-a healthy kidney.
Florida Baptist layman Kurt Browning appointed Secretary of State: TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-Sitting on the floor of an empty townhouse in Tallahassee, his voice echoing off the bare walls as he perused his employment benefits and filled out forms, Kurt Browning, the newly appointed Florida secretary of state, waited for his wife, Karla, to arrive with furniture for their new home.
FBCH breaks ground for new Tallahassee cottage: TALLAHASSEE (FBCH)-Construction is set to get under way soon on a 5,700-square-foot residence that will accommodate up to eight children at a time at Florida Baptist Children's Homes' Tallahassee campus. It will include space for two live-in house-parent families, too.
UNF student seizes challenge to dream big for campus ministry: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-Blue light washed over the stage, casting the shadows of guitars, a cello and an upright bass onto an anxious audience. The crowd murmured with anticipation as Lucas Snyder stepped out on to the stage to introduce the contemporary Christian group Shane and Shane.
FBC adds 4 churches: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-According to a report released by the Florida Baptist Conventionís Church Planting Department, Florida Baptists started four new churches in December, 2006. The following is a listing of new churches by association:
Churches plan Super Bowl outreach events: MIAMI (FBW)-Florida churches are planning fellowship and evangelistic events around Super Bowl XLI in Miami in an effort to engage the culture. Several ministers whose churches will watch the big game together Feb. 4 told Florida Baptist Witness they plan to put a Christian spin on the annual mega-sports event.
Youth-led movement raises funds to fight hunger

Florida News Briefs

Women's Winter Gathering offered in 3 cities
2007 Acteens Activator training Feb 2-3
South Florida Sunday School Convention set

Florida Focus

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.

National

National News

Bible travels to 4 wars with 5 members of Baptist family: HAUGHTON, La. (BP)-With his return from Iraq in 2003, U.S. Marine Cpl. Jermey Vickers of First Baptist Haughton, La., became the fifth member of his family to carry the same New Testament to war and back.
Carter, Clinton call for 'A New Baptist Covenant': ATLANTA (BP)-Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton have proposed the establishment of a broadly inclusive alternative Baptist movement to counter what they called a negative image of Baptists and to address poverty, the environment and global conflicts.
Pro-lifers on defense as Democrats take over Congress: WASHINGTON (BP)-Pro-life advocates expect primarily to play defense in the 110th Congress, seeking to protect favorable policies already in place while hoping for an unanticipated gain.
GEORGIA

Features

Media Montage

'Black Hawk Down' hero confronts fear with faith: COLUMBUS, Ga. (BP)-After facing death on several foreign battlefields, Jeff Struecker has overcome the fear of his own demise, not to mention less pressing concerns like financial difficulties or the childhood nightmares that followed his parents' divorce.

Obituary

Obituaries Bruce Edwards, Jimmy Carter's former pastor, dies: MONROVIA, Calif. (FBW)-Bruce Edwards, 60, former pastor of Jimmy Carter, died in Monrovia, Calif., Dec. 30, after a two-year struggle with brain cancer.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

January 28: What hope for society? Genesis 11:1-9; Proverbs 28:2-5; 29:2-4: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 4: The word from God John 1:1-9, 14-17: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

January 28: passions leading to godliness Nehemiah 13:1, 4-5, 8-12, 15-18: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 4: A tale of two falls and a tale of two feasts Esther 1-2: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.