In the Witness this week

Missions summit focus is on South America's 379 million JONI B. HANNIGAN Managing Editor Published February 14, 2008: GAINESVILLE (FBW)—Pastors and laypersons from 18 states and throughout Florida got a taste of ministry to South American countries Jan. 31-Feb. 1 when they took part in SAM, a regional missions conference sponsored by the South America Mobilization Unit of the International Mission Board, Westside Baptist Church in Gainesville and the Florida Baptist Convention.
Coalition releases letter opposing science standards Evolution debated at final public hearing JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor Published February 14, 2008: ORLANDO (FBW) – Kim Kendall is “just” a mom with a busy life taking care of her two kids who are students in the St. Johns County public school system and her husband. But the former air traffic controller has orchestrated a growing chorus of opponents to proposed science standards for Florida’s public schools that will make Darwinian evolution a central feature without any acknowledgement of contrary views.
Escaping death in El Salvador Caceres ministers to Hispanics in Oklahoma Published February 14, 2008: NORMAN, Okla. (NAMB)—Why did communist guerillas in El Salvador put Daniel Caceres so high on their murder "hit list" in 1980?
North American missions boosted by last year's record Annie offering Published February 14, 2008: TALLADEGA, Ala. (BP)—Southern Baptists' gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions exceeded the national goal for the second consecutive year, with $59.3 million received, the most ever in the history of the offering.
'Overwhelming' offers of help for Union Published February 14, 2008: JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)—Union University moved from crisis to recovery Feb. 8 as volunteer teams began cleaning up debris strewn by the Feb. 5 tornado and construction workers began rebuilding two major academic buildings.

Opinion

Editorial

Fixing the sub-standard science standards JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: With only days left before the Florida Board of Education meets Feb. 19 to consider new science standards that would require public schools to adopt an evolution-as-dogma approach, members of the Board have received good advice to correct this 10-year-document both from a drafter of the standards as well as persons on the outside. For the sake of our state, and especially for the sake of our children, let’s hope and pray the Board implements this advice.

Point of View

Baptist Faith & Message Commentary 3: God the Son MARK RATHEL Special to Florida Baptist Witness: EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is part of an occasional series of commentaries examining and explaining the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, the Southern Baptist Convention's confession of faith.
'Follow the Lord Jesus': Black History Month CHARLES COLSON Breakpoint: It's Black History Month—and in classrooms around the country, children have been learning about famous African-Americans and their contributions to our culture. That's a good thing. But there is one thing most kids have not been learning about many of these famous men and women: that is, their Christian faith and how it motivated their lives and their work.
A teacher's perspective on the science standards ROBIN BROWN Special to Florida Baptist Witness: Editor's note: This statement was given at a public hearing on the proposed science standards for Florida held in Jacksonville last month.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor Published February 14, 2008: Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

Florida

Florida News

Missions summit focus is on South America's 379 million: GAINESVILLE (FBW)—Pastors and laypersons from 18 states and throughout Florida got a taste of ministry to South American countries Jan. 31-Feb. 1 when they took part in SAM, a regional missions conference sponsored by the South America Mobilization Unit of the International Mission Board, Westside Baptist Church in Gainesville and the Florida Baptist Convention.
Men's ministry sharing faith through shared interests: BONIFAY (FBC)—Crouched in the woods, waiting for a deer to come into range, a man has the courage to share his faith along with his love for the outdoors.
'Pervasive lostness' in South America result of spiritual warfare: GAINESVILLE (FBW)—Noting a "pervasive lostness" that still exists in South America after years of aggressive missionary work in the region, Southern Baptist International Mission Board president Jerry Rankin said the same enemy at work in America is alive and well in South America.
IMB president says Satan added new barrier to spreading Gospel: Make missions optional: GAINESVILLE (FBW)—The president of the world's largest mission sending organization said he believes Satan has employed an alarming new strategy to hinder the Gospel from reaching every person. A strategy that Satan employs to tempt believers into thinking a comfortable lifestyle is a priority and missions is "optional."
Pastors, mission work not a 'function of time or money'
Sullivan: Dare to be an uncommon people of God: GAINESVILLE (FBC)—Having preached for more than 50 years, John Sullivan said he still yearns to see revival as experienced by New Testament Christians in Acts 4:31-33.
Missionaries are Bobbye's 'heroes'

National

National News

New Baptist Covenant Celebration focuses on unity Diverse group of speakers include former president Jimmy: ATLANTA (BP)—A diverse group of Baptists meeting at the New Baptist Covenant Celebration in Atlanta Jan. 30-Feb. 1 heard speeches from two former U.S. presidents and a former vice president, made frequent mention of the Southern Baptist Convention and began planning for continued cooperation among moderate and liberal Baptists in America.
Cox 3rd SBC president nominee: HARTSELLE, Ala. (BP)—Frank Cox, pastor of North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Ga., will be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention during the SBC's June 10-11 annual meeting in Indianapolis, Alabama evangelist Junior Hill announced Feb. 7.
BUSH: Prayer has been comfort: WASHINGTON (BP)—President Bush said in his final National Prayer Breakfast as the country's chief executive he was grateful for, and had been helped by, the prayers of Americans.

Union University Tornado

'Overwhelming' offers of help for Union: JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)—Union University moved from crisis to recovery Feb. 8 as volunteer teams began cleaning up debris strewn by the Feb. 5 tornado and construction workers began rebuilding two major academic buildings.
Tornado! Union University rebounds after storm 'Hand of God' evident at Union University: continuing studies class at Union University when a cell-phone caller told her a tornado was northeast of the campus. Her phone quit working as she rushed students into a Hammons Hall stairwell.
Pastor surveys rubble where church stood: SAVANNAH, Tenn. (BP)—The facilities of Sharon Baptist Church and its Savannah Christian Academy and KIDS Preschool in Savannah, Tenn., were destroyed by one of several tornados that struck West Tennessee Feb. 5.

BF&M Commentary

Point of View Baptist Faith & Message Commentary 3: God the Son: EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is part of an occasional series of commentaries examining and explaining the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, the Southern Baptist Convention's confession of faith.

Features

Annie Armstrong Offering

Escaping death in El Salvador Caceres ministers to Hispanics in Oklahoma: NORMAN, Okla. (NAMB)—Why did communist guerillas in El Salvador put Daniel Caceres so high on their murder "hit list" in 1980?
North American missions boosted by last year's record Annie offering: TALLADEGA, Ala. (BP)—Southern Baptists' gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions exceeded the national goal for the second consecutive year, with $59.3 million received, the most ever in the history of the offering.

Media Montage

'Sex & the City' myths: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Marian Jordan's life was much like the four characters on HBO's hit show "Sex and the City," characterized by casual sex and expensive fashion.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

February 24: The model John 4:4-10, 13-18, 24-26: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
March 2 : Living 3:16 by the book 2 timothy 1:8-12; 3:14 to 4:4: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

February 24: A dysfunctional biblical family Genesis 25, 27: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
March 2: Responding to God with faith Genesis 28: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.