In the Witness this week

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Big Sky missionary anchors 'la-la land' destination Published February 21, 2008: BIG SKY, Mont. (NAMB)—Because his mission field is based in Big Sky, Mont., where Lone Mountain stretches 11,000 feet high, Brad Lartigue reports to work every day sky-high—geographically and spiritually.
SBOM reduces 2008 CP budget, appoints CP study committee, hears of urban strategy success BARBARA DENMAN Florida Baptist Convention Published February 21, 2008: LEESBURG (FBC)—"We will not deficit spend," said John Sullivan as he led the State Board of Missions to reduce the 2008 Cooperative Program goal and budget by $1.5 million during its Feb. 8 meeting at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center.

Courtesy photo

Members of First Baptist Church in Eagle Lake gave away balloons to hundreds of motorists waiting their turns to get free gas.

Gas give-away causes 'traffic jam for Jesus' CAROLYN NICHOLS Newswriter Published February 21, 2008: EAGLE LAKE (FBW)—On a day that Pastor Jeff Buchanan called "Let's be a Missionary," First Baptist Church in Eagle Lake members pumped free gas into 398 cars and shared Jesus with hundreds of motorists in their central Florida community.

Opinion

Editorial

What Paul's rebuke of Peter should teach Jimmy JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: Former president Jimmy Carter convened a large assembly of moderate and liberal Baptists in Atlanta a few weeks ago, meeting under the banner of a "Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant," seeking unity for social action across racial and theological boundaries among 30 different Baptist denominations. Ironically, President Carter's appeal to the first century dispute between Paul and Peter as an example of why Christians today should seek unity in spite of theological differences is actually a vivid illustration of the theological danger ahead for this effort and why Southern Baptists cannot be involved.

Point of View

The Archbishop of Canterbury and shari'a law KAIROS JOURNAL: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, stirred up a hornets' nest when he commented in a BBC interview on Feb. 7 that he could foresee a place for aspects of shari'a law in Britain in the future. Responses to his comments have been diverse, with some opponents calling for his resignation and his supporters crying foul, saying that he has been misquoted.
Where and how to share the Gospel 'tractfully' VICTOR BENAVIDES North American Mission Board: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—I was in Nashville recently, and at the end of a long day of meetings I stopped at a convenience store for a late-night snack. I stood in line, paid for my ice cream, and passed a Gospel tract to the clerk who politely smiled and stuffed it into a pocket. I smiled and left. As I was opening my car door, a man yelled my way. "Great," I thought, without turning around. "I'm exhausted and this guy's going to want money. God, please help me talk to this man." I turned around to face this young man who had a desperate look on his face.
Wiring and switches: Evolutionary foolishness CHARLES COLSON Breakpoint: Ten years ago, evolutionary psychologist Steven Pinker offered a Darwinian explanation for infanticide. Pinker wrote, "A new mother will first coolly assess the infant and her situation and only in the next few days begin to see it as a unique and wonderful individual."

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor Published February 21, 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

SBOM reduces 2008 CP budget, appoints CP study committee, hears of urban strategy success: LEESBURG (FBC)—"We will not deficit spend," said John Sullivan as he led the State Board of Missions to reduce the 2008 Cooperative Program goal and budget by $1.5 million during its Feb. 8 meeting at Lake Yale Baptist Conference Center.
Gas give-away causes 'traffic jam for Jesus': EAGLE LAKE (FBW)—On a day that Pastor Jeff Buchanan called "Let's be a Missionary," First Baptist Church in Eagle Lake members pumped free gas into 398 cars and shared Jesus with hundreds of motorists in their central Florida community.
Belz says 2008 Daytona race week 'the best': DAYTONA (FBW)—Halifax Baptist Association Director of Missions Dennis Belz told Florida Baptist Witness the 2008 Central Florida Racetrack Ministry at Daytona Speedway was the "best year of all nine that we have been inside the grounds."
Fifteen new churches start in January: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—According to a report released by the Florida Baptist Convention's Church Planting Department, Florida Baptists started 15 new churches in January 2008. The following is a listing of new churches by association:
Martial arts, independent living taught at retreat for blind: LEESBURG (FBC)—Florida's blind are called to trust God and grow in their spiritual gifts during the 2008 Florida Christian Fellowship of the Blind conference March 10-14.
Falwell accepts 'Lifetime Ministry Award' for father
'Hands-on' training for BCF students
Building team from Missouri ministers at Baptist College of Florida each year: GRACEVILLE (BCF)-The Missouri based BUDD Builders (Building Under Divine Direction) migrate to The Baptist College of Florida (BCF) in Graceville early every year to take on the challenge of various building projects. BUDD Builders initially came in 2006 to build the Shepherd's Cottages, homes for retired ministers and missionaries, and they continue to work seasonally on such projects as the new dorm, business office, chapel stage, student center, and prayer chapel.

Florida News Briefs

2008 Acteen Cometogethers March 7-8, 14-15
Ministry Assistants Conference March 15 at BCF

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

Union Univ. campus clean-up both 'detailed' & 'random': JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)-While most Union University students had returned to their homes until classes resumed Feb. 20, faculty and staff worked hard to recover belongings from damaged dormitories on campus.
NAMB trustee meeting updates evangelism initiative: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—The North American Mission Board trustee meeting Feb. 6 ended the way it began, celebrating how God has used Southern Baptists through their gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions.
Mohler to undergo colon surgery; will not proceed with SBC president nomination: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)-R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, will require additional surgery after a scheduled colonoscopy Feb. 11 revealed a tumor in his colon. An initial biopsy indicated that the tumor is pre-cancerous and further tests are to be scheduled, along with surgical options. The surgery will require that he forego nomination as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Mohler said.
LifeWay trustees elect new VP, give Union funds: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources elected a new vice president of the B&H Publishing Group and approved the disbursement of $350,000 in reserve funds to Union University, which sustained major property damage in a Feb. 5 tornado.
New Sky Angel IPTV service features Baptist channels: NAPLES (FBW)-Sky Angel, a national leader in providing Christian TV and radio channels, recently welcomed two Baptist-owned channels to its new 70-channel Sky Angel Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service, according to a news release.

Features

Annie Armstrong Offering

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Big Sky missionary anchors 'la-la land' destination: BIG SKY, Mont. (NAMB)—Because his mission field is based in Big Sky, Mont., where Lone Mountain stretches 11,000 feet high, Brad Lartigue reports to work every day sky-high—geographically and spiritually.
NAMB's mission: Sharing, starting, sending: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (NAMB)-The North American Mission Board (NAMB) is the domestic missions agency of the Southern Baptist Convention. Our defined mission is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, start New Testament congregations, minister to persons in the name of Christ, and assist churches in the United States, Canada and U.S. territories in effectively performing these functions. This is accomplished by focusing on three major objectives: sharing Christ, starting churches, and sending missionaries.
2008 AAEO Facts
Prayer Guide

Media Montage

'Fireproof' actress also in 'Facing the Giants' movie: ALBANY, Ga. (BP)-A siren wailed in the background as a fire truck raced toward a house ablaze, but Erin Bethea's voice was calm.
New Orleans seminary prof's son lives out faith in Hollywood: NEW ORLEANS (BP)-What's a seminary professor's son doing in a nationally televised movie with Golden Globe nominee Nikki Blonsky of the box-office blockbuster, "Hairspray?" For Philip Searcy, it's living as a witness for God.

Obituary

Former HMB first lady Betty Jo Lewis dies at 64

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.