In the Witness this week

Photo courtesy Tebow family

University of Florida starting quarterback Tim Tebow and his mom, Pam, pause after a children’s production at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville where they are members.

MOTHERING TEBOW Scripture & faith are her 'secrets' to parenting Tim Tebow, mom says Published January 15, 2009: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—With four older children, Pam Tebow, whose father was an Army colonel, was used to setting boundaries, issuing orders and choosing her battles by the time “Timmy” was born in 1987.
Starke pastor calls Tebow a ‘servant leader’ on & off field Published January 15, 2009: STARKE (FBW)—For sure, it’s his ability to throw a football that got University of Florida’s Tim Tebow a Heisman Trophy last year—and earned the team a chance at the BCS National Championship tonight. But more than his ability to play football, it’s Tebow’s leadership that has people asking more, says Starke student pastor Joe Fennell.
Obama’s abortion bailout? Report urging president-elect to back public funding posted on transition website Published January 15, 2009: WASHINGTON (BP)—More than 60 abortion rights groups have signed a 55-page report to President-elect Barack H. Obama urging him to include abortion coverage in any national health care plan and to help roll back dozens of pro-life laws, including bans on taxpayer funding of abortion and partial-birth abortion in what one pro-life group says would amount to an “abortion bailout.”
Warren Obama’s unpopular pick for inaugural invocation Published January 15, 2009: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—President-elect Barack H. Obama has invited Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at Obama’s inauguration ceremony Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C., and homosexual activists have reacted with outrage.

Opinion

Editorial

A gambling expansion ‘perfect storm’ JAMES A. SMITH SR.: The Florida Legislature concludes this week its special session called to balance the state budget, wisely rejecting new gambling revenue as a means of closing the 2008-2009 budget deficit. Nevertheless, citizens concerned about the detrimental effects of gambling expansion on our society should not be so confident about the coming regular legislative session.

Point of View

The news from Jerusalem JIM SIBLEY Baptist Press: EDITOR’S NOTE: Jim Sibley, director of Criswell College’s Pasche Institute for Jewish Studies, is in Israel to lead a study course for students at the Dallas college.
After 20 years of service ... JOHN SULLIVAN Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention: Many of you have been gracious and kind to send words (even a few gifts) to congratulate us on our 20th anniversary of serving the Florida Baptist Convention. Nancy and I were so appreciative of the 20th Anniversary Observance presented during the Florida Baptist State Convention.
New study Bible a ‘gold mine of information’, ‘hidden treasures’ BOB MOUNTS Special to the Witness: ESVB Study Bible, Crossway Bibles, Wheaton, Illinois. (List price $49 hb, $74.99 leather, $239 calf).
Dave Says DAVE RAMSEY
What price life?: Health-care rationing in Britain CHARLES COLSON BreakPoint: Bruce Hardy probably doesn’t have long to live. But he could live longer, if it weren’t for the attitude and policies of the British government.
Keeping a watch on children’s & teen’s TV, internet R. ALBERT MOHLER JR Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)—A new report indicates that the average child in America now spends 45 hours a week immersed in the media—a multiple of the hours spent with parents or in the classroom.

Florida

Florida News

MOTHERING TEBOW Scripture & faith are her 'secrets' to parenting Tim Tebow, mom says: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—With four older children, Pam Tebow, whose father was an Army colonel, was used to setting boundaries, issuing orders and choosing her battles by the time “Timmy” was born in 1987.
Starke pastor calls Tebow a ‘servant leader’ on & off field: STARKE (FBW)—For sure, it’s his ability to throw a football that got University of Florida’s Tim Tebow a Heisman Trophy last year—and earned the team a chance at the BCS National Championship tonight. But more than his ability to play football, it’s Tebow’s leadership that has people asking more, says Starke student pastor Joe Fennell.
Gov. Crist, First Lady host book drive for foster children Florida Baptist Children’s Home in Cantonment to receive books: TALLAHASSEE (FBW)—Gov. Charlie Crist and First Lady Carole Crist celebrated the Governor’s Holiday Book Drive by hosting a party and book reading at the Governor’s Mansion Dec. 17 with 30 local foster children and their families and foster agency workers. The book drive has collected more than 700 books for foster children across Florida.
Tampa area churches gear up for Super Bowl XLIII: TAMPA (FBW)—Counting down the days until Super Bowl XLIII fever sweeps Tampa Bay the last week in January, area churches anticipated ways to reach their local communities with the Word of God—and a strong Christian influence.
Souper Bowl of Caring feeds hungry: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—America’s youth are working to make 2009 a record year for the Souper Bowl of Caring, with a national goal of raising 11 million in cash and cans for hunger and poverty-related charities across the country.
‘Stand up for Jesus,’ Kinchen says The Baptist College of Florida winter grads celebrate commencement: GRACEVILLE (BCF)—At The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, 59 marched down the center aisle Dec. 11 to receive diplomas and begin another chapter in their desire to follow Christ in areas of ministry and service. Family and friends gathered with them to join in the celebration culminating years of study, hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance by the Fall 2008 graduates.
Sons, like fathers, earn advanced degrees: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BCF)—Graduation ceremonies are exciting enough and recently several faculty and administrators from The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville had the unique opportunity to participate in their sons’ graduation ceremonies late last year.
BCF awards leadership certificates in Brazil: GRACEVILLE (BCF)—Crowds were standing outside of the open windows of an already full building in Cururupu, Brazil, as 38 students graduated from the Leadership Certificate Program of The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville. The ceremony took place at Igregia Batista where the students had attended classes for two years.

Florida News Briefs

Madison County voters nix alcohol sales
Florida Baptist sermon contest announced
Pro-Life rally in Jacksonville Jan. 22
Media library helps seminar Jan. 31
Two ‘Straight from the Heart’ retreats planned

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

Obama’s abortion bailout? Report urging president-elect to back public funding posted on transition website: WASHINGTON (BP)—More than 60 abortion rights groups have signed a 55-page report to President-elect Barack H. Obama urging him to include abortion coverage in any national health care plan and to help roll back dozens of pro-life laws, including bans on taxpayer funding of abortion and partial-birth abortion in what one pro-life group says would amount to an “abortion bailout.”
Warren Obama’s unpopular pick for inaugural invocation: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—President-elect Barack H. Obama has invited Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at Obama’s inauguration ceremony Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C., and homosexual activists have reacted with outrage.
Survey: Majority favors abortion limits: WASHINGTON (BP)—More than 80 percent of Americans believe abortion should be either prohibited or limited, according to a new survey.
‘Gay’ bishop another Obama pick
Poll: Pastors support CP, concerned about efficiency: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The large majority of Southern Baptist pastors believe strongly in the Cooperative Program (CP)—the Southern Baptist Convention’s unified approach to missions support—because it allows congregations to accomplish more together than they could achieve by themselves. New data from LifeWay Research indicates that 1 in 4 pastors see room for improvement in how CP dollars are allocated and how efficiently they are being used.
CP giving 4.97% behind ‘08 pace: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program are 4.97 percent behind the same time frame at the outset of 2008, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman.
Recession causes NAMB, other SBC entities to enact cuts: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) —In remarks to some 250 staff members of the North American Mission Board on Jan. 8, President Geoff Hammond asked NAMB team leaders to operate at 90 percent of their approved budgets during 2009.
Children from religious, intact families fare better, study says: WASHINGTON (BP)—Children living with both biological parents or adoptive parents who attend religious services regularly are less likely to exhibit problems at school or at home, a new analysis of national data shows.
VBS goes down under in 2009: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Next year churches can take their pick—taking kids on a train adventure through Australia or setting up a personalized archaeological dig. Either way, Jesus will be the ultimate destination.
Mohler: Some evangelicals ‘misunderstand’ Gospel: WASHINGTON (BP)—A new poll by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life finds that a significant minority of self-identified evangelicals believe that many religions can lead to salvation, even though some of those evangelicals apparently are confused over what the term “religion” means.
Hobby Lobby founder recalls Mother who prayed for her six children, crocheted doilies for missions Successful retail chain closes on Sundays, spreads Gospel through advertising & charitable ministries: SHAWNEE, Okla. (BP)—Steve Green’s father, David, started his retail career in high school through the DECA program. Never the model student, but with an affinity for math, David Green embraced the opportunity provided by the work program, starting the art-supplies store Hobby Lobby in a 300-square-foot space in 1972.

400 Years of Baptists

The First Baptists: John Smyth and Thomas Helwys: Editor’s note: This article series will briefly introduce important developments in Baptist history, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Baptists throughout 2009. The series, authored by Jerry Windsor of the Florida Baptist Historical Society, will run in every issue of the Witness in 2009.

From the Cradle to the Grave

God’s Love on Display First Baptist Orlando’s Pregnancy Center has a new home: Orlando (FBW)—Twenty-two years ago, First Orlando’s First Life Center for Pregnancy started in a small space across from Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
Blindness only a ‘bump in the road’ for Palm Coast BCF student: PALM COAST (FBW)—Dennis “Bubba” Epps, a member of First Baptist Church in Palm Coast, is not willing to let blindness get in the way of his call to ministry. With the help of family, friends and accommodating college professors, he continues to prepare for a career of preaching and singing.
Church needs to be ‘hands and feet of Jesus’ in caregiving, study shows: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Eleven percent of the people who participated in a LifeWay Research survey said they or an immediate family member are the primary full-time caregiver to an elderly parent or a special needs child, a statistic also shown in two other national studies.
Advocating for one person at a time makes a difference to caregivers Author of The Twenty-Third Psalm for Caregivers notes tangible ways to provide help: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Too often church members are hesitant to provide support for people who are primary caregivers to an elderly parent or a special needs child, usually because they don’t know what to do.
Celebrating Life Southern Baptists offering viable alternatives to abortion: NASHVILLE (SBCLife)–Sanctity of Human Life Sunday will be observed throughout the Southern Baptist Convention on January 18, marking the 36th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe V. Wade decision legalizing abortion on demand in America.

International News

India’s Christians celebrate Christmas in peace
China arrests nine for Living Nativity
Christmas a national holiday in Iraq
Gaza Baptist Church damaged in Israeli air strikes: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—An Israeli air strike at Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip seriously damaged Gaza Baptist Church on New Year’s Day. The Israeli offensive—launched Dec. 27 after a week in which more than 200 rockets struck southern Israel from the Gaza Strip—illustrates the failure of the “land for peace” strategy in the Middle East, say two Israeli commentators. A leading Southern Baptist observer called the situation a “human tragedy” and “squandered opportunity.”
Workers alert for relief needs in Gaza
Iraq on IRSC watch list for persecuting Christians: WASHINGTON (BP)—A bipartisan U.S. panel has recommended Iraq be returned to a list of the world’s worst violators of religious liberty for the first time since an American-led invasion liberated the Middle East country from Saddam Hussein’s rule in 2003.

Missions News

Missionary call unshaken by economic crisis: RICHMOND, Va. (BP)—Somewhere in a Texas storage shed sits a reminder of the reason Mark Moses left home and headed overseas. It’s a paper Moses, then 11 years old, wrote for a school assignment. The first line reads: “I want too be a misiunary wen I gro up.”

Features

Gambling with Florida:

Editorial A gambling expansion ‘perfect storm’: The Florida Legislature concludes this week its special session called to balance the state budget, wisely rejecting new gambling revenue as a means of closing the 2008-2009 budget deficit. Nevertheless, citizens concerned about the detrimental effects of gambling expansion on our society should not be so confident about the coming regular legislative session.

Media Montage

Point of View Keeping a watch on children’s & teen’s TV, internet: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)—A new report indicates that the average child in America now spends 45 hours a week immersed in the media—a multiple of the hours spent with parents or in the classroom.
Point of View New study Bible a ‘gold mine of information’, ‘hidden treasures’: ESVB Study Bible, Crossway Bibles, Wheaton, Illinois. (List price $49 hb, $74.99 leather, $239 calf).

Obituary

Retired Pensacola campus minister dies: McComb, Miss (FBC)—Florida Baptist Convention retiree Marvin W. Howard, who served as the Pensacola-area Baptist Campus Director from 1972 to 1986, died Monday, Dec. 22 in Natchez, Miss., from injuries sustained in an automobile accident two weeks before his death. He was 84.

Bible Study

Bible Studies for Life

January 25: Receive new life Acts 16:13-18, 25-34: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 1: Pray confidently Psalm 86:1-13: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

January 25: Are you ready? 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 1: A healthy church when Christ returns 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.