In the Witness this week

IMB photo

MISSION George Faile III, an International Mission Board missionary, and volunteer medical student Heidi Haun perform a cesarean section at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu, Ghana. Faile is planning to retire soon. He prays more missionary doctors will be called to serve at the hospital.

Volunteers critical in medical missions Seminole medical student sees urgency during trip to Ghana Published January 29, 2009: NALERIGU, Ghana (BP)—Villagers line up outside the Baptist Medical Centre in northern Ghana as soon as the sun peeks over the mountains of this mud-hut town.
$58 million offering a ‘miracle,’ Hammond says Published January 29, 2009: TALLADEGA, Ala. (BP)—Despite last year’s economic downturn, Southern Baptists still contributed more than $58 million to the annual Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in 2008—98 percent of the amount raised in the previous year’s campaign.
Gainesville citizens fight ‘gender identity’ law March 24 referendum would overturn ‘government gone wild’ Published January 29, 2009: GAINESVILLE (FBW)—Concerned that a year-old “gender identity” law will jeopardize the safety of women and girls in public restrooms, citizens in Gainesville have mounted a referendum campaign to overturn the ordinance in March 24 city elections.

Opinion

Editorial

Prayers, indeed. Capitulation, never. JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: President Barack Obama took the oath office Jan. 20 on the steps of the Capitol at one end of the National Mall overflowing with supporters and other Americans wanting to be a part of history. On Aug. 28, 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the opposite end of the nearly two-mile long Mall, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered to a similar multitude the definitive defense of the civil rights movement in his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Point of View

The ‘Freedom of Choice Act’ isn’t about choice and it isn’t free ANITA L. STAVER, esq. Liberty Counsel: When Barack Obama became President on January 20, he made history. His election has conclusively proven that anyone from any background can succeed in America. He has shown that today’s voters care less about a politician’s skin color than they do about his message. Those are clearly positive lessons that are undeniably good for this country.
Religious Liberty in 2009 DOUG CARLSON Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission: WASHINGTON (ERLC)—America recently reflected on one of her foundational principles: religious liberty. In one of his final acts in office, President Bush set aside Jan. 16 as Religious Freedom Day, calling on all Americans “to engage in appropriate ceremonies and activities in their homes, schools, and places of worship.” The tradition, begun in 1993, commemorates the 1786 passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, a forerunner to the First Amendment right to freedom of worship.
Dave Says DAVE RAMSEY
The March of Death: A culture commits suicide CHARLES COLSON BreakPoint: Those who have embraced the culture of death had much to celebrate during 2008. By “culture of death,” I’m referring to those movements which would advance euthanasia, assisted suicide, abortion, fetal experimentation, and even population control.

Florida

Florida News

Gainesville citizens fight ‘gender identity’ law March 24 referendum would overturn ‘government gone wild’: GAINESVILLE (FBW)—Concerned that a year-old “gender identity” law will jeopardize the safety of women and girls in public restrooms, citizens in Gainesville have mounted a referendum campaign to overturn the ordinance in March 24 city elections.
Retirees leave legacies of ministry & relationships: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—”We are losing more than 70 years of Florida Baptist Convention experience that is irreplaceable,” said Bob Bumgarner in characterizing the retirement of three long-term Florida Baptist Convention employees.
Retiring discipleship leader appraises four decades of change, continued commitment to transforming lives: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Bill Carmichael arrived at the Florida Baptist Convention when the average cost of a new house was $23,450, the average annual income was $9,400, a gallon of gas cost 36 cents and six cents would buy a postage stamp.
Ninety-second video calls Florida Baptists to pray for nation during inaugural season: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)— Nearly 400 churches from at least 29 states have downloaded or received the 90-second video “A Call to Prayer for Our Nation,” to use in their worship services during this historic time in the life of the nation.
Collier County denies Bible distribution on Religious Freedom Day: NAPLES (FBW)—Collier County School District refused this year to allow the distribution of Bibles in its schools on Religious Freedom Day, Jan. 16, according to Orlando-based Liberty Counsel.
Thank God for this little bundle Florida Baptist Children’s Homes helps pregnant teen make life-affirming decision: LAKELAND (FBCH)—Last summer the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes received a call from a concerned father of a teenage girl who was experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. The man’s daughter had already decided to abort her unborn child. Understandably the girl was scared and concerned about her future plans for college and hopes of a professional career.

Florida News Briefs

Media library helps seminar Jan. 31
Ministry assistant conference Feb. 13
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

$58 million offering a ‘miracle,’ Hammond says: TALLADEGA, Ala. (BP)—Despite last year’s economic downturn, Southern Baptists still contributed more than $58 million to the annual Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in 2008—98 percent of the amount raised in the previous year’s campaign.
March for Life during inauguration week: WASHINGTON (BP)–President Obama reaffirmed his support for abortion rights on the 36th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling Jan. 22, while tens of thousand of pro-life advocates gahtered in Wasington for the annual March for Life.
Research to aid ‘GPS’ strategy: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—In advance support of the “God’s Plan for Sharing” evangelistic campaign set to roll out in 2010, the North American Mission Board is collaborating with LifeWay Research to research the most effective methods for sharing Christ with the people of North America.
They are from Egypt, Iraq, Morocco, Jordan and Lebanon. In America, they sit together, united by the Gospel. Arabic congregation reaches non-believers through their ‘heart language’: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Inside a small trailer that sits on a plot of land in suburban Nashville, Tenn., a friendly congregation reads Scripture, sings hymns and partakes of the Lord’s Supper. The only difference between this church and neighboring evangelical congregations is the fact the worship service is conducted exclusively in Arabic.
Hmong immigrants welcome Thanksgiving visit & explanation by those who also bring Gospel message: ST. PAUL, Minn. (BP)—Thirteen groups of people spread out across St. Paul, Minn., to deliver more than 60 boxes filled with food for Thanksgiving meals. The groceries were welcomed with joy and gratitude—and no small degree of puzzlement.
Oklahoma City congregation intentionally reaches Native American population: OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (BP)—It’s the Christmas story like you’ve never seen it before.
Multi-ethnic congregation shares Gospel worldwide: RANDOLPH, N.J. (BP)—Bible Church International lives up to its name. The Randolph, N.J., congregation, started as a house church with 30 people in 1982, now draws nearly 350 regular attenders from China, Nigeria, Ireland, India and the Philippines. But it’s also involved with 30 church plants in Thailand, Cambodia, Dubai and the Philippines, as well as North America.
Japanese pastor says believers called to ‘embody theology’: TIGARD, Ore. (BP)—Mike Yokoy was pastoring a church in Japan when he sensed God calling him as a missionary to the United States. He made his way to Tigard, Ore., where he assumed the pastorate of a fledgling congregation of 15 people.
A new spirit refreshes Georgia town BCF grad leads folks to rethink racial divide after tornado rips through church: DRY BRANCH, Ga. (BP)—For a long time there have been two Stone Creek churches in Dry Branch, Ga., just east of Macon. Except for the Gospel they preach, surface appearances have them as different as black and white. Beginning on Mother’s Day last year it took a storm to bring them together.
NOBTS’ Kelley: ‘We own the night’: NEW ORLEANS (BP)—Even in the gathering darkness of economic and ethical decline in America, Christians “own the night” because of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary President Chuck Kelley told graduates during commencement exercises Dec. 13.
Merritt challenges Southeastern grads to ‘preach the Word’ Floridians among those receiving degrees from Southeastern seminary & college: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)—At Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and its undergraduate school, The College at Southeastern, Floridians were among those 127 graduates who received master’s or doctoral degrees and 26 receiving associate or bachelor’s degrees during the fall commencement in Binkley Chapel Dec. 12.
Preach with authority, Mohler tells grads: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)—God-honoring preachers must proclaim the Bible with confidence rather than qualifying and relativizing God’s Word, R. Albert Mohler Jr. said Dec. 12 during commencement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Radical Reformation Day recognized: FORT WORTH (SWBTS)—President Paige Patterson proclaimed January 21 Radical Reformation Day at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Patterson referenced the birth of the Anabaptist movement on January 21, 1525, as he closed his chapel sermon on how Christians should relate to culture.
NOBTS marriage initiative gains energy: NEW ORLEANS (BP)—For students and their families, the move to a seminary campus brings many new challenges. Seminary families often are faced with tighter finances, smaller living quarters and the stress of theological studies. With the adjustment to new churches and new schools for the children, the combined effect can strain family relationships—especially marriages.
‘True Love Waits’ still nurtures abstinence until marriage: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The “True Love Waits” abstinence-until-marriage movement has recorded numerous milestones since its launch by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
With Obama in power, Whitehouse.gov now backs abortion rights, ‘gay rights’: WASHINGTON (BP)—White House policies changed dramatically Jan. 20, not the least of which was the WhiteHouse.gov website, which in less than five minutes went from one promoting pro-life policies and traditional marriage to one opposing such policies.
After a ‘doggone revival in the football locker room,’ coach prays to receive Christ: EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. (BP)—Not in 50 years had Friday night lights burned so brightly for East Prairie (Mo.) High School. When the East Prairie Eagles defeated archrival Charleston 46-21 on Oct. 17, it was their first victory in Charleston in a half-century.

400 Years of Baptists

The First Baptist in America: Roger Williams: The earliest Baptists in America stemmed from a group of like-minded individuals who surrounded Roger Williams. It was on Feb. 5, 1631, that Roger Williams (1603-1683) and his wife sailed from Bristol on the ship Lyon and landed at Nantasket, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Missions News

Volunteers critical in medical missions Seminole medical student sees urgency during trip to Ghana: NALERIGU, Ghana (BP)—Villagers line up outside the Baptist Medical Centre in northern Ghana as soon as the sun peeks over the mountains of this mud-hut town.
Malaria & snakebites lead to life changes at Ghana hospital: NALERIGU, Ghana (BP)—George Faile III was just 8 years old when he started tagging along as his father treated patients at Ghana’s Baptist Medical Centre 50 years ago.
Public health ministry serves rural Ghana: NALERIGU, Ghana (BP)—Missionary Cherry Faile smiles when she hears villagers singing songs in the Manpruli language about how to properly nurse children or cook nutritious meals.

National News Briefs

Ukraine the focus of evangelistic meetings this summer, fall
Bad economy saves some marriages
Coca-cola pro-family advertiser

Features

Annie Armstrong Offering

$58 million offering a ‘miracle,’ Hammond says: TALLADEGA, Ala. (BP)—Despite last year’s economic downturn, Southern Baptists still contributed more than $58 million to the annual Annie Armstrong Easter Offering in 2008—98 percent of the amount raised in the previous year’s campaign.

Media Montage

Resource: Seven Words of Worship: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Miss Bessie was known at Oakland Baptist Church for her exuberant singing from the pews every Sunday morning.
Splash people with God’s love A spontaneous approach to evangelism: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The joy of a baby in the bathtub, happily splashing water on everyone within range, inspired a new approach to helping Christians share their faith.
Review: Logos delivers easy transition for PC to Mac users: I’m neither a Bible scholar nor a computer geek, but I know enough about Scripture and computers to say anyone who is looking for an easy, powerful computer Bible study tool cannot go wrong with Logos for Mac.
‘Sex & Cell Phones’ guide for parents: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—If someone in your family has a new cell phone on their Christmas list, you might want to get to Santa before he packs his sleigh.

Bible Study

Bible Studies for Life

February 8: Pray persistently Matthew 15:21-28; Luke 18:1-8: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 15: Pray in Jesus name John 14:12-14; 15:14-16; 16:23-26: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

February 8: The justice of God 2 Thessalonians 1: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 15: The Great Pretender 2 Thessalonians 2: Mark Rathel is professor of theology at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.