Agency reports

• Florida Baptist Children’s Homes,
  Jimmy McAdams, President

— Describing the ministry to the 664 residents of the cottages and foster homes of Florida Baptist Children’s Homes as "wonderful and tender," president Jimmy McAdams expressed gratitude for the faithful support of Florida Baptists through almost 100 years of operation.

McAdams was interrupted on stage by "Miss Mildred," a puppet friend of ventriloquist Julie Boyd. "Dr. Sullivan sent me out here to liven things up," she quipped.

In a dialog with "Miss Mildred," McAdams gave details of the plans for the FBCH centennial. The organization hopes to educate the residents and staff of the homes on their first 100 years. It expects Governor Jeb Bush to sign a proclamation in June honoring FBCH. Varied conferences will highlight the birthday, and residents and staff will enjoy a June respite at Lake Yale.

He described an adoption finalized this year in which eight siblings were adopted into one family as "a beautiful thing." The president also showcased the opening of three new pregnancy care centers and more than 4,000 hours of training for pregnancy center volunteers.

McAdams told messengers the 2004 Mother’s Day Offering goal will be the largest in history — $1.5 million. When "Miss Mildred" suggested a calendar of Florida Baptist Convention staff in swimwear as a fundraising project, McAdams countered by assuring messengers that FBCH will take the "high road" in fundraising, depending on Florida Baptists’ faithful support.

"This is the closest thing to the heart of God that I know of," said McAdams.

• Florida Baptist Financial Services,
  Eddie McClelland, President

— "Our strategy is to have significant impact in churches and individuals," began Eddie McClelland, president of Florida Baptist Financial Services. "We are happy to embrace opportunities to grow and give, even in times of recent financial uncertainty."

FBFS, in operation since 1947 as an agency of the Florida Baptist Convention, is on "a path to become a premier financial institution," he reported. "We will not be satisfied with less."

FBFS companies — including Florida Baptist Foundation, Church Growth Investment Fund, Florida Baptist Retirement Center and Baptist Investment Services — totaled $95 million in assets under management as of June 30, according to its published records. Its sister corporation is Florida Baptist Credit Union. All FBFS companies received unqualified opinion audits for 2002.

"More important than good returns are profits in people’s and churches’ lives, making a King-impact," McClelland said.

He complimented the Florida Baptist Retirement Center which repeated its five-star rating from the State of Florida. The Vero Beach campus dedicated the Buckingham Cottage in 2003 as a residence for missionaries on stateside assignment.

"We want to make this ministry a diamond for Florida Baptists," McClelland said.

• Baptist College of Florida,
  Thomas A. Kinchen, President

— Introduced by FBSC president Tommy Green as president of the "treasure we have in Graceville," Thomas Kinchen reported to Convention messengers of the growth and direction of the Baptist College of Florida.

"At the Baptist College of Florida, we are pursuing the prize — not of buildings and programs, but of changing the world through the unchanging Word," Kinchen said.

The president reported a 6% increase in enrollment, which proves, "you can have Christian education and still attract students," he said. The college, with campuses in Graceville, Jacksonville, Orlando, Brandon, Pensacola and Tallahassee, offers studies also on the Internet.

Kinchen told Convention messengers in his report Tuesday afternoon both students and alumni are involved in missions worldwide. He offered several examples of outstanding graduates serving on mission fields.

Integral in the students’ preparation for ministry are classes which require students to share their faith; reports from their evangelism efforts describe professions of faith by 458 persons.

"Our students and graduates are going through doors because godly faculty members have poured themselves into their lives," Kinchen said.

He reported the completion of two Shepherd’s Cottages, homes built for retired ministers who have no home of their own. Two other homes will be finished in 30 days.

"I’ve been asked what these cottages have to do with higher education," he said. "What I say is, ‘it has everything to do with living out your faith."

Kinchen also reported the opening in December of WFBU, an FM radio station which will cover "the metropolis of Graceville" and will be available over the Internet.

• Florida Baptist Witness,
  James A. Smith Sr., Executive Editor

— Florida Baptist Witness, which will celebrate 120 years of service to Florida Baptists in 2004, exists to edify, educate, exhort and empower Florida Baptists to glorify God and extend His Kingdom, according to executive editor James A. Smith Sr. in his report to the Florida Baptist State Convention Nov. 11.

Smith listed four distinctives of the Witness: 1) The weekly publication has a missions focus which centers on mission priorities of Southern Baptists. 2) The Witness "contends for the faith" by publishing articles about theological issues. Smith cited the in-depth coverage of open theism as example. 3) The Jacksonville-based newspaper desires to help families, which Smith termed as "under assault in our society," by educating church families about issues which affect the family. 4) "We are a newspaper that you can trust," Smith said. "We don’t pretend to be objective about core issues of the faith," he said to the crowd’s applause. He assured messengers that Witness pages will not contain objective discussions about the truth of the Bible or the reality of biblical miracles.

The Witness report concluded with a video containing comments from five pastors whose churches participate in the Witness’ Church Newsletter Service: Gary Crawford, Westside Baptist, Gainesville; William Rice, Hillcrest Baptist, Pensacola; Dwayne Mercer, First Baptist, Oviedo; Ken Whitten, Idlewild Baptist, Tampa; and Tommy Green, First Baptist, Brandon.

Green, the Florida Baptist State Convention president, described the service as "cost effective," and said, "No other publication equals its accuracy and fairness in coverage."