Wicker calls for 100,000 new baptisms
New FBSC president’s ‘audacious, miraculous goal’ part of ambitious agenda to lead Florida Baptists
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 25, 2004

NAPLES (FBW)—Florida Baptists’ new leader has an “audacious, miraculous goal” for the state convention: 100,000 baptisms in 2005.

Scenes from Jacksonville
Photo Essay
Published November 25, 2004

Photo Essay of various things from the 143rd Annual Meeting in Jacksonville.

Korean fellowship offers church software training
VANESSA RODRIGUEZ
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 25, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Haitian, Korean, Filipino and Hispanic Fellowships conducted their annual meetings in Jacksonville in honor of the 150th anniversary celebration of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

Florida Baptist ministry groups plan, elect officers
CAROLYN NICHOLS
Newswriter
Published November 25, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Several ministry-related groups met in Jacksonville prior to the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting Nov. 8-9 to discuss business, elect officers, strategize and organize for effectiveness.

Pro-bass fisherman tells guys to be ‘fishers of men’
VANESSA RODRIGUEZ
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 25, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—With the flick of a wrist, the fishing line bobbed erratically in the aisle. The rubber lure wrapped curiously around the arm of an unsuspecting volunteer and back to the rod again.

‘Christaval’ joins ‘Student Jesus Project’ for JAX events
VANESSA RODRIGUEZ
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 25, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—More than 200 college students and teenagers traveled to the 150th anniversary celebration of the Florida Baptist State Convention in Jacksonville to participate in the “Celebrate Jesus Project” Nov. 6-7.

Florida Baptists celebrate 150th anniversary
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC/FBW)—Florida Baptists celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Florida Baptist State Convention by baptizing five new converts from five ethnic groups during its 143rd annual meeting, Nov. 8-9 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville and electing Naples pastor Hayes Wicker as president.

Florida Baptists call for state marriage amendment
Gov. Bush weighs in
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Voting unanimously to support a statewide constitutional marriage amendment, messengers to the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting Nov. 9 urged legislators and citizens to press the issue defining marriage as a “God-ordained union between a man and a woman.”

Marriage statement: Just a beginning, Florida Baptists
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 18, 2004

Jay Dennis really knows how to stir things up! His motion urging Florida Baptists to “lead the way” on biblical marriage is precisely what we did last week in Jacksonville.

‘Celebrate His glory,’ Green urges Florida Baptists
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Like the once all-powerful Iraqi dictator Sadaam Hussein found last December by the U.S. military cowering in a spider hole and the high school basketball star who goes from “hero to zero” after his error loses the game, Tommy Green reminded Florida Baptists that while human glory is fading, “the glory of our Lord stands forever.”

State Board approves Brazilian partnerships, help for damaged churches
BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—The State Board of Missions authorized the Florida Baptist Convention to create debt to help hurricane damaged churches and approved a partnership with the Brazilian Baptist Convention during the pre-Convention meeting Nov. 8 at the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel in Jacksonville.

Sullivan preaches on the glory of the resurrection
BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Preaching from 1 Peter 1:5, John Sullivan, executive director–treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention, proclaimed at the annual meeting of the state convention Nov. 8: “The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the power and motivation of my life.”

FBSC’s four agencies sign historical covenant affirming cooperation
CAROLYN NICHOLS
Newswriter
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILE (FBW)–In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Florida Baptist State Convention, the heads of the Convention’s four agencies signed a covenant affirming their allegiance to the state organization. In an era when agencies of other state conventions have sought independence, the Florida Baptist agencies re-stated they are “part and parcel of the convention,” said spokesman Thomas Kinchen, president of the Baptist College of Florida.

Speakers say heart of Gospel is to show God’s glory
JONI B. HANNIGAN & BARBARA DENMAN
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW/FBC)–R. Albert Mohler Jr. was once a young boy who remembered well the alligators and mosquitos at Lake Yale, one of Florida Baptists’ campgrounds.

God’s glory evident in physical, spiritual realms, notes Williams
CAROLYN NICHOLS
Newswriter
Published November 30, 1999

Jacksonville (FBW)—Pastor Gary Williams of First Baptist Church of Mandarin, Jacksonville, added his voice to those which through the ages “have tried to articulate the glory of God,” Nov. 9 at the annual meeting of the Florida Baptist State Convention. Preaching from John 17:5 and Revelation 5:9-12 he said God’s glory may be seen in several realms, from “glory to glory.”

Traylor: Doctrine, dollars, demonstration are markers of unity
CAROLYN NICHOLS
Newswriter
Published November 18, 2004

Jacksonville (FBW)—“It’s often said by Baptists, that there’s no telling what we could accomplish if we didn’t care who got the credit for it,” said Ted Traylor to begin his sermon to the annual meeting of the Florida Baptist State Convention in Jacksonville Nov. 9. “It would be better if the credit went not to a church or association, but to God.”

SBC president issues 6-point challenge to Florida Baptists
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)–Urging fellow Florida Baptists to support an evangelism effort which calls for reaching one million for Christ, Bobby Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach asked Florida Baptists to at least “try” to stand up and count for Christ.

Orlando’s Jim Henry extols the uniqueness of Jesus’ birth
CAROLYN NICHOLS
Newswriter
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Jim Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando, closed the Monday evening session of the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting preaching of “Christ in His Revelation.”

Florida Baptists celebrate 150th anniversary
VANESSA RODRIGUEZ & MARGARET DEMPSEY
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Rosalyn Cutts thumbed through the worn pages in an old, orange covered association book of records.

Historical illustrations represent Baptist life
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Florida Baptist State Convention, six illustrations were commissioned to represent milestones in Florida Baptists history.

Convention’s divisions see growth over the years
VANESSA RODRIGUEZ & MARGARET DEMPSEY
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—At 150-years-old, the Florida Baptist State Convention is a direct descendant of the dream and vision of its founding churches.

Ministers’ wives told Scripture reading, prayer build ‘spiritual muscle’
VANESSA RODRIGUEZ & MARGARET DEMPSEY
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Cheryl Reccord opened her speech at the annual Ministers’ Wives luncheon Nov. 9 with a challenge to those gathered at Southside Baptist Church in Jacksonville to remain faithful yesterday, today and forever.

‘Celebrate Jesus’ heightens JAX evangelistic outreach
BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—As Florida Baptists celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Florida Baptist State Convention, a group of Jacksonville-area churches went out in the highways and byways of their communities—much like the early itinerant preachers—to share the Gospel message.

Committee on Nominations final report, 2004
Published November 18, 2004

The following report of the Committee on Nominations was approved without opposition Nov. 9, 2004 by the Florida Baptist State Convention.

Florida Baptists celebrate their 150th anniversary, elect Naples pastor as president
BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention
Published November 11, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-Florida Baptists celebrated the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Florida Baptist State Convention by baptizing five new converts from five ethnic groups during its 143rd annual meeting, Nov. 8-9 at the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville.

Florida Baptists call for state marriage amendment
Gov. Bush weighs in
JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published November 10, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)- Voting unanimously to support a statewide constitutional marriage amendment, messengers to the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting Nov. 9 urged legislators and citizens to press the issue defining marriage as a "God-ordained union between a man and a woman."

Pastors' Conference

Speakers challenge pastors to refresh their vision during annual pastors’ conference
AUDRA JOHNSON
Correspondent
Published November 18, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Calling on pastors to find a “Fresh Vision” for their ministry, nine speakers and numerous musicians led over 1,000 gathered for the 2004 Florida Baptist Pastors’ Conference Nov. 7-8 at North Jacksonville Baptist Church to question their devotion to ministry and to preach the Word of God.

Preview

Green completes historic two-term FBSC presidency
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published November 11, 2004

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Tommy Green, pastor of First Baptist Church of Brandon, is an historic Florida Baptist State Convention president who is ready to preside over a historic meeting Nov. 8-9. The first modern-era two-term Florida Baptist State Convention president will conclude his historic presidency by leading the state convention’s sesquicentennial anniversary celebration in Jacksonville.

Florida Baptists celebrate 150th anniversary
Published November 11, 2004

Sesquicentennial Year 2004 Benchmarks

CELEBRATE HIS GLORY
Florida Baptist State Convention, November 8-9, 204
Published October 7, 2004

Convention Schedule

A FRESH VISION
Pastors Conference, November 7-8, 2004
Published October 7, 2004

Pastors' Conference Schedule
All sessions at North Jacksonville Baptist Church, 8301 North Main Street.

Committee on Nominations releases report for FBSC
Published October 7, 2004

Nominations and appointments to state boards and committees have been announced by the Committee on Nominations in preparation for the Florida Baptist State Convention in Jacksonville, Nov. 8-9. Messengers to the convention will be asked to vote on the nominations, but the appointments are not subject to actions by the convention.

Hotels offer special rates for Jacksonville meeting
Published October 7, 2004

The map on this page shows locations of motels/hotels near the Prime Osborn Convention Center in Jacksonville, site of this year’s Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting.

Various groups plan related meetings
Published October 7, 2004

Notice of proposed document revisions
Published October 7, 2004

The following recommendations, which are to be presented to the Florida Baptist State Convention, Nov. 8-9, 2004, by the State Board of Missions, will require changes in the Constitution and Bylaws of the state convention, and therefore must be published in the Witness 30 days in advance. Revisions to the Constitution require a two-thirds affirmative vote at two successive annual sessions of the convention. Bylaw changes require a majority vote at one session.