Front Page

IMB photos

[Above-L] The frail frame of Elijah Chipeta lies helpless on a mat. Troy Lewis (c), an IMB worker, and Samson Zulu, pastor of Bualeni Baptist Church, comfort him with prayer. [Above-C] Troy Lewis visits the House of Moses in Lusaka, Zambia, a facility that cares for infants whose parents, after discovering they were infected with AIDS/HIV, either abandoned them or died. [Above-R] A mother sits with her dying child who is in the last stages of AIDS.

IMB provides resources for AIDS epidemic: RICHMOND, Va. (BP)—More than 60 million people have been infected with the AIDS/HIV virus since the epidemic began two decades ago. In 2002 and 2003, it claimed an estimated 2.7 million to 3 million lives each year. In sub-Saharan Africa, the epidemic is killing more than 6,000 people every day.
2003 Cooperative Program gifts break new ground: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–Spurred on by record giving during the months of January and December, gifts given through the Cooperative Program in 2003 hit an all-time high, reaching $35,578,272–more than one million dollars or 3.51 percent over the $34.3 million given in 2002.
Miramar, Longwood churches join Witness Church Newsletter Service: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-Florida Baptist Witness recently has welcomed two churches — ChristWay Baptist Church, Miramar, and First Baptist Church Sweetwater, Longwood — to its Church Newsletter Service. The service publishes church newsletters, which are mailed to church members as a part of the weekly Witness.

Opinion

Editorial

Every day he proclaims: ‘I love Marti Lou’ Editorial JONI B. HANNIGAN Managing Editor: She has stayed at an American president’s peanut farm in Georgia, interviewed the head of the Coptic church in Egypt and traversed the Philippine Islands in a canoe to hear people tell their stories.

Point of View

Understanding God’s power, presence gives confidence Point-of-View JOHN SULLIVAN Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention: God is the personal Creator who has almighty power and is ever present. Both attributes are closely aligned to the doctrine of God as Creator. He is all powerful who created and sustains the universe. Theologians call that "omnipotence." He is ever present and never separated from any part of His creation. He is capable of being present in every area of the world at the same time. Theologians call that omnipresence.
Missions strategy needs global thinking, local training Point-of-View ERICH BRIDGES International Mission Board: RICHMOND, Va. (BP)–Jesus commanded us to make active disciples – not passive converts – among all nations.
Revival still a ‘viable and effective strategy’ in reaching lost Point-of-View J. THOMAS GREEN III president, Florida Baptist State Convention: The clarion call for our churches focuses upon reaching people for Jesus. The expectations of the church in regards to evangelism are met with results that reflect your desires. If a church commits to reaching the lost for Christ, then the Lord will
BREAKPOINT: Citizenship in ‘City of God’ includes obligations for ‘City of Man’ citizens
Point-of-View
CHARLES COLSON: On August 24, 410 A.D., the Visigoths, led by Alaric, sacked Rome. For the people of late antiquity, August 24 was even more traumatic than September 11 was for us. Rome, the capital of the greatest empire the world had ever known, was plundered by barbarians, people Rome regarded as uncouth and inferior.

Bibliocipher

Bibliocipher

Florida

Florida News

Learning from strawberries, tomatoes, pies — and the CP: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–He was just a young boy, only 12-years-old, but he was a hard worker. Selling strawberries and tomatoes in his neighborhood earned him not only a little pocket change, but also a life lesson.
‘For You Miami’ to sponsor family life conference March 5-6 Seminars offered in three languages: JACKSONVILLE (FBC) — Building stronger traditional and single-parent Christian families is the focus of the Family Life Encounter Conference, March 5-6 at First Baptist Church, Perrine.
Christian life characteristics mirror gridiron traits: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–Former Jacksonville Jaguar player Rich Griffith brought discipline, consistency and passion to the gridiron–identical characteristics he brings in his pursuit of the Christian life.
Athlete says accountability needed: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)–Living life as a professional athlete presents a wide range of temptations and struggles–from money, to substance abuse to illicit sexual encounters.
Florida House considers nutrition/hydration bill: TALLAHASSEE (FBW)- A new measure that would prohibit the removal of feeding and hydration tubes from incapacitated persons without an advanced directive stalled in a Feb. 3 hearing after lawmakers could not answer questions related to how the bill would apply to minor children.

Training Update

Training Update

Florida Focus

Florida Focus

National

National News

WMU affirms ties with Baptist World Alliance, calls for prayer: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)–The national Woman’s Missionary Union executive board affirmed WMU’s longstanding relationship with the women’s department auxiliary of the Baptist World Alliance Jan. 12 and issued a call to prayer for unity among the Body of Christ.
Viewpoints on BWA from around the world

Feature

Media Montage

FCC chairman: Super Bowl halftime show offensive Vines says he and Mayor Peyton agree next year’s half-time show should be ‘family-oriented’: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–FCC Chairman Michael Powell said Feb. 3 that much of the Super Bowl halftime show – and not simply the controversial ending – was offensive, while a Jacksonville pastor pledged to make sure next year’s show in Jacksonville is family friendly.
‘Watch parties’ a model for 2005 Super Bowl XXXIX in JAX: HOUSTON (BP)–The New England Patriots took home the Super Bowl trophy Feb. 1, but the real winners were those who gave their lives to Christ as a result of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers involved in the Super Bowl Evangelism Project.
Mohler radio program comes to Tampa: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–Radio listeners across the United States have the opportunity to hear biblical perspectives on current issues from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Ex-NFL star Michael Irvin talks about faith: HOUSTON (BP)–Michael Irvin, the self-styled playmaker during his Dallas Cowboys days, is still very much at home at the Super Bowl.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

February 15: Disciplined Bible study Joshua 1:6-9; Psalm 1:1-6; 2 Timothy 2:15-16: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
February 22: Disciplined Giving Malachi 3:6-12; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

February 15: Be wise about sexual purity Proverbs 5:1-23; 6:20-35: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
February 22: View finances wisely Proverbs 3:9-10; 11:28; 13:11; 15:27; 16:8,16; 20:17; 21:6; 22:4,16; 23:4-5; 28:6,8,20,24; 30:7-9: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.