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Photo courtesy of Icon Productions

Congregations across the nation are gearing up for the Feb. 25 premier of “The Passion of The Christ.” Scenes like that of the Last Supper, depicted above, have been described by Florida pastors as “absolutely stunning” and realistic.

‘Passion’ stirs hearts of Florida pastors

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)–Scores of Florida Baptist churches are aggressively promoting Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of The Christ" as an evangelism opportunity. Some have invested in bulk mailings promoting the film, some are renting movie theaters for showings, and others are hearing month-long sermon series using the movie and Gibson’s appeal to attract the unchurched.

‘Cause for rejoicing’: SBC missionaries see 500,000 baptisms

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)–Southern Baptist missionaries witnessed double-digit increases in eight of their 13 categories of work in 2003, including for the first time more than 500,000 baptisms, trustees of the International Mission Board were told Feb. 3 in Richmond, Va.

150th Anniversary celebration bridges generations in Madison County

MADISON, FL (FBC)–Florida Baptists returned home to Madison County to launch a year-long celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Florida Baptist State Convention.

Opinion

Editorial

A&F: ‘Together, we have made a difference’
Editorial
JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor

Can a company that has built its corporate identity around blatant perversity be influenced by concerned consumers to change its ways? In the case of Abercrombie & Fitch, the trendy clothier known in recent years for truly pornographic catalog, the answer seems to be a surprising, "Yes!"

Point of View

Holiness and righteousness are God’s very nature
Point-of-View
JOHN SULLIVAN
Executive Director-Treasurer,
Florida Baptist Convention

During the past several weeks, we have been examining the doctrine of God. We have defined God as Creator and looked at his character as omnipotent and omnipresent. This week we will explore the holiness and righteousness of God.

BREAKPOINT: Is being a Christian enough? Kingdoms in conflict today
Point-of-View
CHARLES COLSON

In the past few weeks, the issue of religion and politics has occupied center stage in the presidential campaign. When one person isn’t predicting the outcome based on what he claims God personally told him, another person is insisting that, appearances notwithstanding, he is a Christian.

Gospel according to Mel Gibson: A pastor reviews ‘The Passion of The Christ’
Point-of-View
JERRY WAUGH
Pastor, Northcliffe Baptist Church

A few weeks ago, I received an invitation to a premiere showing of Mel Gibson’s new movie "The Passion of The Christ" in Chicago. I watched this much talked about movie. Mel Gibson was also there for a time of questions and answers.

Letters

Letters

Bibliocipher

Bibliocipher

Florida

Florida News

It’s all about people at Pensacola’s Myrtle Grove

PENSACOLA (FBC)–At Pensacola’s Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, it’s all about people and changed lives.

Soldier killed in Iraq is Lake County pastor’s son

MASCOTTE (FBW) - Army Specialist Eric Ulysses Ramirez, son of Lake County pastor Felix Ramirez, was killed Feb. 12 in an ambush west of Baghdad, Iraq. He was 31. Ramirez, who grew up in Mount Dora, died of multiple wounds he received near the Abu Ghraib Prison, when attackers fired rocket-propelled grenades, explosive devices and small arms at his California National Guard unit, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

BodyLife mentors bolster Belleview leaders for ministry

BELLEVIEW (FBC)–John Long once "dreaded" Wednesday nights. Providing leaders for age-group mission activities at First Baptist Church of Belleview was a constant challenge.

Historical Vignette: Nine Florida governors were Baptists

At least nine Florida governors were Baptists at some point in their life. Some came from a long line of Baptist families and others chose their denomination later in life. These nine are listed in more than one source and it is possible there are others. Their names, terms in office, and some major accomplishments may encourage more research on their life and work.

Gov. Bush, Schiavo parents gain appeals court victories

TAMPA (FBW)-Gov. Jeb Bush and Terri Schiavo’s parents won a reprieve Feb. 13 when an appellate court ruled twice in their favor on two separate legal issues regarding the ongoing case of the 40-year-old brain-damaged woman at the center of a national "right-to-die" debate.

Training Update

Training Update

National

National News

BP launches collection of stories on same-sex ‘marriage’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–In an effort to keep readers better informed on the national debate over same-sex "marriage," Baptist Press has created a special collection of stories.

NAMB will not endorse women as military chaplains
Special task force says military chaplains ‘function as a pastor’

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–The North American Mission Board no longer will endorse women to chaplaincy positions requiring a "fully qualified member of the clergy" or that have a "role or function similar to that of a pastor"–a move that primarily will bring an end to endorsing women as military chaplains. Chaplains currently serving would not be affected unless they request a change in the category of chaplaincy in which they serve.

Elevate 2004 motivates young adults to impact world

DALLAS (BP)–Several thousand college students and young professionals attending the opening night of Elevate 2004 were challenged not only on how to impact their world as Christians, but also on their own understanding of Christ’s suffering through a special preview screening of the Mel Gibson film "The Passion of The Christ."

Peggy Wehmeyer to young adults: Carry the faith into the culture

DALLAS (BP)–One of the nation’s top television journalists encouraged young adults to consider whether God might be calling them to careers of high influence in secular culture–a mission field that can be just as important as Africa or the inner city.

M.Div. taught in Spanish slated at Southern Seminary

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–This summer Southern Baptist Theological Seminary will offer a master of divinity program taught entirely in Spanish–a first for an accredited Protestant seminary in the continental United States, according to the Association of Theological Schools.

National News Brief

SBC Disaster Relief partners with Mercy Medical Airlift pilots

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–The North American Mission Board has signed a partnership agreement with Mercy Medical Airlift to assist in Southern Baptist Disaster Relief operations as needs arise.

Graham to speak at PBAU installation Feb. 26

WEST PALM BEACH (PBAU)–National religious and higher education leaders will be the featured speakers Feb. 26 as Palm Beach Atlantic University formally installs its sixth president, David W. Clark.

Missionary ‘legend’ left mark on Hispanics

EL PASO, Texas (BP)–Frank W. Patterson was a craftsman in every sense of the word. As a missionary editor and prolific writer, as a pastor and even as a photographer, he shaped lives and built friendships throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Feature

The Passion of the Christ

Man buys 6,000 ‘Passion’ tickets to give away

PLANO, Texas (BP)–Perhaps no one person aside from Mel Gibson himself has made a more noteworthy effort to promote "The Passion of The Christ" than a Texas man who purchased 6,000 tickets to the film and gave them away to the community.

Tracts based on ‘The Passion’ answer ‘Who killed Jesus?’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–As arguments over who is responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross resonate from the media all the way to the Vatican, the American Tract Society has produced two tracts to answer the popular question.

‘Passion’ evangelism tools available through LifeWay, NAMB

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–As the premiere of "The Passion of The Christ" approaches, news of its importance to the evangelical community is spreading and churches are taking advantage of the high-profile film.

Discovering the Biblical Jesus provides answers for questions about ‘Passion’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–When Mel Gibson’s controversial new film, "The Passion of The Christ," opens Feb. 25, millions of Americans will be wrestling with the question, "Who is Jesus?" A new book from LifeWay Christian Resources will help churches and Christians answer the question.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

February 29: Disciplined Service
Matthew 20:20-28; Romans 12:9-13

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

March 7: Demonstrating Spiritual Leadership
Judges 4:4-10, 14-16; 5:1-2, 6-9

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

February 29: Manage money wisely
Proverbs 6:6-11; 10:4; 11:24-25; 14:23; 17:18; 18:9; 19:17; 21:13, 20; 22:7, 9, 26-27; 28:27

Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.

March 7: Evangelism
1 Timothy 1-2

Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.