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Parental notice tops early legislative action: TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-A bill on parental notification of parents of minors seeking an abortion quickly rose to the top of the agenda during the opening week of the 2004 Florida Legislative Session which began March 2. The parental notice measure was only one indication of the legislature's intent to move legislation with haste.
Mohler urges 'authentic ministry' at 150th Anniversary celebration Native Floridian says Christians should be hell's 'public enemy number one': DAYTONA BEACH (FBW) - Just as the evil spirits who encountered the Apostle Paul's ministry in Ephesus knew him, R. Albert Mohler Jr. challenged Florida Baptists March 1 at First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach, to make as one of their "chief ambitions" to be feared "in hell as public enemy number."
NYC native returns post-9/11 to start Ground Zero church: NEW YORK (NAMB)-Planting a new church is tough in any circumstances, but the stakes are even higher at Mosaic Manhattan-which meets in a school auditorium just two blocks north of Ground Zero. It's an area where evangelical churches traditionally have been near the bottom of most priority lists, and new churches particularly are viewed with skepticism until they have passed the test of time.

Opinion

Editorial

Protecting parental involvement in abortion Editorial JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: Florida minors cannot get body piercing, be married or be employed on a movie set without parental consent, but a girl can terminate a pregnancy without her parent's approval - or even their knowledge - in the Sunshine State.

Point of View

Doctrine of man 'most crucial doctrine of this age' Point-of-View JOHN SULLIVAN Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention

The doctrine of man, many believe, may be the most crucial doctrine of this age. Before a sense of evangelism and a measure of self discipline can evolve, the Christian believer must formulate a doctrine of man.

This is eighth in a series called the Doctrine of God.

Substance abuse a serious problem for young people Point-of-View DWAYNE HASTINGS Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

It is an understatement to say that the consumption of alcohol is a serious problem for America's young people. While 21 is the legal drinking age across the country, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (NCASA) reports that persons under 21 drink 25 percent of the alcohol consumed in the U.S.

Church's lighted cross reminds pastor of God's provision Point-of-View J. THOMAS GREEN III president, Florida Baptist State Convention

A light in the darkness provides comfort and encouragement for our lives. I received a phone call at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, that our daughter-in-law had been injured. Katherine was training her horse and the horse kicked her in the face. John, our son, informed me that her injuries were determined not to be life threatening but very critical. They were in Mobile, Ala., which is a considerable distance from Brandon. I knew that Karen and I needed to be with them and we left Brandon immediately.

BREAKPOINT: Woman argues welfare causes tragic dependency, 'spiritual poverty'
Point-of-View
CHARLES COLSON

Twenty years ago, Star Parker was a single mother living on welfare. She had been through four abortions and had a history of drug abuse, promiscuity, and burglary.

Cartoon Point-of-View JOE McKEEVER First Baptist Church, Kenner, La.

Bibliocipher

Bibliocipher

Florida

Florida News

Orlando's Primera Iglesia builds 'Kingdom Families'

ORLANDO (FBC)-It was family that brought George Rodriguez into Primera Iglesia Bautista-and a family atmosphere that made him stay.

Florida Baptist Convention Web site links to Kingdom Family resources

Jacksonville (FBC)-Statistics sadly reveal what is happening to the American family today.

Each day, more than 3,571 marriages end in divorce. More than 50 percent of the children enrolled in public schools live in single-parent homes. Of the nation's children who live apart from their biological fathers, 50 percent have never set foot in their fathers' homes.

Alachua youth cruise to Bahamas to work with orphans

Alachua (FBW)-Alachua Baptist Church youth ministered in "two worlds" during a January mission retreat, according to minister to students Craig Naylor. They taught and played with youngsters in children's homes in Nassau, Bahamas, and also surveyed and prayed with passengers on the group's cruise ship.

Teaching nationals to use the Evange-Cube is focus of ministry trip to Africa

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-Floridians recently introduced Zambian church leaders to a new tool in evangelism - the E-cube. Eddie McClelland and David Rice taught the African pastors to use the evangelism cubes, which were provided by the Evangelism Division of the Florida Baptist Convention.

Florida News Brief

Mitchell memorial service March 13: FAIRHOPE, Ala. (FBW)-Mickie Mitchell, who with her husband, Bo, was among the first couples to join the Mission Service Corps of the North American Mission Board, died Feb. 25 in Fairhope, Ala. She was 75. A memorial service will be held for her March 13 at Calvary Baptist Church, Winterhaven. After a 10 a.m. visitation, the service will begin at 11 a.m.

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.

Training Update

Training Update

National

National News

Broadcast indecency fine increased: WASHINGTON (BP)-A House of Representatives committee got even tougher on broadcast indecency March 3.
Appeals court will not re-hear medical marijuana case: WASHINGTON (BP)-A federal appeals court has refused to reconsider a ruling permitting medical use of marijuana, despite a request by the Bush administration.
LifeWay offers flowers, gifts via link with 1-800-FLOWERS.com: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-Time is at a premium these days. Maintaining relationships with friends and family can get pushed behind chores, errands and meetings. That's why LifeWay Christian Resources began providing free electronic cards on lifeway.com, which now has blossomed into an additional online service for flowers and gifts.
Texas convention ends ties with LifeWay: DALLAS (BP)--The Baptist General Convention of Texas is ending a longstanding cooperative agreement with LifeWay Christian Resources, the Nashville-based publisher for the Southern Baptist Convention. By pulling out of the ministry investment plan when it expires Sept. 30, BGCT stands to lose several hundred thousand dollars from LifeWay to support ministries and church growth initiatives while gaining the freedom to promote its own BaptistWay Press curriculum.

International News

North Korea Freedom Coalition calls for human rights: WASHINGTON (BP)-A coalition that includes a Southern Baptist entity urged the White House to press for human rights reforms in North Korea during six-party talks Feb. 25 in Beijing, China.

Missions News

Global evangelism marks Southeastern-IMB venture: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)-At Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, "missions and evangelism is the air that we breathe," said senior missions professor Keith Eitel.

National News Brief

Janie House, missionary, dies in Kenya: NAIROBI, Kenya (BP)-Janie House, a Southern Baptist missionary in Kenya, died Feb. 21 in Nairobi after a brief illness. She was 56.
Unborn victims bill passes 254-163 in House: WASHINGTON (BP)-The U.S. House of Representatives easily passed legislation Feb. 26 that would recognize an unborn child as a crime victim when he or she is injured or slain during the commission of a crime against the mother.

Feature

Student News

High Court rules against Washington ministerial student: WASHINGTON (BP)-A state can single out a ministerial student for disqualification from its college scholarship program, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Feb. 25 in an opinion critics described as inconsistent with its recent decisions.
Understanding Islam focus of collegiate missions conference: MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP)-A better understanding of Islam was the agenda at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary's annual mission conference Feb. 13-15. Hosted by The David and Faith Kim School of Intercultural Studies, the conference drew approximately 250 college students from across the West to the seminary's northern California campus in Mill Valley.
Kentucky school board bans ministers from eating lunch with students: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)-A Kentucky school board has upheld its decision to prohibit ministers from visiting students at school during lunch despite protests from a local church.
Pastors from Little Flock Baptist Church outside Louisville said for 17 years the school system had allowed students to request that their ministers eat lunch with them at school, but in January Bullitt County School Superintendent Michael Eberbaugh instructed schools to end the visits.
Former teen star Kirk Cameron promotes evangelism: CHARLOTTE, N.C. (BP)-Many will see him forever as the teen heartthrob of television's "Growing Pains," but today Kirk Cameron would like you to remember him as an evangelist who taught you to help people recognize their desperate need for Jesus Christ.
Sloan, Baylor publications board criticize students' editorial: WACO, Texas (BP)-Add to the clashes over same-sex "marriage" five student journalists and Baylor University administrators.
Baylor: Basketball wrongs 'never' to be repeated: WACO, Texas (BP)-After a seven-month internal investigation, Baylor University President Robert Sloan officially acknowledged former basketball coach Dave Bliss made payments to former players, allowed major NCAA infractions and sought to cover up the improprieties during his time at the Baptist-affiliated university.

Media Montage

Holman Christian Standard Bible available April 15: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-The full text of the world's newest major English-language Bible translation, the Holman Christian Standard Bible, began rolling off the presses in Ann Arbor, Mich., in late February.
'Silver scrolls' are oldest O.T. scripture, archaeologist says: NEW ORLEANS (BP)-While excavating a burial tomb near Jerusalem in 1979, Gabriel Barkay uncovered the oldest known copy of Old Testament scripture. The priestly blessing, recorded in Numbers 6:24-26, was discovered on two small silver scrolls dated to the 7th century B.C.
Psychotherapist taps Five Love Languages: IRVINE, Calif. (BP)-Joan Walmsley is a licensed clinical social worker in Irvine, Calif., who regularly treats singles and couples. As a psychotherapist, she's willing to try new ways to help her patients interpret and manage their relationships.
Biblical view of counseling examined in theology journal: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)-In pastoral counseling, ministers face the challenge of simultaneously proclaiming the Word of God and applying valid insights from the discipline of psychology, writers in the winter edition of the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology conclude.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

March 14: Opposing false beliefs Judges 6:1, 7-10, 12-14, 25-32: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
March 21: Refusing to compromise Daniel 3:1-2, 4-6, 13-18, 21, 24-25, 27b-28: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

March 14: Christian service 1 Timothy 3:1-15: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
March 21: Godliness 1 Timothy 4: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.