Front Page

Iraq attack survivor recuperates in Dallas: DALLAS (BP/FBW) — The lone survivor of a March 15 attack on five Southern Baptist humanitarian aid workers in Iraq is back in the United States.
Florida's governor says prayer, family are important: TALLAHASSEE (FBW)–Florida’s governor, Jeb Bush, along with other dignitaries, took time out from the busy 2004 Legislative Session Mar. 18 to pray, read Scripture and share inspirational comments at the Florida Leadership Prayer Breakfast in Tallahassee.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

First Baptist Church, Pompano Beach, was the sight of the English and Spanish components of the South Florida Sunday School Conference.

South Florida event trains leaders in a variety of settings: POMPANO BEACH (FBW)—Hundreds of Sunday School workers and leaders gathered Mar. 13 in Pompano Beach at three area churches to talk about strategies and methods that reach people in a variety of culture groups that inhabit South Florida.
150th Anniversary rally concludes state-wide emphasis Traylor encourages churches to fit together, work closely as family God: WEST PALM BEACH (FBC)–Harkening back 150 years when itinerant preachers traveled the state preaching the Gospel, Florida Baptists have held a series of 14 regional rallies, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Florida Baptist State Convention, culminating March 15 at First Baptist Church, West Palm Beach.

Opinion

Editorial

What are you sacrificing for the Gospel's sake? Editorial JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: When they awoke March 15, 2004, even in their risk-prone place of ministry, I doubt that our five missionaries gave much thought to the possibility that they would die that very day. But it’s clear from various news accounts about these Southern Baptist martyrs that all of them had resigned themselves to that possible fate before leaving for Iraq.

Point of View

Nature of sin defined as a ‘failure’ to meet God’s mark Point-of-View JOHN SULLIVAN Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention: Last week we examined the doctrine of sin and its component parts of sin. This week, we will look at the nature of sin.
SBC name change will ‘expand the umbrella of Baptist life’ Point-of-View J. THOMAS GREEN III president, Florida Baptist State Convention: I applaud and wholeheartedly endorse the recent announcement and recommendation by Southern Baptist Convention president, Dr. Jack Graham, for a new look at the name designation of our Southern Baptist Convention. This bold initiative is the result of the blessings of the Lord upon the work and ministry of Southern Baptists around the world. The Lord has expanded our influence and increase to the uttermost parts of the earth.
BREAKPOINT: Kidnapping reports raise ‘hysteria’: How the media distorts reality
Point-of-View
CHARLES COLSON: For the past month, the story of Carlie Brucia, the 11-year-old Sarasota girl who was snatched off the street and murdered, has dominated cable news.

Letters

Letters

Bibliocipher

Bibliocipher

Florida

Florida News

Pastor pitches tent to spearhead ‘Passion’ outreach: BROOKSVILLE (FBC)–Each day, before the previews appear for a showing of Mel Gibson’s "The Passion of the Christ" in Brooksville’s Beacon 10 Movie Theater, Joe Santerelli shares with movie goers about the emotional "experience" of viewing the dramatic interpretation of the crucifixion.
Parental notification bill passes full House, awaits Senate approval: TALLAHASSEE (FBW)—State legislators gave a nod Mar. 16 to parental notification when the Florida House of Representatives voted 93-25 in favor of a parental notification bill that will require parents to be notified before a teenager can obtain an abortion.
Ministry, church starts in February: According to a report released by the Florida Baptist Convention's Church Planting Department, Florida Baptists started 15 new churches in Feb. 2004.
VBS clinics offer training for Far-out Far East Rickshaw Rally: Each year, associational Vacation Bible School clinics provide training for about 5,000 Florida VBS workers. Florida Baptist churches will enroll approximately 200,000 children in Vacation Bible School this summer, an opportunity that represents the most extensive outreach, evangelism, and prospect-discovering event available to Florida Baptist churches.
Witness seeks dedicated journalist: JACKSONVILLE (FBW) — Florida Baptist Witness is accepting resumes for an entry level position which will include reporting, layout and design responsibilities.

Florida Focus

Florida Focus

Training Update

Training Update

National

National News

James C. Hefley, Truth in Crisis author, dies at 73: HANNIBAL, Mo. (BP)-James C. Hefley Jr. was an Ozark man who graduated from college at 17 to eventually become the first chronicler of the conservative resurgence in the 16 million member Southern Baptist Convention and a foremost Christian biographer, described by those who knew him as "brilliant" and "insightful."
Left Behind writer learned from Hefley's unique style: HANNIBAL, Mo. (BP)-James C. Hefley, Jr., a free-lance writer for more than 40 years, knew what it was like to spin a tale. And Jerry B. Jenkins, a young, impressionable wannabee at the time, hung onto his every word.

National News Briefs

John Hays, Ohio convention leader, to be nominated for SBC 2nd VP

VERMILION, Ohio (BP)–A former president of the Ohio Baptist convention, John Hays, will be nominated for Southern Baptist Convention second vice president during the SBC’s June 15-16 annual meeting in Indianapolis.

Missouri Court issues limited ruling re MBC

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (BP)–A limited ruling by a Missouri judge may prompt the Missouri Baptist Convention’s legal task force to adjust its strategy against five breakaway MBC entities.

CWA, Sandy Rios split over ‘irreconcilable differences’

WASHINGTON (BP)–Sandy Rios is no longer president of the Washington D.C.-based Concerned Women for America.

The pro-family organization posted a statement on its Web site March 12 that CWA and Rios "parted amicably over irreconcilable differences" concerning the "administration" of the organization. The statement added that the organization's stands "on issues of importance" will not change.

Feature

Missionary Martyrs

WHY?

RICHMOND, Va. (BP)–Why?

That anguished one-word question is being asked by many people after five Southern Baptist aid workers were shot in Iraq March 15.

Karen Watson: A woman ‘sold out for Jesus’

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (BP)–Karen Watson counted the cost. Then she followed God with her heart and with her head as she entered the war zone of Iraq to share with people there the message that had made her willing to sacrifice everything.

Fellow workers in mid-east honor slain friends

JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-Florida native Brian Barlow, administrator of the Baptist School in Amman, Jordan, is one of several Baptist workers living in the Middle East who personally experienced the dedication of the martyred missionaries. The International Mission Board worker from Pensacola told Florida Baptist Witness in an e-mail the missionaries’ memorial service at the school was emotional, as "many of us knew it could have been us in their place."

Elliots heeded ‘God’s calling’ to Iraq

CARY, N.C. (BP)–The last time Reca Davis saw Larry and Jean Elliott, the couple was in the States, preparing for their service in Iraq.

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

Romanian refugee helps others learn in ‘heart language’: ATLANTA (NAMB)–The first day after he arrived in Melbourne, Australia, as a refugee, Mark Hobafcovich and his friends were greeted by a member of a local Romanian-speaking church. Because of his witness during a vulnerable time, Hobafcovich eventually accepted Christ and a call to Christian ministry.
Missionary pastor moves from Vietnamese prison to Georgia: ATLANTA (NAMB)–God is good, even in the midst of turmoil, and An Van Pham is dedicated to sharing that message with the Asian population that is spreading throughout Georgia. As missionary to that people group, Pham uses experience gained from years of fighting with God to teach others that His will is always best.

Public Policy

President praises Saddleback recovery group event Spanish language conference slated for Miami April 2-3: LOS ANGELES (BP)–President George W. Bush praised Saddleback Church’s Celebrate Recovery program in early March as a ministry that does what government cannot–change hearts.
Judge Moore: Acknowledgement of God was at center of controversy: MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BP)--The removal of the 5,300-pound Ten Commandments monument from the rotunda of the Alabama State Judicial Building does not represent a battle to display a religious document, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore says. It is a battle over the right Americans have to publicly acknowledge God.

Media Montage

Book offers hope to parents of special needs children: NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Laura Jernigan vividly recalls when Stephen, her now 16-year-old son with Down syndrome, was undergoing treatment for leukemia in 1999. Once a week for 18 months, Jernigan took a day off work to take Stephen to the doctor.
Chuck Norris, Michael Reagan among upcoming B&H releases: NASHVILLE (BP)—Broadman & Holman, the trade book division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, has announced that its fall lineup of books will include a famous tough-guy actor and a former president’s kid.
House votes overwhelmingly to set $500,000 fine for broadcast indecency: WASHINGTON (BP)–Congress continued its crusade against broadcast indecency March 11 when the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation sharply increasing penalties for such incidents.
Sound Bites

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

March 28: Acting decisively Esther 2:7, 17; 3:5-6; 4:13-17; 7:1-3; 8:11-13, 16: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
April 4: Suffering Savior Matthew 27:27-31, 35-37, 50-51; 1 John 4:7-10: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

March 28: Showing Respect 1 Timothy 5:1 to 6:2: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
April 4: Wealth 1 Timothy 6:3-21: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.