Front Page

FBC photos by Barbara Denman

(Top-Left) Cindy Goodwin, new director of the Women's Missions and Ministries Department, FBC, and Anne Coffman of Sanford, multicultural team coordinator, pray; (Bottom-Left) A former Last Frontier missionary shared about being in Yemen last year when three missionaries were killed at the Baptist Hospital in Jibla; and (Above-Right) Former IMB missionary Marvina Hooper of Mt. Dora, who served with slain missionaries Larry and Jean Elliott in Honduras, prayed for the families of the four missionaries murdered Mar. 15 in Mosul, Iraq, as their photographs were projected in the background.

Women mourn fallen martyrs at WMU event: KISSIMMEE (FBC)—A somber and serious mood prevailed as the stark reality of the implicit danger of serving on the world’s mission field was brought home to the annual meeting of the Florida Woman’s Missionary Union.
Resort missionary takes to the slopes in Tahoe’s ‘playground’: TAHOE CITY, Calif.—After more than two decades as a resort missionary in Lake Tahoe—known as “America’s Year-Round Playground”—Debbie Wohler remains as passionate as ever about her calling.
Positive outcome expected in Supreme Court Pledge case: WASHINGTON (BP)--At least some lawyers who support the reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance left the March 24 oral arguments at the Supreme Court confident the justices will deliver an easy win for their side.

Opinion

Editorial

The Pledge of Allegiance must be ‘under God’ Editorial JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: Self-proclaimed atheist Michael Newdow should thank God that he lives in America.

Point of View

Adam’s weakness brings guilt and separation to all Point-of-View JOHN SULLIVAN Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention: In the past few weeks, we have examined sin – defining it as failing to meet God’s standard or ideal. Sin is also an insincerity of mishandling God’s truth and rebelling against God. This week, we will conclude the Doctrine of Sin by looking at the consequence of sin and original sin.
BREAKPOINT: Prosperity is not a substitute for knowing who ‘we really are’
Point-of-View
CHARLES COLSON: The years following World War II saw unprecedented progress in Western standards of living. The average American and Western European was wealthier and healthier than all but a handful of the people who had ever lived.
Rosie gets ‘married’ ... to her wife? Point-of-View JERRY WAUGH Special to Florida Baptist Witness: Two days after President Bush called for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, Rosie O’Donnell announced her wedding plans on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Rosie said she finds the proposed amendment “immoral.” She added, “And you know, if civil disobedience is the way to go about change, then I think a lot of people will be going to San Francisco.” And that is exactly what Rosie did. She went to San Francisco where she “married” her girlfriend Kelli Carpenter, who Rosie refers to as her wife.

Letters

Letters

Bibliocipher

Bibliocipher

Florida

Florida News

Haines City pastor guides church through leadership transition: HAINES CITY (FBC)–Tom and Roberta White have seen many changes take place at First Baptist Church of Haines City in 37 years—a new location, a new name and especially a new attitude.
Florida drivers may ‘Choose Life’ license plate without paying switching fee: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)–Florida drivers, for a limited time, may switch to a Choose Life license plate by mail, and Choose Life, Inc., will pay the switching fee of $19.65. A driver does not have to wait until his renewal date to take advantage of the organization’s offer.
‘Telling the Story’ theme of annual WMU meeting: KISSIMMEE (FBC)—The Florida Woman’s Missionary Union’s (WMU) annual Celebration of Missions said “Happy 90th Birthday” to Girls in Action (GA) during the March 19-20 meeting at the First Baptist Church of Kissimmee.
Retirement center names new administrator: VERO BEACH (FBW)–Thomas McDaniel was recently named administrator of the Florida Baptist Retirement Center in Vero Beach. The 44-year old, award-winning facility is a ministry of Florida Baptist Financial Services, Inc.
Historical Vignette: ‘Don’t Give Up Cuba’: The present population of Cuba is about 11.2 million and 2.3 million of those live in Havana. The Republic of Cuba is 42,800 square miles and about the same size as the state of Tennessee. Standing on the beach at Key West Florida, Baptists are reminded that Cuba is only 90 miles away and close to the heart and ministry of every Florida Baptist Church.

Training Update

Training Update

National

National News

Patterson explores evangelism, election in lectures: NEW ORLEANS (BP)—”Salvation is wholly the work of God, forever a matter of His grace,” Paige Patterson said.
Southeastern, Olford Ministries form D.Min. preaching partnership: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)—Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Olford Ministries International of Memphis, Tenn., have announced the formation of a partnership in a doctor of ministry in expository preaching.
Federal homicide law to recognize unborn child as victim: WASHINGTON (BP)--The U.S. Senate has approved legislation recognizing an unborn child as a victim in a federal crime, but only after defeating a crippling amendment by one vote.

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

Spring Training

Former major league catcher ministers through Pro Athletes Outreach: ORLANDO (FBW)—Eddie Taubensee spent 11 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball until a back injury cut his career short.
Losing season sharpened faith of Detroit Tigers pitcher: WINDEMERE (FBW)—From a baseball perspective, last year was a season Mike Maroth would like to forget.
New York Yankees’ Phillips finds a home at Idlewild Baptist in Tampa: TAMPA (FBW)—New York Yankees minor leaguer Andy Phillips isn’t a member of Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa. He says it just feels that way.
Marlin’s Looper cites faith in move to Mets: PORT ST. LUCIE (FBW)—After winning a World Series as a member of the Florida Marlins last year, Braden Looper finds himself with a new team for a new season.

Missionary Martyrs

SWBTS students, faculty mourn one of their own: FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)--David McDonnall was a master storyteller who was willing to die so that others could hear the story of Jesus, close friends said in a memorial service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary March 23.
Slain aid worker sought God’s attention: BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (BP)–Yvonne Lawson’s fingertips caressed the crate containing the coffin of her daughter, Karen Watson, oblivious to the crowd collected about her, family and friends who met the plane bearing the body at Kern County’s Meadows Field.

Media Montage

Baseball players minister to teammates with ‘Passion’: PORT St. LUCIE (FBW)–Churches aren’t the only ones renting out theaters and using Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of The Christ” as an outreach tool. Baseball players are doing the same thing.
Chinese officials viewing book, video about nation’s Christians: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Jesus is in Beijing, and He’s getting attention in high places.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

April 11: Risen LORD Matthew 28:1-10; Ephesians 2:4-9: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
April 18: Church Builders Matthew 16:13-19; Ephesians 2:17-22: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

April 11: Resurrection Matthew 28:1-17: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
April 18: Boldly Witnessing 2 Timothy 1:4-18: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.