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Wheelchair-bound Bernadette Todd relies on God, not health for her happiness. Her husband Jeff (r) invited her to church before they were married.

Disabled woman relies on God for happiness: MIAMI (FBW)-“Have you ever been faced with a situation so dark you wonder where God is?” Bernadette Todd asked the congregation at Stanton Memorial Baptist Church in Miami March 21.
NOBTS trustees vote to ask SBC messengers to settle debate over sole membership: NEW ORLEANS-New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) trustees voted April 14 to ask Southern Baptist Convention messengers meeting in 2005 in Nashville to settle a long and exhausting debate over declaring the SBC the sole member of the seminary.
Children’s ‘complete care’ includes faith, experts say: ORLANDO (BP)-In accomplishing the task set before them by Christ to minister to children in need, the Baptist Child Care Executives believe complete care includes helping children develop faith, according to a statement released recently by the organization.

Opinion

Editorial

Ten reasons to oppose 'gay marriage' Editorial JAMES A. SMITH SR. Executive Editor: In a remarkably short period of time, the homosexual lobby has so successfully pressed its claims that America is now on the verge of a massive redefinition of the most fundamental institution of society – marriage. Catapulted by a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling and the highly celebrated actions of a few politicians across the nation, the prospect of a marriage revolution has now become a central issue in American life – and will undoubtedly be a key factor in the 2004 presidential contest.

Point of View

Love is caring for Florida’s children in crisis Point-of-View JOHN SULLIVAN Executive Director-Treasurer, Florida Baptist Convention: The Florida Baptist Children’s Homes receive funding through the Cooperative Program. It’s a wonderful thing to know that when your church gives through the Cooperative Program, you share in this ministry to hurting children and families.
Five things I would change since serving as FBSC president Point-of-View J. THOMAS GREEN III president, Florida Baptist State Convention: It has been a tremendous blessing and privilege to serve as the President of the Florida Baptist Convention. Since elected in November 2002, I have been provided the opportunity of representing our Lord, First Baptist, Brandon, and Florida Baptists at over 60 different engagements. God has provided me with a healthy perspective of the ministry of the Florida Baptist Convention. Our convention sets the pace for Southern Baptist work.
BREAKPOINT: ‘Gay marriage’ is ‘inevitable’ if Christians remain silent Point-of-View CHARLES COLSON: When I’m introduced to speak, I’m often called a prophet. It always makes me cringe. I think it’s a little self-promoting for me to think of myself in those terms, and besides, biblical prophets got stoned or exiled or rejected. Who wants the job? Nobody really likes a prophet because he tells people things they don’t want to hear. Today, I’m going to fill that role: I’m going to tell you something you don’t want to hear.

Letters

Letters

Bibliocipher

Bibliocipher

Florida

Florida News

Gov. Bush announces first women’s faith-based prison Pensacola Bay DOM member of governor’s faith-based advisory council: TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-In a move intended to allow faith-based organizations greater access to incarcerated women, Florida’s Gov. Jeb Bush April 15 announced the opening of the nation’s first faith-based prison for women in Hillsborough County.
Pensacola Bay Baptist Association churches fund joint effort to provide free medical care to poor: PENSACOLA (FBW)-Volunteers for the Health & Hope clinic in Pensacola have no intention of holding their breath or holding back on ministry while waiting for faith-based funding to roll in.

Florida News Brief

Director of Convention’s Media Services wins grand prize: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-Ty Wood, director of the Media Services Department of the Florida Baptist Convention, received the prestigious M.E. Dodd award presented by the Baptist Communicators Association during their 50th annual meeting April 15-18 in St. Louis, Mo.
Jacksonville native named new BCF alumni, church director: Graceville (BCF)-Tommy Smith has been named the new director of alumni affairs and church relations for the Baptist College of Florida (BCF). Smith is a native of Jacksonville, but moved to BCF in 1999 to earn a bachelor’s degree in theology.
Ted Baehr, Movieguide® founder, to speak at PBAU's graduation: WEST PALM BEACH (PBAU)-Ted Baehr, the founder and publisher of Movieguide®, a magazine that provides movie-viewing guidance to families, will be the featured speaker at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Spring Commencement ceremonies May 1, in the University’s Greene Complex for Sports & Recreation, 1101 S. Dixie Hwy., West Palm Beach.
PBAU announces plans for Warren Library: WEST PALM BEACH (PBAU)-Palm Beach Atlantic University plans to build a $20 million library and name it after the founding chairman of the board of trustees, Donald E. Warren, and his wife, Bebe. Palm Beach residents, the Warrens are known as community leaders and volunteers who, in 1956, settled in West Palm Beach where Warren quickly built a cardiology practice.
‘Purpose-Driven’ small group conference planned in July: ST. AUGUSTINE (FBW) - This summer Anastasia Baptist Church in St. Augustine, is scheduled to host a Purpose Driven Small Group Conference July 30-31.

Training Update

Training Update

National

National News Briefs

Second Annuity Board wellness walk slated in Indianapolis park: DALLAS (BP)-The Annuity Board, along with several of its life and health vendors, is sponsoring its second annual one-mile wellness walk at the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis. In addition to the one-mile walk, a new 5K course will be set up for runners and walkers who want the additional challenge.
The 2004 Living@YourBest Wellness Walk and 5K Run will be held Monday, June 14, at 6:30 a.m. at White River State Park, within walking distance from most hotels in the downtown Indianapolis area. A warm-up stretch will begin at 6:15 a.m. Healthful refreshments will be served to all participants at the end of the walk.
Medical group’s president resigns over CBF ties: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)-A Louisiana physician resigned as president of the Baptist Medical Dental Fellowship just days after taking office, citing the group’s affiliation with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and it’s drift away from the Southern Baptist Convention as key reasons.

Feature

Godly Women

Cross City women reach community with Bible study: CROSS CITY (FBW)-When the ladies of First Baptist Church, Cross City, decided to begin a community-wide weekly Bible study, they agreed to make it a team-effort, according to study leader Angie Land.
‘Every pregnancy is in God’s hands,’ doctor says: OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (BP)-When women call the office of obstetrician/ gynecologist Karen Reisig asking for an abortion, her staff urges them to make an appointment as soon as possible.
Former inmate ministers through testimony ‘God eventually catches you’ when you run from Him, Kissimmee woman remembers: KISSIMMEE (FBW)-Tina Mahood’s list of “formers”-former alcoholic, drug addict, prostitute, bar brawler, homosexual, and inmate-is formidable. But her designation of the last ten years describes her best-“a new creation.” Today Mahood ministers to other women trying to overcome the consequences of similar life choices.

Media Montage

Iraq chaplain tells of faith, miracles in new book: NORFOLK, VA. (BP)-Sitting on the ramp of a military vehicle on the lawn of Saddam Hussein’s presidential palace, Lance Corporal Jeff Guthrie’s eyes welled with tears that streamed down his muddy face.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

May 9: Loving Spouses 1 Corinthians 7:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-25, 28-33: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
May 16: Nurturing Family Relationships Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 Timothy 5:1-8: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

May 9: Confidently Serving 2 Timothy 4: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
May 16: Excellent Leadership Titus 1: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.