Front Page

‘Church dispersed’ for JAX Super Bowl JONI B. HANNIGAN Managing Editor Published January 20, 2005: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-On a day when three-quarters of a billion world-wide will be glued to their television watching Super Bowl XXXIX, hordes of Southern Baptists will take to the streets in Jacksonville to insure that everything goes like clockwork.

IMB photo by Rajkumar Doss

For this Indian fisherman, it’s time to start working again. His nets were caught in tsunami waves and tangled beyond use, but he’s determined to straighten them out and begin earning his living. Slowly, survivors of the Dec. 26 tsunami are trying to regain their livelihoods and their future.

IMB’s Asia tsunami relief gifts surpass $2.7 mil Published January 20, 2005: RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Children have clean clothes and families have shelter. The sick have medicine and the hungry have food. The thirsty have water -- and the hopeless are hearing about Jesus. All because of your gifts.
Homosexual groups gear up for ‘gay marriage’ fight Published January 20, 2005: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP/FBW)—In the wake of severe Election Day setbacks, a coalition of more than 20 homosexual and liberal organizations released a joint statement Jan. 13 outlining their goals for the future and re-stating their commitment to fight for legalized same-sex “marriage” nationwide.

Opinion

Guest Editorial

Stay the course, Mr. President Guest Editorial: It is why airline passengers are relieved to see a pilot at the controls when the cockpit door is opened for a brief moment in flight; it is why you don’t take your hands off your vehicle’s steering wheel when you are on the expressway; and it is why a gardener keeps a firm grip on a rototiller– inevitably something is going to try to push you off course.

Point of View

Church's task to worship, proclaim, educate, minister Point of View: The church finds its scope of work in the will of God. Whatever the Lord says for His church to do must be done. These actions become the functions of the church, which always are consistent with the divine nature of the church.
A new year offers a new start for financial goals Point of View: Want a practical New Year’s resolution? Begin the New Year with a review of your financial goals. Here are some practical tips:
BREAKPOINT: Weighing the evidence: An atheist abandons atheism Point of View: Antony Flew, the 81-year-old British philosophy professor who taught at Oxford and other leading universities, became an atheist at age 15. Throughout his long career he argued—including in debates with an atheist-turned—Christian named C. S. Lewis—that there was a “presumption of atheism,” that is, the existence of a creator could not be proved.
CORRECTION:: The correct Choose Life e-mail address of Russ Amerling is russ@choose-life.org. It was incorrectly listed in the Jan. 13 edition of the Witness, along with the organization’s Web site, which is www.choose-life.org. The hyphen was omitted. We regret the error.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor: Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

Florida

Florida News

Florida Acteens, GA camp renamed ‘Camp WorldLight’: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—To broaden its appeal to girls and young women, Florida Baptist Girls in Action (GA) and Acteens camp is getting a new name but keeping the same quality mission focus that has been its hallmark.
Women’s retreat topics ‘relevant’ and ‘God-driven’: MIAMI (FBC)—Jessica Rogers, 28, nearly wrecked her car on the way to the Women’s Winter Gathering held at Wayside Baptist Church in Miami, Jan. 8.
Skydiving option for men's retreat sponsored by Orange Park church: ORANGE PARK (FBW) - A “Wild At Heart” themed men’s retreat at Horn’s Creek Resort in Ocoee, Tenn., is scheduled March 17-20.
Cuba native among newly appointed NAMB missionaries: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (NAMB)—Eight missionaries with ties to Florida have been appointed by the North American Mission Board recently, according to a January news release.
Obituaries: James L. Sullivan
Roy Honeycutt
Bettye Cothen

Florida News Briefs

Florida high court rejects parental notice challenge: TALLAHASSEE (FBW) – The Florida Supreme Court rejected a motion Jan. 13 filed by pro-abortion organizations seeking the high court’s review of an earlier ruling which allowed a parental notice amendment to remain on the November ballot. Voters overwhelmingly approved the measure – Amendment 1 – which permits the Florida Legislature to write legislation requiring girls to notify one parent before they have an abortion.
Supreme Court lets stand Fla. ban on homosexual adoption: WASHINGTON (BP)--In a victory for pro-family groups, the U.S. Supreme Court refused Jan. 10 to hear a challenge to Florida's ban on homosexual adoption.

Seminary Grads

Floridians earn degrees from NOBTS: NEW ORLEANS (BP)--Ministry won't be easy, Chuck Kelley told the graduating class of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Dec. 18. Churches are declining. Missionaries are being martyred. Many people are uninterested in the Gospel. But through the power of Jesus Christ, ministers can be victorious, he said.
Southwestern confers degrees: FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS)—Nine students claiming Florida as their home state graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth during winter commencement Dec. 10.
Southeastern celebrates graduation: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (SEBTS)—Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary celebrated its Fall 2004 commencement ceremonies Dec. 18 with 114 graduates receiving degrees from the seminary and 45 from the school’s undergraduate program, Southeastern College at Wake Forest.
Southern graduates seven Floridians: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (SBTS)—The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary held its 194th graduation commencement on Dec. 10 in Alumni Memorial Chapel. A graduating class of 125 students received degrees. Students with connections to Florida are listed below.

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.

National

National News

Disaster relief crews activated in California, Nevada: LOS ANGELES (BP)—California Southern Baptist relief teams were put into action Jan. 11 to aid flood victims after three back-to-back heavy rainstorms pelted the southern portion of the state.

Features

Superbowl Evangelism

‘Church dispersed’ for JAX Super Bowl: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-On a day when three-quarters of a billion world-wide will be glued to their television watching Super Bowl XXXIX, hordes of Southern Baptists will take to the streets in Jacksonville to insure that everything goes like clockwork.
Testimonies & balloons; planning a Super Bowl party at church, home: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-With the motto, “You can’t share Jesus too many times. And you can’t have too many balloons,” Tim Knopps teaches Christians to plan and to enjoy an eternally productive Super Bowl watch party.
It's OK to talk about Jesus: The Jacksonville Super Bowl is providing Southern Baptists with a unique opportunity to talk about Jesus. That may sound strange to some people, but trust me, what’s taking place that first week of February is going to be evangelistically spectacular. And it’s not too late for you to take part in the excitement. Whether you’re in Jacksonville, Jennings or Jensen Beach, try one of these techniques and see how many times you can present the Gospel the 10 days before the big game. Just remember, “It’s OK to share”.
Great Super bowl Recipes
Souper Bowl of Caring raises $$ for food: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-Dozens of Florida Baptist churches will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring, Feb. 6. The national, youth-led movement raises funds on the day of the Super Bowl to fight hunger. Usually, youth stand at the doors of church worship centers with soup pots after Sunday morning worship services and ask for donations to fill the soup pots with money. Each participating youth group will donate their collection directly to the charity of their choice. Nationally, the effort raised $4.26 million in 2004.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

Tsunami

IMB’s Asia tsunami relief gifts surpass $2.7 mil: RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Children have clean clothes and families have shelter. The sick have medicine and the hungry have food. The thirsty have water -- and the hopeless are hearing about Jesus. All because of your gifts.

Christian Citizenship

Homosexual groups gear up for ‘gay marriage’ fight: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP/FBW)—In the wake of severe Election Day setbacks, a coalition of more than 20 homosexual and liberal organizations released a joint statement Jan. 13 outlining their goals for the future and re-stating their commitment to fight for legalized same-sex “marriage” nationwide.

Media Montage

‘Sexual Morality,’ marriage & family subject of new books: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)—As issues about human sexuality and the definition of family continue to make headlines in the United States, three Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary professors have published books calling believers to take strong, biblically defined stands on these important topics.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

January 23: Reach beyond ethnic barriers Luke 10:25-37: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
January 30: Avoid alcohol and drug abuse Proverbs 20:1; 23:20-21, 29-33; Romans 14:19-21; Ephesians 5:15-18: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

January 23: What about heavenly rewards? Luke 19:12-27: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
January 30: What about unbelievers? Luke 20:8-19: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.