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Jonathan Pettigrew is a US/C-2 NAMB missionary who works as a Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) director at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis (IUPUI), a campus of 28,000 students.

Collegiate ministry defines success: OBEDIENCE LEE WEEKS North American Mission Board Published February 24, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (NAMB)—Jonathan Pettigrew doesn’t remember anything about his 100-foot fall down a Colorado mountain in December 2002.

Pompano Brazilian church hosts state execs, editors TONY CARTLEDGE Biblical Recorder Published February 24, 2005

FORT LAUDERDALE (BR)—Florida Baptists hosted the annual gathering of state Baptist executives and editors meeting in Fort Lauderdale Feb. 15-18.

Opinion

Guest Editorial

A surprise endorsement for doctrine Guest Editorial: God gives good press to doctrine. But surveys of evangelicals usually do not—until recently. In God’s book, knowing his Son and believing true things about Him is liberty. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). God’s self-revelation in the Bible is not a wax nose. Paul calls it “the standard of teaching to which you were committed” (Rom. 6:17). It’s a standard, a yardstick, a pattern. You measure truth by it. Elsewhere he calls it “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), and the “pattern of the soundwords” and “the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Tim. 1:13-14). It does not change. Our everlasting salvation is determined by whether we believe it: “Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9). Depart from the doctrine, and you depart from Christ. Or, better, keep watch over your doctrine and “you will save ... yourself” (1 Tim. 4:16).

Point of View

HEARTBEAT: Terri Schiavo should not be put to death for her disability Point of View: A young mother beams with determination as she drags her daughter’s frail body through an inflatable obstacle course. Setting the grinning child back into a junior-sized wheelchair to tie her tennis shoes, the mom explains the child was born early and has cerebral palsy. At eight, she cannot walk or talk—she just smiles.
BREAKPOINT: Bring in the clowns: Trivializing the law Point of View: While most Americans will do almost anything to avoid jury duty, 250 prospective jurors in California are hoping that they will be selected. I’m talking about the prospective jurors in the Michael Jackson case. For the lucky twelve, “serving” in this year’s “trial of the century” is like hitting the lottery.
Eat right, get plenty of exercise ... and do your daily crossword puzzle Point of View: Everywhere you turn somebody is telling you to eat better and exercise regularly. We all know these things can help keep our bodies healthy and prevent all types of illnesses, but have you ever wondered how you can keep your mind healthy?
The miracle of love & grace means inner ‘bedrock of hope’ which brings joy Point of View: EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) – Does God still perform miracles? Ask missionary Bertha Smith. During her early days in China, she settled in the only place she could find in the village of Tsining – an ox stall in a villager’s barn.

Florida

Florida News

Pompano Brazilian church hosts state execs, editors

FORT LAUDERDALE (BR)—Florida Baptists hosted the annual gathering of state Baptist executives and editors meeting in Fort Lauderdale Feb. 15-18.

Floridian selected to Acteen panel

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WMU)—Allison Henderson is a shining example of how God is developing dynamic and emerging leaders through Acteens, in addition to nurturing a missions lifestyle.

New churches join Florida Baptist Convention

According to a report released by the Florida Baptist Convention’s Church Planting Department, Florida Baptists started 11 new churches in January 2005.

Arcadia couple buoyed by church family, stranger

Arcadia (FBW)—Charles and Marilyn Ranger moved from Chicago to Arcadia in 1972 for Florida’s warm weather, and 32 years later, Florida weather took their home. They now tell anyone who will listen about a Heavenly Father Who provided what they needed after Hurricane Charley, through a loving church family and a stranger’s generosity.

LifeWay’s new strategic marketing director has ties to Florida

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LWCR)—Harold Pinto brings more than 25 years of marketing experience to his newly-created position as strategic marketing director in the church resources division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

‘Ramblin’ Road Trip’ VBS curriculum displayed (Picture)

Florida News Briefs

Parenting skills that build strong families
Prevent the abuse of minors; learn to develop safety and security policies
First Annual Panhandle Classic March 19
Everywhere with Jesus! is the theme for 2005 Mother-Daughter overnight events

National

National News

‘Fast 50’ leadership seminars June 23-24 follow SBC meeting: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Church leaders can find information online about a series of intensive ministry training seminars to be conducted in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Nashville in June.

Features

Annie Armstrong Offering

Collegiate ministry defines success: OBEDIENCE: INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (NAMB)—Jonathan Pettigrew doesn’t remember anything about his 100-foot fall down a Colorado mountain in December 2002.
How 2005 AAEO gifts will be used: Last year (2004) receipts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions totaled nearly $54 million. This year’s goal of $55 million will continue to help 5,200 missionaries, many of them jointly sponsored through partnerships with NAMB and state conventions
2005 Facts about NAMB
2005 Facts about AAEO
How missionaries use AAEO gifts: The majority of AAEO gifts provide salaries and benefits for our missionaries, but some is also used to supply vital supplies for their ministries. The items below represent a sample of how Annie Armstrong Easter Offering gifts are used to reach people for Christ.
Week of PRAYER for those who have ANSWERED HIS CALL: What is the purpose of the Week of Prayer?
Missionary at home starting churches on the range: FALLON, Nev. (NAMB)—After a week of driving, having put 900 miles on his car, Mitch Bryant watches the sunset as he pulls into the driveway of his home. Driving between churches in Nevada is nothing like what he was used to back home in Arkansas when he would visit fellow pastors.

Media Montage

31 ‘Jesus habits’ set forth as spiritual disciplines: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Some habits are hard to break, but author Jay Dennis believes that through Jesus Christ, individuals have the power to overcome bad habits and begin new “Jesus habits.”
Justice Department to appeal obscenity case dismissal: WASHINGTON (BP)—The U.S. Department of Justice has announced it will appeal a recent setback on obscenity, providing a glimmer of hope it may prosecute such cases with more ardor under a new attorney general.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

March 6: Jesus: more than a prophet Mark 8:27-30; Acts 3:17-26: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
March 13: Jesus our king John 12:12-15; 18:33-37; 19:1-3, 14-16: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

March 6: Accept God’s assignment Jeremiah 1:1-19: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
March 13: Guard against sin Jeremiah 5:1-5, 7-8, 11-12: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.