Front Page

Welch says Baptists seeking ‘elephant hunt’ ERIN CURRY Baptist Press Published March 3, 2005: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Recounting lessons from his 50-state bus tour to promote evangelism and cooperation, Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch said people in the pews and pulpits are eager for a new challenge with eternal implications—one akin to “an elephant hunt” rather than “chasing squirrels and rabbits and birds.”
NAMB focuses on diverse missions Miami church hosts NAMB commissioning in ethnic setting MARTIN KING North American Mission Board Published March 3, 2005: MIAMI (BP)—Fifty-four new missionaries were urged to depend on the Lord, one another and Southern Baptists as they go to their part of the North American mission field.
Annie offering Week of Prayer features sculptor Published March 3, 2005: PAVILLION, Wyo. (NAMB)—With the deft skill of a trained artisan, Terrell O'Brien selects a sculpting tool and places it on the subject.
Judge Greer orders Terri Schiavo’s food, water to stop Mar. 18 JONI B. HANNIGAN Managing Editor Published March 3, 2005: CLEARWATER (FBW)—Clearly leaving the appellate courts 21 days to decide if any of the legal motions or appeals in the Terri Schiavo case have merit, Sixth Circuit Judge George W. Greer Feb. 25 denied an emergency stay in the case of Terri Schiavo.
Raceway Ministries in 20th season at Daytona CAROLYN NICHOLS Newswriter Published March 3, 2005: DAYTONA (FBW)—Racing fans at Daytona Speedway found not only friendly faces, but also prayer partners in the tent of the Central Florida Raceway Ministry. The annual Christian presence at Daytona, in its 20th season, is a ministry arm of Halifax Baptist Association.

Opinion

Editorial

Melting the ‘snowball effect’ of slots in South Florida Editorial: Voters in Broward and Miami-Dade counties have already started to cast their ballots in the March 8th referendums whether to permit pari-mutuel facilities in the two South Florida counties to install Las Vegas-style slot machines. And, the rest of the Sunshine State may be living with the repercussions of their decisions for decades.
Please pray for a friend Editorial: On Thursday, Feb. 24, our business manager’s husband, Paul Bugbee, went home to be with the Lord after succumbing to lung cancer. Most readers will not recognize Ginny Bugbee’s name since her role with Florida Baptist Witness is in the background. Nevertheless, Ginny is an immensely integral part of our work — something about which our newsletter churches would quickly and heartily testify.

Point of View

BREAKPOINT: Snake oil legislation: The politics of biotechnology Point of View

We’ve all heard the expression “truth in advertising.” We have laws that require advertising to be “truthful” and “non-deceptive.” They prohibit claims that are likely to mislead consumers when they’re making a decision about buying or using a product.

An open letter to Olympic gold medalist Jennie Finch Point of View

McMINNVILLE, Ore. (BP)—Dear Jennie,

Congratulations on your Olympic performance. Your superior pitching helped secure a gold medal for the U.S.A. softball team. Way to go!

Why health insurance costs so much Point of View

As consumers, we are aware that our health insurance premiums continue to rise, but we don’t always understand why.

Florida

Florida News

NAMB focuses on diverse missions Miami church hosts NAMB commissioning in ethnic setting: MIAMI (BP)—Fifty-four new missionaries were urged to depend on the Lord, one another and Southern Baptists as they go to their part of the North American mission field.
Judge Greer orders Terri Schiavo’s food, water to stop Mar. 18: CLEARWATER (FBW)—Clearly leaving the appellate courts 21 days to decide if any of the legal motions or appeals in the Terri Schiavo case have merit, Sixth Circuit Judge George W. Greer Feb. 25 denied an emergency stay in the case of Terri Schiavo.
Speakers urge Christians to turn back ‘neo-pagan’ drift: FORT LAUDERDALE (FBW)--Speakers urged Christians to continue to be “salt and light” in laying claim to America’s rich Christian heritage during the 10th annual Reclaiming America for Christ conference.
America’s heritage of faith noted by conference speakers: FORT LAUDERDALE (FBW)--Courts have strayed from embracing God’s precepts to mocking them during the last 175 years, Alliance Defense Fund President Alan Sears told the 10th annual Reclaiming America for Christ conference.
South Florida slots referendums near March 8 vote Florida Baptists, Christian Coalition educate Christians about dangers of expanded gambling: BROWARD/MIAMI-DADE (FBW) – Even as early voting has begun in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, proponents and opponents of referendums in each county which would permit the introduction of Las Vegas-style slot machines at seven pari-mutuel facilities in the two South Florida counties are entering the home stretch in a race that most observers believe the gambling industry will easily win.
15 years: Timeline since Terri’s collapse

Florida News Briefs

Ministry leaders learn to identify church role in modern culture at workshop
Prevent the abuse of minors; learn to develop safety and security policies
First Annual Panhandle Classic at Lynn Haven March 19 in memory Jack Grayson
South Florida Bible Study Summit offers leaders age-specific training

National

National News

Welch says Baptists seeking ‘elephant hunt’: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Recounting lessons from his 50-state bus tour to promote evangelism and cooperation, Southern Baptist Convention President Bobby Welch said people in the pews and pulpits are eager for a new challenge with eternal implications—one akin to “an elephant hunt” rather than “chasing squirrels and rabbits and birds.”
SBC to vote on New Orleans sole membership status: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in June will be asked to approve the corporate model known as sole membership for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. If approved, then messengers also will be asked to approve sole membership for the SBC Executive Committee.

Features

NASCAR & FAITH

Raceway Ministries in 20th season at Daytona: DAYTONA (FBW)—Racing fans at Daytona Speedway found not only friendly faces, but also prayer partners in the tent of the Central Florida Raceway Ministry. The annual Christian presence at Daytona, in its 20th season, is a ministry arm of Halifax Baptist Association.
FAITH & NASCAR: Everyone counts: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—FAITH pastors and NASCAR drivers may both be in the limelight, but neither can do their jobs without a well-run organization. Teamwork is the key to a successful NASCAR race. It’s also the key to successful FAITH ministry.
FAITH in Daytona: DAYTONA BEACH — Thanks to the efforts of the participants at the FAITH National Institute at the city’s First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, the city is home to 31 new Christians.
FAITH done right revitalizes Oklahoma church’s ministry; education minister credits strategy’s formula: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.(LWCR)—FAITH was dead when Mike Napier arrived at First Baptist Church in Owasso, Okla., in 2001 as the new minister of education and outreach. Now, three years later, FAITH is thriving, with 43 active teams—a total of 129 people.
At Daytona, collegian realizes NASCAR dream: JACKSON, Tenn. (BP)—Sure, it’s warm. Sure, it has great beaches. Sure, it has world-renowned golf courses.

Annie Armstrong Offering

Annie offering Week of Prayer features sculptor: PAVILLION, Wyo. (NAMB)—With the deft skill of a trained artisan, Terrell O'Brien selects a sculpting tool and places it on the subject.
Inner-city dwellers turn to Christ as result of witness: PORTLAND, Ore. (NAMB)—Churches are built on relationships, and few in the Pacific Northwest are better at cultivating friends and building relationships than missionary Troy Smith.
Humorous spots, video message highlight Annie offering: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—You won’t see the Chimpanzee office workers that were featured in commercials during the Super Bowl, but newly released Week of Prayer promotional video spots also are using humor to illustrate the importance of funding the work of North American missionaries.

Media Montage

Review: ‘Because of Winn-Dixie’ worth a trip to the theater: KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP)—Who isn’t a sucker for a good dog-and-his/her-sidekick story?

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.
March 27: Jesus our high priest Mark 16:1-7; Hebrews 7:23-28; 9:11-14: 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.