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Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings answers questions posed by Executive Editor James A. Smith Sr. in the Witness office Mar. 3.

Lt. Gov. touts new pregnancy support program In Witness interview Jennings deflects claims her political ambitions explains her involvement in new initiative Published March 10, 2005: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Lt. Governor Toni Jennings visited the offices of Florida Baptist Witness Mar. 3 for a 40-minute interview to tout a new state initiative to support women in crisis pregnancies, insisting that the state government should help to level the playing field in offering alternatives to abortion in the Sunshine State.
Hispanic immigrant leads church planting movement in U.S. Published March 10, 2005: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (NAMB)—Unlike most Hispanic immigrants, when Carlos and Cristina De La Barra arrived in the United States with their three daughters 14 years ago, it wasn’t a prosperous life they were searching for—but a more fulfilling one.
New motions in Terri Schiavo case could nudge judge to void original order Greer asked to admit mistake, consider new medical advances Published March 10, 2005: CLEARWATER (FBW)—Challenging a judge’s ruling whether there was “clear and convincing” evidence Terri Schiavo would not have wanted to live in her physical state, attorneys Mar. 4 won a small victory when Sixth Circuit Court Judge George W. Greer scheduled an expedited Mar. 8 hearing on that matter and another related to Terri’s medical condition.
Florida attorney argues Ten Commandments case before United States Supreme Court Published March 10, 2005: WASHINGTON (BP)—Liberal and conservative lawyers alike have debated for years the constitutionality of public Ten Commandments displays. On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider that issue when it takes up two cases that could impact religion’s role in America for years to come.

Opinion

Editorial

Testing the sincerity of the ‘Mainstream Democrats’ Editorial: There’s nothing like losing to focus the attention of a major political party.

Point of View

Physician says Terri Schiavo has constitutional right to live Point of View: On February 25th, 2005, Florida Circuit Judge George W. Greer signed an order stating that “absent a stay from the appellate courts, the guardian, Michael Schiavo, shall cause the removal of nutrition and hydration from the ward, Theresa Schiavo, at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18th 2005.” That this order amounts to a death warrant is apparent from additional language of the order in which Judge Greer grimly states, “a date and time certain should be established so that last rites and other similar matters can be addressed in an orderly manner.” This order, in its explicit finality, raises fundamental questions regarding life and the taking of life.
Prescription drugs: A blessing too often abused Point of View: It all began with a call from the pharmacist. She told me that a woman who said she worked for me had just phoned in a refill for a popularly abused substance. There were two problems: (1) No such person worked in my office; and (2) The office was closed for the weekend. A bit of detective work revealed that this woman had contacted other pharmacies, using similar claims in an attempt to illegally obtain addictive medications. She soon found herself facing criminal prosecution. Unfortunately, this story is not uncommon and illustrates the growing problem of prescription drug abuse in the United States.
‘Inclusion’ in United Church of Christ’s ad campaign Point of View: In December of last year, the ultra liberal United Church of Christ launched a 1.7 million dollar television outreach campaign with its controversial “Night Club” ad. The ad begins with two burly night-club bouncers working the ropes in front of a church. When a same-sex couple approaches the church, they are forbidden entrance and told by the bouncers to step aside. Afterward, the screen goes black and a message reads, “Jesus didn’t turn people away ... Neither do we.” According to Rev. Ben Guess, the United Church of Christ’s news service director, the ad is intended to show his church’s “policy of radical inclusion.”
BREAKPOINT: Radical solutions: AIDS prevention from a different angle Point of View: Is a new strain of AIDS developing? The New York Times suggests that this could be the case. Scientists are running tests to see if a man infected with an unusually fast-acting and resistant form of HIV has a new “supervirus.” Nothing has been confirmed yet, but already people are getting alarmed.

Florida

Florida News

Lt. Gov. touts new pregnancy support program In Witness interview Jennings deflects claims her political ambitions explains her involvement in new initiative: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Lt. Governor Toni Jennings visited the offices of Florida Baptist Witness Mar. 3 for a 40-minute interview to tout a new state initiative to support women in crisis pregnancies, insisting that the state government should help to level the playing field in offering alternatives to abortion in the Sunshine State.
New motions in Terri Schiavo case could nudge judge to void original order Greer asked to admit mistake, consider new medical advances: CLEARWATER (FBW)—Challenging a judge’s ruling whether there was “clear and convincing” evidence Terri Schiavo would not have wanted to live in her physical state, attorneys Mar. 4 won a small victory when Sixth Circuit Court Judge George W. Greer scheduled an expedited Mar. 8 hearing on that matter and another related to Terri’s medical condition.
Florida attorney argues Ten Commandments case before United States Supreme Court: WASHINGTON (BP)—Liberal and conservative lawyers alike have debated for years the constitutionality of public Ten Commandments displays. On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider that issue when it takes up two cases that could impact religion’s role in America for years to come.
Drug rehab center offers Native American women hope: BRIGHTON (FBC) Two years ago, Pathways Community Church pastor Bill Losasso from Largo felt compelled to action after hearing Native Americans, including Grammy winner Tom Bee of Red Sea Ministries, speak and sing about the need for more outreach to Native Americans during a Promise Keepers pastor's conference in Phoenix, Ariz.
CROSS ROADS: Tapestry of faithful service: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)-The spring edition of the award-winning CROSS ROADS video magazine will feature men and women who have given their time and talents to reach the spiritually lost and hurting people across the Florida mission field.
Descendent of Judson’s Burmese converts dies: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)-U. Aung-Din, a third generation descendent of converts of pioneer missionary Adoniram Judson, died Feb. 17 in Jacksonville. He was 90.
Michael Schiavo’s attorney justifies client’s long-term adulterous relationship Christian ethicist says marriage vows do not include starvation: CLEARWATER (FBW)—Michael Schiavo simply won’t give up on trying to remove his 41-year-old disabled wife’s feeding tube, his attorney said Feb. 23 at the Clearwater Courthouse.
Focus on the Family co-sponsor of rally at State Capitol Mar. 13: TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-Focus on the Family will join with Fort Lauderdale’s Center for Reclaiming America, the Christian Coalition and nearly a dozen other pro-family groups March 13 in a rally at the State Capitol in support of Terri Schiavo.
Hurting single-parent families find church with arms open wide: NAPLES (BP)—Tammy Calhoun is a single mother of five children who knows what it’s like to have a 19-year-old, two preteens and two children 5 and under. She currently receives no financial support from her former husband yet considers herself among the fortunate. As a Federal Express employee, “I at least have a job and benefits and a home and credit. There are single moms who have none of that.”

Florida News Briefs

Workshop trains short-term volunteers to teach English overseas
Learn to achieve ministry goals through staff development at FBC, Windermere
First Annual Panhandle Classic to honor Jack Grayson March 19 in Lynn Haven
Learn to develop safety, security policies
Disaster relief training scheduled at FBC, Punta Gorda, March 12
Historical Society requests nominations

National

National News

VBS multiplication underway for ‘Ramblin’ Road Trip’: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—When it comes to Vacation Bible School, organizers are doing the math. Especially multiplication.

National News Briefs

SBC registration opens for childcare, children, youth: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Registration is now open for families who wish to enroll their children in the preschool childcare, the children’s conference or the youth Centrifuge June 19-22 in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn.
WMU awards $138,657 in grants, scholarships: BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)—Projects in Moldova were among the beneficiaries of Woman’s Missionary Union endowment funds awarded during its Jan. 15-18 board meeting at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega, Ala.
Cooperative Program giving up 3.32% YTD: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program are up 3.32 percent compared to the same time frame in 2004, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman.

Features

Annie Armstrong Offering

Hispanic immigrant leads church planting movement in U.S.: LOUISVILLE, Ky. (NAMB)—Unlike most Hispanic immigrants, when Carlos and Cristina De La Barra arrived in the United States with their three daughters 14 years ago, it wasn’t a prosperous life they were searching for—but a more fulfilling one.
Modern-day scout opening Canada for church planting: COCHRANE, ALBERTA (NAMB)— Dwight Huffman climbs up a hill and looks down on the town below. The cool Canadian breeze ruffles his hair as he surveys the environment, a vast wooded area untouched by development—until now.

Media Montage

Former Judge Moore battles for ‘religious freedom’: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LifeWay)— If anyone is waiting for former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Roy Moore to apologize for refusing to remove his Ten Commandments monument from the state’s Supreme Court building, don't count on it.
Pastor reflects on walk ‘through the valleys’: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (LifeWay)— There is a good chance things aren’t going that well for you if the local funeral director takes you out to lunch to recruit your business. After being diagnosed with cancer, Ernest Easley learned how to cope with difficult situations like that one—but he learned more about trusting God.
Teens, churches, families redefine courting scene: ATLANTA (BP)—Whenever love is in the air, many youth these days are saying “not so fast.”

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

March 20: Jesus our sacrifice John 19:28-37; Hebrews 9:22-26: 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 20: Demonstrate your trust in God Jeremiah 7:1-15: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
March 27: Celebrate the resurrection John 20:19-29: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.