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Pope championed pro-life, pro-family causes Published April 7, 2005: ROME (BP)–Pope John Paul II, who played a key role in the demise of communism and who championed pro-life and pro-family causes worldwide, died April 2 at the Vatican. He was 84.

Photo by Joni B. Hannigan

Reading aloud a statement to the media March 31, the day his sister Terri died, Bobby Schindler Jr. is joined by his sister, Suzanne Vitadamo.

Terri’s family says she’s ‘finally at peace with God’ Published April 7, 2005: PINELLAS PARK (FBW)—In a message of bittersweet resignation, Theresa Marie “Terri” Schiavo’s siblings read a statement to reporters March 31 outside the hospice where their big sister was starved to death in what has become the most litigated “right-to-die” case ever in American history.
Baptist relief workers rush to new Asian quake zone Published April 7, 2005: JAKARTA, Indonesia (BP)—Southern Baptist relief workers in Indonesia rushed March 29 to join a relief team already surveying damage on Nias, the island off Sumatra’s western coast devastated by a second massive earthquake in the region.
SIX MONTHS AFTER HURRICANES: Recovery, rebuilding continues Published April 7, 2005: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Several Florida Baptist churches celebrated Easter in sanctuaries that are newly repaired and remodeled from summer hurricane damage. Eastside Baptist Church in Milton met for the first time in its partly repaired sanctuary and First Baptist Church, Lake Worth, showed off its completed, repaired and re-modeled buildings Easter, March 27. Other churches are still waiting for repairs to be completed.

Opinion

Editorial

Terri Schiavo has passed; our work remains Editorial: Terri Schiavo is dead; even just typing these words is difficult. I cannot express my profound sadness for her family – and for our state and nation.

Point of View

The judicial system’s failure to Terri—and what it means for the rest of us Point of View: Without doubt, the courts have failed Terri Schiavo. Charged with upholding due process rights and equal protection for all citizens, a succession of courts—both state and federal—failed Terri Schiavo by accepting debatable assertions presented by compromised agents, and by refusing to consider the more fundamental issues at stake.
‘Thank God for the resurrected life of Jesus’ in you Point of View: Here are several things that I wanted to share with you.
Experiencing the Schiavo dilemma: Who will decide for you? Point of View: Terri Schaivo’s life ended at 9:03 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2005, 14 days after her feeding tube was removed. Was her life as hopeless as the world was told? As a traumatic brain injury victim myself, and someone who has spoken with several people who had close contact with Terri, including her chaplain and other close family friends, I want to speak out on Terri’s behalf.
Jessica Lunsford: From Homosassa to heaven Point of View: Not many things get to us like the recent events involving nine-year-old Jessica Lunsford. Jessica was a beautiful, radiant, energetic third grader whose smile could lighten up any place she was. Then, the unthinkable happened—from her own bedroom, she was abducted and her life was taken.

Florida

Florida News

Terri’s family says she’s ‘finally at peace with God’: PINELLAS PARK (FBW)—In a message of bittersweet resignation, Theresa Marie “Terri” Schiavo’s siblings read a statement to reporters March 31 outside the hospice where their big sister was starved to death in what has become the most litigated “right-to-die” case ever in American history.
VBS training features ‘Ramblin’ Road Trip’ theme
Panhandle pastor suffers smoke inhalation in parsonage fire: WESTVILLE (FBW)-The parsonage of New Hope Baptist Church in Westville was heavily damaged by fire March 23. Sixty-eight-year-old pastor Lindsey Martin was hospitalized four days for smoke inhalation; his wife, Carol, escaped without injury.
Legislature focuses on slot machines, pro-life measures as session continues in Tallahassee Florida Baptist leader calls for halt to ‘offensive lobbying efforts’: TALLAHASSEE (FBW) – As the Florida legislature turns its attention beyond the Terri Schiavo case, Bill Bunkley told Florida Baptist Witness the hard feelings engendered by well-meaning, but “offensive lobbying efforts” by “out-of-town advocates” has resulted in “strained relationships with some members of the Florida Senate.”
Ginny Whitten in whirlwind of planning ministers’ wives luncheon: TAMPA (FBW)—Just as the responsibility of wedding planning falls to the mother of the bride, much of the planning for the upcoming Southern Baptist Ministers’ Wives luncheon is in the hands of Tampa’s Ginny Whitten. As president of the organization, she and her fellow officers are in the final stages of preparing for 1,500 guests June 21 at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville.
Youth on Mission Rally planned: WINTER HAVEN (FBC)—Students interested in learning more about local and global missions can hear stories from the mission field during the Youth on Mission Rally at Parkland Baptist Church April 23.
Members of U.S. Congress receive personalized copies of the One-Year Bible from pastor, church Photo
Religious leaders respond to Terri Schiavo’s death
Readers’ views of Schiavo coverage offer praise, criticism Web site traffic surges in last month: JACKSONVILLE (FBW) – Readers have flooded the e-mail inboxes of Florida Baptist Witness staff and smashed previous records of traffic on the Web site of the official newspaper of the Florida Baptist State Convention during the waning weeks of its coverage of the Terri Schiavo controversy.
COUNTDOWN: Recent legal battle involved multiple motions, opinions
‘Will to Live’ alternative to a living will: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--It may not be wise to have a living will but, instead, a "Will to Live," as the National Right to Life Committee describes it.

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

‘Raise the dead to life,’ Rankin urges new missionaries: CHARLOTTE, N.C. (BP)—When ordinary Christians open their hearts to God’s love for a lost world, they find themselves in the extraordinary position of raising the dead to life, International Mission Board President Jerry Rankin told 38 new missionaries appointed March 15 at First Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C.

International News

Pope championed pro-life, pro-family causes: ROME (BP)–Pope John Paul II, who played a key role in the demise of communism and who championed pro-life and pro-family causes worldwide, died April 2 at the Vatican. He was 84.
Baptist relief workers rush to new Asian quake zone: JAKARTA, Indonesia (BP)—Southern Baptist relief workers in Indonesia rushed March 29 to join a relief team already surveying damage on Nias, the island off Sumatra’s western coast devastated by a second massive earthquake in the region.

National News Briefs

SBC’s Land, on ‘Meet the Press,’ discusses faith issues: WASHINGTON (BP)—On a day when most Bible-believing Americans were in church, Southern Baptist ethicist Richard Land was on a special Easter-morning edition of NBC News’ “Meet the Press” to discuss the role of faith in America.
Agee to lead new degree program at Union Univ.: JACKSON, Tenn. (UU)—Oklahoma Baptist University president emeritus and former Union University administrator Bob Agee will direct the new master in Christian studies degree at Union University, Union president David S. Dockery has announced.
GuideStone seeks retirees in need for ‘Adopt an Annuitant’: DALLAS (GS)—Retired Southern Baptist workers, ministers or widows whose incomes are insufficient to meet their daily needs are being sought by GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention (formerly Annuity Board).

Features

Hurricane 2004

SIX MONTHS AFTER HURRICANES: Recovery, rebuilding continues: JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—Several Florida Baptist churches celebrated Easter in sanctuaries that are newly repaired and remodeled from summer hurricane damage. Eastside Baptist Church in Milton met for the first time in its partly repaired sanctuary and First Baptist Church, Lake Worth, showed off its completed, repaired and re-modeled buildings Easter, March 27. Other churches are still waiting for repairs to be completed.
FBC hurricane recovery initiative rebuilds homes, lives: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—Hurricane Charley’s forceful winds uprooted more than the banyan tree in the Conger family’s yard this past August; it overturned their lives as they lost their jobs, home and all of their personal belongings.
Months after first hurricane, recovery slow for some: JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—When the eye of Hurricane Charley bore down on the Arcadia home of Pastor Ken Galloway eight months ago, the storm knocked down his brick fence and smashed the chimney onto the roof tearing holes through the shingles, ceiling and sheetrock. Then the winds of hurricanes Frances and Jeanne slashed across the home from the east coast, causing further damage.
Disaster relief: Baptist volunteer records tallied in ‘04: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—Southern Baptist Disaster Relief responses in 2004 reached an all-time high, including record numbers for meals prepared, buildings repaired and cleanup and recovery projects. More than 15,000 trained Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers gave their time, talents and energies in response to 193 natural disasters which included hurricanes, an earthquake, floods, tornadoes and ice storms.
‘Extreme Faith’ seeks workers at First Baptist, Cocoa Beach: COCOA BEACH (FBW)-During what First Baptist Church, Cocoa, is calling “Extreme Faith - Renovate Our Church,” members and other volunteers plan to work 24/7 to repair and renovate 30,000 square feet in three buildings. Church leadership is seeking volunteers to work during its “two-week window” May 2-14.

Spring Training

Marlins chaplain goes the extra mile for players: JUPITER (BP)—Florida Marlins pitcher Tim Spooneybarger and team chaplain Chris Lane are standing at a practice facility at Roger Dean Stadium talking about family, dogs and the condition of Spooneybarger’s arm, which still hurts after two years of rehab.
Marlins pitcher Todd Jones seeks to live a godly life: JUPITER (BP)—His teammates may be out after games going to popular night spots, but you won’t find Florida Marlins pitcher Todd Jones there.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

April 17: Controlled Speech James 3:2b-12; 4:11-12; 5:12: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
April 24: Humble Living James 4, 1-10, 13-17: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

April 17: Lead Others to the Lord Jeremiah 28:1-17: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
April 24: Accept the Lord’s Forgiveness Jeremiah 31:27-34: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.