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BCF photo

Jessica Foster leans up to give her father, Olan Strickland, a congratulatory kiss after the duo received degrees from Baptist College of Florida May 13.

Father, daughter make college family affair Published June 2, 2005: GRACEVILLE (BCF)—Father and daughter duo Olan Strickland and Jessica Foster walked the stage in the May 13 graduation ceremony in a fitting end to their academic journey at The Baptist College of Florida (BCF). The poignant ceremony was a far cry from the beginning of their journey just four years ago.
Disney boycott ended by American Family Association, group that launched it in '90s Published June 2, 2005: TUPELO, Miss. (BP)—The American Family Association, which led the charge against the Walt Disney conglomerate over moral values in the mid-1990s, is ending its Disney boycott.
Gov. Bush signs parental notice bill; U.S. Supreme Court to rule on N.H. measure Published June 2, 2005: TALLAHASSEE (FBW/BP)—Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law May 25 House Bill 1659, the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, which implements voters’ approval of a constitutional amendment last November requiring that at least one parent be notified 48 hours before a minor may have an abortion in Florida.
Hispanic Task Force completes report with multiple proposals Published June 2, 2005: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—A national Hispanic task force created by the North American Mission Board has submitted a report recommending a wide range of new resources, conferences and training to help Southern Baptists share the Gospel with one of the fastest-growing people groups in the United States and Canada.
El Equipo de Trabajo Hispano termina su informe El Informe incluye 24 recomendaciones a NAMB, SBC Published June 2, 2005: ALPHARETTA, GA (BP)--El equipo nacional sobre la obra Hispana formado por la Junta Misionera Norteamericana (NAMB) ha entregado el informe recomendando una lista extensa de recursos, conferencias y adiestramiento para ayudar a los Bautistas del Sur a compartir el Evangelio entre uno de los grupos de mayor crecimiento en los Estados Unidos y en el Canadá .

Opinion

Editorial

Hurricanes and cooperation: Looking back and looking ahead Editorial: I hate to bring it up – but have you noticed that we’ve now begun Hurricane Season, 2005?

Point of View

Preaching is not a ‘vocation,’ but an ‘anointing’ Point of View

In 2 Timothy 4:1-3, the apostle Paul tells his young protégé Timothy to “Preach the Word ... convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but according to their own desires ....”

These words are never truer than today.

Evangelism ineffectiveness and unregenerate church members Point of View

When was the last time your church denied membership to a recent aisle-walker? If Thom Rainer’s research in the Spring 2005 Southern Baptist Journal of Theology is correct, the answer to that question may be related significantly to your church’s effectiveness in evangelism.

BREAKPOINT: Letting our friends down: The Hmong Christians Point of View

You’ve seen on television in recent weeks the scenes of the helicopters evacuating Americans from the embassy rooftop in Saigon. Military action in Vietnam came to an end just thirty years ago. Unfortunately, for one loyal American ally, it marked just the beginning of even greater troubles.

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

Father, daughter make college family affair: GRACEVILLE (BCF)—Father and daughter duo Olan Strickland and Jessica Foster walked the stage in the May 13 graduation ceremony in a fitting end to their academic journey at The Baptist College of Florida (BCF). The poignant ceremony was a far cry from the beginning of their journey just four years ago.
Gov. Bush signs parental notice bill; U.S. Supreme Court to rule on N.H. measure: TALLAHASSEE (FBW/BP)—Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law May 25 House Bill 1659, the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, which implements voters’ approval of a constitutional amendment last November requiring that at least one parent be notified 48 hours before a minor may have an abortion in Florida.
CD enables grads to ‘stay connected’ to faith, church: FRANKLIN, TENN. (FBW)–As recent graduates face new challenges, their parents and pastors search for ways to keep their faith vibrant and their roots in the church grounded. One Florida church used ConGRADulations!, a music and resource CD especially prepared for graduates, to create an umbilical cord linking their youth to the church as they embark on the next phase of their lives.
BCF trustees approve new budget, honor president’s 15th anniversary: GRACEVILLE (BCF)–Baptist College of Florida trustees passed a new budget, approved residency requirements for applicants for the Shepherds’ Cottages, remembered long-time BCF professor J.W. Lee with a resolution, and honored President Thomas A. Kinchen for fifteen years of service at the institution during their May 5-6 meeting.
PBAU holds spring commencement: WEST PALM BEACH (PBAU)–Palm Beach Atlantic University granted 450 associate, bachelor, master and professional degrees in a commencement ceremony April 30, held for the first time at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Florida News Briefs

Special Education Retreat scheduled June 17-18 at Lake Yale Conference Center

National

National News

Disney boycott ended by American Family Association, group that launched it in '90s: TUPELO, Miss. (BP)—The American Family Association, which led the charge against the Walt Disney conglomerate over moral values in the mid-1990s, is ending its Disney boycott.
Ga. Supreme Court says Shorter College acted illegally: ATLANTA (BP)–The Georgia Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision May 23, upheld a Georgia Court of Appeals ruling that Shorter College’s actions to sever ties with the Georgia Baptist Convention be set aside as outside the bounds of state corporate law.
Youth leaders expect Crossover to broaden missions horizons: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Youthful exuberance will be a part of the Crossover Nashville evangelistic outreach preceding the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting.

Missions News

NAMB commissions 55 to serve in the US, Canada: BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (BP)–In a fanfare choir and orchestra, the congregation of First Baptist Church rose to their feet to welcome 55 missionaries being commissioned by the North American Mission Board in the Sunday morning service, May 15, in Broken Arrow, Okla.
Son of slain workers envisions redemption for Iraqi attackers God’s mission completed in parents’ living testament to Him: WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)–The son of slain Southern Baptist workers Larry and Jean Elliott said he does not hate the people who killed his parents in Iraq March 15, 2004. Instead, Scott Elliott desires to see them saved.

National News Briefs

Maryland school board scraps pro-homosexuality curriculum
Appeals court rules ‘In God we trust’ constitutional
Survey: Young Americans have little Bible knowledge

Features

2005 SBC Annual Meeting

Hispanic Task Force completes report with multiple proposals: ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)—A national Hispanic task force created by the North American Mission Board has submitted a report recommending a wide range of new resources, conferences and training to help Southern Baptists share the Gospel with one of the fastest-growing people groups in the United States and Canada.
El Equipo de Trabajo Hispano termina su informe El Informe incluye 24 recomendaciones a NAMB, SBC: ALPHARETTA, GA (BP)--El equipo nacional sobre la obra Hispana formado por la Junta Misionera Norteamericana (NAMB) ha entregado el informe recomendando una lista extensa de recursos, conferencias y adiestramiento para ayudar a los Bautistas del Sur a compartir el Evangelio entre uno de los grupos de mayor crecimiento en los Estados Unidos y en el Canadá .

Media Montage

Teen girl’s survival guide emphasizes virtue over vogue: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—Messages from popular teen magazines invade the minds of young girls each day. Promoting promiscuity, materialism and ungodly behavior, these messages saturate the pages of hundreds of teen tabloids. But Broadman & Holman’s best-selling author Vicki Courtney offers a Christ-centered alternative, TeenVirtue, that details how to navigate life’s most difficult issues.
Experiencing God still changing lives after 4 million copies in 15 years: ATLANTA (BP)—Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God has a simple—but not easy—message: Find out where God is at work and join Him there.
Holman CSB, in its first year, at No. 5 on bookstore charts: NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The Holman Christian Standard Bible, at the first anniversary of its release, has exceeded expectations in the marketplace, said David R. Shepherd, Broadman & Holman senior vice president/publisher and executive editor of the new translation.

Bible Study

Family Bible Study

June 12: Not Guilty by Association Romans 3:19-26; 4:1-3, 5:1-2: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.
June 19: Get Growing Phillipians 2:12-16a; 3:10-19: Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

Explore the Bible

June 12: Living by the Lord’s Values Ezekiel 7:1-2, 15-16, 19-27: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.
June 19: Acting on God’s Word Ezekiel 12:17-28; 14:4-6: Steve Smartt is pastor of Moultrie Baptist Church in St. Augustine.