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Courtesy photo

Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center, is advisor to national media and governmental agencies, and is a Southern Baptist deacon.

Hope, faith guide Hurricane Center director
Published June 9, 2005

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—As Floridians hunker down in front of television sets for news of the oncoming hurricane season, they are hoping reports will not bring word of storms bearing down on their homes and worldly possessions. Yet even in the midst of their turmoil, a single, calm voice will guide them through what may be the most cataclysmic event of their lifetime.

Florida Baptist leads ‘for-life’ Sunshine State Democrats
Published June 9, 2005

WINDERMERE (FBW) – Evangelical Christian. Pro-life. And Democrat.

IMB appoints 116 new missionaries; trustees approve partner guidelines
Published June 9, 2005

MIDLAND, Texas (BP)—Trustees of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board appointed 116 missionaries—the second-largest group of new missionaries in board history—during their May 19-21 meeting in Midland, Texas.

Opinion

Editorial

Abortion politics and double-standards
Editorial

This is a story of sins of the Religious Right and the Religious Left. A story about how abortion politics caused a pastor to lose his job and those same politics caused a liberal professor to trumpet bogus stats hoping to put George W. Bush in the unemployment lines.

Point of View

Preaching should center on communicating biblical truth
Point of View

This is the second of a two-part series on “The Timothy Factor” of preaching. Last week I discussed lessons from my journey as a preacher which included the elements of preaching from the standpoints of change, tension, conduct, content and credibility. In this week’s column, I want to share with you some definitions and ideas about preaching from several great authors and lecturers.

The value of learning history: A lesson from Jude teaches perspective
Point of View

The little letter of Jude teaches us something about the value of learning history. This is not the main point of the letter. But it is striking.

BREAKPOINT: Cloning for dollars: Human life as a commodity
Point of View

Last year, researchers at South Korea’s Seoul National University became the first scientists to successfully clone a single human embryo. And just days ago, the team in Seoul raised the stakes again. They announced that they had found a way to clone embryos in bigger batches: eleven this time, possibly more in the future.

Cartoon

Cartoon

Florida

Florida News

Florida Baptist leads ‘for-life’ Sunshine State Democrats

WINDERMERE (FBW) – Evangelical Christian. Pro-life. And Democrat.

Owens tells SBOM 2004 ‘greatest year of ministry’

EUSTIS (FBC) – Characterizing Florida’s urban areas as “the last great frontier of the Gospel’s” penetration, Cecil Seagle, director of the Florida Baptist Convention’s Missions Division, told the State Board of Missions meeting May 26-27 at Lake Yale Conference Center of a developing strategy in which the Convention would aggressively engage in “Kingdom impacting efforts” in South Florida.

Governor Bush signs abortion clinic regulation bill

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush signed into law the Women’s Health & Safety Act May 31 in Tallahassee.

Florida hurricanes equip volunteers for Indonesia
Tsunami victims assisted by Florida Baptist Disaster Relief workers

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—When hurricanes furiously charged over Florida last year, disaster relief volunteers Sarah Jo and Dick Trimble manned the feeding units that fed storm victims who had not eaten in days. Don Miller responded as the state’s emergency radio communicator; his wife Yvonne helped with clean-up and helped wherever needed.

Florida News Briefs

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

Church Librarian workshop features ‘Road Trip’ theme

Youth Evangelism Conference takes witnessing event to Daytona Beach

Youth Leader Training to be held in conjunction with YEC

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.

Obituaries

National

National News

IMB appoints 116 new missionaries; trustees approve partner guidelines

MIDLAND, Texas (BP)—Trustees of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board appointed 116 missionaries—the second-largest group of new missionaries in board history—during their May 19-21 meeting in Midland, Texas.

Democrats for Life may be gaining traction in party

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WORLD)—A Democrat took the House Floor on April 27 and tickled the ears of pro-lifers. Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.) stumped for an initiative that aims to reduce abortion in America by 95 percent in 10 years.

Seminary News

Kelley tells NOBTS graduates to guard their hearts

NEW ORLEANS (BP)–President Chuck Kelley warned members of the graduating class at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary May 14 to guard their hearts.

Patterson tells grads to see ministry in light of eternity

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)–Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, commissioned 245 graduates during its 209th commencement ceremony May 6, while another 10 students the following day received degrees during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the seminary’s J. Dalton Havard School for Theological Studies in Houston.

Moses is 21st-century ministry model, says Mohler

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–Moses exemplifies the humility and faith that teaches modern church leaders how to remain faithful to their calling, R. Albert Mohler Jr. said during his spring graduation address at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Southeastern Seminary celebrates graduation

WAKE FOREST, N.C.– Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary celebrated its Spring 2005 commencement ceremonies May 27 with 174 graduates receiving degrees from the seminary and 70 from the school’s undergraduate program, Southeastern College at Wake Forest.

Nigerian reminds MBTS graduates to ‘contend for the faith’

LIBERTY, Mo. (BP)–Nigerian Baptist Convention General Secretary Solomon Ademola Ishola exhorted graduates to “contend for the faith” during the 45th commencement exercises of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary held at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo., May 21.

GGBTS graduates urged to minister with compassion

MILL VALLEY, Calif. (BP)–Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary held commencement ceremonies for 187 graduates at all five of its campuses throughout the month of May. President Jeff Iorg challenged the graduates to have compassion for the lost and for those they serve.

International News

Iranian lay pastor acquitted by Islamic court
Colonel tried in Islamic court, military conviction still in force

ISTANBUL (BP)–An Islamic court in Iran has acquitted a Christian lay pastor and former army colonel, Hamid Pourmand, on charges of apostasy and proselytizing, declaring, “Under sharia [Islamic law], there are no charges against you,” Compass Direct news service reported May 30.

Features

Preparing for the storm

Hope, faith guide Hurricane Center director

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—As Floridians hunker down in front of television sets for news of the oncoming hurricane season, they are hoping reports will not bring word of storms bearing down on their homes and worldly possessions. Yet even in the midst of their turmoil, a single, calm voice will guide them through what may be the most cataclysmic event of their lifetime.

Treasure Coast Baptist Association organizes for Florida hurricane survival, proactively planning for storm season

STUART (FBC)–September 2004 is a month that will live in infamy for the 66 congregations of the Treasure Coast Baptist Association.

Manual for developing strategies for crises

Goal: To assist churches to prepare for disaster by developing a strategy to minister to their communities during crisis through preparing their facilities, training their members, securing supplies, and developing protocols that will activate their disaster response plans.

Baptists prepare for worst, pray for best

JACKSONVILLE (FBC)—As the 2005 Hurricane Season approaches, Florida Baptists are filled with reminders of the past year’s devastating storms. They are preparing for the worst and praying for the best.

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.